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

What does cybersecurity really mean for today’s CPA firms? In this episode, we sit down with Luke Kiely, Chief Information Security Officer at SmartVault and Chief Security Officer at ComplyWise, to explore why cybersecurity is no longer just an IT issue, but a firm-wide responsibility.

Luke breaks down how most breaches still begin with a simple email and a distracted click, why busy season increases vulnerability, and the practical safeguards firms can put in place without a massive IT budget.

This episode offers clear, actionable insight into protecting client data and securing the future of your firm.

Resources:

1. Luke Kiely LinkedIn Profile
2. SmartVault
3. ComplyWise
4. FTC Safeguards Rule Overview
5. IRS Publication 4557 – Safeguarding Taxpayer Data

What does the future of audit oversight look like in a rapidly changing world? In this episode, we sit down with Christina Ho, who recently announced her departure from the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), for an inside look at what’s next for audit regulation.

Christina shares her perspective on using AI and advanced analytics in audit oversight, the importance of common-sense regulation, and how regulators can balance investor protection with innovation and market resilience.

This timely conversation offers valuable insight into the forces shaping audit quality and trust in today’s capital markets.

Resources:

1. Christina Ho LinkedIn Profile
2. MACPA Accounting & Auditing Resources

What can CPAs and business leaders learn from one of the most entertaining organizations in the world? In this episode, we sit down with Tim Naddy, CFO of the Savannah Bananas, to explore how purpose, culture, and leadership drive performance in high-pressure environments.

Behind the dancing players and sold-out stadiums is a clear philosophy. The Bananas do not just play baseball. They create joy. Tim shares how a strong sense of purpose helps teams manage intense schedules, constant travel, and burnout, and why culture must be treated as infrastructure, not a perk. He explains how empathy, flexibility, and engaged leadership keep people energized and performing at their best.

You can hear more from Tim live as the keynote speaker at MACPA’s 2026 Converge event on April 30 at the BWI Hilton.

Resources:

1. Dr. Tim Naddy LinkedIn profile
2. Savannah Bananas website
3. 2026 Converge event page & registration

A major shift is coming to the accounting profession. In December 2025, a new suite of quality management standards will take effect, replacing the long-standing quality control framework firms have used for decades. This change goes beyond new policies; it reflects a broader mindset focused on continual improvement, risk awareness, and firmwide accountability.

To help us understand what is coming, we sit down with Mike Manspeaker, past chair of the MACPA board and a member of the AICPA Auditing Standards Board. With deep experience in peer review, audit evidence, risk response, and technology, Mike offers an insider’s perspective on why these standards matter and how firms can prepare.

Mike explains that the new standards are not burdens but tools that help practitioners deliver high-quality work and manage growing risks. We discuss the transition challenges firms may face and the opportunities to build a stronger culture of communication, leadership, and shared responsibility for quality.

Resources:

1. AICPA Quality Management Standards
2. AICPA Quality Management Implementation Guide Resources
3. Coastal Peer Review
4. MACPA Quality Management Resources
5. AICPA Peer Review Program

What happens when you are ready to step away from the business you have built? In this episode of Future-Proof, we sit down with Erin Daiber, founder of Well Balanced Accountants, to explore why effective succession planning starts long before retirement.

Erin shares practical guidance on developing future leaders, creating a culture that supports growth, and avoiding common pitfalls like confusing technical skill with leadership potential. She also breaks down what to do if you realize you do not yet have a clear successor and touches on the rising influence of private equity in firm transitions.

This conversation is a timely reminder that succession planning is not an end-of-career task. It is an ongoing strategy that helps you strengthen your firm today while preparing it for tomorrow.

Resources:

• Aon, MACPA Preferred Provider
• Well Balanced Accountants with Erin Daiber
• Erin Daiber LinkedIn Profile