Inside the AICPA's effort to enhance the skills of early-career CPAs

Early this month, the AICPA launched its Profession Ready Initiative. In this episode of the JofA podcast, Carl Mayes, CPA, the AICPA's vice president–CPA Candidate Quality and Competency, explained more about the initiative and why a rapidly changing workplace demands new skills from emerging and early-career CPAs.

He discussed how automation, AI, and offshoring are reshaping entry-level work — and how Rise2040 research is informing the initiative.

Listeners will learn how to get involved, what's planned for ENGAGE, and how the effort benefits both early-career professionals and experienced CPAs.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Why the AICPA launched the Profession Ready Initiative.
• How Rise2040 research informed the approach to improving entry-level CPA skills.
• The ways automation, AI, and offshoring are reshaping the first years of CPA careers — and what new competencies employers say they need as a result.
• The initiative's multifaceted approach, including research, new learning solutions, academic collaboration, and state-level engagement.
• Ways that CPAs, educators, and firms can participate.
• How the effort will benefit both early-career professionals and experienced CPAs.