Steven Harris was not always the outgoing firm leader he is today. Harris, the subject of  The Last Word in the March issue of the Journal of Accountancy, said he struggled to connect with other professionals early in his career, but once he learned to be vulnerable and to listen, he was able to form strong bonds. Harris calls that connection breakthrough “magical.” He shares advice on emphasizing collaboration in a hybrid work environment and discusses the talent development tie-in to bringing work back into the office. Harris also explained his affinity for OneNote and the movie The Godfather.

Advice for building strong personal connections in a hybrid world

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Sara Lord, CPA, is chair of the Auditing Standards Board (ASB), which recently issued a new standard that completes the suite of quality management standards ahead of an important implementation deadline in late 2025. Lord, who discussed advice for firms on implementing the standards on a JofA podcast episode in 2022, joined the show again last week to talk about the end of a journey. In this episode, Lord details the terminology changes made official by the ASB’s May 14 vote. In the conversation, there is a mention of the standard being available sometime in June. Since recording, the link has gone live and is available here: Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements No. 23. What you’ll learn from this episode:  ·         An explanation of the changes implemented by the ASB in a May vote.  ·         Why the May vote marks “the end of a standard-setting journey.”  ·         Why Dec. 15, 2025, is an important date for implementation of the standards.  ·         Implementation guidance, including where to find resources.  ·         The sense of “rejuvenation” Lord feels each year at ENGAGE.  

Quality management: Details of a standard-setting journey

 Ken Witt, CPA, CGMA, AICPA & CIMA associate director–Management Accounting Research and Development, explains in this JofA podcast episode why finance decision-makers in the second-quarter Business and Industry Economic Outlook Survey are  less optimistic now  compared with  the first quarter.  Witt summarizes the survey results, including CPA decision-makers' expectations for revenue and profit increases and the top challenges facing them and their businesses. What you’ll learn from this episode:  ·         Why Witt says the outlook this quarter is “mixed.”  ·         An overview of respondents’ sentiment about the domestic and global economies.  ·         The “signs of strength” in KPIs, including revenue and profit projections for the next 12 months.  ·         One metric that Witt will monitor in the third-quarter survey results.

Small ‘signs of strength’ despite continued concern about inflation

 Anoop Mehta, CPA, CGMA, is the chair of the selection committee that will choose the next AICPA & CIMA CEO. Mehta, a former AICPA chair and Association of International Certified Professional Accountants chair, discussed the qualities the organization seeks in its next leader, a planned timeline for the selection committee, and the importance of knowledge transfer.  The CEO chosen will replace Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, who on May 22 announced his retirement, effective at the end of the year.  Mehta, who recorded the episode at AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE, also shared why he thinks prospective CPAs should attend the annual event in Las Vegas and why he expects to continue meeting with accounting students. Resource:  AICPA & CIMA CEO job description What you’ll learn from this episode:  ·         A planned timeline for hiring the next CEO.  ·         The qualities being sought in the next leader.  ·         Mehta’s explanation of how a strong leader can balance openness to hearing others’ perspectives with making an unpopular decision.  ·         The importance of the Association chair and co-chair in the selection process.  ·         The state of talent development and why Mehta says he gets “energized.”

AICPA & CIMA CEO search: Details from the selection committee chair

 Anoop Mehta, CPA, CGMA, is the chair of the selection committee that will choose the next AICPA & CIMA CEO. Mehta, a former AICPA chair and Association of International Certified Professional Accountants chair, discussed the qualities the organization seeks in its next leader, a planned timeline for the selection committee, and the importance of knowledge transfer.  The CEO chosen will replace Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, who on May 22 announced his retirement, effective at the end of the year.  Mehta, who recorded the episode at AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE, also shared why he thinks prospective CPAs should attend the annual event in Las Vegas and why he expects to continue meeting with accounting students. What you’ll learn from this episode:  ·         Why Mehta admits to having some nervousness.  ·         A planned timeline for hiring the next CEO.  ·         The qualities being sought in the next leader.  ·         Mehta’s explanation of how a strong leader can balance openness to hearing others’ perspectives with making an unpopular decision.  ·         The importance of the Association chair and co-chair in the selection process.  ·         The state of talent development and why Mehta says he gets “energized.”

 Trisha Nomura, CPA, CGMA, and Abel Soares III, CPA/PFS, don’t live far from each other, but they didn’t know the other’s story until Soares was featured in an AICPA & CIMA  Member Spotlight Series video. They joined the JofA podcast recently to discuss how connecting has led to mutual admiration — and opened up new ideas for mentoring. The episode is in recognition of Asian American Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and intended to celebrate the diverse voices of the profession. Resources  n  AICPA & CIMA home page for diversity, equity, and inclusion n  Full index of the Member Spotlight Series focused on diverse voices: What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         How Nomura and Soares learned that they were essentially neighbors.  ·         The background of each CPA and why it matters — particularly this month.  ·         Their advice for fellow accountants on being more entrepreneurial.  ·         The inspirational emails Nomura has received after speaking to students about accounting.  ·         Why Soares wanted to go “beyond the numbers” with his firm’s focus.  ·         Their ideas for helping to grow the profession.

Advice for building strong personal connections in a hybrid world

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