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 building professional relationships at conferences and beyond, 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, accounting enrollment trends, and why the CPA credential remains a "great differentiator."
Other resources mentioned in the conversation include an earlier podcast episode from ENGAGE with the AICPA's Carl Mayes, CPA; the website ThisWayToCPA.com, with numerous resources for students and educators; and information on the July 24 Faculty Hour Series webcast, which includes Romero as a scheduled speaker.
What you'll learn from this episode:
The ways accounting professionals who are averse to networking can become effective at building relationships at conferences and other events.
How active listening helps create deeper professional connections.
Romero's practical conversation starters and techniques.
What recent accounting enrollment data suggests about the CPA talent pipeline.

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: "Managing CPA Liability in the Great Wealth Transfer."
June: "Making the Right Choice When No One Is Watching."
July: "Drafting an AI Policy That Actually Works."
What you'll learn from this episode:
Why the Great Wealth Transfer is creating liability risks for CPAs in estate planning, tax filings, and other services.
How CPAs can respond when clients want to skirt rules because they perceive regulatory oversight or enforcement to be weakening.
Why accounting firms need an AI policy and key considerations when establishing guidelines for AI use in practice.
Ference's takeaways from AICPA ENGAGE last month.

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 long ago for an autograph.
What you'll learn from this episode:
Why the CPA Trust campaign launched and particulars about the strategy for a commercial about the initiative.
What Koziel meant when he said, "We are in the verification business."
What member feedback revealed about the need for upskilling and how the Profession Ready Initiative aims to address skills gaps.
Why Koziel considers it valuable for members to have the Journal of Accountancy return to printed issues.
How AI could reshape tax compliance work and expand opportunities for advisory services.
Why he says, "Train's left the station," when asked about changes in CPA licensure pathways.
Koziel's assertion that CPAs will continue to thrive amid technological disruption by serving as the "human in the lead."

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."