ATL217

From CPA Tech Wiki
Revision as of 21:07, 20 October 2025 by BFTCPA>Bftcpa (Created page with "== Episode ATL217: The Talent Shortage and the Accounting Pipeline == '''Recording Date:''' July 3, 2025 '''Duration:''' 23:19 '''Hosts:''' Randy Johnston and Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA '''Series:''' Accounting Technology Lab Podcast '''Source:''' CPA Practice Advisor === Summary === In this episode, Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley discuss the ongoing '''talent shortage''' and '''pipeline challenges''' facing the accounting profession, drawing ins...")
(diff) ← Older revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

Episode ATL217: The Talent Shortage and the Accounting Pipeline

Recording Date: July 3, 2025 Duration: 23:19 Hosts: Randy Johnston and Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA Series: Accounting Technology Lab Podcast Source: CPA Practice Advisor

Summary

In this episode, Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley discuss the ongoing talent shortage and pipeline challenges facing the accounting profession, drawing insights from the 2025 CPA Practice Advisor Accounting Leaders Think Tank Symposium and the AICPA Thought Leader Dinner. They share findings from the National Pipeline Advisory Report and explore how AI, private equity, and alternative practice structures are reshaping the labor market. The hosts emphasize that while more students are entering accounting programs, the profession’s image problem persists — driven by negative messaging, excessive focus on workload, and insufficient storytelling about the rewards of accounting. They urge firms to improve the employment experience, invest in mentorship, and rebuild a culture centered on relationships and purpose rather than transactions. Johnston and Tankersley conclude that solving the talent shortage requires a mix of storytelling, professional pride, mentoring, and adaptive business structures — not just outsourcing or automation.

Key Quotes

  • “If half of AICPA’s 600,000 members encouraged one person to become a CPA, we’d fix the pipeline overnight.” — Randy Johnston (01:02)
  • “Private equity is changing the model — and pushing more work offshore.” — Brian F. Tankersley (03:15)
  • “We have an image problem because we talk more about the hours than the wins.” — Brian F. Tankersley (06:48)
  • “If you can tell your story well — why you love this work — that alone helps recruit the next generation.” — Randy Johnston (09:10)
  • “Accounting isn’t dying. It’s just different — we’re becoming digital plumbers.” — Brian F. Tankersley (12:30)
  • “One of your jobs is to mentor others in life — that’s how the next generation learns to lead.” — Randy Johnston (17:40)
  • “Stop chasing life six minutes at a time and start investing in people.” — Brian F. Tankersley (20:43)

Social Media Posts

  1. The accounting pipeline isn’t broken — it just needs better storytelling. #ATL217
  2. If every CPA recruited one future CPA, the talent shortage would end tomorrow.
  3. Private equity and AI are reshaping accounting jobs — are you adapting?
  4. “Stop whining about hours. Start talking about wins.” — #ATL217 #AccountingProfession
  5. Mentorship is the missing piece in fixing the accounting pipeline.
  6. Accounting’s biggest problem isn’t staffing — it’s self-image. #ATL217
  7. Relationships > transactions. The next generation craves meaning at work.
  8. Want to fix the pipeline? Start by improving your firm’s employment experience.
  9. AI will change the work — but human mentorship builds great accountants.
  10. 14 states now have alternative CPA pathways. Portability is the next big issue.
  11. “We’re becoming digital plumbers — troubleshooting data instead of pipes.” #ATL217
  12. The accounting profession must tell its story better — and louder.
  13. AICPA’s new pipeline report shows hope — if firms act now.
  14. Mentoring is leadership in action. Pass it on. #CPA #ATL217
  15. From busy season to burnout, let’s reframe the conversation.
  16. Onshoring talent could become the next big labor strategy. #ATL217
  17. Stop chasing life six minutes at a time — invest in people, not billable hours.
  18. Your story matters — it’s your best recruiting tool.
  19. “This isn’t an individual sport. It’s a team profession.” — Randy Johnston #ATL217
  20. The talent crisis is real — but the solution is in our hands.

Companies, Organizations, and Initiatives Mentioned

Organization / Initiative Description X (Twitter) Facebook LinkedIn Instagram
AICPA American Institute of CPAs; publisher of the National Pipeline Report and host of the Thought Leader Dinner @AICPA AICPA AICPA @aicpa
CPA Practice Advisor Publisher of the Accounting Technology Lab Podcast and sponsor of the Think Tank Symposium @CPAPracticeAdv CPA Practice Advisor CPA Practice Advisor @cpapracticeadvisor
National Pipeline Advisory Report AICPA-led study on workforce trends and solutions for the accounting profession N/A N/A National Pipeline Initiative N/A
Accounting Leaders Think Tank Symposium Annual CPA Practice Advisor forum for top 40 Under 40 and thought leaders @CPAPracticeAdv CPA Practice Advisor CPA Practice Advisor N/A
Private Equity Accounting Firms Emerging trend where PE-backed consolidators reshape practice structures and staffing N/A N/A CPA Practice Advisor Coverage N/A
Alternative Practice Structures Innovative firm ownership models changing CPA firm governance and recruitment N/A N/A AICPA Resources N/A

See Also

Retrieved from "https://wiki.cpate.ch/index.php?title=ATL217&oldid=6"