What does risk look like for CPA firms today? In this episode of Future-Proof, we sit down with Stan Sterna of Aon to explore how the risk landscape is evolving across the profession.

Stan explains how new technologies, shifting regulations, workforce changes, and expanding advisory services are creating both opportunity and exposure for firms. He highlights why risk management must move beyond checklists and become part of firm culture, with clear expectations around engagement letters, documentation, staffing, and communication.

From hybrid work challenges to AI overreliance and the impact of busy season on decision-making, this conversation offers practical insight into how firms can manage risk more strategically and avoid the shortcuts that can lead to costly mistakes.

Resources:

1. Stan Sterna, SVP Accounts Risk & Control Lead at Aon, LinkedIn Profile
2. Aon, Professional Services Practice

What if culture isn’t soft at all, but one of the most powerful drivers of performance? In this episode of Future-Proof, we sit down with Don Rheem, founder of CultureID, to explore how neuroscience is reshaping the way leaders understand engagement, behavior, and results.

Don explains how the way employees feel at work directly drives how they perform, and why factors like psychological safety, trust, and recognition are not just nice-to-haves, but measurable business drivers. From the impact of managers on engagement to the hidden costs of disengagement, this conversation challenges leaders to rethink culture as a system that can be measured, managed, and improved.

This episode offers a practical, science-backed look at how organizations can create environments where people thrive and performance follows.

Resources:

1. Don Rheem LinkedIn profile
2. CultureID, tools and insights for measuring and improving workplace culture
3. Thrive by Design, by Don Rheem, book on the neuroscience behind high-performance cultures
4. MACPA Converge 2026, where Don Rheem will deliver a keynote on culture and performance

How is the future of the CPA profession being shaped at the regulatory level? In this episode of Future-Proof, we sit down with Jeff Wilson, the newly appointed chair of the Maryland State Board of Public Accountancy, to discuss the role regulators play in guiding the profession forward.

Jeff shares his perspective on addressing the CPA talent shortage, expanding pathways to licensure, and how state boards are thinking about emerging technologies like AI and automation.

This conversation offers insight into how regulators, practitioners, and professional organizations can work together to protect the public while helping the profession evolve and thrive.

Resources:

1. Jeff Wilson LinkedIn Profile
2. Maryland Board of Public Accountancy
3. Jeff Wilson and The W2 Group LLC