All too often, what accountants are selling are services that clients have to endure, says Joe Woodard, a leading consultant to accountants and the impresario behind the Scaling New Heights Conference, and not the sort of thing that they really value. To succeed in the face of automation, AI and other changes in the profession, accountants need to find new ways to create value in the mind of the client.

William Kelly, Chief Counsel at Ascend, a platform for PE-backed accounting firms, delves into alternative practice structures (APS) in the accounting world. He highlights how APS diverges from traditional models, emphasizing their growth since the 1990s. The fascinating discussion covers the appeal of APS for attracting new talent, the legal landscape that allows non-CPA ownership, and the rise of multi-disciplinary practices. Kelly also tackles the challenges posed by private equity and the necessity of maintaining compliance and independence within evolving firms.

What will the firings at the IRS and other developments in Washington mean for tax season? Neil Fishman, returning president of the National Conference of CPA Practitioners, dives into these and other major tax issues.

The new head of the AICPA, Mark Koziel, shares his thoughts about the profession, his plans for the organization, and more.

Kim Blascoe, Senior Director of CAS Professional Services at CPA.com, dives into the booming world of Client Accounting Services. She reveals insights from the CAS Benchmark Survey, underscoring a remarkable 17% revenue growth in this field. The conversation highlights the shift from basic transactions to high-level advisory roles, urging firms to embrace mentorship and specialization. Blascoe also addresses the importance of strategic planning and data analysis for enhancing client relationships, alongside innovative staffing solutions to tackle current industry challenges.

Neil Fishman, the returning president of the National Conference of CPA Practitioners, shares vital insights as tax season approaches. He discusses the hurdles tax professionals face, including delays from brokerage houses and the complexities of upcoming tax laws. The conversation dives into the IRS’s challenges, like a hiring freeze and system upgrades, as well as ongoing legislative uncertainties regarding the SALT deduction cap. Fishman emphasizes the importance of credentialing for tax preparers and encourages new talent to explore diverse accounting careers.

Accounting Today editor-in-chief Dan Hood outlines the major trends and developments that accountants should be keeping an eye out for over the next 12 months.

As the profession grapples with lower numbers of people becoming accountants and CPAs, discussions about what it should take to become a CPA have proliferated; in this episode, Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs CEO Jennifer Cryder dives into why and how new paths to getting licensed are opening up.

On the eve of his retirement, longtime AICPA chief Barry Melancon turns his eagle-eye to the future, talking about the challenges and opportunities facing the profession, and what it needs to do to get ready for both.

As he prepares to step down from his long tenure as president and CEO of the American Institute of CPAs, Barry Melancon looks back at how the institute – and the accounting profession – have changed over the past 30 years.