No matter who’s in charge, regulation, legislation, and education remain front and center when it comes to advocacy efforts in Washington, according to Mark Peterson, AICPA & CIMA executive vice president–Advocacy. Also important is understanding how to navigate a new administration’s priorities. 

In this episode of the Journal of Accountancy podcast, Peterson details some of the focus areas of the White House and Congress – tax legislation, an emphasis on government efficiency, and a change in regulatory approach.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

·         Peterson’s overview of AICPA advocacy in Washington.

·         Why “navigate” is an important word for Peterson.

·         What has been normal and not normal in the change of presidential administrations.

·         Peterson’s assessment of the potential path for tax legislation.

·         The “very different environment” related to regulation of public companies.

·         Advice for members in dealing with D.C. uncertainty.

Alex Dorr speaks to audiences and organizations all over about ditching the drama and getting more productivity and engagement from employees and more overall value for companies. His session at Digital CPA in Denver in December 2024 focused on many of those same principles and was tailored to modern accounting firms.

On the Journal of Accountancy podcast, Dorr, vice president at Reality-Based Leadership, explained more about how readiness for change can lead to a better work reality for employees and managers alike.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

·         Dorr’s reflection on whether he was a “high-drama” college basketball player.

·         Why the examination of an employee’s or team’s value should include an assessment of “readiness for what’s next.”

·         The “juicy” question Dorr answered about speaking to accounting groups.

·         The importance of validating someone’s experience in the workplace before addressing ways to make it better.

In this Journal of Accountancy-branded podcast, a senior wealth strategist and managing partner share advice on how to initiate conversations with business clients about transition and succession planning.

David Zweighaft, CPA/CFF, is a co-author of this quarter’s Eye on Fraud report, focused on financial tracing.

Zweighaft joined the Journal of Accountancy podcast to discuss details in the report and share stories from his more than 30 years of experience in the field of forensic accounting.

The discussion delves into particulars of the quarterly report and mentions an infamous municipal fraud case, which was one topic mentioned in a 2023 JofA podcast episode.

Resources

n  FVS Section home page

n  CFF credential information page

n  Eye on Fraud report for the first quarter of 2025

n  Understanding the Forensic Technology Landscape

What you’ll learn from this episode:

·         Zweighaft’s definition of financial tracing.

·         Why human skills such as interviewing can be differentiators even as technology speeds up some tasks.

·         Some of the core accounting and auditing skills that apply to financial tracing.

·         The difference between direct and indirect financial tracing.

·         Details of the United States v. Melissa King case, a focus of the Eye on Fraud article Zweighaft co-wrote.

·         The value of hearing other professionals’ stories in financial tracing.

On March 5, the AICPA published a comprehensive set of criteria for reporting on the digital assets known as stablecoins. The criteria are designed to address “the need for consistency, transparency, and trust in the stablecoin environment.”

Jay Schulman, CPA, is a principal at RSM, and he’s focused, in his job and his role on AICPA committees, on digital assets.

In this episode of the Journal of Accountancy podcast, Schulman explains areas of focus for the AICPA’s Digital Assets Working Group and the group’s attestation subcommittee. That work includes the stablecoin criteria.

Resources:

n  Accounting for and Auditing of Digital Assets (practice aid)

n  Blockchain Universal Glossary

n  Stablecoin Reporting and Assurance landing page

What you’ll learn from this episode:

·         Schulman’s explanation of the difference between bitcoin and stablecoins.

·         The reasons that an AICPA committee and subcommittee on attestation are focused on stablecoins.

·         Examples that remind Schulman of how different generations view money.

·         Why Schulman refers to the criteria as “transparency-oriented.”

·         The resources Schulman recommends related to stablecoins and the priorities of the Digital Assets Working Group.

For several reasons, including persistent inflation and concern about the effects of tariffs, CPA decision-makers in business and industry are less optimistic this quarter about the U.S. and global economy and their own businesses.

That’s according to the Economic Outlook Survey released on Thursday. On Friday, Ken Witt, CPA, CGMA, AICPA & CIMA associate director–Management Accounting Research and Development, joined the Journal of Accountancy podcast to analyze the survey’s latest results.

In the fourth quarter of 2024, Witt said, the likelihood of less regulation was one reason for an increase in sentiment. But much of that November enthusiasm has been tempered.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

·         The top challenge for CPA decision-makers’ businesses (it’s not a surprise).

·         The difference in expansion plans based on company size.

·         The percentage of respondents who expect tariffs to have a negative effect on their organizations.

·         What finance executives project related to hiring in the coming 12 months.

The AICPA & CIMA CFO Conference begins April 23 in La Quinta, Calif. The co-chairs of the conference planning committee joined the Journal of Accountancy podcast to discuss top-of-mind issues for finance leaders and to preview the agenda for the in-person event.

Ted Delgado, CPA, CGMA, and Summer Redmon, CPA, finance executives themselves, shared what they learn from attending the conference each year and explained the ways that the pace of change has affected the CFO role.

Also, Lisa Simpson, CPA, CGMA, AICPA & CIMA’s vice president–Firm Services, joined the show to discuss International Women’s Day, which this year is on Saturday.

Resources:

n  CFO Conference registration information and agenda.

n  Podcast conversations in September and January with not-for-profit CFO Janice Stucke, CPA.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

·         The value of self-awareness and servant leadership for CFOs.

·         Redmon’s explanation of a former boss referring to herself as “CFO-plus.”

·         Delgado’s summary of a session on navigating business slowdowns.

·         Highlights of other topics and panel discussions at the conference.

·         The importance of International Women’s Day to one AICPA & CIMA leader.

Nina Chmura, CPA, a partner at the firm Withum, was a co-presenter with two other CPAs at Digital CPA in Denver on the topic of firms growing their client advisory services (CAS) offerings. The title of the session: “How to Be the CEO of Your CAS Practice.”

Speaking from the conference site, Chmura detailed some of the keys to CAS success in this Journal of Accountancy podcast episode.

Chmura also reflected on her career journey. She is a 2012 graduate of the AICPA Leadership Academy, calling the experience “life-changing.” Chmura also found value in being part of a panel of guest editors for the May 2017 issue of the JofA.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

·       The focus on metrics — identification and evaluation of effectiveness.

·       How the CAS advice and themes apply to her role at Withum.

·       The link between satisfied advisory clients and happy employees.

·       Identifying which KPIs are truly key to success.

·       Chmura’s surprise about being asked to be a JofA guest editor in 2017.

·       More on her advice about identifying personal KPIs.

Jennifer Wilson, the CEO of ConvergenceCoaching LLC, co-presented a session at Digital CPA in Denver that addressed talent and leadership differences in remote and hybrid work environments.

In this podcast episode, Wilson, who also served as the independent facilitator for the National Pipeline Advisory Group’s (NPAG’s) work in addressing the accounting talent shortage, discussed some of the differing points of view that managers and employees have about remote work.

She also emphasized the importance of telling a better story about accounting — one of NPAG’s recommended strategies for rebuilding the pipeline.

Also in this episode is a mention of two recent news articles that affect CPAs. First is the news of beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements being in effect again after a court order. Second, the JofA reported on cuts in the IRS workforce.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

·         The “consternation and angst” in discussions about in-office vs. hybrid or remote work.

·         Why Wilson said that managers shouldn’t use the word “back” when talking about where work gets done.

·         Who bears responsibility for an individual employee’s learning and skill development.

·         The key to unifying teams in an era of dispersed workforces.

·         Wilson’s hope for the profession in the coming year.

·         A recap of recent JofA news articles about BOI reporting and the IRS.

Mark Koziel, CPA, CGMA, was less than a week into his tenure as AICPA & CIMA CEO when he joined the Journal of Accountancy podcast for a two-part conversation.

In part one, published Thursday, Koziel discussed wanting to hear from members about their challenges and success stories. In part two, he talks about how accountants can work with artificial intelligence tools, why he initially was interested in pursuing work with the FBI, and the value he sees in a hybrid work environment for some firms. 

Koziel has invited members to send email to [email protected] and "tell me how the Association can help you, your career, and the profession."

What you’ll learn from this episode:

·         The career-related questions Koziel used to ask fellow CPA firm partners.

·         One aspect of Koziel’s preparation to become an accountant that he would have changed.

·         The key things he learned as an employee of the grocery store Wegmans.

·         What he says to students considering a career in accounting.

·         More on how client advisory services have “erupted” over the years.