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 month, also explains the vital role of state societies' advocacy efforts. He touches on CPA licensure, the Fiscal State of the Nation Act, tariffs, and other policy developments that affect practitioners and their clients.
Also, read Peterson's midyear summary in column form.
What you'll learn from this episode:
Why the AICPA continues to push for accounting to be included in STEM education initiatives, and what progress advocates are making on Capitol Hill.
What the future may hold for beneficial ownership information requirements after the pause in BOI reporting enforcement.
The critical role that state CPA societies play in licensure modernization and advocacy efforts.
Peterson's perspective on how the AICPA is helping to get more clarity around implementation of major federal tax legislation.
Why he says that implementation of the massive tax bill has been "lumpy."
Peterson's reflection on the rise of Town Hall as a way to quickly get information and perspective to members.
Ongoing and emerging policy issues — including tariffs, global mobility, and anti-money laundering efforts — that could affect the profession in the months ahead.

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, trust, and risk management practices needed to help organizations adapt, innovate, and remain relevant in a rapidly changing profession.
One key component mentioned in the conversation is the Rise2040 report and initiative.
What you'll learn from this episode:
How each speaker defines the "perpetual transformation state."
Why Hood says mindset—not technology—may be the biggest factor in future readiness.
How Morris distinguishes organizations who are getting "ahead of the wave" from those that say they're too busy to devote time to thinking about growth methodologies.
What Morris and Hood see as the biggest barriers to successful AI adoption.
The reasons that human skills are becoming more important, not less, in an AI-powered profession.
How trust can help accountants and finance professionals navigate ongoing transformation and why Morris calls trust "that through-line into everything that you do."

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, trust, and risk management practices needed to help organizations adapt, innovate, and remain relevant in a rapidly changing profession.
One key component mentioned in the conversation is the Rise2040 report and initiative.
What you'll learn from this episode:
How each speaker defines the "perpetual transformation state."
Why Hood says mindset—not technology—may be the biggest factor in future readiness.
How Morris distinguishes organizations who are getting "ahead of the wave" from those that say they're too busy to devote time to thinking about growth methodologies.
What Morris and Hood see as the biggest barriers to successful AI adoption.
The reasons that human skills are becoming more important, not less, in an AI-powered profession.
How trust can help accountants and finance professionals navigate ongoing transformation and why Morris calls trust "that through-line into everything that you do."

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 FVS Eye on Fraud report 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 another role …, be aware that retaliation is real," Kohm said.
Editor's note: The spring 2026 FVS Eye on Fraud report is available for download at the link above. It becomes exclusive to FVS Section members after July 10.
What you'll learn from this episode:
Defining "retaliation" in the context of a whistleblower complaint and investigation.
Why fear of retaliation can limit the information whistleblowers share.
How retaliation can show up in subtle ways, from exclusion to heightened scrutiny.
What makes retaliation a complex challenge for forensic accountants gathering evidence.
The strategies that Kohm recommends to help organizations reduce retaliation risk.
Why awareness and objectivity are critical when evaluating fraud allegations.

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 Profession Ready Initiative 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 on the podcast in February, reflects in this episode on the profession's responsibility to prepare the next generation of CPAs and the energizing role events such as ENGAGE play in shaping new ideas across the profession.
One other resource related to the conversation: the monthly A&A Focus series.
What you'll learn from this episode:
An early-career lesson for Mayes that underscored CPAs serving as "gatekeepers for the capital markets."
What early stages of the Profession Ready Initiative have unearthed after conversations with more than 1,000 accounting professionals.
Why communication skills, critical thinking, and skepticism are becoming more important in the age of AI.
Why Mayes said, "Active listeners make better leaders."
How employers and educators are working to close competency gaps for CPAs.
What ENGAGE means to accounting professionals looking for new ideas, stronger connections, and practical innovation.