Denise LeDuc Froemming , CPA , CAE , MBA President & CEO | CalCPA

Emerging technologies , evolving regulations and a talent shortage . You don ’ t need to spend much time in the profession to recognize these , among other , challenges — or opportunities , depending on how you look at it — that exist in today ’ s dynamic and complex business environment . How you address these issues can go a long way toward determining what success will look like for your firm or clients .

Adopting innovative thinking and embracing creativity are not just nice to haves — they are a must for CPAs to survive and thrive . Innovative framing means challenging the status quo , questioning assumptions and exploring new possibilities . It also means being open-minded , curious and adaptable to change . And while this is likely uncomfortable and feels like a massive undertaking , some simple steps can help start the process :

Ask questions . Asking open-ended and probing questions is a powerful way to challenge assumptions , gain insights and spark curiosity . Such a question might be , “ What would it look like if we incorporate AI into our workflow ? What opportunities would that open to provide other services of value to clients ?” I use a set of question prompts when I am looking to expand my thinking and move me beyond my comfort zone .

Seek diversity . Ever notice how perspectives vary from person to person and situation to situation ? Look for diversity in your teams , networks and sources of information . You never know when something will spark from these conversations or research .

Try new things . Go ahead and experiment with new ideas , methods and tools — or allow your staff the freedom to do — and learn from the outcomes . As entrepreneur Tim Ferris said , “ It isn ’ t enough to think outside the box . Thinking is passive . Get used to acting outside the box .“

At CalCPA , we know we ’ re not immune to these changes . You ’ ll see this new way of thinking reflected in our education , where we look at things like learning to be mindful and finding balance in our lives ; decoding generations ; and learning how to thrive in a hybrid / remote workforce .

We also recently launched CAL Talks , a dynamic peer-to-peer knowledge exchange where members can share their insights and experiences on tech , firm management and mentorship — basically , topics that matter most to you . Find more info on how to participate at calcpa . org / membership / cal-talks .

And on the profession front , the National Pipeline Advisory Group issued recommendations to address the accounting talent shortage ( accountingpipeline . org / npag-report ) and the California Board of Accountancy has advanced alternative paths to licensure to address the time and cost constraints many candidates face when working toward licensure . Getting to this point has meant tackling these issues with a new perspective , rather than using the same approaches we ’ ve used in the past .

Thinking beyond the usual boundaries keeps the profession relevant and empowers each of us to unlock our full potential . www . calcpa . org OCTOBER 2024 CALIFORNIA CPA 3