Host Sam McCarthy and Matt Antine, Executive Director of Cherry Bekaert’s Staffing and Recruiting Services, dive into Cordia Resources by Cherry Bekaert’s 2026 Salary Guides. With 15 years in accounting and finance recruiting and nearly 20 years in sales, Matt shares what the latest salary data means for employers and job seekers.

The discussion covers retention challenges, salary gaps by company size and why employer branding matters. Matt offers practical advice for candidates on interviews and negotiations, plus tips for employers to streamline hiring and avoid common mistakes.

If you’re planning headcount, building compensation strategies or considering your next career move, this episode delivers actionable insights to help you stay competitive in 2026. 

This episode covers:

• Key findings from the 2026 Salary Guides
• Retention and attraction trends shaping the market
• Salary gaps by company size and industry
• Employer branding and candidate experience best practices
• Negotiation strategies for job seekers 

Listen now for the insights you need to hire smarter and advance your career.

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In episode 24 of Talkin’ Talent, host Sam McCarthy sits down with Mallory Planck, a seasoned talent acquisition (TA) leader, to explore the often-overlooked return of investment (ROI) of strong TA leadership. Drawing from over a decade of experience scaling recruiting functions in high-growth startups, Mallory shares how TA leaders can deliver far more than just filled roles by driving strategic value across the business.

They cover how recruiters can influence headcount planning, shape employer branding and support broader people operations. Mallory also dives into the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruiting and how TA professionals can stay ahead by embracing tech and data-driven storytelling.

Whether you're an executive, a TA leader, or building a TA function from scratch, this conversation offers actionable insights on how to elevate recruiting from a tactical function to a strategic growth engine.

This episode covers:

• How TA leaders thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments
• The strategic impact of recruiting beyond filling roles
• Using downtime to build long-term value in TA
• The role of influence, data and AI in shaping talent strategy
• Why startups need TA leaders who think like business partners

Listen now to uncover the real value behind a strong TA partnership.

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In Episode 23 of Talkin’ Talent, host Sam McCarthy explores the powerful dynamic between accounting/finance and human resources (HR) leadership with Nicole Peace, Chief People Officer at AIS, and Kristyn Reed, an experienced chief financial officer (CFO) at emerging and growth tech companies. Together, they unpack how collaboration between CFOs and chief human resources officer (CHROs) or chief people officers (CPOs) can drive strategic growth, improve employee engagement and align people strategies with business outcomes.

Nicole and Kristyn share candid stories from their careers, offering insights into how HR has evolved from a compliance function to a strategic partner. They discuss the importance of transparency, business acumen, and mutual respect in building a successful partnership between finance and people leaders.

Whether you're a CFO, HR leader or aspiring executive, this episode offers practical advice on fostering cross-functional collaboration and elevating the role of HR in your organization.

This episode covers:

• The evolving relationship between CFOs and CHROs/CPOs
• Why HR deserves a seat at the executive table
• How to build business acumen and credibility in HR
• Transparent budgeting and strategic workforce planning
• When HR should report directly to the CEO.

Listen now and gain actionable insights on how to strengthen the finance–HR partnership in your organization. 

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In this episode of Talkin' Talent, host Sam McCarthy sits down with human resources (HR) leaders Julia Medvin and Chelsea Stearns to explore the evolving landscape of talent acquisition, particularly in the context of artificial intelligence (AI). They discuss how AI is reshaping the applicant experience and the challenges it presents in discerning genuine talent from embellished resumes.

As organizations adapt to the increasing influence of AI tools like ChatGPT, Julia and Chelsea share their insights on the changing expectations for resumes and how candidates present themselves. They dive into the pros and cons of AI in recruiting, highlighting the risks of inflated claims and the need for robust assessment strategies.

Filled with practical advice, this episode provides valuable perspectives for HR professionals navigating the complexities of modern recruitment practices. Tune in to learn effective techniques for vetting candidates and maintaining hiring standards amid rapid AI advancements, empowering you to handle AI in recruitment with confidence.

This episode covers:

• The impact of AI on candidate presentation and resume authenticity
• Strategies for conducting meaningful interviews to combat skills embellishment
• The importance of customized assessments in the recruitment process
• Future considerations for HR in an AI-driven talent acquisition landscape

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The information technology (IT) job market is evolving fast — are you keeping up? In this episode of "Talkin’ Talent," host Sam McCarthy sits down with IT recruiting experts Craig Savarick and Bryant Covelli to explore the key hiring trends shaping 2025. Whether you're looking to hire top tech talent, or advance your own IT career, this episode is packed with must-know insights.

Craig and Bryant break down what it takes to stay competitive amid the surging demand for skilled IT professionals and the shifting dynamics of remote and hybrid work. They also share insider perspectives on the growing role of contract and project-based work, why hiring speed matters more than ever and how IT professionals can stand out in a rapidly evolving job market.

Tune in to discover:

• The biggest hiring challenges and trends in IT for 2025
• How compensation expectations are shifting, and what that means for employers
• The rise of contract and project-based IT work, and when it makes the most sense 
• Proven strategies to attract and retain top-tier tech talent

Download the 2025 IT Salary Guide 

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In this episode of "Talkin' Talent," host Sam McCarthy is joined by industry professionals Kia Powell and Jay Zanone as they explore key trends shaping the accounting and finance workforce in 2025. They discuss strategies for compensation, the future of remote and hybrid work and how companies can remain competitive in the evolving landscape of talent acquisition and retention.

Their conversation highlights the growing demand for flexible work arrangements, the influence of geographic factors on salaries and the adjustments companies are making in response to pay transparency issues. Jay and Kia also examine how employees influence salary negotiations and emphasize the need for intentional compensation strategies that reflect company culture. 

This episode offers valuable insights for CFOs, CHROs, HR professionals and hiring managers in the accounting and finance sectors, offering tips to stay ahead of trends and make informed decisions regarding recruitment and retention.

Listen to learn more about: 

• Balancing base salary, bonuses and equity in 2025
• Understanding how remote and hybrid work impacts your workforce
• Navigating pay transparency and addressing compensation compression
• Implementing creative strategies to attract top talent

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In this episode of Talkin' Talent, host Sam McCarthy interviews Elizabeth Mashakas, an experienced HR leader, to explore strategies for supporting new hires during the critical "affirm phase," or the transition from job offer to their first day. Elizabeth shares how her team achieved a remarkable 97% offer acceptance rate, emphasizing the importance of trust, transparency and meaningful engagement during the hiring process. 

With the beginning of the year marking a peak time for new employees starting roles, this discussion offers actionable insights for HR professionals and leaders looking to set their teams up for success, regardless of company size. Listen for advice on bringing these insights to leadership and impacting your organization's onboarding. 

This episode covers: 

• The impact of employee attrition and engagement on organizational success
• Strategies for improving the "affirm phase" and onboarding when you have limited resources
• The importance of asking the right questions in interviews
• How cultural differences within organizations shape talent acquisition and HR strategies 

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In this episode of Talkin' Talent, host Sam McCarthy interviews Cynthia Daniel, the Diversity and Culture Leader at Cherry Bekaert. They discuss the evolution of diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) in the workplace, particularly since Cynthia joined the Firm in 2021. 

Cynthia shares her journey into HR, highlighting the importance of creating inclusive spaces through initiatives like Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) and "Green Table Talks." They discuss common misconceptions surrounding DE&I, the integration of DE&I within HR functions and how organizations can navigate changing laws and societal attitudes toward diversity. 

This episode covers: 

• The broad scope of diversity, equity and inclusion 
• Strategies for initiating DE&I programs in smaller organizations
• The importance of creating spaces for fostering inclusivity and open dialogue within an organization
• Navigating DE&I discussion and proposals with leadership 
• Common misconceptions about DE&I

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In episode seventeen of Talkin’ Talent, Susan Pittman, Managing Director and Leader of Human Capital Advisory at Cherry Bekaert, joins Sam McCarthy to discuss all things human resources (HR). Together, they discuss her fascinating career journey, which includes working as the only female in personnel management at the United States Steel Corporation, and how it led to her managing the Human Capital Advisory practice at Cherry Bekaert. 

With over 35 years of experience in human capital strategy and organizational development, Susan shares her insights on creating people-centered strategies that align with business goals. She also discusses her passion for fostering organizational cultures that unite and engage employees while building strong talent pipelines. 

Tune in to hear her valuable perspectives and learn more about Cherry Bekaert’s Human Capital Advisory practice. This episode covers: 

• Susan’s unique career path
• Key functions of human capital advisory
• How human capital advisory differs from staffing and recruiting 
• The differences between transactional and strategic HR 
• Career tips on influencing organizational change

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In episode 16 of Talkin’ Talent, Doug Smith and Evan Seward join Sam McCarthy to discuss when an organization should use an external search firm and the dynamics of temporary vs. permanent staffing solutions. They provide professional advice on understanding client needs, navigating recruitment challenges, and adapting to current staffing trends. Whether you’re optimizing your team or exploring new hires, this episode offers essential insights to enhance your recruitment strategies.

This episode covers: 

• Insights on when an organization would benefit from external support
• Their tried-and-true approach to addressing client needs
• Current trends in staffing and recruiting, including an analysis of post-COVID shifts and the job market 

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