Accounting Today Podcast

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.

Sarah Dobek, President and founder of Innovatus Consulting, specializes in helping accounting firms develop effective sales pipelines. She discusses how transitioning sales processes from mental tracking to formal structures can boost accountability and growth. Key topics include navigating each stage of the client journey, the importance of lead qualification, and efficient onboarding practices. Dobek emphasizes that integrating practice management systems is crucial for success, allowing firms to adapt their sales strategies to their unique culture.

Private equity can solve many of a firm's problems –– but not necessarily all, according to Phil Whitman of Whitman Transition Advisors, and there are alternatives.

Private equity is a solution to many accounting firm problems -- but not for all accounting firms. Allan Koltin of Koltin Consulting Group dives into who might be a good fit for PE, and what they can expect if they do.