Episode 36

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Published on:

4th Apr 2024

The Fight for Relevance in the Accounting Profession

Welcome to the Accounting Talent Podcast, dropping every Thursday to accounting professionals, finance specialists, software vendors, tech providers and influencers in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space. To participate in our international virtual speed networking events for the accounting community, go to https://accountinginfluencers.com/events and book your place at the next gathering. Great to build your personal brand and make valuable industry connections.

Rob Brown sits down with Calvin Harris, the CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs. Calvin discusses his role in leading the organization that represents CPAs in New York State and beyond. He shares his perspective on being a CPA and the importance of the credential.

Calvin talks about the challenges and opportunities facing the accounting profession today, emphasizing the need for CPAs to demonstrate their relevance in a changing landscape. He highlights the role of technology, communication, and storytelling in showcasing the value of the accounting profession to younger generations.

The conversation also touches on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the profession and the lessons learned from it. Calvin shares insights into the evolving role of CPAs and the importance of adaptability.

Tune in to gain valuable insights from Calvin Harris on the state of the accounting profession and the path forward for CPAs in a dynamic world.

Calvin Harris Jr., CPA (MD), is the CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, the oldest state accounting association in the U.S. With 30+ years of executive experience, he's been a CFO, auditor, forensic accountant, consultant, and entrepreneur.

A Morehouse College graduate, Calvin previously served as the SVP & CFO of the National Urban League in NYC and CFO of Baltimore City Community College. He's held leadership roles at organizations like the United Nations Foundation, NeighborWorks America, Legal Services Corporation, and Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation. His career began as an auditor at Arthur Andersen.

Calvin, the 24th Chairman of the Board and National President of the National Association of Black Accountants, has a deep passion for the accounting profession, inspired by his mother, a high school bookkeeping teacher. A Maryland native, he now calls Brooklyn, New York, home.

You can watch this episode and more on our YouTube Channel:

https://youtu.be/mv_mbBXSQm0

https://www.youtube.com/@accountinginfluencers

Join the Accounting Influencers community and get invitations to our international speed networking events to build your personal brand and network in the accounting, finance and tech world: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

Thanks to our sponsors:

ACCOUNTINGFLY. Accountingfly connects employers with top U.S.-based accounting talent through a variety of services including dedicated searches, Always-On Recruiting, and freelance placements for seasonal or temporary needs. They specialize in remote accounting recruitment, recognizing early on the significant advantages that remote work offers to employers, job-seekers, and their own operations. They pride themselves on their track record of matching the right candidates with the right opportunities and building a robust team of industry experts. Additionally, their partnership with Going Concern—an esteemed source for accounting news and insights—further enhances their ability to stay on the cutting edge of remote recruiting by tapping into a natural pipeline of job seekers.

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

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About the Podcast

Accounting Talent Podcast
Exploring talent, people, recruitment, retention and succession in the accounting profession with high level panels, expert interviews, commentary and insights.
The ACCOUNTING TALENT PODCAST is hosted by Rob Brown, co-founder of the Accounting Influencers Roundtable (AIR) along with Jeff Phillips of AccountingFly and Going Concern. The show explores talent, people, culture, employer brand, recruitment, retention and succession in the accounting profession with high level panels, expert interviews, commentary and insights. Key topics include soft skills, examinations, qualifications, leadership, mental wellbeing, the brand of the profession, employee value propositions, engagement, capacity and headcount in accountancy firms, career development, HR, L&D, the great resignation, quiet quitting and a range of talent issues in accounting.

Host Rob Brown is a renowned presenter, facilitator and chair of high-level conferences, panels and events globally for the accounting and fintech profession. He is also a dynamic speaker and accomplished expert on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, career development, succession, gen z/generations, employee advocacy and executive presence. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown/
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About your host

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Rob Brown

Rob Brown hosts the multiple accounting podcast and chair conferences, panels and events globally for the accounting and fintech profession. He is co-founder of Accounting Influencers Roundtable (AIR) which helps vendors, experts and influencers serve the accounting and finance world. He is a dynamic speaker and accomplished expert on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, career development, succession, gen z/generations, employee advocacy and executive presence. Rob is author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk ‘The Personal Brand of You’ has been viewed 400,000 times on YouTube. He is a stroke survivor, has epilepsy, is a committed Christian and has a black belt in kickboxing. He is based in Nottingham UK, home of Robin Hood, plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.