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Wassia Kamon shares her journey from West Africa to CFO, highlighting the importance of executive branding, the role of community and mentorship, and how AI is transforming finance functions. Wassia Kamon is the Chief Financial Officer at Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs (ACE), serving as a strategic business partner to the CEO and executive team. She leads the organization’s financial operations, including accounting, treasury, financial reporting, and compliance, and supports the development of policies and strategies to ensure ACE’s long-term financial health and effectiveness. Previously, she served as Vice President of Finance and Corporate Controller at the Low-Income Investment Fund (LIIF), a national CDFI with over $2 billion in assets under management. With more than 15 years of experience in corporate accounting and FP&A across manufacturing, technology, pharmaceutical, and nonprofit sectors, Kamon combines technical expertise with strong leadership. Her insights have been featured in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Accounting Today, and Strategic Finance Magazine. She is a Guest Faculty member of the Wharton Online FP&A Certificate Program and a two-time 40 Under 40 honoree by CPA Practice Advisor. Kamon actively contributes to the accounting profession through her roles on the AICPA Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee and the Future of Finance Leadership Advisory Group. She also serves as a board member and treasurer for HOPE, Inc., a nonprofit supporting low-income single parents in pursuing higher education. Kamon earned her Bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and holds both the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designations, as well as an MBA.

In this episode, Michael Durant, CPA, the president of NYCPA, shares insights on the evolving role of CPAs, the importance of technology, and the future of the accounting profession in New York and beyond.

In this episode, Shelley Weir, CEO of FICPA, shares her journey from hospitality to leading a major CPA organization, insights on advocacy, the pace of change in the profession, and strategies for long-term success.

In this engaging interview, Akshay Shrimanker shares his journey from the UK to becoming a CPA and entrepreneur, exploring the evolving landscape of accounting, technology, and emerging opportunities in the profession. Discover insights on leveraging technology, the future of CPAs, and innovative initiatives like a hackathon during New York Tech Week.

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Melissa Dardani shares her journey into accounting, discussing her transition from a creative background to a successful career in forensic accounting. She highlights the challenges facing the accounting profession, particularly in attracting talent and adapting to the rise of artificial intelligence. Melissa emphasizes the importance of maintaining integrity in the profession while embracing technology, and she reflects on the potential impacts of AI on the future of accounting.

In this conversation, Jessica McLean shares her unique journey into the accounting profession, detailing her early aspirations, career transitions, and current role as CFO in the nonprofit sector. She discusses the complexities of accounting in nonprofit organizations, the challenges faced by professionals in this space, and the impact of technology and AI on the future of accounting. Jessica emphasizes the importance of communication and adaptability in the evolving landscape of the profession. Jessica and Calvin Harris discuss the evolving landscape of the accounting profession, emphasizing the importance of human connection, communication, and strategic thinking. They explore the need for accountants to be seen as integral to organizational strategy rather than just number crunchers. The discussion also highlights the significance of networking and relationships in career advancement, as well as innovative ideas to make the profession more accessible to aspiring accountants.

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, A'isha Torrance, CPA, shares her journey into the accounting profession, discussing her early experiences and the evolution of her career. She emphasizes the importance of adapting to changes in the industry, particularly with the rise of AI and the need for upskilling. Aisha also addresses common misconceptions about accountants and highlights the significance of storytelling in financial reporting. A'isha and Calvin discuss the complexities of communication, the need for innovative solutions in the nonprofit sector, and the importance of advocacy work. Aisha shares her vision for an AI-driven financial management platform tailored for nonprofits, emphasizing the need for technology to empower organizations. They also explore the challenges faced by smaller nonprofits and the critical role they play in society. The discussion shifts to the significance of advocacy in shaping the profession and concludes with a light-hearted conversation about networking through golf.

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Calvin Harris Jr. speaks with Li Tao, an investment banker with a rich background in accounting and finance. Lee shares his journey into the accounting profession, the challenges faced by accountants today, and the impact of AI on the industry. He discusses the importance of creating value for clients and the misconceptions surrounding the accounting profession. Lee also explores innovative ideas for enhancing the profession and shares his thoughts on the influence of private equity on accounting firms.

In this episode, Calvin Harris Jr. interviews Leroy Kerry, co-founder and CEO of Fylde, an AI-powered tax preparation company. They discuss Leroy's unique journey from architecture to accounting, the challenges faced by small accounting firms, and the transformative potential of AI in the tax preparation process. Leroy shares insights on the importance of AI readiness in the accounting profession and the future of continuous learning for accountants. They also explore contrarian views on private equity in the accounting space and what it means for the future of the profession.

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, host Calvin Harris Jr. speaks with Peter Olinto, a seasoned CPA, CFA, and JD, about his extensive journey in the accounting and finance fields. They discuss the evolution of the CPA exam, the importance of credentials, the challenges faced by accounting professionals, and the impact of technology on the industry. Peter shares insights on the necessity of sales skills in public accounting, the intersection of law and accounting, and the significance of training future accountants. The conversation highlights the changing landscape of the profession and the value of mentorship and networking. In this engaging conversation,

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Lexi Weber discusses her journey into the accounting profession, the challenges faced by accountants today, and the impact of technology and AI on the industry. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship and communication in supporting the next generation of accountants and shares insights on the AICPA's Rise 2040 project, which aims to envision the future of the profession. Lexi also addresses common misconceptions about accountants and highlights the need for innovative projects to enhance the profession's adaptability and relevance.

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, host Calvin Harris Jr. speaks with Julianne Gutierrez, a CPA with over 19 years of experience in accounting and finance. They discuss Julianne's journey into accounting, her career progression, the challenges faced in the profession, and the misconceptions surrounding accountants. Julianne shares her insights on the importance of leadership and retention in accounting, as well as her innovative ideas for transforming the profession through media. The conversation highlights the need for better representation and understanding of the accounting field.

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Byron Patrick shares his journey from a young entrepreneur delivering newspapers to a CPA passionate about leveraging technology in the accounting profession. He discusses the evolution of technology in accounting, the importance of human skills, and the misconceptions surrounding the role of accountants, especially in the age of AI. Byron emphasizes the need for CPAs to build relationships with clients and adapt to the changing landscape of the profession. He also shares his innovative ideas for the future of accounting and reflects on the significance of his tattoo, which symbolizes his commitment to the profession.

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Calvin Harris Jr. speaks with Stacey Ryan-Cornelius, the Global Chief Financial Officer at Burson. They discuss Stacey's journey into accounting, the evolving role of the CFO, the impact of technology and AI on the profession, and the importance of communication and leadership in finance. Stacey emphasizes the need for accountants to be seen as strategic partners rather than just number crunchers, and she shares her personal insights and interests, including her love for MMA fighting.

In this episode of the Trusted Professional podcast, Calvin Harris Jr. speaks with Mike Quinn, a CPA and CFO in the not-for-profit sector. They discuss Mike's journey into accounting, the challenges faced in the profession, the impact of AI on accounting practices, and the importance of continuous learning. Mike shares his experience of becoming a Chartered Accountant in Ireland and reflects on the value of CPAs in practice. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of accounting and the need for professionals to adapt and grow.