Robotic process automation, or RPA, has been a buzzword in the accounting profession for several years. Despite that, many practitioners don’t have a great grasp of what RPA is and what it can do for accountants. Wesley Hartman has spent much of the past eight years developing RPA solutions for midsize firm Kirsch Kohn & Bridge, where he is director of technology. In this episode of the JofA podcast, produced in partnership with the Small Firm Philosophy podcast, Hartman shares how he has used RPA, how RPA can help accounting firms address key pain points, and why he and his firm are so bullish on the technology that they have launched an RPA startup. 

The payoffs of RPA for one accounting firm

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 Ami Beers, CPA, CGMA, senior director–Assurance & Advisory Innovation for AICPA & CIMA, joins the JofA podcast for this episode to guide CPAs on how to approach the new SEC rule on climate-related disclosures.  The SEC adopted the rule March 6. But, about a month later, it put a stay on the rule’s implementation, in response to multiple legal challenges to the rule. Some argued that the SEC overstepped its authority, and others said the SEC didn’t do enough.  Either way, it’s likely the rule will affect corporate reporting going forward, despite the lack of clarity now. Beers explains that and more, underscoring the importance of not waiting to understand the rule. Resources  n  May 23 webinar mentioned by Beers n  AICPA and Center for Audit Quality summary document n  JofA March 6 article on rule adoption  n  JofA March 14 need-to-know summary  What you’ll learn from this episode: ·          Ami Beers’ rundown of the recent timeline of sustainability reporting and the SEC’s adoption of its rule on climate-related disclosures.  ·         What the data, in multiple surveys from the AICPA and the International Federation of Accountants, shows about companies’ reporting on climate information.  ·         What’s next regarding the legal challenges affecting the rule.  ·         Why Beers said “there’s a lot to unpack” regarding the rule.  ·         Why, despite legal hurdles, Beers believes the rule should remain on CPAs’ radar.  ·         The importance of legislation in the European Union and California on climate-related reporting.

Why the SEC climate rule deserves CPAs’ attention

 Tax filing season can be a marathon, or it can be a sprint to the finish. Either way, the collective sigh of relief is real.  Melanie Lauridsen, vice president–Tax Policy & Advocacy for the AICPA, reflected on the last filing season and addressed advocacy items to watch in this episode of the Journal of Accountancy podcast. Lauridsen, in her third tax advocacy update of 2024, discussed the latest on employee retention credit (ERC) claims, including an eye-popping cost estimate. She also shared advocacy updates and looked ahead to the rest of 2024. In her previous podcast update, Lauridsen focused on clearing up confusion related to beneficial ownership information reporting. What you’ll learn from this episode:  ·          The comparison of tax season to a two-hour marathon.  ·         Why this was the first tax season in many years with “a smooth runway” for filing.  ·         Lauridsen’s reaction to the comment by IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel about receiving 20,000 ERC claims per week.  ·         Advocacy topics of note for this year and beyond.  ·         Lauridsen’s analysis of a tax bill now in the Senate.  ·         Why it is nearly guaranteed that tax changes are coming, even if the current bill never makes it out of committee.

After April 15: Top-of-mind tax advocacy topics, including the ERC

 Roger Kenyanya, vice president of finance at home improvement store Lowe’s, took part in the inaugural AICPA and CPA.com   AI Symposium  about three months ago in New York. Why did he refer to the event as a “humbling, full-circle moment” in a LinkedIn post? Find out on this episode of the JofA podcast.  Kenyanya, a member of the Future of Finance Leadership Advisory Group, shares how both the finance function and overall business are harnessing the power of AI. He also details his career journey and notes how the skill sets of next-generation finance employees will change. What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         The “significant milestone” in Kenyanya’s career — in his junior year of college.  ·         Kenyanya’s path to his current role as a finance leader at Lowe’s.  ·         His takeaways from a January symposium about AI.  ·         Some of the ways AI is being harnessed at Lowe’s.  ·         How the skill set for tomorrow’s finance employees is changing and the three-pronged focus of that shift for Kenyanya and Lowe’s.  ·         The peer “platform to collaborate” that Kenyanya said is valuable.

How AI can drive a proactive approach to corporate finance

 Danielle Supkis Cheek, CPA,  vice president and head of Analytics & AI for Caseware, had an interesting way to continue her exploration of the ethics of using AI tools in accounting: She asked ChatGPT to give her an answer.  The response helped in her assessment of such tools. She shared more about that result — and answered our questions — in this episode of the JofA podcast.  What you’ll learn from this episode:  ·         What a well-known generative AI tool had to say about the risks of using large language models in accounting.  ·         The surprising thing an early version of ChatGPT said about Supkis Cheek.  ·         The top-of-mind AI ethics concerns for the accounting profession.  ·         How the development of smaller-scale language models, with accounting specifics, can improve confidence in large language models.  ·         An explanation of the MAYA principle as it relates to AI.  ·         Thoughts on taking a “measured approach” when it comes to AI auditing.

How accountants can appropriately rely on AI

To Jen Croneberger, it’s easy for many in society to spend a lot of time planning to do big things but not always carrying out those plans. Taking an “if/then response approach” to life prevents accomplishing big goals, and so Croneberger advises people to take big leaps, even if they’re uncertain about having a safety net. That’s one of several leadership concepts discussed on this JofA podcast episode. Croneberger, an author and consultant, is the keynote speaker June 17 at the  AICPA & CIMA Not-for-Profit Industry Conference. In this conversation, she previews that session, explains the words behind the acronym BRAVE, and shares the importance of human-focused leadership in an AI-driven world. Croneberger also responds to the topic of a JofA episode from April 2022 about how  belief differs from arrogance. What you’ll learn from this episode: ·         A preview of Croneberger’s keynote session at the AICPA & CIMA Not-for-Profit Industry Conference in June.  ·         Why leadership is “a behavior, not a title.”  ·         Some of the ways she applies a sports background to her role as a consultant.  ·         Why Croneberger likes the leadership advice “Go before you’re ready.”  ·         How we can use digital devices to improve self-care.  ·         The importance, in Croneberger’s mind, of speaking openly about topics such as depression.

The payoffs of RPA for one accounting firm

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