Instead of worrying about failure when undergoing a change initiative, why not ask, “What happens if we succeed?” That is summarized sentiment from a discussion with Al Dea, admittedly a glass-half-full guy, on the Journal of Accountancy podcast.

Dea, a leadership development consultant and founder of the organization The Edge of Work, is the keynote speaker at the Aug. 12–14 Governmental Accounting and Auditing Update Conference. In this episode, Dea explores pain points for dealing with almost constant change, how the last five years have affected our ability to manage change, and more.

The virtual conference has an early-bird discount of $150 for attendees who register by Saturday.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· Why humans tend to seek a “steady state.”

· One exercise Dea recommends for professionals worried about what change might bring.

· Why it sometimes may be impossible to have a playbook or manual for a change initiative.

· The concept of being “sturdy” for others and how it can make a difference amid volatility.

· Why it’s OK to not have all the answers for how to navigate change.

In this Journal of Accountancy branded podcast, hosted by Clint Costa, CPA, J.D., LL.M., a senior wealth strategist at Choreo, experts discuss how to help clients, especially high-net-worth ones, navigate growing and changing challenges in seeking proper insurance coverage.

Jody Grunden, CPA, stands out for more than his brightly colored Hawaiian shirts at accounting conferences and events. Grunden was one of the first firm leaders to embrace remote work, and he remains a proponent of it. His firm also was one of the first to offer outsourced CFO services.

In this JofA podcast episode, Grunden reflects on his firm’s growth, explains how cultures can mesh during a merger, and predicts where the future lies for CPAs. Hint: It’s not in delivering financial statements to clients.

In an earlier JofA interview, Grunden discussed not feeling fear when trying something new and explained why Monday is his favorite day of the week.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· The evolution of outsourced CFO service offerings.

· Why Grunden says remote work “is the way to go.”

· How off-site retreats helped grow postmerger culture.

· What “remaining independent” means to Grunden.

· The future of client advisory services.

· Why a client’s “graduation” should be celebrated.

One popular discussion topic at AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE 25 is the accounting talent pipeline.

Liz Burkhalter, the AICPA’s director—CPA Pipeline, is taking part in those conversations. On this episode of the JofA podcast, Burkhalter shared encouraging news related to the pipeline and reminded CPAs of how using their “circle of influence” can help to grow the profession.

Related resources:

n National Pipeline Advisory Group (NPAG) report with recommendations

n JofA article on announcement of the Pipeline Pledge

n NPAG Pipeline Pledge landing page

n This Way to CPA landing page

n Next Stop: CPA podcast home page

n AICPA Student YouTube channel

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· Two hot topics at ENGAGE related to accounting talent, according to Burkhalter.

· The link between artificial intelligence and more attractive accounting opportunities

· “Exciting” news related to student enrollment in accounting.

· The reminder that established accountants can play a key role in helping address talent issues.

· A summary of resources to assist members who want to get involved.

Sentiment about the U.S. economy and CPA decision-makers’ organizations continues to decline in 2025. Second-quarter results released Thursday by the AICPA and CIMA show a rising percentage of pessimists and more concern about the affects of tariffs. To analyze the results further, the JofA podcast welcomed back Ken Witt, CPA, CGMA, associate director–Management Accounting Research & Development.

In last quarter’s Economic Outlook Survey, half of respondents were optimistic about their company’s outlook for the next year. This quarter, that percentage dropped to 37% — and it’s not the only area in which there is a decline.

Related resources:

n JofA article on how finance leaders are countering tariff volatility.

n The AICPA and CIMA’s tariff resource center.

n The previous quarter’s podcast discussion with Witt.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· The declines in domestic economic sentiment and own-company optimism.

· Where optimism about the global economy stands.

· Changes in the list of top challenges facing CPA decision-makers.

· The “big topic” in this quarter’s survey.

· An assessment of the impact of tariffs on respondents’ business planning.

· A summary of respondents’ 12-month projections for revenue, profits, and spending.

Jennifer Reilly, CPA, CGMA, values listening. She enjoys the collaboration with fellow finance leaders as part of the Future of Finance Leadership Advisory Group, and she has made a habit of emphasizing listening in guiding teams from around the world.

Reilly, scheduled to be part of two sessions at AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE 25, explains the importance of listening, developing through broad and niche roles, and more in this Journal of Accountancy podcast episode.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· The value of collaboration with finance peers.

· How finance’s expanded role changes the way finance professionals are evaluated.

· A summary of Reilly’s “broad” and “niche” roles.

· Strategies for better engagement with a globally dispersed team.

· The benefits of a wide-ranging listening tour for Reilly in her current role.

· One pillar of corporate culture that stood out to her from a Future of Finance Summit presentation.

It’s been a dizzying few months since Melanie Lauridsen, the AICPA’s vice president–Tax Policy & Advocacy, last appeared on the Journal of Accountancy podcast. In fact, just the past week has been chock full of tax-related developments, mainly in Washington.

Reflecting the news, this episode is publishing the same day it was recorded. In the Wednesday morning conversation, Lauridsen details the AICPA perspective on several aspects of the budget bill that could be voted on soon by the full House of Representatives.

She goes into detail about the passthrough entity tax/state and local tax deduction, also known as the PTET SALT deduction, and why the AICPA is urging that deduction be preserved.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· The status of the House budget bill.

· An explanation of the PTET SALT deduction — what it stands for, why it’s complex, and why it’s the AICPA’s “No. 1 priority.”

· Some of the “wins” in Lauridsen’s mind related to Sec. 529 accounts and the Form 1099-K reporting threshold.

· The top concern from a survey of members just after tax filing season.

· What Lauridsen means by “fractures.”

This week’s episode is a mix of CPA-centric news and a Q&A with a leader in the profession. First is a summary of the House Ways and Means Committee’s tax bill, the AICPA’s reaction to some of its provisions, and an update on paths to CPA licensure.

Danielle Supkis Cheek, CPA, is the guest on the main segment, discussing how accountants can avoid head-spinning dizziness when it comes to artificial intelligence (AI) — and why the profession is well suited for technology adoption.

Supkis Cheek, senior vice president–AI, Analytics and Assurance at Caseware, also discusses how organizations can use AI to scale operations. Finally, citing a set of criteria from Digital CPA speaker — and JofA podcast guest — Alex Dorr, Supkis Cheek rates the amount of drama she brings to the workplace.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· A summary of top JofA news items from earlier this week.

· Why conference speakers on AI topics have a hard time providing timely slides for sessions.

· The importance of the evergreen nature of accounting standards.

· Supkis Cheek’s explanation of professional skepticism’s role in harnessing AI.

· Detailing the public expectation gap as it relates to audits and technology.

· Why Supkis Cheek considers the AI era a curation age instead of a technology age.