What advocacy issues should CPAs be watching with 2026 at its midpoint? The latest Journal of Accountancy podcast episode covers numerous topics with Mark Peterson, executive vice president–Advocacy for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, representing AICPA and CIMA.

Peterson details efforts to include accounting in STEM education initiatives, what the future might hold for beneficial ownership information reporting requirements, and the profession's role in seeking guidance related to federal tax guidance.

Peterson, speaking from AICPA ENGAGE earlier this month, also explains the vital role of state societies' advocacy efforts. He touches on CPA licensure, the Fiscal State of the Nation Act, tariffs, and other policy developments that affect practitioners and their clients.

Also, read Peterson's midyear summary in column form.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• Why the AICPA continues to push for accounting to be included in STEM education initiatives, and what progress advocates are making on Capitol Hill.
• What the future may hold for beneficial ownership information requirements after the pause in BOI reporting enforcement.
• The critical role that state CPA societies play in licensure modernization and advocacy efforts.
• Peterson's perspective on how the AICPA is helping to get more clarity around implementation of major federal tax legislation.
• Why he says that implementation of the massive tax bill has been "lumpy."
• Peterson's reflection on the rise of Town Hall as a way to quickly get information and perspective to members.
• Ongoing and emerging policy issues — including tariffs, global mobility, and anti-money laundering efforts — that could affect the profession in the months ahead.

Recorded live at AICPA ENGAGE 2026, this episode of the JofA podcast explores the reasons that mindset and leadership may be even more important than technology adoption as finance and accounting professionals navigate an era of nonstop transformation.

Joel Morris, a vice president at Wolters Kluwer, and Tom Hood, CPA/CITP, CGMA, executive vice president–Business Growth & Engagement at the AICPA, discuss what separates future-ready organizations from those struggling to keep pace, focuses on AI, workforce development, and strategic thinking. Morris and Hood also explore the human skills, trust, and risk management practices needed to help organizations adapt, innovate, and remain relevant in a rapidly changing profession.

One key component mentioned in the conversation is the Rise2040 report and initiative.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• How each speaker defines the "perpetual transformation state."
• Why Hood says mindset—not technology—may be the biggest factor in future readiness.
• How Morris distinguishes organizations who are getting "ahead of the wave" from those that say they're too busy to devote time to thinking about growth methodologies.
• What Morris and Hood see as the biggest barriers to successful AI adoption.
• The reasons that human skills are becoming more important, not less, in an AI-powered profession.
• How trust can help accountants and finance professionals navigate ongoing transformation and why Morris calls trust "that through-line into everything that you do."

Recorded live at AICPA ENGAGE 2026, this episode of the JofA podcast explores the reasons that mindset and leadership may be even more important than technology adoption as finance and accounting professionals navigate an era of nonstop transformation.

Joel Morris, a vice president at Wolters Kluwer, and Tom Hood, CPA/CITP, CGMA, executive vice president–Business Growth & Engagement at the AICPA, discuss what separates future-ready organizations from those struggling to keep pace, focuses on AI, workforce development, and strategic thinking. Morris and Hood also explore the human skills, trust, and risk management practices needed to help organizations adapt, innovate, and remain relevant in a rapidly changing profession.

One key component mentioned in the conversation is the Rise2040 report and initiative.

What you'll learn from this episode:

• How each speaker defines the "perpetual transformation state."
• Why Hood says mindset—not technology—may be the biggest factor in future readiness.
• How Morris distinguishes organizations who are getting "ahead of the wave" from those that say they're too busy to devote time to thinking about growth methodologies.
• What Morris and Hood see as the biggest barriers to successful AI adoption.
• The reasons that human skills are becoming more important, not less, in an AI-powered profession.
• How trust can help accountants and finance professionals navigate ongoing transformation and why Morris calls trust "that through-line into everything that you do."