S6E16: How to Future Proof Your Accounting Career with Bill Sheridan

“Accounting is not just about money, it’s about what I do to make other people’s lives better.” Bill Sheridan

Bill Sheridan is a knowledge hunter, content curator, and lifelong learner. As chief communications officer for the Maryland Association of CPAs, he created and co-authors the association’s acclaimed blog, CPA Success; produces the MACPA’s “CPA Spotlight” podcast; and manages the association’s member communications and numerous social networks. Bill regularly speaks at national conferences on the future of the accounting and finance profession, the strategic uses of social media, and the evolution of communication, collaboration, and education. He delivers frequent presentations on behalf of the Business Learning Institute and is a certified Insights to Action strategic facilitator. He is inspired by and in awe of his wife, Alison, and their daughter, Molly. They live in St. Louis, Mo.

As accountants in an ever-changing world, we need to know the facts, but the one thing we need in order to remain relevant is to learn people skills and go beyond what we know to who we are working for and with. Building better relationships and anticipation of changes that happen with people.

Knowing where we are in the technological scene, sooner or later, we will be using it to crunch numbers in the accounting scene. As accountants, we will have to develop necessary skills that machines cannot duplicate and do, making us relevant in changing times.

You can catch Bill on his socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/billdsheridan

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S6E15: The Future of the Accounting Profession with David Peters

“Our value as CPAs goes beyond giving out facts in any situation. They act as the voice of reason and turn ideas into reality.” David Peters

David R. Peters is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with over fifteen years of experience in financial services. He was formerly the Chief Financial Officer of Compare.com and has been a financial advisor since 2015. He holds master’s degrees in accounting, business administration, and financial services and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Financial Planning & Retirement Income at The American College. He is currently a continuing education instructor for the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Surgent, and Kaplan Professional, and the President and owner of David Peters Financial Group Inc, Peters Tax Preparation & Consulting PC, and Peters Professional Education LLC.

People dealing with complex financial jargon that they don’t understand need someone to simplify the information and give sound advice, and that is what David believes CPAs are. There is a level of trust that one needs in order to put your life in someone else’s hands.

As a person, you can learn the words of anything, but you need to go beyond the words and actually communicate in a way that makes sense to the people in the room with you, and it leads you as an accountant to go beyond your normal facts and learn something new.

He brings on board his experiences and what he believes is the future and progression of CPA as a whole. More and more, the accounting profession is coming off from just a room of accountants to meetings with different individuals who have different functions in an organization. The accountant needs to begin to evolve and adapt to be able to cater to the needs of all these people.

You can catch David on his socials:

https://www.davidpetersfinancial.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-peters-financial/

https://www.facebook.com/davidpetersfinancial

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBLKAMd0JeKpm6Y9rv4_oLQ

https://www.buzzsprout.com/1185392

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S6E12: The Spirit of Emotional Intelligence with Ruben Minor (previously released on 5/9/2022)

“The beauty of good leadership is that you can have an excellent platform to impact someone that you may never know how so.” Ruben Minor

Our guest today is Ruben Minor, president of RAM Consulting Group. This organization focuses on speaking, training, and coaching individuals and groups regarding leadership, team dynamics, relationship building, diversity, equity and inclusion, fundamental business philosophies, and business and personal branding. Ruben has a rich and resourceful network of professionals across the business spectrum, ranging from influential political figures to educational leaders and entrepreneurs. 

Ruben leverages his network to make more meaningful connections for his clients and business partners, evolving into lasting, mutually beneficial relationships. Ruben also served this country for 15 years in the US Navy as a supply Corp officer, is a John Maxwell certified professional speaker, trainer, and coach, and is intimately engaged in the community, serving as president of the Council for the village of Galena. Reuben enjoys spending time with family, history movies, and hiking and, as a side note, is a professional speaker. 

Corporations have learned a lot post-COVID, as employees have realized that they do not have to face toxic work environments. Unfriendly cultures have existed for decades and are therefore not expected to change overnight. It will be a constant, intentional effort by those in leadership, and making sure that they’re keeping in step with the culture in the corporate community. 

The beauty of good leadership is that it can have an excellent platform to impact someone you may never know how to. 

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S6E4: #TwinzTalk and ChatGPT with Don and Bill Tomoff

“You have to layer your voice to make anything you do uniquely you.” Bill and Don Tomoff

Bill and Don Tomoff share a passion for helping others based on their career experiences, interest, and personal/professional growth. They use their #TwinzTalk and #TwinzTechTip hashtags for tips that will help others evolve their skills, awareness, and mindset on development, enabling others to become stronger people and contributors to the world around them!

ChatGTP, according to the twins, is about learning for you to help others learn, which is why they advocate for it. It’s about making things easy for the user. The good news is that ChatGPT can be applied in all the fields as long as you custom-make it for your own needs.

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S6E1: Milk Carton Musings and Leadership with Nick Lozano

“As much as we need technical skills in the business world, soft skills are even more important.” Nick Lozano

Today’s guest is Nick Lozano who is a technology professional who has a love for digital media. He co-hosts a podcast called >Lead.exe, which is for anyone who wants to level up their leadership skills and enhance their careers. ​ As someone in Tech, you need soft skills because you will have to sell yourself and the business to your clients and potential prospects. So much as we need technical skills in the business world, softer skills are even more critical.

During the initial talks about Tech, Nick brings about the analogy of building a house; you can make it as high as you need to go, as big as you want, or it can be a simple one-room house and still be great. The complex sides of technology can be a headache, especially for someone outside the industry. Nick’s soft skills make it easier to understand the technical side of technology in a fun way.

The audience you present to will determine how you will do your presentation for your message to go through. This is even more so when you have a paid sponsorship and must make the audience get the news across. Sometimes being simple and precise works better than using jargon.

Making mistakes is part of the process, and I know there is room for failure, but the lowest point is if you fail once, learn from it; this is how you gain experience. The downside is that if you are making mistakes and you aren’t learning from them, you are wasting your time and energy. Be prepared for how you will receive feedback, which will broaden your perspective on issues. All feedback is there to build you; the good and the bad appreciate everyone who will give it to you.

Nick humorously shares his story and experiences making this a unique and fantastic interview to begin the year.

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