Howard Katzenberg’s Post

Our world is rapidly evolving, and the accounting profession is no exception. The finance, taxation, and auditing landscape is constantly shifting, with new regulations, technologies, and business practices emerging regularly. In our previous article, “The Future of Accounting Education,” we discussed how accounting education is adapting to prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow. However, the learning journey doesn’t end with a degree or certification. Continuing education for accounting professionals is essential to help them stay relevant, improve their skills, and advance their careers. #inaa #internationalassociation#accountants #auditors #accounting #tax #audit #finance https://lnkd.in/dpRWi4px

Explore the importance and benefits of accounting auditing courses, factors to consider when choosing a course, and the pros and cons of online options. Discover the advantages of investing in an accounting auditing course for career growth and increased earning potential. 👉 https://lnkd.in/emkuAGK2 #accounting #auditing #courses

This is one thing many ICAN students still don't realise about ICAN. As someone who has lectured every course in the ICAN professional examinations over the past five years. Yes, you read that correctly. There is not a single ICAN professional examination course that I have not lectured at some point, although I do have areas of specialization. Over the years, this experience has led me to understand something that many students often do not realise. Walk with me please, this is not an examination success tip, let's get a bit practical. The ICAN examination is structured in a way that is not competency-based. It is important to note that there are several other professional bodies in Accounting / Finance that are also not competency-based. What do I mean by "competency-based"? In simple terms, your competency refers to your area of focus or core discipline. However, stating that ICAN is not competency-based means that ICAN does not focus on training students in only one specific area. This is why, as a Chartered Accountant, you would have taken some unrelated courses on your path to becoming an ACA. This is precisely my point, many students do not fully leverage the fact that ICAN exams are not competency-based. ICAN not being competency-based provides an opportunity for self-discovery. It allows individuals to discern their strengths and interests, aiding in determining their professional trajectory. Utilizing this will greatly impact the trajectory of your career in a positive manner. Although I was working in the public sector, I discovered I'd a knack for SFM, no matter how tired I was, I would always be charged while in SFM classes. While I had a specific mission within the public sector, the non-competency-based nature of ICAN provided an alternative path for exploration. I began to delve deeper into the realm of finance, acquiring relevant skills along the way. This wouldn't have been possible if ICAN had simply narrowed their syllabus down to one of these : Auditing, Financial Reporting, Public Sector Accounting, Management Accounting or even Taxation. My message is straightforward, utilize the non-competency-based nature of ICAN to explore and discover your strengths and interests. If you've leveraged this, kindly share your experience in the comments. Cheers 🥂

Learn the steps involved in becoming a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and explores the benefits of attaining CPA certification. 👉 https://lnkd.in/erDXeKRr #becomingacpa #accounting #career

Are we still Accountants? Chartered Accountant, Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Management Accountant, Associate Chartered Certified Accountant; Certification after certification, we label ourselves as Accountants and then complain about why are we treated like Accountants and Bookkeepers. Isn’t it time to change our identity by ourselves first? We are no more Accountants. Accounting activities have long been taken over by computers. Today, our main focus is decision support and compliance. Still, we start teaching the rules of debit and credit to new students who want to start a career in Accounting. No wonder, we are good at producing perfect accountants. The new business models of the 21st century demand an altogether new framework for Accounting. However, we still try to support these modern businesses with a 500-year-old outdated Accounting system. As a result, audited financial statements today serve mainly as a legislative requirement. The accounting profession today is probably the most regulated profession. This control mechanism used to be an advantage that now has become a limitation to innovation and creativity. In this era, where businesses are changing with lightning speed, it’s hard to believe that it still takes several years for a new accounting standard to be fully implemented from inception. But make no mistake. There is no shortage of talent and brilliance of minds within the Accounting profession. Big Four and other large audit firms are producing cutting-edge research and useful business insight. CFOs and Finance teams in world-class companies are an undeniable component of the success formula. Unfortunately, we have failed so far to use this talent in an integrated effort to modernize the Accounting profession. Let me admit, between the standard-setting authorities, accounting bodies, legislative authorities, big audit firms, and large corporations, bringing a fundamental change in the Accounting profession is complicated but not unimaginable. Every creation starts with an idea. As an Accounting professional, what is your idea to modernize our profession? #IMA #AICPA #CIMA #ACCA #ICAP #ICAI #CFO #CA #CPA #charteredaccountant #certifiedpublicaccountant

 Looking to elevate your accounting career beyond the CPA? Discover a range of certifications that can enhance your expertise, open new career paths, and potentially increase your earnings. Whether you're interested in fraud examination, management accounting, or tax representation, there’s a certification for you. Explore how these credentials can set you apart in the competitive field of accounting. 👉 Click here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/ewts9BQg  #Accounting #CPA #KeiserUniversityGraduateSchool

As a Chartered Accountant, you know how important it is to save time and improve efficiency in your work. That’s why you should read this blog 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d9ntCcrX, where we have shared some amazing tricks that can help you with your accounts and audit tasks. #CharteredAccountants #Accountants #TimeSaving #Upskilling #CAs #MoneySaving #Accounting

Is the shortage of quality young talent in accounting impacting your organization's ability to scale growth❓ As technology advances, finance and accounting teams are under increasing pressure to keep up. Find out how aspiring accountants adapt to the changing landscape in this new data from EY's Accounting Professional of the Future survey. Read the article below for more details. https://lnkd.in/eKRsC8TT #Accounting #Finance #CareerGrowth

Not enough new blood in the accountancy field worldwide? Making accounting sexy again The profession needs a makeover to attract newcomers. Will the US way of attracting highly valued students to the profession come into being, or will the UK still remain with the " stuffy image that Accountants have to bear"? To attract the next generation of accounting talent, organizations are exploring ways to rebrand the profession. Here are some strategies: Highlight the Value: Accountants bring more than just technical expertise. They offer an independent, objective perspective to boardrooms and C-suites, helping business leaders navigate risks and plan for growth. Beyond high-quality audits, accountants can provide assurance and confidence across a broader spectrum of financial and non-financial measures that matter to investors. Embrace Change: The accounting industry must adapt to the digital era. As cloud technology becomes the norm, financial advisors need to be digitally enabled. Clients and organizations expect accountants to embrace change and stay up-to-date with technological advancements. Promote Stability and Meaningful Work: While misconceptions persist, the accounting profession offers long-term stability and the chance to make a meaningful impact. It’s a great way to kick-start a well-rounded career in business. CFOs recognize this—accounting is the top undergraduate major among them, and close to 45% of surveyed CFOs are current CPAs1. In summary, the profession aims to shed outdated stereotypes and present accounting as a dynamic field with opportunities for growth, impact, and yes, even a touch of sexiness (minus the TikTok euphemisms).

As the accounting profession evolves, so do the skills required to be successful. In addition to technical skills, soft skills and digital skills are becoming increasingly important this field. For a list of basic accounting skills, check out the article below: #AccountingSkills #AccountingProfessionals #CPACandidates #PKFSanDiego #Accounting #Audit #Tax #IT #Consulting #AccountingStudent #CPA https://lnkd.in/ggJMfuak