Former Starbucks finance executive Tiffany Willis shares leadership lessons on being challenged by other leaders, the value of “the meeting before the meeting,” and her focus on being authentic.
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TOPICS
Professional development
Driving efficiency or driving workers toward burnout? How AI is being used
Nearly two-thirds of employees in a global survey said their company is more interested in using artificial intelligence to create efficiency than to add value, leading many to feel like they’re doing two jobs while struggling to find time to produce meaningful results.
AICPA members to vote on two proposed bylaw amendments this fall
Voting will open later this fall on amendments addressing AICPA volunteer term dates and AICPA membership eligibility requirements.
CFO hires increasing; average age of hires decreasing
At the midpoint of 2026, the average age of CFO hires at large companies stood at 48.2 years old, the youngest average age in at least a decade.
An innovative state society CEO and her view of accounting’s future
Rebekah Olson discusses how community, collaboration, and engagement can help the accounting profession navigate workforce challenges. She also explains what she learned from her mentor and predecessor as Maryland’s state society CEO in this podcast episode.
Build trust with a stewardship mindset
A finance leader shares what it means to be accountable and why he believes stewardship is the core purpose of the CFO role.
A new top 5 firm: Grant Thornton acquiring fellow top 10 firm CBIZ
The deal, which includes an investment by private-equity company New Mountain Capital, will create a footprint featuring 34,000-plus employees in more than 20 countries and territories.
Telling a better CPA story, one T-shirt and LinkedIn post at a time
Calvin Harris, CPA, the CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, discusses how humor, storytelling, and connection can make the CPA profession more relevant and engaging. Listen to the podcast episode or read the Q&A.
Awkward silence is OK — and other networking secrets
The AICPA’s CPA Pipeline director shares practical networking advice, explains why listening is a critical professional skill and why it’s more challenging these days, and offers an update on accounting enrollment trends. Listen to the podcast episode or read the Q&A.
Midyear advocacy update: STEM, BOI, taxes and licensure
What issues are shaping the CPA profession? The AICPA’s advocacy leader shares information on STEM legislation, BOI reporting, the “marathon” of new tax legislation, and more. Listen to the podcast episode or read the Q&A.
Why mindset may matter more than technology adoption
Joel Morris of Wolters Kluwer and Tom Hood of the AICPA analyze the importance of mindset and leadership in keeping pace with the rapid rate of transformation in corporate finance and accounting. They discuss artificial intelligence, human skills development, the importance of risk mitigation in AI deployment, and the threat of irrelevance for those who don’t keep up.
The power of active listening in addressing the CPA skills gap
An AICPA vice president discusses the Profession Ready Initiative and its focus on addressing emerging skills gaps for CPAs. In this podcast episode with Q&A, Carl Mayes, CPA, also answers the question, “Are you a good listener?”
ENGAGE keynote: The thinking behind Costco’s hot dog special
Richard Galanti, CFO and the “voice of Costco” for nearly four decades, dishes on keys to the company’s success to kick off the 10th year of AICPA ENGAGE in Las Vegas.
AICPA launches national campaign championing the CPA profession
CPA Trust aims to boost the profession’s profile via media promotions that highlight the unique brand of trust that CPAs offer.
5 state CPA societies merge
The CPA organizations of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont have approved a merger to form the New England Society of CPAs.
6 top scorers on CPA Exam earn Elijah Watt Sells Award
Of more than 87,000 CPA candidates who sat for the CPA Exam in 2025, a half dozen passed all four sections on their first attempt while recording a cumulative average score above 95.5.
Deregulation’s state of play and the threats it poses to CPA licensure
An AICPA vice president explains why CPA licensure is under pressure from state-level deregulation and what the profession can do to respond. Listen to the podcast episode or read the Q&A.
How CPAs can show their value on National Accounting Day
An AICPA executive discusses the significance of National Accounting Day and encourages CPAs to share real examples of the value they deliver to clients and communities.
Worrying about what’s next? Take a minute and focus on the present
The keynote speaker for a June AICPA conference explains why focusing on the present can help finance professionals reduce stress and improve performance. Listen to the podcast episode or read the Q&A.
Are you making the most of LinkedIn?
LinkedIn provides a multifaceted resource to search, network, and post content — but third-party AI tools should be treated with caution.
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Help clients avoid surprises with year-end planning strategies for managing taxable income, maximizing deductions, and adjusting to OBBBA changes affecting individuals and businesses.
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