The talent shortage in accounting isn’t just something we’re hearing about—it’s showing up in real ways across the profession. Fewer applications for advanced roles. More retirements. And a lot of firms—ours included—trying to figure out how we fill the gaps while still moving forward.
What makes it even harder is that many of the folks leaving aren’t just team members—they’re the leaders. The people who’ve shaped firm culture, held deep institutional knowledge, and helped guide us through huge shifts, from paper files to cloud tech and now into AI. As they start to transition out, we’re left with a pretty big question: how do we prepare the next generation to step in?
We’ve realized we’re not going to hire our way out of this. The market’s tight, and the experience we’re losing can’t be replaced overnight. So instead, we’ve put more energy into our existing team—investing in how they learn, grow, and take on more responsibility.
Over the last couple of years, we’ve been rolling out SOPs, building a central knowledge base, and creating structured training programs. These aren’t just checklists. They’re meant to give people a clear path to follow and the context to really understand the "why" behind the work.
We’re also carving out more time for soft skills training. Tools and systems will keep changing, but the ability to communicate clearly, lead a conversation, or work through a tricky client situation—those are the things that really help someone grow. And we’re making space for that.
One of the most important changes we’ve made is giving new hires more time to settle in and really learn the ropes. Quick onboarding might feel efficient, but they don’t set people up to succeed long-term. Our extended training gives people the space to learn the systems, ask the right questions, and understand how everything fits together.
That approach has made a big difference. New team members start to feel more confident, more capable, and more connected to the bigger picture a lot sooner. They’re not just doing tasks—they’re seeing how their work impacts the team and the client.
We’ve also leaned harder into mentorship. Whether it’s through team-led sessions, shadowing, or just being available for questions, we’re trying to create an environment where people feel supported, not just trained. Everyone learns differently, and having more hands-on support makes that learning stick.
If you’re just getting started in accounting, there are a few things I wish I’d been told early on.
First, communication matters. A lot. You’re going to spend just as much time explaining financials as you do preparing them. Being able to break things down for clients or team members who aren’t accountants is a huge skill—work on it.
Second, don’t stop at the task. Learn how the full process works—from when a transaction hits the system to when it shows up in financial statements. That kind of understanding will help you give better answers, solve bigger problems, and grow faster.
If you’re in school or just getting started, find ways to push yourself beyond just learning the software. The course we’re working on at UVU is one example—students there are getting to think through real cases, make decisions, and see what life looks like in a firm. That kind of experience is a game-changer.
And finally, get comfortable with tech. AI and automation are already here, and they’re only going to become more central. If you can figure out how to work with those tools—not be intimidated by them—you’ll have a real edge.
I want to share something exciting. In partnership with Brittany Brown at Ledger Gurus and UVU Professor David Waite, we developed and are teaching a hands-on accounting course at Utah Valley University designed to show students what accounting can look like beyond tax and audit and truly give them the skills they need to rock it in the accounting world. With support from Intuit QuickBooks, we built a curriculum around practical casework and made both the ProAdvisor Bookkeeping and QBO Level 1 certifications a requisite to pass industry certifications like the QuickBooks ProAdvisor and Intuit Bookkeeping credentials. Students also get access to real QBO accounts through Intuit for Education, so they’re learning in the same tools professionals use every day.
The course walks students through a full accounting cycle—from invoicing and reconciliation to advisory-focused scenarios. One of the most impactful pieces is the “Mastering Minute,” where students tackle real-world challenges like classifying contractors or explaining financial decisions to clients. It’s about helping them understand how accounting works and how to communicate it in ways that make sense to business owners.
This program is personal for me. I didn’t take a traditional CPA path—I built my career supporting small businesses and leaning into technology. This course gives students a look at that side of the profession, where accounting is collaborative, creative, and built around solving real problems. It’s exactly the kind of shift we need to show the next generation just how dynamic this field can be. You can learn more about this initiative here.
Looking ahead, I think the firms that will thrive are the ones that put people first—not just clients but our teams. The way we train, support, and invest in our teams matters more than ever.
As more of the transactional work becomes automated, our job is shifting. We’re not just processing data—we’re explaining it, making sense of it, and helping clients make decisions with it. That’s where our value lies.
If you’re leading a team, ask yourself: Are you building systems that help people grow? Are you sharing what you know? Are you making space for junior team members to step up?
And if you’re just starting out, be curious. Ask questions. Get involved in the process, not just the task. You don’t need decades of experience to lead—you just need to be willing to learn and contribute.
The work we’re doing with UVU has really reminded me how much of a difference we can make when we take the time to show up and invest in others. We can’t fix the talent gap overnight. But by giving students real context, being honest about what the work looks like, and supporting them as they grow, we’re helping to build a better future for this profession—and that’s something worth sticking with.
This is a paid partnership with Intuit.