Accounting Today Podcast

Okorie Ramsey, the chair of the AICPA and vice president of SOX at Kaiser Permanente, dives into how accounting firms can make the most of this important recruiting and career development tool, and the benefits it offers for both mentee and mentor.

Nela Richardson, chief economist of ADP, shares her thoughts on what's in store economically for the year ahead, what accountants should be worried about, and why the new normal will be anything but normal.

The first step is defining 'success,' says Nerd Enterprises' Seth David, before diving into how modern accounting firms can thrive.

It's not just hiring staff that's difficult -- managing them can be a major roadblock for growing businesses. One solution for that is the professional employer organization, and Kristen Appleman, senior vice president and general manager of ADP TotalSource, explains how they work and when they might be a good fit.

Frank Sands, president of the National Conference of CPA Practitioners, shares the major issues that tax pros should be paying attention to in the run up to April 15, as well as expectations around IRS responsiveness, and the latest small-business trends.

The podcast discusses the upcoming revamp of the CPA exam, including changes to core and discipline sections. They also talk about the impact of technology, control, tax, and data analytics on the exam. The podcast covers the start and end dates of the new exam, the role of test centers for security, and the flexibility of testing locations. It emphasizes the importance of selecting the right exam section and highlights the stories of candidates who persevered through failures to pass the exam.

Technology thought leader shares how firms should think about their tech stack. Discusses selecting products, common mistakes, security and backup considerations, and managing an effective tech stack.

As the flow of young people into the profession slows, and more and more old accountants are leaking away, Sue Coffey, the CEO of public accounting at the AICPA, and Lexy Kessler, chair of the National Pipeline Advisory Group, share what's being done in the short term and the long term to address this major problem.

Customer and client relationship management systems have come a long way, says Sarah Dobek of Inovautus Consulting – and it's time for firms to give them a second look.

The podcast discusses the labor shortage, rising material costs, and compliance issues in the construction industry. It explores the challenges faced by construction firms and the role of accountants in guiding businesses. The range of services accountants can offer in the construction field and the importance of innovative ideas are also discussed.