The CPA Shortage Is Real. But So Is the Opportunity to Rethink Everything.

The CPA Shortage Is Real. But So Is the Opportunity to Rethink Everything.

After two decades in executive search, I’ve learned how to spot the early signs of a shift, and accounting is in the middle of one right now.

We’re watching the talent pipeline dry up in real time. From an article I read, the numbers are hard to ignore:

  • A CPA shortfall of 160,000 expected by 2025
  • 75% of current CPAs retiring in the next decade
  • Fewer students choosing the profession at all

The calls I’m getting reflect this reality. Companies can’t fill roles fast enough. Teams are stretched thin. Controllers are jumping back into tasks they delegated years ago. And CFOs? They’re stuck triaging gaps instead of driving strategy.

 

The old playbook isn’t working anymore.

 

For years, the default response was to hire more staff. But what happens when the talent simply isn’t there? Or when the work keeps piling up but the budget doesn’t?

This is where a few companies are quietly pulling ahead. They’re not waiting for the perfect candidate to walk through the door—they’re rethinking how the work gets done altogether.

 

Automation is playing a bigger role, and it’s working.

 

I’m seeing teams use AI to offload manual tasks like reconciliations, journal entries, and audit documentation. It’s not replacing people. It’s making the work more manageable—and freeing up capacity for higher-value thinking.

The difference is night and day. Instead of constantly chasing the close, these teams are stepping back, seeing the bigger picture, and helping the business make smarter decisions.

 

It’s not just about filling gaps. It’s about raising the bar.

 

Accounting isn’t what it used to be and that’s a good thing. The professionals I work with today aren’t just technical experts. They’re storytellers, advisors, and problem-solvers.

But that only happens when the groundwork is handled…and AI is helping lay that foundation.

 

If you’re leading a finance team right now, here’s what I’d focus on:

 

  • Simplify your stack. Make sure your tools talk to each other. Integration matters more than ever.
  • Automate with purpose. Start small—repetitive, rules-based tasks are often the best candidates.
  • Hire for strategic value. The right person isn’t just a replacement. They’re someone who can navigate change and help others do the same.

 

The CPA shortage is real. But it’s also a moment to reimagine what your team looks like, how they work, and what they’re capable of.

In my world, that’s where the opportunity lives.