Episodes

In this engaging conversation, Kirthi Mani, Chief People Officer at CLA, shares her journey into the accounting profession, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in accounting and the need for work-life balance. She discusses the challenges facing the profession, including misconceptions about salaries and the impact of AI. Kirthi highlights the importance of independence in firms and the need to transform the accounting profession to attract new talent. The conversation concludes with refl...

In this episode of the Trusted Professional podcast, Calvin Harris Jr. interviews Taylor Van Slyck, an accounting professional specializing in CFO advisory services. Taylor shares her unexpected journey into accounting, her experiences in the profession, and the challenges it faces, particularly regarding the perception of accountants. She emphasizes the importance of education and mentorship in attracting new talent to the field and discusses her aspirations to combine her passion for fashion w...

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, host Calvin Harris Jr. engages in a profound conversation with Kimberly Ellison-Taylor and Okorie Ramsey, two trailblazers in the accounting profession. Ellison-Taylor and Ramsey are the only two Black CPAs to have both served as chair of the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA). They share their personal journeys into accounting, discuss the challenges facing the profession today, and emphasize the critical importance of diversity, equity, and...

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Calvin Harris Jr. speaks with Nadia Maria Matthie, an experienced financial services audit partner. They discuss Nadia's journey into accounting, the importance of mentorship, and the challenges faced in the accounting profession, including branding, retention, and cyber threats. Nadia emphasizes the need for exposure to the profession for young people, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, and her commitment to giving back through m...

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Calvin Harris Jr. interviews Brittany Bartula, a CPA and clinical assistant professor of accounting at the University of Buffalo. They discuss Brittany's journey into accounting, the importance of introductory courses in shaping students' perceptions of the profession, and the challenges posed by rapidly changing technology and AI in accounting education. Brittany emphasizes the need to break down stereotypes about accounting careers and high...

In this episode of the Trusted Professional podcast, Nicole DeRosa, CPA, shares her journey into the accounting profession, discussing her early experiences, the challenges faced by accountants, and the importance of changing perceptions about the field. She emphasizes the need for accountants to promote the positive aspects of their profession and highlights the value of being a generalist in a world that often pushes for specialization. Nicole also discusses her passion for wellness and how it...

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, host Calvin Harris Jr. speaks with Beth Van Bladel, a seasoned CPA with over three decades of experience in accounting. Beth shares her journey into the accounting profession, highlighting the importance of early exposure and hands-on experience. She discusses her internship experiences at prestigious firms, the challenges facing the accounting profession today, and the significance of adapting to a multi-generational workplace culture. Beth e...

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Dr. Sean Stein Smith shares his journey into the accounting profession, highlighting the importance of embracing technology such as AI and blockchain. He discusses the challenges facing the accounting profession, including the need for adaptation to new tools and trends. Dr. Smith emphasizes the broad spectrum of opportunities available to CPAs beyond traditional audit and tax roles. He advocates for continuous education as a means to remain ...

Summary In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, host Calvin Harris Jr. interviews Renata Serban, a CPA and CMA with a unique background in cannabis accounting. Renata shares her unconventional journey from Kazakhstan to becoming a leading figure in the cannabis accounting space. The conversation explores the challenges faced by accountants today, misconceptions about the profession, and the importance of accountants in the cannabis industry. Renata also discusses innovative ideas ...

Summary In this episode of The Trusted Professional Podcast, host Calvin Harris Jr. speaks with Mark Mallare, an audit manager and next-gen chair of the Buffalo chapter of the CPA society. They discuss Mark's journey into accounting, the challenges facing the profession, the perception of accountants as workaholics, and the importance of educating the next generation about diverse career paths in accounting. Mark emphasizes the need for accountants to tell better stories about their profession ...

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, host Calvin Harris Jr. speaks with Timothy Hammond, CPA, about his journey into the accounting profession, the challenges faced by the industry, and the importance of mentorship and communication skills. They discuss the staffing crisis in accounting, misconceptions about the profession, and the role of NYCPA in supporting CPAs. Timothy shares his thoughts on the future of the CPA profession and proposes a thought experiment about temporarily ...

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, host Calvin Harris Jr. speaks with Mark Stone, CPA, about his journey into the accounting profession, the importance of sales tax advocacy, and the challenges faced by accountants today. Mark shares insights on the stability of accounting careers, the misconceptions surrounding taxes, and the value of proper record-keeping for small businesses. He emphasizes the need for education to prevent tax issues and discusses innovative ideas for improv...

Carla McCall, the chair of the AICPA, joins Calvin Harris Jr. on the Trust Professional Podcast. They discuss Carla's journey into the field of accounting, the biggest challenges facing the profession, and the misconceptions people have about accountants. Carla emphasizes the importance of change management and the need for an integrated tech stack for firms. She also highlights the diversity of work, the relationship focus, and the flexibility and financial freedom that the accounting professio...

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Calvin Harris Jr., CPA, CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, chats with Liren Wei, Managing Partner of Wei Wei & Co., LLP. Liren began his accounting career 29 years ago as a staff accountant at the firm. Today, as Managing Partner, he is in charge of overall management and administration of the firm, including directing the activities of managerial, professional and support staff, and coordinating manpower needs, among other resources....

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Calvin Harris Jr., CPA, CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, chats with Zachary Gordon, the founder of Red Five Services LLC. Zach is a CPA with more than fifteen years of professional experience across multiple industries and functions. He serves as the fractional CFO, strategic advisor or head of technical accounting for a portfolio of crypto, cannabis, psychedelics, AI, and tech companies.

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Calvin Harris Jr., CPA, CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, chats with John M. Spatola, the Partner of the Emerging Business (Tax), Business Valuation, Forensic Accounting and Dispute Resolution Services (BVFDR) practice at Nawrocki Smith LLP. John has diversified experience in income tax planning and preparation, business valuations, insurance loss consulting, economic damages, agreed upon procedure engagements and various other comple...

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Calvin Harris Jr., CPA, CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, chats with Orumé Hays,CPA, CGMA, MST, a director-at-large of the NYSSCPA and founder/CEO of Hays CPA LLC. Orumé Hays Agbeyegbe (She/Her) is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA ) in the State of New York and the Commonwealth of Virginia. She is also a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). Her extensive finance and accounting experience includes working with small, mediu...

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Calvin Harris Jr., CPA, CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, chats with Michael Durant, CPA, a member of the NYSSCPA board of directors, and a senior tax accountant with Prager Metis CPAs, LLC, New York.

On this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast from the New York State Society of CPAs, NYSSCPA CEO Calvin Harris Jr.. chats with Kevin O'Leary, president of the NYSSCPA and managing partner at MMB + CO.. About the Guest Kevin O’Leary became Managing Partner of MMB + CO’s Albany office in 2019. On June 1, 2024, Kevin was elected President of the NYSSCPA. Previously, he had been President, President-elect, Secretary and Treasurer of the Northeast Chapter. Because of his role with the NYSSC...

On this inaugural episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast from the New York State Society of CPAs, NYSSCPA CEO Calvin Harris Jr.. chats with Rumbi Petrozzello, a past president of the Society and Head of Strategy, Consulting at Seramount. About the Guest Previously Rumbi was the principal of Rock Consulting and with Aon’s Cyber Solutions. At Aon, she directed the career-development arm of the company’s Women in Cyber program, also serving as a leader in the organization’s Asian and Pacific...