Professional development news and resources

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October 3, 2024

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.

October 1, 2024

Key skills for CPAs in business and industry

Leaders from corporate finance and the profession share their advice for upskilling and reskilling for the next era of management accounting.

September 30, 2024

CPA licensure update: Uniform Accountancy Act changes proposed

The AICPA and NASBA seek comments on changes that would allow states to adopt the proposed CPA Competency-Based Experience Pathway.

September 27, 2024

New AICPA apprenticeship program expands accounting talent opportunities

The Registered Apprenticeship for Accounting and Finance Associate program pairs employers and entry-level employees. It expands the AICPA’s apprenticeship offerings.

September 26, 2024

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.

September 24, 2024

CPA Exam update: Core sections to offer more testing windows in 2025

The Core sections of the newly designed CPA Exam were graded quarterly during the testing model’s first year, but 16 grading periods are scheduled for next year.

September 19, 2024

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.

September 16, 2024

More organizations are turning to AI in the finance function

Research finds a significant increase in the percentage of companies leaning into finance AI, even as many struggle to develop sufficient talent to oversee execution.

September 12, 2024

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.

September 12, 2024

AICPA, NASBA propose a new pathway to CPA licensure

The CPA Competency-Based Experience Pathway offers an additional option for CPA candidates. Comments on the proposal are being accepted through Dec. 6.

September 5, 2024

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.

September 5, 2024

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.

September 1, 2024

Rewriting accounting’s employment narrative

Firms and finance departments implement changes to improve the employee experience and create more career accountants.

September 1, 2024

How academia is tackling the accounting talent shortage

Tactics include second-chance test taking, expanded curricula, extra help for at-risk students, and more. Early results are encouraging.

August 29, 2024

How CPAs can bring order to a disorderly world

A tech-savvy vision will help accountants use their skills to generate data, analyze problems, and instill order that begets trust.

August 29, 2024

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.

August 22, 2024

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.

August 15, 2024

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.

August 13, 2024

AICPA, state CPA societies nominate accounting for STEM designation

A letter asks the Department of Homeland Security to add accounting to its STEM Designated Degree Program List in an effort to bolster talent acquisition.

August 8, 2024

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.