Emerging technologies, evolving regulations and a talent shortage. You don’t need to spend much time in the profession to recognize these, among other, challenges—or opportunities, depending on how you look at it—that exist in today’s dynamic and complex business environment. How you address these issues can go a long way toward determining what success will look like for your firm or clients. 

Adopting innovative thinking and embracing creativity are not just nice to haves—they are a must for CPAs to survive and thrive. Innovative framing means challenging the status quo, questioning assumptions and exploring new possibilities. It also means being open-minded, curious and adaptable to change. And while this is likely uncomfortable and feels like a massive undertaking, some simple steps can help start the process:

Ask questions. Asking open-ended and probing questions is a powerful way to challenge assumptions, gain insights and spark curiosity. Such a question might be, “What would it look like if we incorporate AI into our workflow? What opportunities would that open to provide other services of value to clients?” I use a set of question prompts when I am looking to expand my thinking and move me beyond my comfort zone.

Seek diversity. Ever notice how perspectives vary from person to person and situation to situation? Look for diversity in your teams, networks and sources of information. You never know when something will spark from these conversations or research.

Try new things. Go ahead and experiment with new ideas, methods and tools—or allow your staff the freedom to do—and learn from the outcomes. As entrepreneur Tim Ferris said, “It isn’t enough to think outside the box. Thinking is passive. Get used to acting outside the box.“

At CalCPA, we know we’re not immune to these changes. You’ll see this new way of thinking reflected in our education, where we look at things like learning to be mindful and finding balance in our lives; decoding generations; and learning how to thrive in a hybrid/remote workforce.

We also recently launched CAL Talks, a dynamic peer-to-peer knowledge exchange where members can share their insights and experiences on tech, firm management and mentorship—basically, topics that matter most to you. Find more info on how to participate on our website.

And on the profession front, the National Pipeline Advisory Group issued recommendations to address the accounting talent shortage and the California Board of Accountancy has advanced alternative paths to licensure to address the time and cost constraints many candidates face when working toward licensure. Getting to this point has meant tackling these issues with a new perspective, rather than using the same approaches we’ve used in the past.

Thinking beyond the usual boundaries keeps the profession relevant and empowers each of us to unlock our full potential.