Florida CPA Spotlight: How Will Specialization and AI Shape Accounting Profession?

CEO Shelly Weir discovered that her notions of what CPAs were like differed from who they actually are when she came to the Florida Institute of CPAs. Putting aside the “number crunchers” concept, she has leaned into their strategic and critical thinking skills and their people-person approach to help revamp educational efforts to the next generation of accounting professionals. With Florida growing so quickly, the need for quality and specialized CPAs is growing, too, and she details on Paychex THRIVE, a Business Podcast, what FICPA is doing to address this. Weir also shares her take on AI and how it can reshape the accounting profession.

Topics Include:

00:00:00: Episode preview
00:01:01: Introduction to Shelly Weir
00:01:29: Background of Shelly Weir
00:05:50: Learnings about CPAs
00:06:17: Qualities of successful CPAs
00:09:07: Specialization in CPA profession
00:12:41: Major CPAs’ specialties in Florida
00:16:03: Unique CPA practices in Florida
00:20:43: Pipeline and recruiting in the profession
00:21:16: National level recruitment challenges and solutions
00:26:59: Programmatic solutions for recruitment
00:28:10: Certification requirements discussion
00:30:59: Impact of work-from-home on accounting profession
00:33:27: Future of Remote Work – a Florida perspective
00:37:21: Future of AI in the accounting profession
00:40:58: Impact of AI in accounting profession
00:42:01: Wrap-up and thank you

DISCLAIMER:
The information presented in this podcast, and that is further provided by the presenter, should not be considered legal or accounting advice, and should not substitute for legal, accounting, or other professional advice in which the facts and circumstances may warrant. We encourage you to consult legal counsel as it pertains to your own unique situation(s) and/or with any specific legal questions you may have.