Client accounting services continue to grow across the profession, but what standards apply when firms step into CAS work? In this episode of Future-Proof, we sit down with Mike Manspeaker, Member of the AICPA Auditing Standards Board and CPA on Staff for Coastal Peer Review, to explore the compliance, ethics, and quality management considerations firms need to understand as CAS practices expand.

Mike shares practical insight into where firms can run into trouble, why engagement letters and documentation matter, and how firms can navigate the gray areas between advisory and attest services while continuing to deliver high-quality client service.

Resources:

• Mike Manspeaker, Member of the AICPA Auditing Standards Board
• Coastal Peer Review
• AICPA Auditing Standards Board

Mergers and acquisitions continue to reshape the accounting profession, but what happens after the deal closes? In this episode of Future-Proof, Bill Sheridan sits down with Ira Rosenbloom of Optimum Strategies to explore the human side of M&A and why people, not numbers, are often the deciding factor in whether a transaction succeeds or fails.

Ira shares insight into how communication gaps, cultural misalignment, staff anxiety, and leadership blind spots can derail even strong deals on paper. He also discusses how firms can better navigate transitions by involving employees earlier, communicating transparently with clients, and creating a clear vision for the future before entering negotiations.

Resources:

• Ira Rosenbloom, Chief Operating Executive at Optimum Strategies
• Optimum Strategies

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:

• Don Rheem LinkedIn profile
• CultureID, tools and insights for measuring and improving workplace culture
• Thrive by Design, by Don Rheem, book on the neuroscience behind high-performance cultures
• 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