Aligning with AI: Lisa Simpson on how to overcome sense of overwhelm
Journal of Accountancy Podcast
Release Date: 06/04/2026
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...
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Aligning with AI: Lisa Simpson on how to overcome sense of overwhelm
Journal of Accountancy Podcast
Lisa Simpson, CPA, CGMA, vice president–Firm Services at the AICPA, discusses the evolution of AICPA Town Hall, key takeaways from Town Hall’s six years of programming, and how practitioners can navigate rapid change driven by AI. She shares insights on managing “a sense of overwhelm” related to AI and highlights resources that can help firms adapt, including the AICPA and CIMA . The episode also includes a segment on the latest and what they signal about business sentiment, inflation, and hiring. Other resources related to the topics: The CPA.com , which includes a vendor...
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What CPA.com’s CEO sees next for AI, tax, and the profession
Journal of Accountancy Podcast
In this episode, Erik Asgeirsson of CPA.com looks back and looks ahead — to the next weeks and months and also to the future of AI in the accounting profession. Asgeirsson explains how AI’s acceleration in tax, audit, and client advisory services builds on lessons learned during the cloud computing transformation. He outlines where firms are seeing the biggest opportunities, why tax is emerging as a key area for innovation, and how new AI capabilities are reshaping workflows and insights. The conversation also covers practical steps for firms to get started with AI, along with the...
info_outlineLisa Simpson, CPA, CGMA, vice president–Firm Services at the AICPA, discusses the evolution of AICPA Town Hall, key takeaways from Town Hall’s six years of programming, and how practitioners can navigate rapid change driven by AI.
She shares insights on managing “a sense of overwhelm” related to AI and highlights resources that can help firms adapt, including the AICPA and CIMA AI resource hub.
The episode also includes a segment on the latest Economic Outlook Survey results and what they signal about business sentiment, inflation, and hiring.
Other resources related to the topics:
- The CPA.com AI resource page, which includes a vendor evaluation framework.
- The Town Hall landing page, which includes a registration button.
- The full Economic Outlook Survey results for the second quarter.
What you’ll learn from this episode:
- Lisa Simpson’s recap of topics at the recent PCPS Executive Committee meeting.
- How AICPA Town Hall has evolved to deliver news, analysis, and practice management insights.
- The common comment that Simpson jokingly says she gets about Town Hall.
- Why many CPAs feel a sense of overwhelm about AI and how to begin addressing it.
- Resources, including the AICPA AI hub and CPA.com tools, that can support firm decision-making.
- What recent Economic Outlook Survey results reveal about inflation concerns and hiring plans.