AICPA & CIMA chair: ‘Every change comes with opportunity’

Financial Management (FM) magazine

Simon Bittlestone, FCMA, CGMA, began his one-year term as CIMA president and AICPA & CIMA chair in June, and he joined the FM podcast for an interview in late July, discussing what he sees as three key opportunities for the accounting and finance profession.

In the episode, Bittlestone reviews his focus areas, explains the value of a technology background when leading technology initiatives, and details how seizing opportunity as it relates to today’s workforce can help to future-proof the profession.

What you’ll learn from this episode:

· Why he agrees that the profession faces challenges, which he views as opportunities.

· The area of accountants’ work that, according to Bittlestone, has understandable “pushback”.

· Three takeaways from Bittlestone on the ESG course offered in partnership with Oxford University.

· Why Bittlestone considers it important to focus on the profession’s future generations and accountants already in the profession.

· His thoughts on the retirement of AICPA & CIMA CEO Barry Melancon, CPA, CGMA.