Off the Ledger

The votes are in, but what do the results of Michigan’s 2026 midterm elections mean for CPAs? In this episode, Becky Latham of Public Affairs Associates and MICPA Director of Government Relations LaShawn Thomas join Joe to break down the election results, the changing political landscape in Lansing and what it could all mean for CPA licensure, tax policy and the profession’s legislative priorities.

In this episode, Joe talks with Stephanie Bowie, CPA, from BMPWRD Leadership Academy in Indiana, about the fiscal 2025 Department of Defense audit, the challenges behind its ongoing audit issues and how stronger ownership, visibility and follow-through can help organizations improve their own internal controls.

In this episode of Off the Ledger, Joe sits down with John Higgins, CPA, CITP, owner and strategic technology advisor at Higgins Advisory LLC, to chat about how generative and agentic artificial intelligence are changing tax services and why firms should start building their AI skills now to stay competitive as the technology continues to evolve.

In this fifth-anniversary episode of Off the Ledger, Joe sits down with Lauren Putro, CPA, accounting director for the Detroit Tigers, as both organizations mark their 125th anniversaries. Lauren shares her unconventional career journey from nursing student to public accounting and, ultimately, Major League Baseball.

In this episode of Off the Ledger, Orumé Hays, CPA, CGMA, MST, of Hays CPA LLC in New York, shares how accounting firms can successfully transform by focusing on strategic planning, talent development and technology adoption, emphasizing the shift from traditional compliance work to higher-value advisory services.

On this episode of Off the Ledger, Joe is joined by Greg Frazier, CPA, owner of Greg Frazier, CPA, PLLC, to discuss how AI should be viewed much like previous waves of technology. While professional skepticism remains essential, adaptation ultimately creates new opportunities rather than eliminating the accounting profession.

On this episode of Off the Ledger, Joe sits down with Adam Schubatis, CPA, audit senior manager at KPMG, to highlight the wide range of Michigan Association of CPAs membership benefits, spanning advocacy, collaboration and education, while emphasizing resources members may not realize are already available.

In this episode, Joe talks with Megan Angle, CPA, of Porte Brown LLC in Illinois, about the practical applications of using AI as an auditing tool, not a replacement for professional judgment, and encourages firms to start experimenting now to improve efficiency, documentation and client conversations.

In this episode, Joe talks with Cindy Bjorkquist, director of activation and events at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, about the connection between mental health and overall well-being, particularly for high-stress professionals such as CPAs. Bjorkquist shares practical, research-backed tools to help listeners calm their minds, build resilience, and respond thoughtfully under pressure.

As 2025 winds down, Joe talks with Bob Doyle, president and CEO of MICPA, reflecting on the organization’s past, present and what’s ahead. They look back on a year focused on empowering members through advocacy, collaboration and education, discuss progress on an additional CPA licensure pathway, and look ahead to an inspiring 2026, including signature events and a milestone 125th anniversary celebration.