Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, was named the leader of the AICPA when he was in his mid-30s. Now, in his final months as CEO of AICPA & CIMA, he discusses the events that challenged the profession, risks that could be obstacles in the future, and why he’s optimistic about the role accountants play.

In this conversation, the second of two parts, Melancon challenges the notion that the profession is slow to change, explains why trust will continue to be important, and emphasizes the importance of speed and competencies in continuing to evolve.

Listen or read part 1 here.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· A quick summary of the topics in part 1 of the conversation.

· Why Melancon believes the word “passion” would be used to describe him.

· What Melancon called “the most tumultuous period” of his career and how he viewed the profession’s emergence from that era.

· Why speed will be important in the continued transformation of the accounting profession.

· His thoughts on the “competency evolution” of accountants just entering the profession.

· Melancon’s contention that it’s “naïve” to think artificial intelligence will not affect jobs.

Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA, was named leader of the AICPA when he was in his mid-30s. Now, in his final months as CEO of AICPA & CIMA, he discusses his background and upbringing, his unlikely path from rural Louisiana to speaking to leaders around the world, and why he puts extra emphasis on trust.

Part 2 of the conversation, recorded in July, will be published next week. Below are links to the previous two-part discussion with Melancon, episodes that were published in December and January:

n News and trends affecting CPAs

n Business model transformation, private equity, and more

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· More from Melancon about what he calls “a great journey.”

· His assessment of how the profession has changed since the mid-1990s.

· Some of the skills learned during his tenure as CEO.

· Why he says the world is “devoid of trust.”

· A preview of topics discussed in Part 2 of the conversation, scheduled to publish next week.

The National Pipeline Advisory Group published its final report on talent solutions for the accounting profession, and the group’s chair, Lexy Kessler, CPA, CGMA, joins the Journal of Accountancy podcast to hit on the high points.

Kessler is AICPA vice chair and also mid-Atlantic leader for the firm Aprio.

In this episode, she shares next steps for the profession.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• An overview of the six major themes of the report.
• How a “plethora of perspectives” came together to address solutions for the pipeline issue.
• Details about addressing the time and cost of education.
• An explanation of the three E’s that represent the components of CPA licensure.
• What’s next as the recommendations move from paper to practice.
• How CPAs and educators can take the Pipeline Pledge.