Accountability the ‘No. 1 thing’ and other reflections from Bill Reeb
Journal of Accountancy Podcast
Release Date: 01/22/2026
Build trust with a stewardship mindset
Journal of Accountancy Podcast
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....
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Why planning to work longer may be the better path to retirement
Journal of Accountancy Podcast
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...
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Telling a better CPA story, one T-shirt and LinkedIn post at a time
Journal of Accountancy Podcast
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...
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Awkward silence is OK — and other networking secrets
Journal of Accountancy Podcast
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 , 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, , and why the CPA credential remains a “great differentiator.” Other resources mentioned in the conversation include...
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From estate planning to AI: Managing CPA liability
Journal of Accountancy Podcast
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: “.” June: “.” July: “.” What you’ll learn from this episode: ...
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The AICPA’s CEO on trust, AI, and the profession’s future
Journal of Accountancy Podcast
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...
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Midyear advocacy update: STEM, BOI, taxes and licensure
Journal of Accountancy Podcast
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...
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Why mindset may matter more than technology adoption
Journal of Accountancy Podcast
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,...
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How retaliation risk complicates fraud investigations
Journal of Accountancy Podcast
Retaliation — actual or perceived — can make fraud investigations more complex and less effective. In this episode of the Journal of Accountancy podcast, Fred Kohm, CPA/CFF, a partner at Grant Thornton, summarizes insights from the latest and explains how nuanced workplace dynamics can affect whistleblower cases. Kohm shares examples of subtle retaliation and explains how forensic accountants, auditors, and other professionals can recognize retaliation risks and strengthen investigative practices. “Whether you are a forensic accountant, an auditor, or perhaps a CPA in...
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The power of active listening in addressing the CPA skills gap
Journal of Accountancy Podcast
Recorded at ENGAGE in Las Vegas, this episode of the JofA podcast features Carl Mayes, CPA, the AICPA’s vice president–Ethics & Firm Quality, discussing the and the evolving skills employers expect from current and aspiring CPAs. Mayes shares insights from discussions with more than 1,000 members, including concerns about foundational accounting skills, communication abilities, and maintaining professional skepticism in an AI-driven environment. Mayes, who was also , reflects in this episode on the profession’s responsibility to prepare the next generation of CPAs...
info_outlineIn this episode, former AICPA Chair Bill Reeb, CPA/CITP, CGMA, reflects on more than 40 years in the profession and why he believes accountability is the starting point for a successful leadership effort.
Reeb, speaking from the Digital CPA Conference in December, discusses how momentum, clarity of direction, and facing fear help leaders navigate today’s rapid pace of change. He also addresses technological shifts including the rise of artificial intelligence and explains why a book he wrote about succession planning was not predominantly about succession.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
- Reeb’s view of CPAs’ unlimited career possibilities.
- What he and his wife learned on a shopping trip about 40 years ago.
- Why momentum, facing fear, and embracing change are essential elements of strong leadership.
- How accountability supports effective change management and keeps teams aligned on strategy.
- How rapid technological shifts have created higher standards but not necessarily time savings.
- Why the answer to “What is Bill Reeb’s succession plan?” is complicated.