Calvin Harris, CPA, knew he wanted to be an accountant well before he got to college. He had several mentors who helped him make that decision. It’s one reason he believes that accountants need to reach students early and tell a better story about the profession.

Harris was first on the JofA podcast in February 2022, when he was CFO of the National Urban League. Today, he’s CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs and keenly aware of some of the profession’s issues related to available talent.

He discussed some of the ways accountants can help attract candidates to the profession and commented on the draft recommendations in the recently published report by the National Pipeline Advisory Group.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

• How technology has energized Harris and how it’s empowering young CPAs.
• How Harris’s mother, a former high school teacher, influenced his career choice.
• The crucial role diversity and inclusion can play in the future of the profession, according to Harris.
• Why telling a better story — and telling it early and often — is a must to address accounting pipeline concerns.
• How Harris, later in life, added the New York City Marathon to his list of accomplishments.

Byron Patrick, CPA/CITP, CGMA, took time from his schedule during AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE a few weeks back to join the JofA podcast.

Patrick, recently named CEO at a startup company, has been a regular on the show over the years, talking mainly about technology topics. He continued that theme in this episode, discussing artificial intelligence, how the roles of chief technology officer and chief information officer have changed over the years, and why accounting professionals shouldn’t feel overwhelmed by all the tech-focused changes taking place.

Also, click here for the podcast episode from nearly five years ago in which Patrick discussed the use of emojis in email.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

1. Why Patrick calls ENGAGE “the premier event of the year.”
2. Details about the AICPA and CPA.com Startup Accelerator.
3. A summary of key messages and themes from a technology-focused ENGAGE session.
4. Patrick’s advice for fellow accountants who might feel overwhelmed by the speed of technology-based changes.

Sara Lord, CPA, is chair of the Auditing Standards Board (ASB), which recently issued a new standard that completes the suite of quality management standards ahead of an important implementation deadline in late 2025.

Lord, who discussed advice for firms on implementing the standards on a JofA podcast episode in 2022, joined the show again last week to talk about the end of a journey.

In this episode, Lord details the terminology changes made official by the ASB’s May 14 vote.

In the conversation, there is a mention of the standard being available sometime in June. Since recording, the link has gone live and is available here: Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements No. 23.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· An explanation of the changes implemented by the ASB in a May vote.

· Why the May vote marks “the end of a standard-setting journey.”

· Why Dec. 15, 2025, is an important date for implementation of the standards.

· Implementation guidance, including where to find resources.

· The sense of “rejuvenation” Lord feels each year at ENGAGE.