On a summer trip to Paris, a college lecturer was waiting in line to see the Mona Lisa when a painting in the distance caught her eye. When she went for a closer look, she made a discovery rich in accounting history. She tells her tale in this article for the AICPA & CIMA’s Academic Update newsletter.
Professional development
Big companies have big hopes for 2024
About two-thirds of US large-company CEOs believe 2024 will bring better financial fortunes for their organizations, according to a survey.
Better business: How to invest in staff and keep staff invested
Learn the latest information on an AICPA apprenticeship program as it approaches an anniversary and gain insight into a December gathering of finance executives from large companies. Listen to the podcast or read the transcript.
Joshua Lance: Remembering a bright light lost
The 40-year-old founder of a virtual CPA firm, who passed away Saturday, made a real difference in the accounting profession and in the lives of those he touched.
Budgets for salary increases rise at historic rates
The average salary increase budget among U.S. companies polled in a long-running annual survey rose 4.4%, the greatest increase observed by The Conference Board since 2001.
An unorthodox path to CPA success
A CPA firm owner and mother of five shares the details of her success story in this podcast episode with transcript.
Pool of accounting graduates shrinks, AICPA report finds
The AICPA 2023 Trends report shows a significant decrease in accounting graduates, but university accounting departments foresee an increase in enrollment. That, combined with a projected increase in the general student population, presents an opportunity for the profession.
Harnessing collaboration for workplace transformation
Advances in technology are turning the business world upside down — and accounting is no exception. The paradigm shift taking place calls for radical innovation and transformation. Collaboration is the key.
The state of DEI: A Q&A with Crystal Cooke
Crystal Cooke, director of Diversity and Inclusion at AICPA & CIMA, assesses the state of DEI initiatives and attitudes in accounting.
Summing up Sid: The ultimate CPA and friend to all
Hear the voices of four CPAs sharing memories of their interactions with Sid Kess, a pioneer who loved to share knowledge and grow the profession, one conversation at a time.
Sidney Kess, a personal remembrance
For accountants, especially those in the tax and personal financial planning worlds, the passing of Sidney Kess at age 97 is “like losing a parent to the profession,” writes Andrea Millar, CPA/PFS, who shares her memories of a legend who educated countless CPAs and helped her grow the AICPA Personal Financial Planning section.
Remembering the mentorship and impact of Sidney Kess
Kess, who died at age 97, was “a friend to everybody” – and a strong proponent of sharing knowledge with others.
No regrets: Reflections on a family-owned CPA firm’s ‘great run’
A CPA grieving the death of his father, who was also a CPA, shares how writing about “beautiful” memories led to a book that teaches business lessons and more. Listen to his words or read the transcript.
How to close the talent gap without hiring
An expert in workplace dynamics shares simple strategies that can significantly increase the productivity of current employees while changing company culture for the better.
Why the outlook of CPA decision-makers has improved
A quarterly survey of CPA decision-makers reveals that inflation is no longer the top challenge for the respondents’ organizations. Learn more in this podcast episode with transcript.
How 3 firms tackle the audit talent crunch
Nontraditional career paths, international expansions, and automation are among the approaches three firms are using successfully.
CPA engagement boosts student interest in Exam, public accounting
Practitioner participation in college capstone class teaches relevant workforce skills and increases desire to pursue licensure.
3 keys to building a strong team: Partnerships, people, goal alignment
A CFO with a focus on talent development shares the importance of partnerships, people, and goal alignment in this podcast episode with transcript.
‘All in this together’: Addressing the CPA pipeline issue
The chair of the newly formed National Pipeline Advisory Group shares how a group of stakeholders aims to address the profession’s talent shortage in this podcast episode with transcript.
Future C-suite leaders banking on continued hybrid work model
In a survey of manager-level professionals at financial services institutions, 66% said they likely would leave their current roles if required to return fully to the office. At the same time, the large majority see value in some in-office work hours.
Features
FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE
AI risks CPAs should know
Are you ready for the AI revolution in accounting? This JofA Technology Q&A article explores the top risks CPAs face—from hallucinations to deepfakes—and ways to mitigate them.
