Blog: Riding the waves of transformation - key insights on talent

By Barry Payne
Director, External Relations, Management Accounting
AICPA

Earlier this month, I was honored to deliver the keynote address at the FICPA's Industry Insights Conference (IIC) in Orlando. In today’s volatile and technology-driven business landscape, finance leaders are learning not only how to weather the storm but also how to surf the waves of change. My IIC keynote offered an insight into the evolving role of corporate finance and accounting professionals, using feedback and stories from the AICPA & CIMA's Future of Finance Group.

Top Priorities Shaping Finance in 2025
When we polled the IIC audience on their top priorities, innovation and growth topped the list. Of course, this ran alongside the continued need to find and retain talent, an issue that continues to resonate. The evolving role of accounting and finance professional was top of mind, as was the need to lean into technology. Together, we all agreed to look deeper into some of the new and emerging skills that are required.

The CFO 'Know': Shifting the perception
The audience loved the transition from a CFO ‘No’ to a CFO ‘Know.’  The role of the CFO is transforming — from having a rearview-mirror, scorekeeper mentality to embracing strategic foresight and analytics. A subtle shift from ‘no but’ to ‘yes and’ makes all the difference in how finance is perceived.

A Talent Game Plan for the Future
I then went on to share some of ways to develop an effective talent plan – to upskill, hire and retain talent. These include:

• Identifying critical skills for the future
• Developing a competency framework
• Launching “no regrets” upskilling programs
• Establishing business mentoring — and thinking about lateral and reverse mentoring

 And finally, I invited the audience to learn more about our AICPA Registered Apprenticeship Program.

Apprenticeships have moved from the shop floor to the finance team as an effective tool for recruiting and upskilling your talent. Watch the video below to learn more from a recent event we stage alongside the FICPA in South Florida.

Biggest insights and actions
Broadly, these were the top 5 insights and actions we gleaned from the IIC audience. Florida's accounting and finance professionals are looking to:

• Empower their teams to develop new solutions
• Focus on team collaboration and communications.
• Understand and train their teams on AI and Gen AI
• Better implement the use of storytelling
• And create a new vision for the CFO

I love the empowerment piece. Moreover, the I'm an advocate of creating an environment that inspires learning and — in some cases — unlearning and relearning!  

Conclusion: Surf’s up for Finance Leaders
As I emphasized throughout the session, although “you can’t stop the waves, you can learn how to surf.” I'm encouraging accounting and finance leaders are called to adopt this surfer's mindset and to ride the waves of disruption with clarity, capability, and confidence.

If you would like to learn more my session or the AICPA's Registered Apprenticeship Programs, email me at barry.payne@aicpa-cima.com and tell me you're an FICPA member!