Beyond Accounting Bitesize

Ninety percent of our webinar audience said new hires will need AI and data analytics skills. Two panelists challenged the data analytics part: AI agents can do that. The real skill is knowing how to ask the right questions. In part 4 of AI & Accountants 2026, moderated by Nancy Chakabuda, Vice President of CAW Network USA, the panel unpacks: • Campbell Robertson on knowledge workers becoming intuition workers, and how rewarding "token maxing" left some Silicon Valley o...

In 2023, our speakers predicted AI wouldn't really impact the profession until 2035. In 2024, they said 2030. In 2025, 2027. The reality? It's happening now. In part 3 of AI & Accountants 2026, Chris Easton, CEO of Applied Logic, unpacks: • New Gemini and Claude models almost monthly, and his engineers about three times more productive with AI in their workflow • Why vertical AI is the only defensible place for app builders while hyperscalers spend bi...

So much of AI governance focuses on control: policies, the right model, no shadow AI. But to govern is to oversee direction as well as control, and the risk we tend to neglect is the risk of not using AI. In part 2 of AI & Accountants 2026, Jannie Wentzel, partner and chief operating officer at Cential, unpacks: • The three areas of AI risk: using it, external threats from others who use it, and not using it • How his roughly 20-person firm uses AI ag...

Almost every finance department — 97% — now reports some form of AI in use. Only 6% of finance leaders describe their AI adoption as mature or enterprise-wide. Adoption is racing ahead; maturity is not. In this opening episode of our 4-part series, AI & Accountants 2026 — drawn from our online webinar — host David Powell introduces your speakers: Campbell Robertson, founder of Boxwood Strategy Group and a former global data and AI practice leader at IBM; Jannie Wentzel, chartered accounta...

The CFO's job description is quietly being rewritten. What was once a role built on financial stewardship now stretches into enterprise strategy, data, people, risk and trust — and most of it was never taught in an accounting program. In this opening episode of our 6-part series, The Evolving Role of the CFO — recorded live in New York with the International Ethics Standards Board for Accountants (IESBA) and Fordham University — host David Powell introduces your panel: David Wray, IESBA Board...

Ethics isn't a policy document — it's a muscle, and muscles need exercise. In the final episode of The Evolving Role of the CFO, the panel gets practical about keeping ethical leadership sharp. The panel unpacks: • Workplace simulations and role-play refreshers that make ethics engaging rather than a tick-box exercise • Topical case studies — and a Sunday reading list cascaded through the whole team • Alan Mulally's famous stoplight cha...

Ask any CFO whether the pressure has increased in recent years and you'll get the same answer: absolutely. The harder question is what you do when that pressure turns ethical — when you're asked to act against what you believe. In part 5 of The Evolving Role of the CFO, Nikita Klassen and Bambo Bamgbose unpack: • Why pressure keeps rising — and how enjoying the build, and seeing progress, makes it sustainable • The honest limits of codes of conduct and gu...

AI is already inside the finance function — writing the code finance teams couldn't write themselves, doubling personal productivity, and compressing years of experience into moments. But leverage cuts both ways. In part 4 of The Evolving Role of the CFO, the full panel unpacks: • Matthew Williams on unlocking non-ledger data with warehouses, Power Query and AI-written SQL — and why the narrative must never outrun the data • Bambo Bamgbose on the double-e...

Cybersecurity. Data governance. People leadership. Strategy. None of these were on the syllabus when most accountants qualified — and yet they now land squarely on the CFO's desk. In part 3 of The Evolving Role of the CFO, David Wray, IESBA Board Advisor, unpacks: • The functions CFOs must now understand beyond finance — from cybersecurity and data privacy to data governance and HR • Why "soft skills" is the wrong name: people skills are the hard ones •&n...

The fractional CFO isn't a new idea — but it has never been more common. One finance leader, several organisations, many hats. And with those hats comes a complex of competing interests that has to sit at the front of your mind. In part 2 of The Evolving Role of the CFO, Bambo Bamgbose, fractional CFO and Head of Executive Services at British-American Consulting, unpacks: • What the fractional CFO role really involves, inside one organisation and across several • &nbs...

Foreign trusts are where some of the most expensive surprises in cross-border tax live. A trust quietly settled overseas — sometimes years before anyone in the family imagined moving to the United States — can trigger deemed realization events, punitive throwback taxes, and reporting obligations that catch families completely off guard. In the final episode of Navigating the Expatriate Tax Maze, Peter Trieu of BDO walks through: What actually makes a trust "foreign" in the eyes of the IRS (th...

The US gift and estate tax is one of the most misunderstood areas of cross-border planning — partly because "resident" means something completely different here than it does for income tax. You can be a US income tax resident and still not be domiciled in the US for estate tax purposes, and that distinction can be worth millions of dollars. In part 4 of Navigating the Expatriate Tax Maze, Peter Trieu of BDO lays out: The domicile test for estate and gift tax — a facts-and-circumstances analys...

Giving up US citizenship or handing back a long-held green card sounds like a clean break — but the US tax system has other ideas. Since the HEART Act of 2008, expatriating Americans and long-term green card holders can be hit with a mark-to-market exit tax that treats nearly everything they own as if it had been sold the day before departure. In part 3 of Navigating the Expatriate Tax Maze, Dave Zydek and Peter Trieu of BDO unpack: Who counts as a "covered expatriate" — and the three tests t...

If you're a foreign national living in the United States and you hold a mutual fund, hedge fund, or private equity interest outside the US, there's a very good chance you own what the IRS calls a Passive Foreign Investment Company — or PFIC. The rules around PFICs are among the harshest in the entire US tax code, and getting them wrong can be enormously expensive. In part 2 of Navigating the Expatriate Tax Maze, Dave Zydek of BDO walks through: What actually makes a foreign investment a PFIC ...

The US tax system can feel less like a framework and more like a minefield — especially if you're a foreign national living and working in the United States, or an employer responsible for international talent. In this opening episode of our 5-part series, Navigating the Expatriate Tax Maze, host David Powell introduces your guides: Dave Zydek, Tax Managing Director in BDO's Private Client Services practice, and Peter Trieu, Tax Principal based in San Francisco. Both work daily with high-net-...

What are today’s biggest human skill blind spots? In the final episode, we explore findings from 2,700+ data points analyzing Gen Z professional development — revealing: Decision-making as a strengthLeadership as a weaknessEmotional intelligence declining with ageFeedback avoidance as a critical barrier

Are human skills really measurable — or are they just personality traits? In this episode, we explore the research behind Livre’s 31-skill human skills framework and how it groups communication, emotional intelligence, leadership, self-management, and more into quantifiable components. Key insights include: Why soft skills feel “fluffy” — and how to demystify themThe seven core skill categoriesThe power of structured experiential learningWhy AI enables personalized development at scaleThe cas...

Why are technically brilliant professionals struggling in the workplace? In this episode, Bartek shares the moment that triggered his mission: high-performing audit trainees being removed from client engagements — not for lack of intelligence, but for lack of communication and interpersonal skills. Drawing on research from Deloitte, Oxford, and global workforce studies, we explore: Why “soft skills” should be called human skillsThe generational shift impacting workplace readinessThe impact of...

Career Conversations | Chartered Accountants Worldwide Network USA What happens when a Chartered Accountant decides to swap the audit file for a sales pitch? In the latest episode of our Career Conversations series, Nancy Chakabuda sits down with Breiffni O'Donnell CA — VP of Commercial, Legal & Accounting Solutions at Propylon — for a candid, energising conversation about an unconventional career path, the real value of the CA qualification, and why AI might just be the most exciting thi...

Greenwashing. ESG ratings inconsistencies. Assurance gaps. This final episode tackles the credibility challenge facing sustainability reporting. What must change for ESG disclosures to achieve the rigor of financial reporting? And how will the accounting profession evolve in response? Slide packs and further information are available at: https://cawnetworkusa.com/webinar/beyond-accounting-sustainability-reporting/

What happens when sustainability reporting moves beyond compliance? In this panel discussion, industry leaders share real-world examples of how ESG drives operational improvements, procurement strategy, innovation, and value creation. From green bond financing to infrastructure resilience, this is sustainability in action. Slide packs and further information are available at: https://cawnetworkusa.com/webinar/beyond-accounting-sustainability-reporting/

Sustainability reporting is no longer optional — but what does it actually mean? In this episode, we break down the difference between sustainability and ESG, explore the evolution of reporting standards, and examine the frameworks shaping global disclosure. From GRI to IFRS Sustainability Standards, this is your foundation for understanding where reporting is heading. Slide packs and further information are available at: https://cawnetworkusa.com/webinar/beyond-accounting-sustaina...

In this live Q&A session, moderator Shane Rogers brings together leadership coach Brian Jones and finance executive Nikki Mamedova for an engaging, candid conversation about the realities of modern leadership. The discussion covers the value of coaching, why culture “eats strategy for breakfast,” and how leaders can reset disengaged or underperforming teams. The panel also dives into the evolving role of AI, exploring how leaders can embrace emerging technology while staying grounded in h...

In this episode, we hear from assurance leader Shane Rogers, who draws on experience in internal audit, public accounting, sales, strategy, and risk management to explore what leadership really looks like in assurance functions. Shane unpacks the importance of challenge, trust, informal influence, communication, and how assurance teams can become catalysts for positive change across the business.

Global leader Nancy Chakabuda delivers a thoughtful and practical session on cultural leadership in multinational teams. Nancy breaks down why culture is “a shadow of its leader” and outlines the communication differences, value conflicts, stereotypes, and societal influences that make global leadership uniquely complex. She introduces cultural intelligence and cultural adaptability as essential competencies, explaining how leaders can intentionally build knowledge, demonstrate sensitivity, a...

Finance executive Nikki Mamedova breaks down what it truly takes to build and sustain high-performing teams — far beyond corporate slogans. She opens with the essentials: clear goals, open communication, trust, and an active effort to avoid favoritism. Nikki also explores the power of simple appreciation, how leaders can advocate for their teams, and why opportunities for growth matter more than people think. From there, she moves into the realities of cross-functional collaboration, sharing ...

In this episode, we’re joined by leadership coach and former reinsurance executive Brian Jones. Drawing on more than 25 years of global leadership experience, Brian talks through the core areas leaders must master — from building strong teams and setting priorities to understanding customers, markets and culture. He also explores common failure modes and what effective leaders do differently

This extended panel tackles the human side of AI: skills mid-career accountants need to let go of, how to train teams to think critically about AI-generated outputs, and what it means to trust (but verify) machine reasoning. You’ll hear about failures in finance transformation, strategies for AI adoption in legacy systems, and how emotional intelligence remains irreplaceable — even in an automated world. A powerful close to the series.

EY’s Myles Corson introduces a compelling insight: many finance leaders say they want to create value, but most of their work still centers on protecting or optimizing it. Nikita Clawson (CFO, Mount Logan Capital) joins in to explore how AI can bridge that gap — especially through predictive analytics, smarter hiring, and finance-front office collaboration. The conversation shifts the lens from operational efficiency to strategic relevance.

Nicola Bain (CLA) outlines her firm’s half-billion-dollar AI transformation plan, with insights on digital scaling, workforce development, and client enablement. Ariel Finkelstein follows with a strategic “reality check,” stressing that AI should be grounded in your business mission — not adopted for novelty’s sake. He discusses optimal workforce design, AI skill gaps, and the evolving future of tools like Excel. If you’re shaping AI strategy at any level, this is your starting point.

In this thought-provoking panel, the speakers tackle the complex human dimensions of AI adoption: ethics, trust, regulatory concerns, and change management. How can accountants be sure AI is safe and accurate? What’s the role of regulators, and when will they catch up? The panel shares perspectives on human-in-the-loop systems, education reform, and the future role of the accountant as both tech user and ethical steward. There’s a clear call to action: don’t wait — the AI wave is already here.

Chris Easton walks us through the development of a vertical AI solution for the airline industry — a domain-specific, reasoning AI that transforms how flight networks are planned and optimized. While not accounting-specific, this case study offers crucial insights into how similar models can be applied to audit, tax, and financial reporting. Chris demystifies the architecture behind multi-agent AI, orchestration tools, and MCP servers — and explains why accuracy, trust, and privacy are critic...

Ian Browne shares how Chartered Accountants Ireland is using adaptive learning and generative AI to personalise and scale accountancy education. We learn about their partnership with Area9 and how AI helps maintain optimal learning “flow,” increase retention, and provide real-time insights to both students and training firms. Ian also discusses the role of subject matter experts in this new AI-enhanced ecosystem, and how administrative burdens are being reduced to focus more on high-value lea...

In this opening episode, John Munnelly from Chartered Accountants Ireland takes us on a journey through the technological revolutions that have shaped accountancy — from spreadsheets and ERP systems to RPA and blockchain. We hear how the profession has always adapted, and why AI presents a unique moment of transformation. John outlines the Institute’s research and educational approach to future-proofing accountants, spotlighting “transversal skills” like ethical thinking and professional skep...

Era of Energy Disruption Ep 5 feat Barbara Porco, Gerard Reid & Shane Rodgers .wav

Resilience is more than a buzzword — it's a financial imperative. This episode explores how risk and opportunity are two sides of the same coin, and why proactive finance leaders are key to navigating disruption. From ESG evolution to systems thinking, discover the strategic role accountants must play in driving sustainable value.

Energy is no longer just a commodity — it’s a geopolitical tool. This episode examines how conflict, sanctions, and energy dependencies are influencing markets, spiking inflation, and redrawing the map for supply chains and corporate resilience. Discover why accountants and finance professionals need to think like risk strategists.

Global ambitions for decarbonization face a reality check. In this episode, we take a close look at the structural barriers to phasing out fossil fuels, the gap between policy and implementation, and the unintended consequences of moving too fast or too slow on climate action. It’s a candid conversation that cuts through idealism to focus on real-world economics and transitions.

This first episode in the series 'The Era of Energy Disruption' introduces the concept of the “polycrisis” — the interlocking challenges of climate change, inflation, energy disruption, and geopolitical instability. Learn how CPAs can interpret this moment of change and why risk literacy is becoming essential in the boardroom and beyond.

In this third episode of Beyond Accounting Bitesize, BDO’s John Nuckolls unpacks the intricacies of U.S. gift and estate tax laws as they apply to non-U.S. citizens. The episode addresses key topics including inheritance from foreign relatives, the crucial IRS Form 3520, and the implications of receiving gifts from covered expatriates. John also explores the differences between income and estate tax residency, the traps of U.S. situs assets, and the importance of timely estate planning—especi...

In this kickoff episode of Beyond Accounting Bitesize, Dave Zydek of BDO guides listeners through the complex terrain of U.S. income, gift, trust, and estate taxation for foreign nationals living and working in the U.S. From the substantial presence and green card tests to the impact of FATCA, PFICs, and foreign disclosure requirements, this episode is packed with essential information for globally mobile professionals. Dave also addresses real estate considerations, foreign currency gains, a...

In this episode of Beyond Accounting Bitesize, BDO’s Mark Orman dives into the complexities of U.S. tax rules for non-U.S. citizens. From foreign pension and retirement plan treatment to departure year considerations and the potential impact of expatriation tax, Mark offers practical insights for globally mobile professionals. The discussion also highlights planning opportunities before U.S. relocation, key treaty implications, and how employer programs can ease the tax burden. In the second ...

Sinead Donovan - Newly elected President at Chartered Accountants Ireland discusses her plans for the upcoming year including her upcoming visit to New York on Oct 23.

The show outlines some real-life use cases of Chat GPT that are being used in risk management today.

Are you looking to grow in your role? Or find a position that will fulfill you? Here are some practical tips that are applied by business leaders in growing professionally and developing high performance teams.

Risk management is an ever growing area of focus for organizations and Accountants are uniquely positioned for a transition into these roles. Marc Walby shares tips for accountants exploring a move and how to land a role as a non-executive director at a non-profit organization

The Role of Auditors – What we do matters Kathryn Kaminsky, Vice Chair and Co-Leader at PwC’s US Trust Solutions, talks about her journey to become a leader in audit, PwC’s initiatives to attract talent and concludes with her tips for supporting diversity initiatives. Kathryn started out with a different background and went to school part-time while working full- time before becoming a CPA. We discuss her journey and her tips for auditors who are looking to advance their career, including: &...