Rebekah Olson, CPA, CEO of the Maryland Association of CPAs, returned to the Journal of Accountancy podcast for the first time since 2019 to discuss how community, collaboration, and relationships can strengthen the accounting profession.

She shared insights into efforts to address recruiting and retention challenges, the role of professional associations in creating value for members, and an update on CPA licensure.

Olson also explained the thinking behind the MACPA's Beyond the Bottom Line YouTube series and why engagement remains critical for the profession's future.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Olson's "best part of the accounting profession" and how it led her state association to start a YouTube series.
• Why Olson believes relationships and community are among the profession's greatest strengths.
• What she learned from Tom Hood.
• How Maryland's CPA licensure changes fit into broader efforts across the profession.
• What associations can do to create more value and engagement for members.
• Why positive news about accounting enrollment, in Olson's mind, doesn't eliminate the need for continued workforce development efforts.

For the 500th episode of the Journal of Accountancy podcast, the show went on the road to the Future of Finance Summit.

The conversation with the AICPA's Tom Hood, CPA/CITP, CGMA, executive vice president–Business Growth and Engagement, focuses on how finance leaders are moving beyond exploration of artificial intelligence and into active piloting and scaling.

Hood discussed priorities other than AI for finance leaders, who gathered last week in National Harbor, Md. Hood also looked back on the growth of the Future of Finance community, explaining how the "wisdom of the crowd" is one of the event's big draws.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• A brief look back at the start of the JofA podcast, which has published 500 episodes.
• What live polling at last week's Future of Finance Summit revealed about the pace of AI adoption in corporate finance functions.
• Senior finance leaders' top issues in 2026 other than AI.
• How finance leaders are trying to balance growth initiatives with continued pressure to control costs.
• Why Hood says the Future of Finance community is helping leaders learn faster through case studies, peer collaboration, and shared best practices.
• A look ahead to the 2027 Future of Finance Summit.

Eric R. Alexander, CPA, president of advisory service company Six Arrows Consulting, discusses the lessons he's learned throughout his career in finance and what being a finance leader means for him, and other insights from his upcoming book, Stewardship Leadership for Stinkin' Accountants: Serving as the CFO.

He shares key strategies for developing as a stewardship leader, including how he holds himself accountable, how he views his role as a trusted adviser for organizations, and the steps he has taken to improve in the relational and people aspects of the finance function.

"I've been most effective in my work when I've functioned as a steward, meaning I understood things had been entrusted to me to be responsible for," he said. "I was accountable to people, and fundamentally, it was not all about me."

Editor's note: This episode was originally on the FM podcast.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Why Alexander says the CFO role is not about you as a finance leader.
• Key elements of stewardship leadership.
• How to hold yourself accountable as a finance professional.
• Why getting into the finer details can complicate decision-making.
• What it means to own your results.
• Tips for enhancing people and soft skills.

People are living longer, and that reality may call for a different approach to retirement planning. In this episode of the Journal of Accountancy podcast, Kelley Long, CPA/PFS, shares why she believes working longer can be a positive choice, how mini-retirements and career flexibility fit into that vision, and what those ideas mean for personal financial planning.

In the last of the JofA's summer episodes recorded at ENGAGE, Long reflects on discussions from the conference, including lessons for younger professionals and the growing interest in designing a career that supports a balanced life.

In April, Long previewed one of her ENGAGE sessions on the JofA podcast and wrote about planning for mini-retirements.

What you'll learn from this episode:

Why Long believes many professionals should plan to work longer and why that doesn't have to be a negative outcome.

How mini-retirements and sabbaticals can fit into a long-term career and financial plan.

Ways to approach conversations with employers about career flexibility and extended time away from work.

How shifting from a retirement-focused mindset to a lifestyle-focused mindset can influence financial decisions throughout life.

How first-time ENGAGE attendees can navigate multiple aspects of the conference — from its size, learning tracks, and networking opportunities to its indoor/outdoor temperature changes.

Long's review of several ENGAGE keynote sessions.

Calvin Harris, CPA, the CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, returned to the JofA podcast to discuss why storytelling, humor, and personal connection are essential to the profession's future.

In an episode recorded in June at ENGAGE, Harris shared how everything from T-shirt jokes and LinkedIn posts to podcast interviews can help strengthen accounting's relevance and keep students and professionals engaged. He also discussed progress on the talent pipeline, lessons from hosting his state society's podcast, and the value of bringing accountants together through conferences and networking.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Why Harris wore a Deadpool-themed shirt the day of the episode's recording.
• How selfies featuring his accounting-themed T-shirts began showing up on LinkedIn, and how those posts have sparked conversations about the profession.
• His insights on the accounting talent pipeline opportunities and trends in CPA licensure pathways.
• The unexpected lessons Harris has learned from hosting the New York State Society of CPAs' podcast.
• How conferences in general, particularly ENGAGE, provide a "chance to connect."
• How telling better stories about CPA career paths can grow the profession's relevance.

Networking can feel uncomfortable for many of us, but meaningful connections often start with simple conversations and strong listening skills. Alex Romero, CPA, CGMA, the AICPA's director–CPA Pipeline, shares practical advice for building professional relationships at conferences and beyond, including the reminder that pauses are acceptable. Romero also highlights ways to stay present in conversations and one activity that she has found to be a networking boost.

She also discusses the latest outlook for accounting talent, accounting enrollment trends, and why the CPA credential remains a "great differentiator."

Other resources mentioned in the conversation include an earlier podcast episode from ENGAGE with the AICPA's Carl Mayes, CPA; the website ThisWayToCPA.com, with numerous resources for students and educators; and information on the July 24 Faculty Hour Series webcast, which includes Romero as a scheduled speaker.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• The ways accounting professionals who are averse to networking can become effective at building relationships at conferences and other events.
• How active listening helps create deeper professional connections.
• Romero's practical conversation starters and techniques.
• What recent accounting enrollment data suggests about the CPA talent pipeline.

Sarah Ference, CPA, a risk control director at CNA, returned to the Journal of Accountancy podcast to discuss recent topics of the JofA's Professional Liability Spotlight column. The conversation covers three timely issues facing CPA firms: the Great Wealth Transfer, ethical decision-making when clients push boundaries, and the need for practical AI policies.

The conversation also reflects on AICPA ENGAGE and the value of staying connected to developments in the profession.

The articles discussed in the episode:

May: "Managing CPA Liability in the Great Wealth Transfer."

June: "Making the Right Choice When No One Is Watching."

July: "Drafting an AI Policy That Actually Works."

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Why the Great Wealth Transfer is creating liability risks for CPAs in estate planning, tax filings, and other services.
• How CPAs can respond when clients want to skirt rules because they perceive regulatory oversight or enforcement to be weakening.
• Why accounting firms need an AI policy and key considerations when establishing guidelines for AI use in practice.
• Ference's takeaways from AICPA ENGAGE last month.

AICPA President and CEO Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, reflects on his first 18 months in the role, discussing initiatives such as CPA Trust, the return of the print Journal of Accountancy, and the profession's ongoing advocacy efforts. Speaking while at AICPA ENGAGE in Las Vegas, Koziel also shares insights on AI, upskilling, tax transformation, licensure mobility, and the role CPAs can play in a rapidly changing business environment.

Koziel explains why he remains optimistic about the profession's future despite ongoing disruption and uncertainty.

He also tells the story of being asked long ago for an autograph.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Why the CPA Trust campaign launched and particulars about the strategy for a commercial about the initiative.
• What Koziel meant when he said, "We are in the verification business."
• What member feedback revealed about the need for upskilling and how the Profession Ready Initiative aims to address skills gaps.
• Why Koziel considers it valuable for members to have the Journal of Accountancy return to printed issues.
• How AI could reshape tax compliance work and expand opportunities for advisory services.
• Why he says, "Train's left the station," when asked about changes in CPA licensure pathways.
• Koziel's assertion that CPAs will continue to thrive amid technological disruption by serving as the "human in the lead."

What advocacy issues should CPAs be watching with 2026 at its midpoint? The latest Journal of Accountancy podcast episode covers numerous topics with Mark Peterson, executive vice president–Advocacy for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, representing AICPA and CIMA.

Peterson details efforts to include accounting in STEM education initiatives, what the future might hold for beneficial ownership information reporting requirements, and the profession's role in seeking guidance related to federal tax guidance.

Peterson, speaking from AICPA ENGAGE earlier this month, also explains the vital role of state societies' advocacy efforts. He touches on CPA licensure, the Fiscal State of the Nation Act, tariffs, and other policy developments that affect practitioners and their clients.

Also, read Peterson's midyear summary in column form.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Why the AICPA continues to push for accounting to be included in STEM education initiatives, and what progress advocates are making on Capitol Hill.
• What the future may hold for beneficial ownership information requirements after the pause in BOI reporting enforcement.
• The critical role that state CPA societies play in licensure modernization and advocacy efforts.
• Peterson's perspective on how the AICPA is helping to get more clarity around implementation of major federal tax legislation.
• Why he says that implementation of the massive tax bill has been "lumpy."
• Peterson's reflection on the rise of Town Hall as a way to quickly get information and perspective to members.
• Ongoing and emerging policy issues — including tariffs, global mobility, and anti-money laundering efforts — that could affect the profession in the months ahead.

Recorded live at AICPA ENGAGE 2026, this episode of the JofA podcast explores the reasons that mindset and leadership may be even more important than technology adoption as finance and accounting professionals navigate an era of nonstop transformation.

Joel Morris, a vice president at Wolters Kluwer, and Tom Hood, CPA/CITP, CGMA, executive vice president–Business Growth & Engagement at the AICPA, discuss what separates future-ready organizations from those struggling to keep pace, focuses on AI, workforce development, and strategic thinking. Morris and Hood also explore the human skills, trust, and risk management practices needed to help organizations adapt, innovate, and remain relevant in a rapidly changing profession.

One key component mentioned in the conversation is the Rise2040 report and initiative.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• How each speaker defines the "perpetual transformation state."
• Why Hood says mindset—not technology—may be the biggest factor in future readiness.
• How Morris distinguishes organizations who are getting "ahead of the wave" from those that say they're too busy to devote time to thinking about growth methodologies.
• What Morris and Hood see as the biggest barriers to successful AI adoption.
• The reasons that human skills are becoming more important, not less, in an AI-powered profession.
• How trust can help accountants and finance professionals navigate ongoing transformation and why Morris calls trust "that through-line into everything that you do."