Professional skills

Topics

September 3, 2026

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.

August 27, 2026

Finance’s chemistry lesson: The guardian-to-catalyst transformation

Finance is being rewired for an AI-driven future, and one Gartner expert says the function’s next challenge is knowing what to preserve — and what to let go.

June 18, 2026

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.

June 10, 2026

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?”

May 5, 2026

9 tips to write more effective AI prompts

Want better results from AI? An Engage 2026 conference speaker unveils practical tips to help CPAs write clearer, more effective AI prompts.

May 1, 2026

5 human competencies CPAs need in the AI age

Artificial intelligence is taking over more tasks, but accountants can remain indispensable by strengthening qualities machines cannot replicate.

May 1, 2026

People skills: You are a human being, not a human doing

Self-awareness, curiosity, and communication give CPAs a professional edge in an AI world.

March 1, 2026

Experiential learning: A game changer for accountants

Online games allow students of all ages to deal with ethical dilemmas in real-world scenarios.

March 1, 2026

How will accountants learn new skills when AI does the work?

As entry-level tasks are automated, the focus of training will shift to judgment, simulation, and continuous upskilling.

February 26, 2026

Talent shuffle: Why people want to change jobs and how leaders can adapt

Two Robert Half executives share data on what percentage of employees plan to look for new jobs in 2026 and what factors — from burnout to better benefits — are driving a potential shift. Listen to the podcast episode or read the Q&A.

February 19, 2026

Inside the AICPA’s effort to enhance the skills of early-career CPAs

An AICPA leader joins the JofA podcast to explain the Profession Ready Initiative, a comprehensive effort to strengthen early-career CPA skills. The conversation covers how research, technology trends, and employer feedback will shape the initiative.

December 1, 2025

Rise2040: Envisioning the future of accounting and finance

The acclaimed futurist guiding the Association’s Rise2040 visioning project explains how to anticipate — and prepare for — the next 15 years.

October 16, 2025

AI, succession, the talent pipeline, and defining ‘unapologetic’ ambition

A profession leader and former AICPA chair shares what’s top of mind for corporate boards and looks ahead to topics of conferences in November and December. Listen to the podcast episode or read the Q&A with Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA/CITP, CGMA.

September 17, 2025

NASBA, AICPA release proposed revisions to CPE standards

Comments are being accepted through mid-December on changes designed to address emerging learning methods and clarify CPE-awarding mechanisms.

September 9, 2025

Skilled for success? Accounting newcomers say yes, managers say no

Employees in their first five years give themselves high ratings on readiness skills, but those who manage new employees don’t see it that way.

June 13, 2025

Insights from ENGAGE: Clever ways to improve your focus at work

Technology is responsible for creating decision fatigue, but a productivity expert shares how you can use those same technologies to reverse the impact and gain greater focus.

June 11, 2025

Strong feelings on limiting the use of CPA

AICPA’s Susan Coffey shares feedback on her recent article about employers asking partners and employees to remove “CPA” from their public profiles. The responses confirm this is an issue that some are grappling with.

May 27, 2025

Display that CPA

CPAs should be encouraged to highlight their license in their business dealings. Susan S. Coffey, CPA, CGMA, CEO–Public Accounting at the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants explains why.

June 8, 2023

The power skills needed to lead effectively — from the AICPA’s vice chair

A major firm leader explains why “leadership is about human connections” and why traits formerly known as soft skills are now must-haves instead of nice-to-haves. Listen to the podcast or read the transcript.