News
Private equity has big plans for small firms
June 17, 2024
About a year ago at AICPA & CIMA ENGAGE, small firm owner Amber Goering, CPA, CGMA, teamed up with David Wurtzbacher, the founder and CEO of a private-equity-backed strategic partner for regional firms, to lead a panel discussion titled, "Small Firm Succession — Are You Ready for the Next Wave of M&A?"
Generative AI and Risks to CPA Firms
June 11, 2024
“Write a 1,200-word article regarding how CPA firms can manage risk related to the use of ChatGPT and other forms of generative AI.” This easy ChatGPT request would have resulted in the production of this month’s column in a far more expeditious manner than writing one from scratch, but would it have been as informative or accurate? ChatGPT is an example of generative artificial intelligence (AI), and its popularity has soared since its introduction to the public in November 2022. Given ChatGPT’s versatility, speed, and ability to engage in human-like conversations, it’s easy to see why.
Deciding Between Unlimited vs. Flexible PTO: Which May Be Best for Your Business?
June 06, 2024
According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 4 percent of organizations now offer unlimited paid time off. That number may continue to rise as startups and large organizations alike continue experimenting with this policy.
Finding qualified staff tops ranking of CPA firm top issues
June 06, 2024
Finding qualified staff is the most pressing concern of accounting firms except sole practitioners, according to survey results released by the AICPA's firm practice management section. Sole practitioners who participated in the biennial Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) CPA Firm Top Issues Survey chose "keeping up with the changes and complexity of tax laws" as their top challenge.
Great Resignation workers less satisfied than before
June 05, 2024
On second thought, call it the Great Regret. Workers who quit their job during the Great Resignation are significantly less satisfied than their colleagues who stayed, according to a new survey by The Conference Board. Their overall job satisfaction is down 5.6 percentage points.
NPAG: All hands on deck to solve the pipeline problem
June 05, 2024
Solving accounting's pipeline problem will require effort from everyone in the profession, according to members of the National Pipeline Advisory Group — particularly employers.
Pipeline Pledge: How small commitments can make a big difference
June 05, 2024
For Sue Coffey, questions about the talent pipeline for the accounting and finance profession have become as common as 100-degree days in Las Vegas.
How do different accounting firms use AI?
June 03, 2024
See how both the Big 4 and smaller firms are utilizing AI in their workflows.
64% of business leaders have concerns with hiring recent college grads: report
May 29, 2024
Poor work ethic, few practical skills, and pro-Palestine protest participation are all factors, according to new data.
PwC to resell ChatGPT Enterprise
May 29, 2024
Big Four firm PwC announced that its U.S. and U.K. firms have signed a deal with OpenAI to become its first reseller for ChatGPT Enterprise and the largest user of the product. This means that, beyond just helping clients leverage ChatGPT Enterprise, the generative AI bot will be implemented across PwC's entire workforce in order to further scale its AI capacities.
Flexible work rankings: How does your region stack up?
May 28, 2024
If you're an employer debating whether to offer workplace flexibility to boost talent acquisition efforts or an employee seeking a role that offers flexibility, understanding the trends in your region can be a valuable tool.
Greater Hartford’s largest accounting firms are increasingly being led by women
May 28, 2024
Several CTCPA members and Executive Director and CEO Bonnie Stewart were featured in this article on the change in demographics at Connecticut accounting firms.
Peacocking, newskilling and digital detox: 9 new workplace trends CFOs must know
May 24, 2024
A new quiet term, reverse mentoring, and shadow policies add to the list.
AI tools that find answers, suggest tax strategies and draft emails for you
May 23, 2024
Financial advisors and tax professionals wondering how artificial intelligence can help them may consider the concept of a quality chess player who uses technology to beat a grandmaster.
Will AI block the accounting talent pipeline?
May 22, 2024
Could the new wave of artificial intelligence remove layers of associates and juniors as firms automate more ‘menial’ tasks in search of efficiencies? And what effect could this have on the accounting landscape as we know it today?
The generational shift in accounting
May 20, 2024
The intergenerational transfer of wealth is happening and there will be a significant number of SMBs looking to exit in the near future as a result. With this, there will be opportunities for CPAs to connect to the next generation of entrepreneurs and wealth holders. These opportunities come with a generational caveat — there are fewer CPA graduates, meaning more work with less time.
Employers should include workers in AI plans, DOL says
May 16, 2024
The agency outlined a list of eight “AI Principles for Developers and Employers” on Thursday, following up on a 2023 directive from the White House.
Illinois CPA Society Releases Updated CPA Pipeline Report
May 16, 2024
A new national survey reveals “time” is why more accounting majors and young professionals are skipping over becoming certified public accountants.
NPAG recommends solutions to the talent shortage
May 14, 2024
An independent national group featuring stakeholders from throughout the accounting profession published a draft set of recommendations for tackling the talent shortage.
Safeguards Rule notification requirement now in effect
May 14, 2024
If your business is covered by the FTC’s Gramm-Leach Bliley Safeguards Rule, an amendment to the Rule that requires covered companies to report certain data breaches and other security events to the FTC is now in effect – and we’ve made it easy for you to report.