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Next Stop: CPA

Next Stop: CPA

AICPA & CIMA 61 Episodes Oct 8, 2026

Next Stop: CPA is the official podcast for the CPA Exam, brought to you by the AICPA. It is essential listening for anyone thinking about pursuing their CPA license. The podcast covers topics related to the CPA Exam and the path to becoming a CPA. Listeners can contact the show via email at NextStopCPA@aicpa-cima.com.

Episodes

Season 3 Episode 21: Big 4 or Bust? Finding Success After a Door Closes
Season 3 Episode 21: Big 4 or Bust? Finding Success After a Door Closes Oct 8, 2026 23:52 The job market is changing, and so is the path to becoming a CPA. In this episode, we sit down with a nationally recognized leader who is helping shape the future in recruiting to explore today's hiring landscape, the evolving role of AI, and how you can continue building momentum even when career plans take an unexpected turn. Be sure to tune in for expert advice to help you stand out, stay adapt
Season 3 Episode 20: Mind the Gap: What Employers Really Need from New CPAs
Season 3 Episode 20: Mind the Gap: What Employers Really Need from New CPAs Sep 24, 2026 20:07 The accounting profession is evolving fast, and the expectations for new CPAs are shifting right along with it. This episode unpacks the AICPA's Profession Ready Initiative, a major research-backed effort to identify the skills that early-career CPAs need to succeed in an increasingly AI-driven workplace. The discussion explores what employers are seeing on the ground when it comes to skill gaps a
Season 3 Episode 19: More Than a Number: How the CPA Exam Is Scored
Season 3 Episode 19: More Than a Number: How the CPA Exam Is Scored Sep 10, 2026 15:23 You've seen the score, but how is it actually calculated? It all comes down to psychometrics – the science of measuring knowledge and skills – and how it helps ensure the exam is fair, accurate, and consistent.  You'll learn about blind scoring, how the passing score is determined, and why it's not a percentage. We also walk through how different question types factor into your score, the role of
Season 3 Episode 18: The Science Behind the CPA Exam: Building Test Questions
Season 3 Episode 18: The Science Behind the CPA Exam: Building Test Questions Aug 27, 2026 15:31 If you have ever wondered who writes the test questions on the CPA Exam and how they are created, this episode is your behind-the-scenes look at the test development process.  Learn how content aligns to the CPA Exam Blueprints, what reviewers look for in a strong question, and how a thorough review process helps ensure clarity, fairness, and the right level of difficulty. It also helps demystify
Season 3 Episode 17: Inside the Numbers: Understanding CPA Exam Trends
Season 3 Episode 17: Inside the Numbers: Understanding CPA Exam Trends Aug 13, 2026 17:19 If you've been following the CPA Exam's transformation under the CPA Evolution and wondering how the new model is actually performing, this episode breaks it all down and takes a data-driven look at what two years of exam results reveal about the Core and Discipline sections. The discussion covers how pass rates and candidate volumes have shifted since the January 2024 launch, what the data really
Season 3 Episode 16: A Day in the Life of a Municipal Money Manager
Season 3 Episode 16: A Day in the Life of a Municipal Money Manager Jul 30, 2026 20:19 Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of accounting? Discover what a typical day looks like in your dream career!   This episode is facilitated by Hunter Richardson (Accounting and Computer Science student at the Georgia Institute for Technology) and is joined by Janella Andrews, CPA, Accounting Manager for the city of Palm Springs, CA who shares her personal journey into the world of gove
Season 3 Episode 15: Study Smarter: Practical Tips for CPA Exam Success
Season 3 Episode 15: Study Smarter: Practical Tips for CPA Exam Success Jul 16, 2026 21:57 If you've ever created a study plan and struggled to stick with it, you're not alone. This episode breaks down how to study smarter as you prepare to take the CPA Exam.    The discussion covers how to build a realistic timeline, common study mistakes to avoid, and proven techniques that improve retention and efficiency. Designed for candidates juggling multiple responsibilities, this episode helps
Season 3 Episode 14: From CPA to CEO: Ask Me Anything
Season 3 Episode 14: From CPA to CEO: Ask Me Anything Jul 2, 2026 24:34 In this episode, we sit down with a very special CEO to explore his thoughtful reflections on the journey that shaped his career and the defining moments that influenced how he leads today, from early life lessons to the pivotal decisions that ultimately brought him to the helm of the accounting profession's largest membership body.   We also dig into the future of the CPA profession, like how tec
Season 3 Episode 13: Beyond Audit & Tax: Building a Career in Big Tech
Season 3 Episode 13: Beyond Audit & Tax: Building a Career in Big Tech Jun 18, 2026 27:48 Curious what it really takes to pivot from a public accounting role into the world of Big Tech? Our guest speaker shares his unique CPA journey, how he navigated the transition, and what skills mattered most along the way—plus practical steps you can take now to prepare for the career path that fits you best.   This episode is hosted by Lindsey Yopp (Senior Manager CPA Pipeline, AICPA) who is join
Season 3 Episode 12: Start Strong: Career Readiness & Success Skills
Season 3 Episode 12: Start Strong: Career Readiness & Success Skills Jun 4, 2026 29:32 Do you ever wonder when your career journey really begins?   This episode is facilitated by Hunter Richardson (Accounting and Computer Science student at the Georgia Institute for Technology) and Katherine Suh (Accounting student at Indiana University) who are joined by Lexi Weber, a CPA and Senior Manager of Emerging Professionals Initiatives at the AICPA. Together, they explore how students can
Season 3 Episode 11: The Leadership Advantage for Aspiring CPAs
Season 3 Episode 11: The Leadership Advantage for Aspiring CPAs May 21, 2026 14:19 In this episode, we explore how leadership can shape—and accelerate—the journey to becoming a CPA. Our guest speaker shares how mentorship, self discovery, and stepping outside his comfort zone helped him navigate exam challenges, build confidence early in his career, and grow into an emerging leader who now aims to guide others. Whether you're studying or starting out, this conversation offers p
Season 3 Episode 10: Beyond the Score: Mindset Shifts for CPA Exam Success
Season 3 Episode 10: Beyond the Score: Mindset Shifts for CPA Exam Success May 7, 2026 22:40 In this episode, we explore what really happens behind the scenes of the CPA Exam -- from the psychological toll of testing to the power of reframing a non‑passing score as a "practice test." Our guest speaker shares her own early setbacks, the realities of a demanding academic journey, and the practical study techniques that helped her return with confidence. Whether you're gearing up for your fi

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