"The single pivot point we SHOULD be considering today is the disruption of the finance function in the digital era". This week’s episode is all about becoming an 'agile' accountant, and our guest is a man who knows all about agility in a fast-changing world. Aubrey Joachim FCMA CGMA MBA was the first CIMA President from outside the UK and Ireland. He discusses finance transformation, agile accounting and why he thinks it's time we dropped the word 'accountant' from our lexicon - because the wor...
Feb 26, 2021•58 min•Season 1Ep. 147
"Data is the life blood of finance ...IT Logic is the set of rules to leverage and control that data." Finance professionals need to be able to explain complex things to other people, so this conversation could really help. Kristen Hughes is Associate Director of Technology with the AICPA & CIMA. She is joined from Chicago by David Kovar, and from Virginia by Amanda Wilkie, one of this podcast's very first guests from back in mid-2018. Amanda and David are members of the Information, Managem...
Feb 12, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 146
"ANYONE can use a smart contract, but it's going to be in the context of blockchain technology." Accounting Professor Cory Campbell joins us from Indiana, USA, to discuss Smart Contracts and their dynamic connection with other leading technologies like blockchain and cybersecurity. Why do they matter to today’s businesses? What are the elements of Smart Contract technology? And where does the vital role of the accountant fit into it all? Resources . Use these links to find out more about this to...
Feb 06, 2021•42 min•Season 1Ep. 145
"We think of just the initial signing of a vendor to perform a service, but we don't do a good job of monitoring ...THEIR vendors" Our first featured Technology Advisory episode of 2021 is hosted by Audrey Katcher of Rubin Brown LLC. She's joined by Torpey White of Wipfli LLC, and Mardhani (Danny) Wirapratama of Celestica Inc. They share definitions, actions plans and ways of framing practical discussions about managing risk in supply chains involving vendors, providers, and partners. Talking Po...
Jan 28, 2021•25 min•Season 1Ep. 144
"It addresses fundamental questions about whether it's killing the way we work... or actually creating a world of new possibilities." What's your company's strategy to develop and maximise the resources provided by what some call the "a lternative workforce", but most simply refer to as "gig" workers? Board-level strategist and integrated thinker Samantha Griffiths ( BSc (Hons), MBA, FCCA) of Sagenius joins in from her base in Birmingham, UK. Sam started her career in a large international bank ...
Jan 23, 2021•29 min•Season 1Ep. 143
""With all of the disruption going on around the world, businesses are going more than ever to their finance people." It takes a wide-ranging professional skillset to link the CGMA designation, the AICPA annual series of CFO Conferences, and the role of 'Chief Turmoil Officer'. Our guest, Ken Witt, joins us to do just that. He explains what the CGMA accounting designation is, outlines the AICPA's 'CFO Conference' events for 2021, and introduces an excerpt from the first in a series of conference...
Jan 14, 2021•34 min•Season 1Ep. 142
"We've looked back so we could give you something to look forward to." With the weekend here, we invite you to take some time away from the breaking news headlines with this extra short episode featuring a collection of special playlists, one for each of the main topics we've been covering since 2018. Your Dedicated Episode Topic Lists. Click on any topic to open its dedicated episode page. (As topics can overlap, you may see the same episodes on more than one list). Technology content includes ...
Jan 08, 2021•4 min•Season 1Ep. 141
"It's really important to understand those risks and why it's DIFFERENT than the remote auditing of the past." Guest host Les Nettleton of CPA practice Bourgeois Bennet wraps up the year with this final monthly Cybersecurity Advisory episode of 2020. He's joined by Emily Di Nardo of BakerTilly US, and Warren Averett's Paul Perry. Talking Points. This conversation touches on these and other topics and considerations: Future risks and planning. What's working, and what isn't. The elevated risks as...
Dec 23, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 140
"In today's world, CPAs NEED to have Data Analytics skills" Are you at the beginning of your Data Analytics journey ? In this audio version of 2020's final "Hear From Your Peers" LinkedIn Live session, AICPA & CIMA's Kristen Hughes speaks to Maria Pollieri, until recently the PeopleSoft national lead for Oracle, and returning podcast guest Jim Gilbert CPA. They begin their discussion with a look at why it's important that every CPA has data analytics skills. Resources . Use these links to fi...
Dec 17, 2020•25 min•Season 1Ep. 139
"It's a great time to be in the accounting profession because now you're FULLY equipped with all these options" How would a firm get started with RPA and automation technology? In this audio version of their October 2020 LinkedIn Live session, AICPA & CIMA's Penelope Johnson speaks to previous podcast guest Jotham Ty of Gappify in California, and Lesley Mast, a CPA at REA and Associates in Ohio. They discuss firms' key questions and considerations about RPA (robotic process automation), data...
Dec 10, 2020•24 min•Season 1Ep. 138
"People are recognising that they need to really RETHINK how they're doing things." When technology-adoption projects falter, it's an opportunity to implement a comprehensive turnaround. California-based Bob Green, of leading regional CPA firm SingerLewak, talks through the "f our pillars" of digital transformation and outlines how to get a company's technology projects back on track in the face of profound disruption. Resources . Use these links to find out more about this topic, or to access f...
Dec 04, 2020•37 min•Season 1Ep. 137
"We're talking about ALL the fingers that Digital Transformation has, ALL the paths that it can flow down through an organisation Digital Transformation: What is it? What are the benefits and risks? How has COVID impacted the subject for good or ill? Guest host Daimon Geopfert of RSM presents this November Cybersecurity Advisory episode, exploring what "Digital Transformation" means in the age of COVID. Joined by Jerry Ravi and Greg Fritsky of EisnerAmper, the conversation touches on the broader...
Nov 25, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 136
"During quarantine, things have been escalated. 30% of leaders' time is lost due to MISHANDLING conflict, so that's on the rise." Monday 16th November was UN Day of Tolerance so, to explore the true cost of conflict in an organisation, Scott Kellam talks to returning guest Julie Holunga. They discuss what happens when it manifests, and what the consequences can be if it's allowed to build up over time. Counter-intuitively, conflict can be a valuable catalyst for positive change. Hear how to reco...
Nov 19, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 135
"You've got this massive bucket of fraud that's happening, that you DON'T know about." In advance of International Fraud Awareness Week , we talk to Bryony Clear Hill, Associate Ethics Manager (CIMA) and author of a new report, "Keep Your Accounts Safe: Your Guide To Combatting Financial Crime". We discuss the risks posed by financial crime, how the pandemic has made them greater than ever, and the tools that an organisation ALREADY has to protect themselves. Talking Points. These are just some ...
Nov 12, 2020•34 min•Season 1Ep. 134
" I've seen first hand the different sorts of attempts made to target finance organisations - they're a CONSTANT target. " Why are finance professionals prime targets for cybercriminals? Kacee Johnson of CPA.com lifts the lid on the so-called "criminals' oasis" and the economy of cybercrime with online security research expert ' Dustin' from Spycloud. Talking Points. These are just some of the topics discussed in this episode. What is the dark web? Why are accounting professionals prime targets?...
Nov 06, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 133
" You might get your own people up and running, but do you have a vendor that's NOT going to be available?" You're prepared, but what happens if your business-critical vendor isn't? Amy Vetter hosts this month's Cyber Security Advisory discussion. With panellists Audrey Katcher of Ruben Brown and Torpey White of WipFli, they explore vendor risk management, and suggest three key action items which your teams can begin working on immediately. Talking Points. These are just some of the topics discu...
Oct 29, 2020•20 min•Season 1Ep. 132
"We've combined three years of cybersecurity conversations, 20 episodes to choose from, all via just ONE link". Because it's Cybersecurity Awareness Month 2020, we've put together a special playlist of 20 cybersecurity-focused episodes. Find them by clicking on this link: CyberSec20 Resources . Use these links to find out more about this topic, or to access free guidance and resources to implement in your own team or organisation. Browse your dedicated cybersecurity episode playlist at CyberSec2...
Oct 23, 2020•8 min•Season 1Ep. 131
"This is a very significant step for the profession; it's a LEADERSHIP step." What's the security value of a name? CPA.com CEO Erik Asgeirsson outlines the many security and branding benefits of .cpa, a new top-level domain for the finance and accounting profession. Talking Points. These are just some of the topics discussed in this episode. what a top-level domain is. why it's been developed. who'd find it useful. the benefits to members of the accounting and finance profession. its cybersecuri...
Oct 14, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 130
"You do have to be equipped to ask enough of the RIGHT questions." October is Cybersecurity Month in the EU and the USA, so all month we'll be sharing episodes about IT risks, threat-mitigation and security strategies. The founder and CEO of NMGI, our guest Randy Johnston is recognised as a Top 25 thought-leader in accounting and technology. Hosted by Kacee Johnson, Strategic Advisor at CPA.com (the business and technology arm of the AICPA), this conversation with Randy introduces the concept of...
Oct 07, 2020•21 min•Season 1Ep. 129
"We focus a lot on the convenience and mobility of the medium... THAT is a really interesting value proposition." On International Podcast Day - September 30th - we're joined from Canada by Michael Kravshik. The LumiQ CEO tells us about the podcast-inspired startup he founded to help CPAs turn podcast-listening into learning-credits. Talking Points. These are just some of the topics discussed in this episode. an overview of the Canadian accounting community the power of podcasting and audio cont...
Sep 30, 2020•54 min•Season 1Ep. 128
"It's very important to get your PATIENTS involved in understanding what good security-stewardship means." In the fourth of our Cybersecurity Advisory series, a panel of experts explores the economic and technological challenges facing the health care industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Host Jeff Krull of Baker Tilly is joined by Jerry Ravi , Bert Orlov , and Steve Bisciello of Eisner Amper. Talking Points. These are just some of the topics discussed in this episode. How the pandemic ...
Sep 23, 2020•46 min•Season 1Ep. 127
" This is a great time to make a list of top-of-mind PEOPLE who you haven't spoken to in a while." Returning guest Julie Holunga is a leadership trainer, speaker and author who works with corporate women, primarily in the legal, accounting, technology, and professional services fields. Speaking from Denver, USA, she tells the AICPA's Scott Kellam why it's so important to 'reset' the way we work. They discuss ways to rekindle work productivity and suggest how to stay in touch - and in sync - with...
Sep 16, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 126
"There are lessons that we ALL can learn from this fairy tale". Lynn Fountain (CPA, CGMA, CMA, MBA) is a finance professional, author, and an international leadership and management trainer who brings a unique perspective to our conversation. We discuss what the keys to leadership are, and how we can find them by using the story of The Wizard of Oz. RESOURCES. Find out more about Lynn Fountain on her website at https://www.lynnfountain.net . Read her blog post " Finding the Leader Within " Redis...
Sep 10, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 125
"Getting newer and younger existing staff...ENGAGED ...is never more important than it is today." CPA.com's Steve Menges returns to conclude our two-part exploration of how CPA practices can virtualise their operations. He shares practical examples to help others choose their own paths to business-virtualisation. OUR GUEST Steven Menges is a CPA.com strategic advisor supporting the product team for audit and assurance (A&A) Cloud-based solutions. He is a tech evangelist and a business-growth...
Sep 02, 2020•45 min•Season 1Ep. 124
"We're seeing more stories now where information is being compromised - when it should NOT be - in this new work from home environment." In the third episode of our monthly Cybersecurity Advisory series, host Jim Gilbert , CPA, CITP, CGMA is joined by Audrey Katcher of Rubin Brown LLP and Jeff Olejnik of Wipfli LLP. In an ever-changing data environment, they explore the shift in focus for Boards of Directors (BoDs) to business continuity, security and risk management. Resources. Use these links ...
Aug 27, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 123
"A lot of fast-growing large tech companies want to ELEVATE their accounting teams...through automation." We talk bots and RPA with Gappify, an accounting-automation startup based in San Francisco. Kyle Hannan ( AICPA & CIMA , London) is joined from New York by Gappify CEO and founder Jotham Ty, and Sales VP James Hall . RESOURCES. Find out more about Gappify Watch this AICPA & CIMA video about the use of robotic process automation in auditing. Read about the impact of bots in these arti...
Aug 20, 2020•38 min•Season 1Ep. 122
"In 2020, change in key areas is NO longer optional." The first in a two-part exploration of how CPA practices can virtualise their operations. CPA.com's Steve Menges outlines the steps that firms can take right now to holistically digitise services, drive efficient high-quality work, and bring even more value to clients. OUR GUEST Steven Menges is a CPA.com strategic advisor supporting the product team for audit and assurance (A&A) Cloud-based solutions. He is a tech evangelist and a busine...
Aug 13, 2020•59 min•Season 1Ep. 121
"Be very clear about the PURPOSE of a finance function in a business and how can you be increasingly purposeful in your role" Rebecca McCaffry, author of a new research report ‘Finance Transformation, the Human Perspective’, introduces highlights from the report’s launch in Dublin earlier this year. At the event, a panel of industry experts shared their perspectives on the skills needed by finance teams, and how to develop them. THE PANEL KPMG partner Gavin Donaldson , whose expertise includes f...
Aug 05, 2020•19 min•Season 1Ep. 120
"It's a situation that's been exponentially exposing us... at THIS time." In the second of our new monthly Cybersecurity Advisory series, host Jerry Ravi of EisnerAmper LLP is joined by Daimon Geopfert of RSM, and Audrey Katcher of Rubin Brown LLP. They discuss data security and resilience, risk, and regulatory compliance in a changing data environment. These monthly advisories explore key technology challenges as businesses consider how to implement a seamless environment that supports work fro...
Jul 22, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 119
"Really good CFOs are able to COMMUNICATE, with people who are not financial experts" What does it take to be a CFO? How do you get that type of role? What does it mean to work at Board level? And how do you make the right kind of impact once you get there? Chicago-based Eileen Kamerick is a Board member of several listed companies as well as a trusted confidante to CEOs and Directors in Advisory and CFO roles. She shares some exclusive insights into her forthcoming Finance Track session at ENGA...
Jul 15, 2020•44 min•Season 1Ep. 118
