AI, succession, the talent pipeline, and defining ‘unapologetic’ ambition
This week’s podcast guest is Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA/CITP, CGMA, the CEO of KET Solutions and former AICPA and Association of International Certified Professional Accountants chair. Ellison-Taylor joined the show from the National Association of Corporate Directors 2025 Summit earlier this week, where AI was the main topic of conversation. What else are corporate boards discussing? And how is the accounting profession faring on certain aspects of growing the talent pipeline? Ellison-Taylor has answers, along with a look ahead to AICPA events in November and December. Resources: Global Women’s Leadership Summit (Nov. 10–12, Nashville, Tenn.) Digital CPA Conference (Dec. 7–10, National Harbor, Md.) What you’ll learn from this episode: The priorities and top concerns of corporate boards, starting with AI. How the accounting profession and firms in particular are doing when it comes to “looking inward.” Why Ellison-Taylor says that ambition can be defined different ways by different people. More about her comment that “at some point, we all will be digital CPAs.”
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19:42
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19:42
Shutdown concerns, the quest for tax guidance, the future of IRS service
Melanie Lauridsen, the AICPA’s vice president–Tax Policy & Advocacy, joined the JofA podcast on Tuesday to provide context on the government shutdown and its effect on IRS services, along with discussion on other tax advocacy topics. The interview was conducted the day before the IRS announced that most of its operations were closed and that a plan to furlough employees had begun “for everyone except already-identified excepted and exempt employees.” In the Q&A, Lauridsen also provided background on shutdowns and their effect on filing season. She also explained why the IRS announcement in September that it was phasing out paper checks for tax refunds has generated so much buzz among practitioners. What you’ll learn from this episode: A history lesson on government shutdowns, which previously went by a different name. Why the IRS definition of “filing season” is different than reality for many tax practitioners. Why the IRS announcement about ending tax refunds by paper check has been a popular topic among practitioners. An example of the guidance “trickling in” on new tax provisions. Estimated cost savings for certain businesses as a result of the preservation of the state and local tax deduction for pass-through entities. The filing-season concerns that “get ramped up” because of the government shutdown.
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20:45
Car talk: M&A, AI and EVs changing the dealership landscape
Jimmy Robinson, CPA, CGMA, the national chair of the AICPA Dealership Conference, and his co-presenter and co-worker Jesse Stopnitzky joined the JofA podcast to preview discussion points of their conference session later this month. Their expertise is industry-specific, but some of the topics are applicable to a broader audience. Robinson, a former dealership CFO, shared the key traits of strong finance leadership, and Stopnitzky offered advice for better succession planning. What you’ll learn from this episode: The aspect of M&A deals that is, to Stopnitzky, more art than science. How merger activity has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. Robinson’s list of the key traits of strong finance leaders. Why succession planning involves far more than naming a successor. Disruptive events and key shifts in the automotive industry.
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20:16
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20:16
Professional liability risks related to Form 1065, CPA firm acquisitions
Sarah Ference, CPA, an author of the JofA’s Professional Liability Spotlight column, returns to the JofA podcast to discuss recent column topics and the advice CPAs can gain from them. In particular, Ference details some of the risks for CPA firms engaging in mergers and acquisitions, the subject of a recent two-part series. The articles discussed in this episode are: n June: “Form 1065: Pay Attention or Pay Up.” n July: “Professional Liability Risk Stemming From CPA Firm Acquisitions: Part 1.” n August: “Professional Liability Risk Stemming From CPA Firm Acquisitions: Part 2.” n September: “Start Risk Management With Employee Onboarding.” What you’ll learn from this episode: Why CPA firms should pay close attention to recent changes in tax compliance for partnerships. A summary of the two-part article on professional liability risk related to CPA firm acquisitions. The importance of cultural alignment in firm acquisitions. What “tail coverage” is and why it’s essential for post-transaction protection. How a strong onboarding process can serve to mitigate some risks for firms — and why that topic is timely this month.
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12:38
‘We’re still the thinkers’ — a reminder for tax pros in the AI era
In her professional career, Annette Nellen, Esq., CPA, CGMA, cannot recall a time when there was more misinformation in the realm of taxes than today, as practitioners wade through H.R. 1, P.L. 119-21, commonly known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. She believes an overreliance on artificial intelligence tools in analyzing the budget law is one reason. “You still have to review it,” said Nellen, a past chair of the AICPA Tax Executive Committee. “These AI tools — they’re tools. We're still the thinkers. We’re the responsible party involved here.” In this JofA podcast episode, Nellen mentioned several provisions of note in H.R. 1, including those where guidance is still needed. She also mentioned the value of the National Tax Conference in November — where new tax provisions will be a central topic in sessions and individual conversations. What you’ll learn from this episode: · Some previously temporary tax provisions that are now permanent. · New tax provisions of note to Nellen. · A selection of provisions for which guidance or technical corrections may be needed. · IRS rulings and tax-related court cases Nellen has been following. · The response of one website creator when Nellen told the creator that some dot-gov sites are not properly updated.
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