Transform your workday with generative AI and discover practical ways to save time.Quick Tech TalkWith Steve YossCPE TodayGenerative AI tools are revolutionizing how we approach work, offering practical, efficient, and innovative solutions for professionals across industries. If you haven’t explored tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT or Anthropic’s Claude, now is the time to dive in. These cutting-edge technologies are as accessible as they are powerful, requiring no special training—just your ability to clearly express your needs.MORE STEVE YOSSMORE TECHExclusively for PRO Members. Log in here or upgrade to PRO today.Imagine completing a 10-hour workload in just six hours. That’s the promise of generative AI: helping you work smarter, not harder.

Leaders must empower others, share leadership, and foster an inclusive culture to ensure long-term success.Gear Up for GrowthWith Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesIn a rapidly evolving profession where mergers, acquisitions, and private equity investments dominate headlines, many CPA firms face a critical choice: sell, merge, or remain independent. For firms determined to chart their own course, leadership is the key to survival and success.Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today's competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth every Friday here | More Capstone Conversations with Jean Caragher every Monday | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts hereSarah Elliott, co-founder and principal of Intend2Lead LLC, joins Jean Caragher on the "Gear Up for Growth" podcast to discuss how conscious leadership can help CPA firms maintain independence, foster innovation, and develop future leaders. Her insights underscore a fundamental shift in leadership—one that requires vision, empowerment, and adaptability.According to Elliott, firms that want to remain independent need to cultivate three critical leadership qualities.

“I’d go through cancer again before I’d go back to not having confidence.”Accounting ARCWith Arpan GrewalCenter for Accounting TransformationWhen Kelly Mann left her public accounting job, she had no clients, no roadmap, and no guarantee of success. But what she did have was a vision—and a willingness to take risks. Today, she is the CEO of AuditMiner, a groundbreaking software company that simplifies 401(k) audits for CPA firms across the country. MORE Accounting ARC: Are We Ready for the Hidden Risks of AI in Accounting? | The Research Imperative: Why Data Drives Accounting Success | How Coaching Can Unlock Professional Success | Demystifying Accounting Governance | Top 10 Red Flags to Watch for in Accounting Offices | Jeremy Dubow: Private Equity as a Catalyst for Growth | Break the Burnout Cycle in Accounting | Accounting in Transition: 2024 Reflections & the Road Ahead | Ron Baker: Visions for the Accounting Profession | Angie Grissom: Next Gen Inspo for Accountants | Does Accounting Belong in STEM? | Rose Wang: Where Numbers Meet Strategy and Creativity | TikTok Fraud Exposes Gaps in Financial Literacy | How Accounting Pros Own the Stage in Public Speaking | Greg Kyte: Being a CPA Is Like Being the Marie Kondo of Numbers | Rachel Bashore: A Lawyer's Case for Reinventing Accounting | Beyond the Basics in Ethics Education“I was always told to stop being a bull in a china shop,” Mann recalls. “But I realized I was okay with being a bull—I just needed to leave the china shop.” That realization set her on the path to entrepreneurship. In 2020, Mann was preparing to launch AuditMiner when she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer. Facing both a global pandemic and a personal health battle, she nearly gave up.

Dress for the job you want, not the job you have - yes, seriously. The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrTraditional accounting firms are undergoing a seismic shift, and at the forefront of this transformation is Roman Villard, founder of Full Send Accounting. In this episode of The Disruptors podcast, Liz Farr sits down with Villard to explore his unconventional approach to running an accounting and data consultancy. From redefining firm culture to embracing technology, Villard shares how his firm is reshaping what it means to be a modern accountant.MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Monique Swansen: Align Firm Values with Services | Tina McGill: How to Create Lasting Client Impact | Stefan van Duyvendijk: Develop Operational Mindset | Steve Evans: Why Traditional Hiring Methods Fail | Roger Knecht: Can You Be an Accountrepreneur? | Beth Whitworth: Focus on Outcomes Not Hours |Mike Sylvester: Learn to Say No | Salim Omar: Identify Your Client's $100,000 Problem | Jackie Meyer: Earn More with Fewer Clients | Jack Fleherty: Don't Be a 'Yes' Person | Greg Adams: From Finance to Storytelling | The Disruptors | Jody Padar: Make Radical Changes Now If You Want to Be Relevant in 2030 | Rebecca Driscoll: Amplify Reach By Helping Other Firm Owners Many in the accounting industry grew up hearing, “Dress for the job you want.” But for Villard, that meant rethinking what kind of job—and firm—he actually wanted. Tired of the rigid expectations of traditional accounting firms, he built Full Send to foster authenticity, allowing professionals to bring their whole selves to work. From casual attire to a brand identity inspired by adventure sports, Full Send is a firm built on passion, energy, and going all in.

Adopting these tools will define future success in the profession.Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownRandy Johnston, a pioneer in fintech and technology for accounting, shares his insights on the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) with a deep dive into its history and future potential. Johnston traces AI’s roots back to Alan Turing's groundbreaking work in the 1950s and walks listeners through decades of milestones, from the first neural networks to OpenAI's ChatGPT.More Accounting Influencers with Rob Brown hereHighlighting the shift to generative AI, Johnston explained how tools like ChatGPT leverage vast datasets through large language models (LLMs) to deliver advanced, nuanced responses. “AI isn’t prescient or conscious,” Johnston clarified, “but it’s a significant leap forward in what machines can do.”

Stopping cyber threats before they start begins with adopting one essential email habit today.Quick Tech TalkWith Steve YossCPE TodayIn today’s digital age, email continues to be a critical tool for communication—but it’s also a leading gateway for cyber threats such as malware, ransomware, and financial scams. For professionals, this makes email not only a convenience but also a significant risk factor. MORE STEVE YOSSMORE TECHExclusively for PRO Members. Log in here or upgrade to PRO today.Email requires your utmost vigilance. Cybercriminals often use sophisticated tactics like phishing and spear phishing to disguise themselves as trusted clients or colleagues. Spotting these scams can be incredibly challenging, as fraudulent emails often mimic legitimate communication styles and addresses.

Innovation, AI, and next-gen leaders must successfully adapt to constantly changing landscapes.Accounting Influencerswith Rob BrownThe accounting profession stands at a crossroads, faced with technological disruption, shifting business models, and an evolving workforce. In a recent episode of the Accounting Influencers podcast, industry leaders Bobby Lane, CEO of Factotum; Tony Szczepaniak, CEO of LEA Global; and Rick Richardson, CEO & Founder of Richardson Media & Technologies, engaged in a dynamic discussion about the state of accounting, the biggest threats facing the profession, and the opportunities ahead.More Accounting Influencers with Rob Brown hereSzczepaniak emphasizes the pressing issue of talent shortages, noting that regulatory bodies are exploring new ways to accelerate certifications and attract non-traditional candidates. He acknowledges that while some firms are innovating, others remain stagnant. "The firms that can clearly articulate their value proposition and adapt to strategic conversations internally will thrive," he asserts.Richardson paints a stark picture of a divided profession, describing it as a "sandwich" where younger professionals are innovating on one side while senior partners near retirement show little interest in transformative change. He warns that attracting young talent requires a shift in perception: "We need to do a better job of selling what accounting really is and what it offers to young professionals. Right now, they see better financial incentives and career growth elsewhere."Lane echoes this concern but offers a different perspective, citing that young professionals are still entering the profession but are more likely to view it as a short-term stepping stone rather than a long-term career path. "They want to gain qualifications, move into financial planning and analysis, corporate finance, or even start their own businesses," he explains.The panel agrees that technology, particularly AI and automation, will significantly impact the profession but not in the way many fear. "People panicked that cloud accounting would eliminate accountants. It didn’t. Instead, it shifted the value from processing to advisory services," Lane argues. He sees a similar transition with AI: "The challenge now is for accountants to become translators of numbers, helping businesses interpret and act on financial insights."

Focus on your clients...or someone else will.Gear Up for GrowthWith Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesBill Sheridan, chief communications officer at the Maryland Association of CPAs, believes CPA firms must embrace change to stay competitive. As technology automates compliance work, firms that focus on client advisory services will be the ones that thrive. “Our clients’ expectations are changing, and they are looking for more than just traditional compliance services,” Sheridan says. “The firms that recognize this shift and focus on client advisory services will be the ones that thrive.”Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today's competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth every Friday here | More Capstone Conversations with Jean Caragher every Monday | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts hereSheridan emphasizes that while automation is transforming the accounting industry, it is not eliminating the need for CPAs. Instead, it is creating opportunities for professionals to enhance their roles.“Technology isn’t the biggest threat to CPA firms,” Sheridan explains. “The real danger is failing to prioritize client relationships.” He drew a powerful comparison to the retail industry: “Amazon didn’t kill retail—bad customer service did. The same applies to CPAs. If we stop being client-focused, we’ll become irrelevant.”

“Without AI literacy, we’re all at risk.” Accounting ARCWith Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny ShimamotoCenter for Accounting TransformationArtificial intelligence is revolutionizing accounting, automating everything from bookkeeping to tax preparation. But as AI advances, accountants must ask: Can we trust it? In this Accounting ARC episode, Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA; Byron Patrick, CPA.CITP, CGMA; and Liz Mason, CPA, explore the growing risks AI poses to the profession, including deepfake fraud, financial market manipulation, and the loss of data privacy. MORE Accounting ARC: The Research Imperative: Why Data Drives Accounting Success | How Coaching Can Unlock Professional Success | Demystifying Accounting Governance |  Top 10 Red Flags to Watch for in Accounting Offices | Jeremy Dubow: Private Equity as a Catalyst for Growth | Break the Burnout Cycle in Accounting | Accounting in Transition: 2024 Reflections & the Road Ahead | Ron Baker: Visions for the Accounting Profession | Angie Grissom: Next Gen Inspo for Accountants | Does Accounting Belong in STEM? | Rose Wang: Where Numbers Meet Strategy and Creativity | TikTok Fraud Exposes Gaps in Financial Literacy | How Accounting Pros Own the Stage in Public Speaking | Greg Kyte: Being a CPA Is Like Being the Marie Kondo of Numbers | Rachel Bashore: A Lawyer's Case for Reinventing Accounting | Beyond the Basics in Ethics EducationTraditionally, software was designed and programmed by humans, making its logic transparent. Now, AI writes its own code, making its decisions harder to audit. As Patrick, CEO of VERIFYiQ and co-founder and educator for TB Academy, notes, “If we don’t know how AI arrives at conclusions, how can we verify its accuracy?” 

Make the most of financial contributions.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayWhen it comes to charitable giving, many people think of writing an annual check to their favorite nonprofit. However, strategic charitable planning is much more than just making a yearly donation—it’s about aligning generosity with effective tax strategies to maximize impact while benefiting both the donor and the recipient. Get more Art Werner at cpatrendlines.com here: https://cpatrendlines.com/author/art-werner/ Whether you’re considering making gifts during your lifetime or planning your estate, understanding the best ways to direct your assets can create meaningful tax advantages while supporting causes that matter most to you.“Charitable planning goes well beyond just saying, ‘I’ll make a donation,’” Werner explains. “It involves estate planning, asset allocation, and structuring gifts in ways that are both tax-efficient and personally meaningful.”Donating to charitable organizations offers more than just a feel-good moment. With proper planning, taxpayers can leverage their generosity to reduce taxable income, manage estate taxes, and optimize their financial legacy.