Journal of Accountancy Podcasts

Nicole Davis isn't your typical CPA firm owner. She has five children, owns three businesses, and has zero work experience in a public accounting firm. She has crafted a presence on social media including an account with more than 12,000 followers on X, formerly known as Twitter. How has Davis done all of this, launching the firm Butler-Davis Tax & Accounting and two other businesses? And what has she learned along the way? She shares her story in this episode, a collaboration with the Small Firm Philosophy podcast, which is produced by the AICPA's Private Companies Practice Section. What you’ll learn from this episode: Why Davis changed her firm's business model after the first year. How she uses video to communicate with clients and staff. How she shifted her firm away from taxes to accounting, bookkeeping, and advisory services. How price increases helped her firm right-size its client base. How she uses social media to connect with peers and land clients.

In the spring, two technology-focused accounting educators wrote an article about ChatGPT’s ability to answer hypothetical client questions. Now, they’re joining the JofA podcast to look into the future of generative AI. Mfon Akpan, CGMA, DBA, an assistant professor of accounting at Methodist University, and Scott Dell, CPA, DBA, an assistant professor of accounting at Francis Marion University, explain why CPAs and other professionals can be left behind professionally if they don’t spend time learning about tools such as ChatGPT. They talk about productivity gains, the competitive divide that could develop, and how, in the short term, more training is needed to fully harness generative AI. Akpan and Dell also note that although the power of generative AI tools is exciting, these tools are far from perfect. In particular, accuracy remains a concern. Editor’s note: The interview was recorded in August. What you’ll learn from this episode: How Akpan and Dell got to know each other. A forecast of how gener

Ryan Bogner, EY’s Americas digital sustainability leader, is the keynote speaker at the AICPA & CIMA Oil & Gas Conference in November in Las Vegas. He explains on this episode of the JofA podcast how the regulatory landscape will affect reporting going forward, the link between cost efficiency and carbon efficiency, and why, even with more focus on sustainable energy sources, demand for oil and gas remains high. What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         Bogner’s explanation of how reporting directives in Europe can affect U.S. companies. ·         How changes in the regulatory landscape could affect CPAs’ reporting and assurance duties and timelines. ·         An update on the release of the SEC climate rule’s final version. ·         Definitions of “carbon efficiency” and “carbon intensity.” ·         Why Bogner says that demand for oil and gas as an energy source isn’t diminishing.

Plenty of CPAs can say they learned something from Sid Kess, who died last week at age 97. This episode of the JofA podcast shares more memories of Kess, dating back 50 years. What you’ll learn from this episode: Background information on Sid Kess, who died last week at age 97. What Kess taught Marty Finn about relationship-building at conferences. David Lifson’s surprise that Kess remembered him from a meeting that occurred at least 10 years earlier. Julie Welch’s memory of when Kess suffered broken bones just before an AICPA video session but carried on.  AICPA & CIMA CEO Barry Melancon’s early dealings with Kess. Why Melancon said that “you hated to disappoint” Kess.

On Thursday, the IRS suspended the processing of new employee retention credit (ERC) claims to combat the prevalence of fraud. These measures will help protect small businesses and aim to stop fraud by promoters of ERC mills. In this episode, Kris Esposito, Director — Tax Policy & Advocacy, AICPA & CIMA, joins April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Lead Manager — Tax Practice & Ethics, AICPA & CIMA, to discuss this important news development and break down the details of the announcement. What you’ll learn from this episode: How to find out if submitted claims have been processed (3:53). When recently submitted claims will be processed (4:41). How to talk to your clients about the IRS announcement (6:22). How a new resource can help (7:38).

For Kevin Martin, CPA, the many happy memories of his father — also a CPA named Kevin Martin — outweigh the grief that accompanied the elder Martin’s death in 2019.  An otherwise healthy 78-year-old, the grandfather to Kevin and Lisa Martin’s four children was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a debilitating disease that has no cure. He died about a month later.   Kevin Martin, the son, didn’t want those memories to fade away, and so, in the middle of the pandemic, he decided to write. He kept writing, and eventually his grief journal became a book, All Is Well: Life Lessons from a Preacher’s Father. In this episode of the JofA podcast, Martin discusses the “preacher” part of the book’s title, how the family-owned CPA firm has moved forward, and advice for dealing with life-altering events. What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         The upheaval in accounting and other industries that affected Martin’s firm at the onset of the pandemic. ·         Why Martin decided to write a book

It’s not a rosy outlook by any means, but the mood of finance decision-makers has brightened in the past three months. That’s according to a third-quarter survey of CPA decision-makers in business and industry. Optimism is rising, along with projections on revenue for the coming 12 months. Also, inflation is no longer the top challenge chosen by respondents.  Ken Witt, CPA, CGMA, AICPA & CIMA's associate technical director – Reasearch and Development, discusses the results of the Business and Industry Economic Outlook Survey in this podcast episode. What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         The decline in the percentage of respondents expecting their businesses to contract. ·         A breakdown of how CPA decision-makers in business and industry feel about the likelihood of a recession. ·         The top challenges facing finance executives. ·         What Witt calls the “keynote stat” to monitor leading up to the fourth-quarter survey results.

The AICPA’s Digital Assets Working Group published the first iteration of its digital assets practice aid in late 2019. Since then, much has changed related to digital assets, and so the practice aid has evolved with timely updates. The latest update, member-locked content published in late July, continues that evolution.  On this episode of the JofA podcast, Kyle Sewell, CPA, a member of the Digital Assets Working Group, explains more about why the updates are important and how they can help practitioners.

When Rand Greenblatt, PA, assumed the role as CFO of Elixir Solutions in early 2022, he set out to improve finance operations while empowering team members. He said that seeing direct reports improve through taking on stretch roles is a key part of talent development – and something that’s gratifying to him. Greenblatt shared what it’s like to manage a team that’s fully remote, why he considers that setup “a boon to the organization,” and more in this episode of the JofA podcast. What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         Rand Greenblatt’s background writing for a newsletter tied to the JofA. ·         Greenblatt’s new role and more about his job priorities. ·         Three areas of focus for improving his organization’s finance function. ·         The “huge selling point” – and other benefits – of being a fully remote company. ·         What Greenblatt considers the most rewarding part of his job.

Future-focused consultant and entrepreneur Scott Klososky admits he doesn’t know exactly what the future holds as it relates to artificial intelligence. But he is definitely more upbeat about the productivity possibilities AI offers than down about the jobs AI might eliminate He believes AI will cut out parts of jobs, not entire ones. Klososky will talk more on this topic in September at the AICPA & CIMA Conference on Banks and Savings Institutions. About AI, Klososky says: “Instead of fearing it, we need to get better at embracing it and loving and appreciating what it can do.” What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         How the past 10 months have transformed the adoption of generative AI such as ChatGPT. ·         What Klososky means by the phrase “consumerized AI” – and how what’s happening now compares to the launch of the iPhone. ·         Why Klososky prefers “machine intelligence” over “artificial intelligence.” ·         How technology could play a role in helping to close the U.S. labor

Lexy Kessler, CPA, CGMA, is the chair of the National Pipeline Advisory Group, a group of accounting stakeholders formed to help shape strategy to address the profession's talent shortage. Kessler is mid-Atlantic leader for the firm Aprio and a member of the board of directors of the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. She is a former chair of the Maryland Association of CPAs. In this episode, Kessler discusses why leading the group appealed to her, more about the group’s responsibilities, and why she’s excited to learn from the group’s other members. What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         What the advisory group is and the approach it is taking to key responsibilities. ·         Some of the ways the talent shortage in the profession has affected business. ·         Why organizations, including CPA firms, must be open to looking inward for solutions to the profession’s pipeline problem. ·         How the National Pipeline Advisory Group’s universally desired end re

Johanna Sweaney Salt, CPA, CGMA, used to work 100 hours a week during busy season. As the founder and managing partner of Gray, Salt & Associates LLP, she believed it was her responsibility to put in the time needed to make her small firm a success. Today, Johanna remains a full-time partner at the firm, and her son, Dalton Sweaney, CPA, is now the managing partner. His desire a few years ago to spend more time with his young children prompted him to ask his mother if they could make changes to make busy season less crazy. She said yes, starting a multiyear journey that has freed Dalton up for more dinners with his family and has cut her busy-season hours almost in half. What changes did they make and how have they kept the firm running profitably? What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         How the firm began a move to cut back on both total hours and hours worked in the office. ·         The remote work toolkit that assisted in the business transformation. ·         How a hard minimum set by the fi

This episode is a midsummer look back at insights from selected 2023 podcast guests, from a Super Bowl CFO to the AICPA vice chair.  

A survey report that focuses on enterprise risk management (ERM) and offers tools for risk practitioners is the focus of this episode of the JofA podcast. The 14th edition of The State of Risk Oversight, a report produced jointly by the AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, and the ERM Initiative at North Carolina State University, shows that the volume and complexity of risks continues to be prominent on the radar of leaders at U.S. organizations of all types and sizes. However, complete and formal ERM processes are just as common now as five years ago, after the survey showed nearly a decade of increased interest in ERM. Mark Beasley, CPA, Ph.D., a professor at N.C. State and director of the school’s ERM Initiative, analyzes the disconnect, explains why a post-pandemic sigh of relief is not a good sign for risk managers, and shares some of the questions that organizations can ask themselves to improve their ERM practices. What you’ll learn from th

In this podcast episode, a collaboration between the JofA and the Tax Section Odyssey podcasts, Tony Nitti, CPA, partner—National Tax at EY, joins April Walker, CPA, CGMA, lead manager—Tax Practice & Ethics at AICPA & CIMA, from ENGAGE 2023.   The main topic of their discussion is Rev. Rul. 2008-18, delving into S corporation reorganizations.   Related resources   Rev. Rul. 2008-18 — Postulates two situations in which an S corporation becomes a qualified subchapter S subsidiary (QSub) of a newly formed corporation that will qualify as an F reorganization. The ruling also provides new guidance on the proper employer identification number (EIN) to be used by the entities in each situation. Private equity and F reorganizations involving S corporations — The Tax Adviser, Sept. 1, 2020 6 reasons an S corporation wouldn’t need a PLR | Tax Section Odyssey —  Rev. Proc. 2022-19 provides procedures to allow S corporations and their shareholders to resolve frequently encountered issues without requesting a PLR.

Donny Shimamoto, CPA/CITP, CGMA, the founder and managing director of Intraprise TechKnowlogies LLC, recently co-hosted a conference session on feedback – specifically, how high performing employees sometimes get a low amount of valuable feedback. Such high performers can have their development halted if they fail to seek out the right feedback to advance in their careers, Shimamoto said. Shimamoto also reflected on the recently completed AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE, highlighting the words of Carla McCall, CPA, CGMA, the AICPA vice chair, about asking for help. What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         Donny Shimamoto’s reflection on last month’s AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE. ·         Why employees identified early as high performers sometimes fail to receive meaningful feedback. ·         Shimamoto’s comparison of performance reviews and financial statements. ·         Why an ENGAGE session about mental health resonated with him.

As the components of a company’s value change, the role of finance must adapt to what it reports and how it manages tangible and intangible assets. That shift was underscored with the release of new global sustainability standards by the International Sustainability Standards Board, and it’s the topic of this episode of the JofA podcast. Ash Noah, CPA, CGMA, FCMA, managing director—Management Accounting and ESG for AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, explains briefly what the two standards are and what he sees changing for organizations going forward, in the U.S. and elsewhere. Noah wrote a blog in May about the new imperative for accountants related to reporting on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors. In this episode, he goes into more detail about what the new standards mean for business and the profession.  What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         Noah’s description of what is addressed in the new standards, IFRS S1 a

Advising legal cannabis-related businesses is a growing opportunity for CPAs. The landscape is ever-changing, on regulatory and other fronts. Andrew Hunzicker, CPA, the founder and CEO of Dope CFO Certified Advisors in Oregon, and Ron Seigneur, CPA/ABV, founder and partner at the firm Seigneur Gustafson LLP in Colorado, joined the JofA podcast recently to provide an update on what has changed in the industry as well as highlights of the upcoming AICPA & CIMA Cannabis Industry Conference, Aug. 14-16 in Boston. They discuss common questions CPAs have, how laws and regulations have changed over the years, and more. What you’ll learn from this episode:  ·         An overview of the cannabis industry’s regulatory landscape since one of the speakers was on a JofA podcast episode in 2020. ·         What attendees can expect at the AICPA & CIMA Cannabis Industry Conference in August. ·         Details about accounting-specific guidance as it relates to cannabis businesses. ·         The questions that Hunz

Chris Ortega is an upbeat person, as anyone who’s seen him present at a conference knows. But he also understands that, economically, times are tough, and he has advice for finance professionals to manage through the uncertainty. Ortega also shares how his role at conferences has changed since he first began volunteering, why he likes coming back to AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE, and what he sees for the future of financial planning and analysis (FP&A). What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         Chris Ortega’s career progression from financial planning and analysis (FP&A) analyst to consultancy CEO. ·         How the realm of FP&A and CFOs has changed in the past 18 months. ·         Ortega’s advice for CFOs related to building up cash reserves. ·         The value Ortega found in volunteering to be on the planning committee for a conference. ·         His answer to the question, “In five years, what does FP&A look like?”

Carla McCall, CPA, CGMA, was a prominent speaker at AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE 2023 for good reason. On this episode of the Journal of Accountancy podcast, McCall, recently named AICPA vice chair, discusses her career path and interest in volunteering while also serving as managing partner of the firm AAFCPAs. McCall shares some of the key traits of leaders, what her firm is doing to address capacity issues, and one aspect of feedback that she considers difficult. What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         An overview of McCall’s career in public accounting. ·         Why gaining an outside perspective has helped McCall and her firm. ·         How she has learned to delegate responsibilities over the years. ·         An obstacle McCall faced regarding mentorship early in her career. ·         What she looks forward to in her role as AICPA vice chair.