Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, is a few weeks away from official retirement. In this podcast episode with a transcript, he assesses how much free time he might have, reflects on the “outpouring” of positive messages, and explains why trust remains a pillar of the profession.
Advertisement
Topics
Leadership
Leading change in accounting: A step-by-step guide
Adjust your mindset, skill set, and habits to transform your leadership approach and help the profession evolve.
Koziel to become AICPA president and CEO
The successor to Barry Melancon will also take over Jan. 1 as CEO of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.
Melancon leaves AICPA with a legacy of change
The transformative leader, who is retiring on Dec. 31, guided the organization and the profession for nearly three decades.
Managing change: 3 strategies to avoid a tech transformation tailspin
With about two in three transformations failing, a leader navigating three transformations at one time explains how she plans to avoid becoming a statistic.
Future leaders, be advised: ‘What got you here … won’t get you there’
Everything in a finance leader’s world is moving faster, and a group focused on sharing knowledge aims to make sense of that rapid transformation. An AICPA & CIMA leader sums up the mindset and skill set needed to adapt in this podcast episode with transcript.
Employers focusing on starting salaries and workload to ease pipeline pain
Accounting graduates are seeing higher initial pay, and a majority of large firms plan to address workload issues in the next six months. These trends are welcomed, but more is needed, writes Sue Coffey, CPA, CGMA, CEO–Public Accounting for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants.
Advice for future CFOs: One communication skill that sets you apart
The co-managing director of an executive search firm details the skills companies desire in their next CFO and how candidates can get that experience. Listen to the episode or read the Q&A with Scott Simmons of Crist Kolder Associates.
Mark Koziel to become CEO of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants
Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, has been named as the next CEO for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. Koziel will begin the role in January 2025. He currently leads Allinial Global, an association of independent accounting and advisory firms with $6 billion in collective revenue.
‘Majority moves’ in tech: Finance leaders reveal popular practices
Finance leaders are increasingly being asked to devise plans that use new technologies to improve the bottom line. Recent survey results highlight the most common approaches leaders are taking.
The value of connection: Reflections of an advocate for women
A principal at Crowe reflects on how women’s initiatives have helped diversify leadership ranks and why such changes are important to her. Listen to the episode or read the Q&A.
Never give up: A CFO tackles tech implementation and triathlons
A finance leader in the final preparation stage for a big race next month explains how being comfortable with the uncomfortable has benefited her career and her training. Listen to the episode or read the Q&A.
JofA highlights: Tackling accounting’s talent shortage, ChatGPT tips
The JofA’s editor-in-chief highlights the news, features, and advice that CPAs will find useful in recently published and upcoming issues of the magazine. Listen to the podcast episode or read the transcript.
AICPA chair: Why change is good, and needed, for the profession
A major firm leader, a few months into her one-year term as AICPA chair, detail how leaders around the world are achieving success by improving workplace culture and embracing emerging technologies. Learn about the impact of McCall’s extensive travels by listening to the episode or reading the Q&A.
What replaced inflation as the top challenge for finance leaders
The quarterly survey of U.S. business and industry leaders shows a decline in optimism about the next 12 months related to the domestic economy. Respondents also were asked about the effect of election uncertainty on business forecasting and about the effect of a potential lowering of interest rates. Listen to the episode or read the Q&A.
Decline in economic and organizational optimism among CPA leaders
Finance decision-makers in a quarterly survey say they have concerns on several fronts. As a result, business and industry executives have lower revenue and profit projections.
Chasing the right things: Keynote speaker’s keys to contentment
A keynote speaker explains why wanting to win an argument is a losing proposition and why he looks forward to speaking to a government and not-for-profit audience Oct. 28. Listen to the podcast episode or read the Q&A.
CFO opportunities on the rise: Key trends for aspiring leaders
A noteworthy number of women landed CFO roles in the first half of 2024, but things headed in the right direction for all prospective leaders around the world seeking a shot at the highly coveted position.
Lessons learned, future in focus: Melancon looks back and ahead
Barry Melancon’s retirement as CEO is effective at the end of the year. In the second of two parts, Melancon discusses challenging times, lessons learned, what he’s most proud of, and a continued emphasis on trust. Listen to the episode or read the Q&A.
A matter of trust: Melancon reflects on nearly 30 years as CEO
Barry Melancon’s retirement is effective at the end of the year. He joined the JofA podcast for the first of a two-part conversation that looks back on his tenure and the skills he picked up during nearly three decades as a leader. Listen to the episode or read the Q&A.
Features
FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
Flip out with the latest Tech Q&A
The September Technology Q&A column shows how to create dynamic to-do lists with Excel's checkboxes and also how to set up multifactor authentication texts that don't rely on phones. Flip through both items and view a video walkthrough in our digital format.
From The Tax Adviser
August 30, 2025
2025 tax software survey
July 31, 2025
