As the accounting profession evolves, one thing is clear. The old ways of doing things no longer serve the future we want to build.
In a this week’s episode of The CPA MOMS Podcast, host Nicole Kehl sat down with Amy Horner, CPA, for an honest and eye-opening conversation about what needs to change in accounting. Together, they unpacked the structural and cultural barriers holding the profession back while offering hope and actionable ideas for building something better, especially for working moms.
This isn’t just about work-life balance. It’s about creating workplaces and pathways that reflect the modern world we live in.
Why Accessibility Still Matters
Amy shared a striking observation from her speaking engagements across the country. Most accounting audiences look a lot like her in age or older. That visible aging of the profession reflects a deeper issue. We’re not attracting and retaining the next generation, and a big part of the problem is how we present ourselves to the world.
Accounting still has a reputation for being dry, rigid, and incompatible with personality. That’s a huge deterrent to talented young professionals who crave connection, creativity, and flexibility in their careers. If the profession still feels like a place where you have to hide who you are, it won’t be a place where people want to stay.
One way to address this is by embracing alternate pathways to licensure. Amy, who earned her CPA through a 125-credit hour path with two years of experience, celebrates the shift many states are making to offer more routes into the profession. This creates broader access and more inclusion, especially for nontraditional students, working parents, and those balancing multiple responsibilities.
How AI and Technology Can Help, Not Hurt
Artificial intelligence might seem like a threat to some, but Amy reframes it as an opportunity. She reminds us that the accounting profession has already lived through major waves of automation, from electronic AP to cloud-based general ledgers. And each time, we’ve adapted.
AI is simply the next step in that journey. It can reduce the repetitive, manual tasks that burn people out, allowing accountants to step into more strategic and advisory roles. In fact, AI might just be the thing that allows personality to shine in our profession. When we’re no longer bogged down by data entry and number crunching, we have more time for what really matters. Building relationships, solving problems, and providing value.
As Nicole pointed out, AI is pushing the profession to evolve into something more human, not less.
Rethinking the 40-Hour Week and the Role of Firm Owners
Let’s talk about time. The long hours expected in traditional accounting roles have always been a sticking point, but today’s workforce is pushing back in a major way. Younger professionals don’t just want flexibility. They expect it. They’re not afraid to say no to 60-hour weeks, and firm owners who don’t adapt will continue to struggle with hiring and retention.
Amy challenges firm owners to take a hard look at their structures. If you have employees leaving because the hours are unsustainable, it might be time to hire two people for what used to be one role. Yes, that can increase short-term hiring costs. But the long-term gain is retention, engagement, and a healthier culture.
This especially matters for moms in accounting. Many are willing and able to work, but not at the expense of their mental health or family life. Offering part-time roles, project-based work, or seasonal flexibility could open the door to a talented, motivated workforce that’s currently being left out.
Nicole shared how all roles in her firm are part-time by design. That allows her to attract smart, driven professionals who want to work, just not at the old pace. This is the future of firm culture.
It Starts With Questions, Not Perfection
Amy closed the episode with a powerful message. Change doesn’t happen all at once. It’s the result of small, intentional steps. And the first step is curiosity.
Ask your employees what they need to thrive. Ask yourself what kind of culture you want to create. Re-evaluate the structures you’ve inherited, even the ones that seem “normal.” Just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it should stay that way.
Whether you’re a firm owner, a team leader, or a solo CPA mom trying to make it all work, you have more power than you think to influence change. The profession needs your voice, your perspective, and your courage to question the hamster wheel we’ve all been running on.
A Better Path Is Possible
This conversation with Amy Horner is a timely reminder that the accounting profession is at a crossroads. We can keep doing things the way we’ve always done them, or we can choose a different path. One that’s more inclusive, sustainable, and human.
If you’re tired of the hustle culture, if you’re looking for flexibility and purpose in your work, or if you want to create a firm that reflects your values, now is the time to act. You don’t have to have all the answers. You just have to be willing to ask better questions.
Ready to build a practice that fits your life? Start here: https://cpamoms.com/start
