The importance of targeting talent early, enthusiastically

01/18/24 • 18 min

Jennifer Wilson is passionate about the accounting pipeline and the work being done by the National Pipeline Advisory Group (NPAG). Wilson, the CEO of Convergence Coaching and independent facilitator for NPAG, joined the JofA podcast this week to update listeners on progress in addressing talent concerns.

Wilson details the timeline for delivering a draft report to AICPA Council, themes that are emerging in discussions so far, and how entities but also individuals can play a vital role in attracting talent to the profession.

Resources

The main NPAG page, AccountingPipeline.org

March 2023 JofA podcast episode with Avani Desai, CPA

August 2023 JofA podcast episode with NPAG chair Lexy Kessler, CPA, CGMA

Last week’s episode with Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· An explanation of the National Pipeline Advisory Group (NPAG) and Wilson’s work with the group.

· Some key factors that contribute to “pipeline leaks.”

· The core value proposition of the profession, in Wilson’s words.

· The role of individual responsibility in helping to address accounting talent concerns.

· A timeline for some of NPAG’s key initiatives.

· The small changes that can lead to big ripples in the pipeline, according to Wilson.

Resources

The main NPAG page, AccountingPipeline.org

March 2023 JofA podcast episode with Avani Desai, CPA

August 2023 JofA podcast episode with NPAG chair Lexy Kessler, CPA, CGMA

Last week’s episode with Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· An explanation of the National Pipeline Advisory Group (NPAG) and Wilson’s work with the group.

· Some key factors that contribute to “pipeline leaks.”

· The core value proposition of the profession, in Wilson’s words.

· The role of individual responsibility in helping to address accounting talent concerns.

· A timeline for some of NPAG’s key initiatives.

· The small changes that can lead to big ripples in the pipeline, according to Wilson.

Previous Episode

For all future bosses: A leader’s take on in-office work, AI, and more

Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, CPA, CGMA, the founder and CEO of KET Solutions and a former AICPA board chair, is energized by people she met and words she heard at recent events.

Ellison-Taylor recaps some of the highlights in this episode of the JofA podcast, focusing on a session at the Future of Finance Summit in December on how finance professionals, and women in particular, can turn dreams of serving on a corporate board into reality.

Also, get caught up on recent articles in the JofA, including a recap of a session on generative AI at Digital CPA, the start of tax season according to the IRS, how auditors can handle questionable employee retention credit claims, and when some accountants are completing work.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· A roundup of several JofA articles in a busy news week.

· Ellison-Taylor’s key takeaways from the Women’s Global Leadership Summit and Digital CPA events.

· The networking opportunities provided by those events and the Future of Finance Summit.

· Her thoughts on technology being “unleashed” and future talent being “unlocked.”

· What Ellison-Taylor means when saying “Together, we’re unstoppable.”

· Why she says that budding leaders should spend time in an office instead of being fully remote.

Next Episode

ERC, BOI, e-signature relief: 3 focus areas for tax advocacy

Melanie Lauridsen, vice president–Tax Policy & Advocacy for the AICPA, joins the JofA podcast to review 2023’s tax advocacy highlights and look ahead to key issues this year and beyond.

Her team’s focus areas include the employee retention credit claims, beneficial ownership information reporting requirements, along with numerous other issues of concern to tax practitioners.

Resources:

n JofA article on BOI and what it means for CPA firms

n FinCEN news from December on BOI final rule

n Tax Section landing page, with extensive resource library on topics mentioned, including resources specific to the employee retention credit

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· The number of AICPA comment letters sent to legislators in 2023.

· Where things stand regarding e-signature relief.

· Lauridsen’s explanation of why beneficial ownership information requirements, while not specifically related to tax, are applicable to tax practitioners.

· A summary of topics included in the resources section of the Tax Section’s landing page

· Lauridsen’s closing message to members.