Episodes

Nov. 7, 2023

215: Culture Is Key to Accounting Firm Success

Culture is more than just a buzzword for today’s accounting firms. As firms grapple with the shortage of accountants, the importance of culture, work-life balance, diversity and wellness cannot be understated. Rachel Anevski of Matters of Management and Jessica Levin of Seven Degrees share insights gleaned from their many years of working with New Jersey accounting firms. Resources: Firm Management Knowledge Hub CPA Pipeline Knowledge Hub Connect with Rachel Anevski Twitter LinkedIn Website C...
Oct. 31, 2023

214: A&A Update with Brad Muniz

There are new auditing standards going into effect for periods ending on or after Dec. 31, 2023. Are you ready?? *** This episode qualifies for nano CPE credit. Find out more at https://njcpa.org/nano. *** Resources: AICPA Statement on Auditing Standards 143 - Auditing Accounting Estimates and Related Disclosures AICPA Statement on Auditing Standards 145 - Understanding the Entity and Its Environment and Assessing the Risks of Material Misstatement Accounting and auditing articles, resources ...
Oct. 26, 2023

213: How to Save on New Jersey Property Taxes

New Jersey offers numerous property tax relief programs, but the requirements and filing deadlines for each are different, which causes confusion and likely leads to taxpayers leaving money on the table. Ellen Steinberg, Esq., a tax attorney and chair of the New Jersey Senior Council, breaks it all down. Be sure you’re getting the money you’re entitled to! Resources: New Jersey Property Tax Relief Programs: What to Expect (PDF) Division of Taxation website about property tax relief programs
Oct. 24, 2023

212: Where Are All the Accountants??

The decline in the CPA pipeline is a major topic of conversation across the nation, and companies and CPA firms have been dealing with the shortage of accountants. But a sector that is being hit particularly hard is state and local government. More than 150 municipalities have received credit downgrades due to late or incomplete audits— which impacts all of the taxpayers in the municipality. NJCPA member Gerry Seneski, CFO for the City of Camden, discusses the implications of the accountant shor...
Oct. 17, 2023

211: A&A Update with Brad Muniz – 10/17/23

Learn about recent FASB codification amendments, revised AICPA interpretations related to fees, and a PCAOB release on the auditor’s use of confirmation and other amendments. *** This episode qualifies for nano CPE credit. Find out more at https://njcpa.org/nano. *** Resources: FASB Accounting Standards Update 2023-06 – Disclosure Improvements AICPA Professional Ethics Division New and revised interpretations related to Fees PCOAB Release 2023-008 – The Auditor’s Use of Confirmation and Other...
Oct. 10, 2023

210: Don’t Be a Victim: Protect Your Business from Cybercrime

In the past year, more than a third of business organizations, including accounting firms, suffered at least one cyber incident attacking their accounting and financial data. Joe Peters from Gallagher Affinity discusses the cyber landscape, various cyber threats and how cyber insurance can help protect you against financial loss due to a cyber crime. Resources: Cyber liability and data breach insurance from Gallagher Affinity Cybersecurity articles and events
Oct. 9, 2023

209: An Essential Business Skill for Today’s CPAs

Sean Stein Smith, CPA, talks about the latest developments in automation impacting the accounting profession. Topics include ChatGPT, how firms are using automation, what types of automation are available and how CPAs can speak to clients or colleagues about automation. Resources: Automation articles and events
Oct. 3, 2023

208: A&A Update with Brad Muniz – 10/3/23

Are you ready for the new quality management standards? It’s not too soon to get started. *** This episode qualifies for nano CPE credit. Find out more at https://njcpa.org/nano. *** Resources: AICPA releases new quality management standards Quality management standards: How to identify risks and design responses Accounting and auditing articles, resources and events Join the Accounting & Auditing Standards Interest Group
Sept. 26, 2023

209: An Essential Business Skill for Today’s CPAs

Communication is the foundation of all relationships, whether personal or professional. And how you listen is just as important as how you speak. Dave Delaney, founder of Futureforth, joins us to discuss how actively managing and monitoring these skills can yield dividends on your career investment. Resources: Download The Nice Method (enter code IssuesWatch) Career Development Knowledge Hub
Sept. 19, 2023

206: A&A Update with Brad Muniz - 9/19/23

Learn about recent FASB activity, including a new standard on business combinations and an upcoming standard on accounting for crypto assets. *** This episode qualifies for nano CPE credit. Find out more at https://njcpa.org/nano. *** Resources: FASB Accounting Standards Update 2023-04: Liabilities - Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121 FASB Accounting Standards Update 2023-05: Business Combinations - Joint Venture Formations Accounting articles, reso...
Sept. 12, 2023

205: AI: Friend or Foe to Accountants?

Accountants and accounting firms continue to grapple with whether and how to leverage artificial intelligence (AI), though most agree that their companies will be impact by AI in some way. We sat down with Leon Grassi of Sax LLP to talk about the impact of artificial intelligence and automation tools on the accounting profession: the adoption of ChatGPT and other tools; the expectations, risks and benefits of AI; the impact it will have on jobs in accounting and finance; and more. Resources: A...
Sept. 5, 2023

204: A&A Update with Brad Muniz – 9/5/23

Get guidance on applying the AICPA Conceptual Framework for Independence as it relates to identifying common threats and taking steps to identify and apply safeguards. *** This episode qualifies for nano CPE credit. Find out more at https://njcpa.org/nano. *** Resources: AICPA practice aid: Conceptual Framework Toolkit for Independence New Jersey Law & Ethics course schedule CPA License Renewal Time Is Approaching
Aug. 29, 2023

203: The Business Litigation Landscape in New Jersey

New Jersey’s lawsuit environment is the fourth most expensive in the nation, according to a report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. And New Jersey was on the American Tort Reform Foundation’s Judicial Hellhole watchlist in 2022. Anthony Anastasio of the New Jersey Civil Justice Institute provides insight and guidance for how businesses can reduce their liability exposure. Resources: New Jersey Civil Justice Institute NJCPA Legislative Action Center Employment Law Knowledge Hub
Aug. 22, 2023

202: A&A Update with Brad Muniz – 8/22/23

In this episode, Brad discusses a proposed FASB standard on reporting comprehensive income and the results of the PCAOB’s inspection of broker/dealer audits. *** This episode qualifies for nano CPE credit. Find out more at https://njcpa.org/nano. *** Resources: FASB Seeks Public Comment on Proposal to Improve Disclosures Around Income Statement Expenses PCAOB Annual Report on the Interim Inspection Program Related to Audits of Brokers and Dealers Accounting & Auditing Knowledge Hub Join the A...
Aug. 17, 2023

201: New Jersey’s Convenience of Employer Rule and CBT Changes

July was a busy tax month in New Jersey. The “convenience of employer” payroll tax rule was implemented, and changes to the corporation business tax (CBT) went into effect. NJCPA member Nicole DeRosa, CPA, of Wiss, provides the details. *** This episode qualifies for nano CPE credit. Find out more at https://njcpa.org/nano. *** Resources: Article: New Jersey Enacts Payroll Tax "Convenience of Employer" Rule New Jersey Division of Taxation: Convenience of the Employer Sourcing Rule Enacted for...
Aug. 15, 2023

200: Private Equity’s Impact on the Accounting Profession

Think private equity (PE) is only for large CPA firms? Not necessarily so. Phil Whitman of Whitman Transition Advisors discusses recent private equity deals and how virtually every CPA firm can take advantage of PE and other nontraditional methods of investment and firm growth. This episode is sponsored by Whitman Transition Advisors – https://whitmanbiz.com Resources: NJCPA member benefits from Whitman Transition Advisors Alternative Practice Structures Knowledge Hub
Aug. 8, 2023

199: A&A Update with Brad Muniz – 8/8/23

Frank joins Brad to discuss the results of a recent FASB Private Company Council meeting; the results of the PCAOB’s “absolutely unacceptable” findings on audit quality; and AICPA guidance on accounting for digital assets. *** This episode qualifies for nano CPE credit. Find out more at https://njcpa.org/nano. *** Resources: Recap of FASB Private Company Council June meeting PCOAB Report: Audits with Deficiencies Rose for Second Year in a Row A taxonomy for classifying digital assets Accounti...
Aug. 1, 2023

198: CPAs Weigh in on the Economy

New Jersey CPAs were decidedly less pessimistic about the New Jersey and national economies in this year’s NJCPA economic survey. Roosevelt Bowman, senior investment strategist with Bernstein Private Wealth Management, helps us make sense of the survey results and shares his insights on inflation, recession and prospects for the future. Resources: Full survey results – [link to come] More about the economy More about Bernstein Private Wealth Management
July 27, 2023

Crypto Accounting: Updates and Predictions – July 2023

Crypto continues to be in the headlines, so Dr. Sean Stein Smith, CPA, is back to fill us in. He covers the possibility of Bitcoin ETF; the status of the SEC’s lawsuit against Ripple; prospects for the FedNow payment system and the impact it could have on crypto; and how CPAs can talk to clients about cryptoassets. Resources: Follow Sean Stein Smith on Twitter Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Knowledge Hub Join the NJCPA Emerging Technologies Interest Group
July 25, 2023

A&A Update with Brad Muniz – 7/25/23

In this episode, Brad shares information about a proposed ASU from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) on purchased financial instruments. He also discusses AICPA guidance on proposed adjustments as well as new implementation guidance from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). *** This episode qualifies for nano CPE credit. Find out more at https://njcpa.org/nano. *** Resources: FASB Seeks Public Comment on Proposal to Improve the Accounting for Purchased Financial A...
July 18, 2023

195: A Record-High New Jersey Budget

New Jersey has a $54.3 billion budget for its 2024 fiscal year. It’s $1 billion higher than the budget Governor Murphy proposed several months ago, and it passed at the last moment. Find out what’s included, and why the budget process is being criticized. Resources: New Jersey Budget information and resources
July 11, 2023

A&A Update with Brad Muniz – 7/11/23

Brad delves into an older – but still very important – topic: disclosure of risks. He provides reminders about AICPA and FASB guidelines and real-world examples of commonly missed and misunderstood risks. *** This episode qualifies for nano CPE credit. Find out more at https://njcpa.org/nano. *** Resources: FASB Codification – Disclosure Accounting & Auditing Knowledge Hub Join the Accounting & Auditing Standards Interest Group
June 27, 2023

193: A&A Update with Brad Muniz – 6/27/23

In this special episode recorded at the NJCPA Convention & Expo, Brad and his guests discuss a new chapter of the FASB Conceptual Framework regarding reporting entities; guidance from the AICPA about developing technology skills; and changes to the PCAOB inspection report. *** This episode qualifies for nano CPE credit. Find out more at https://njcpa.org/nano. *** Resources: New chapter of FASB Conceptual Framework regarding reporting entities Tackling the technology skills gap in finance Cha...
June 20, 2023

192: Crypto Accounting: Updates and Predictions

Host and crypto expert Dr. Sean Stein Smith, CPA, provides updates on cryptoasset accounting and taxation, including FASB accounting changes, NFT taxation, crypto tax assessment and collection, and market and regulatory headlines applicable to accountants. He also provides five key questions CPAs should ask clients who are interested in getting involved with cryptoassets. And he wraps it up with his cryptoasset predictions for the rest of 2023. Resources: Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Knowledg...