MOVE Like This!

Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk
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Accounting firm leaders are justifiably concerned about recruiting and retaining the talent needed for their firms to survive, and ideally, thrive. MOVE Like This features conversations, lessons and ideas Accounting MOVE Project firms have used to successfully find, retain, develop and advance women and diverse talent to drive competitive advantage and stand out from the crowd.

  1. 1D AGO

    MOVE Like This - Carrie Steffen, Iowa Society of CPAs

    In this episode of MOVE Like This, Bonnie speaks with Carrie Steffen about what she’s seeing from her new role as CEO of the Iowa Society of CPAs. After 25 years advising firms on growth and marketing, Carrie stepped into the CEO role in 2025 with responsibility for member engagement, education, and legislative advocacy. One of her earliest takeaways is that communication is far more complex than it appears. A state society represents professionals across different firm sizes, geographies, and career stages, and reaching them effectively requires clear, intentional messaging that builds trust and keeps people connected to the profession. Carrie also links today’s talent pressures to broader economic realities and generational expectations. Professionals entering the workforce during uncertain economic periods often prioritize stability, flexibility, and a sense of community. In that environment, belonging is no longer a “nice to have.” It plays a central role in whether professionals stay in the field, develop within their firms, and see a future in the profession. The conversation also explores the profession’s pipeline challenge and why fewer students are choosing accounting. Carrie suggests part of the problem is messaging: the profession often highlights deadlines and workload instead of the impact and opportunity that a CPA career can offer. At the same time, accounting is competing with highly visible careers in tech and finance. Firms that want to remain relevant will need to tell a more compelling story about the stability, versatility, and long-term career paths accounting provides while also listening to younger professionals whose perspectives will shape what the profession becomes next.

    32 min

  2. 02/05/2025

    Jessica McClain, Girl Scouts CFO, Joins the MOVE Conversation

    Just in time for Girl Scout cookie season, we talk to Jessica McClain, the organizations newly-appointed CFO. On this episode, Jessica and Bonnie talk about the importance of "belonging" in the workplace. Research shows that at least 64% of people feel the need to hide some aspect of their identity from their co-workers. Trying to keep part of yourself hidden is stressful, and the energy used to perform a certain way is energy that is not being used to perform a job and take care of client needs. We discuss what individuals can do to embody authenticity, and what situations indicate it is time to move on to another job. We also talk about what accounting firms can do to create a culture where people of all stripes feel safe to be themselves. You can learn more about Jessica here or on LinkedIn.

    25 min

  3. 01/15/2025

    Amy Yip, Keynote Speaker & Author, Joins the MOVE Conversation

    On this episode, we talk about why so many women are "people pleasers" and have such a hard time saying no when needed. We dive into how to identify our boundaries and literally practice saying "no" until we are comfortable doing so. We then expand on that conversation to discuss what firm leaders can do to create a culture where client needs are met and team members support each other yet everyone can ask for what they need and say no when appropriate too. To learn more about Amy's work, visit her website here: https://amyyipcoaching.com/

    28 min

  4. 12/04/2024

    Safiya Reid with Pure Insurance Joins the MOVE Conversation

    Today, we leave the accounting profession for an episode and talk to Safiya Reid, the AVP of Employee Engagement with Pure Insurance. We talk about how she got into the DEI space, why focusing on naysayers is not the best use of our time, and reiterate how this work is all about adding opportunities – not subtracting them. We also talk about how we both look forward to a day when we work ourselves out of a job in DEI because it is fully integrated into workspaces, and we get her advice on how firm leaders can create more inclusive cultures where people want to work and feel they belong.  To learn more about Pure Insurance, visit https://www.pureinsurance.com/

    34 min

  5. 09/18/2024

    Sandra Wiley with Boomer Consulting Joins the MOVE Conversation

    Strap in because this one is longer than most but well worth the time investment. Sandra Wiley, president of Boomer Consulting, joins to discuss Boomer's DEI Consortium, the talent shortage, and how firms can rise above the talent shortage. But we also discuss how DEI is a "human issue" even though many try to politicize it, particularly during these few weeks prior to a presidential election. We share personal stories and how each of us learned that listening to others is vital to improving the human condition for all of us.  Sandra also mentioned some books in this podcast, including: The Third Option: Hope for a Racilly Divided Nation by Miles McPherson White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg Everyone Communicates, Few Connect: What the Most Effective People Do Differently by John Maxwell Embracing Your Power: A Woman's Path to Authentic Leadership and Meaningful Relationships by Marsha Clark To learn more about Boomer Consulting, visit https://www.boomer.com//

    47 min

  6. 09/04/2024

    Mayumi Young with CPA MOMS Joins the MOVE Conversation

    After a break in August, we kick off September with a great conversation with Mayumi Young, the founder and CEO of CPA MOMS. We discuss what led her to starting this business and how it has grown and changed since 2008. We also delve into the accounting profession as a whole, discussing how firms need to make adjustments to attract, retain and promote women, people of color and particularly, Gen Z employees, as well as how individuals need to find and pursue work that inspires them. To learn more about CPA MOMS, visit https://cpamoms.com/

    38 min

  7. 07/24/2024

    Liz Barentzen with Accounting+ Joins the MOVE Conversation

    On this episode, Bonnie is joined by Liz Barentzen, VP of Operations and Talent Initiatives for the Center for Audit Quality, to talk about the Accounting+ program which has been educating young people, particularly those in underrepresented groups, about the benefits and possibilities of a career in accounting. We talk about why the profession is facing this unprecedented shortage of talent, how the campaign was started, where it receives its support, and the myriad resources available on its website at https://www.joinaccountingplus.com/. Additionally, Liz offers some advice for firm leaders to help overcome some of the negative stereotypes and showcase the positives of what can be a wonderful career for many people.  Follow Accounting+ on the following platforms: Instagram: acct.plus TikTok: @accounting.plus Facebook: JoinAccountingPlus Twitter/X: Acct_plus YouTube: @accounting_plus

    30 min

  8. 07/10/2024

    Tricia Bencich with Moss Adams Joins the MOVE Conversation Again

    On this episode, Bonnie is joined by Tricia Bencich of Moss Adams for the second time. We go deep on the idea of "mental load" and how it impacts us, particularly women, in the workplace. While you may not be familiar with the phrase "mental load," I'm willing to bet you experience it all the time, since it is a term for the invisible labor involved in managing a household and family. We talk about why women carry so much mental load, how it shows up in our daily work and personal lives, and some strategies for reducing it. If you've ever felt stressed by all you have to do, listen to this episide and share it with your friends and family too. To watch Tricia's full MOVE Mini Summit presentation on mental load via CPA Academy, attended by more than 1000 people, visit: https://www.cpaacademy.org/archived_show/a0DQh000009agQ9MAI To learn more about Moss Adams, visit https://www.mossadams.com/home.

    30 min
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About

Accounting firm leaders are justifiably concerned about recruiting and retaining the talent needed for their firms to survive, and ideally, thrive. MOVE Like This features conversations, lessons and ideas Accounting MOVE Project firms have used to successfully find, retain, develop and advance women and diverse talent to drive competitive advantage and stand out from the crowd.

Information

  • Creator
    Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    MOVE Like This!