Journal of Accountancy Podcast

For the 500th episode of the Journal of Accountancy podcast, the show went on the road to the Future of Finance Summit.
The conversation with the AICPA's Tom Hood, CPA/CITP, CGMA, executive vice president–Business Growth and Engagement, focuses on how finance leaders are moving beyond exploration of artificial intelligence and into active piloting and scaling.
Hood discussed priorities other than AI for finance leaders, who gathered last week in National Harbor, Md. Hood also looked back on the growth of the Future of Finance community, explaining how the "wisdom of the crowd" is one of the event's big draws.
What you'll learn from this episode:
A brief look back at the start of the JofA podcast, which has published 500 episodes.
What live polling at last week's Future of Finance Summit revealed about the pace of AI adoption in corporate finance functions.
Senior finance leaders' top issues in 2026 other than AI.
How finance leaders are trying to balance growth initiatives with continued pressure to control costs.
Why Hood says the Future of Finance community is helping leaders learn faster through case studies, peer collaboration, and shared best practices.
A look ahead to the 2027 Future of Finance Summit.

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.
"I've been most effective in my work when I've functioned as a steward, meaning I understood things had been entrusted to me to be responsible for," he said. "I was accountable to people, and fundamentally, it was not all about me."
Editor's note: This episode was originally on the FM podcast.
What you'll learn from this episode:
Why Alexander says the CFO role is not about you as a finance leader.
Key elements of stewardship leadership.
How to hold yourself accountable as a finance professional.
Why getting into the finer details can complicate decision-making.
What it means to own your results.
Tips for enhancing people and soft skills.

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 balanced life.
In April, Long previewed one of her ENGAGE sessions on the JofA podcast and wrote about planning for mini-retirements.
What you'll learn from this episode:
Why Long believes many professionals should plan to work longer and why that doesn't have to be a negative outcome.
How mini-retirements and sabbaticals can fit into a long-term career and financial plan.
Ways to approach conversations with employers about career flexibility and extended time away from work.
How shifting from a retirement-focused mindset to a lifestyle-focused mindset can influence financial decisions throughout life.
How first-time ENGAGE attendees can navigate multiple aspects of the conference — from its size, learning tracks, and networking opportunities to its indoor/outdoor temperature changes.
Long's review of several ENGAGE keynote sessions.

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 networking.
What you'll learn from this episode:
Why Harris wore a Deadpool-themed shirt the day of the episode's recording.
How selfies featuring his accounting-themed T-shirts began showing up on LinkedIn, and how those posts have sparked conversations about the profession.
His insights on the accounting talent pipeline opportunities and trends in CPA licensure pathways.
The unexpected lessons Harris has learned from hosting the New York State Society of CPAs' podcast.
How conferences in general, particularly ENGAGE, provide a "chance to connect."
How telling better stories about CPA career paths can grow the profession's relevance.

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.