What if the accounting profession’s talent shortage isn’t just about attracting more people, but changing the way firms operate?
On Qualified Opinions, Chris Vanover and co-host Stephanie Silva sit down with Mike Maksymiw, Director at Aprio Alliance and former CPA firm partner, to challenge some of public accounting’s longest-standing traditions.
After working his way up to partner, Mike found himself questioning a profession that often rewards hours worked more than results delivered. That experience eventually led him down a different path, helping accounting firms rethink how they develop talent, measure performance, and create better experiences for their employees and clients.
The conversation explores why billable hours remain so deeply ingrained in accounting, how firms can better prepare younger CPAs for advisory roles, and what work-life harmony could look like as technology changes the profession. They also discuss private equity, the future of independent accounting firms, and why stronger client relationships may become an increasingly important competitive advantage.
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Episode Highlights:
0:00 – Intro
1:09 – Meet Mike Maksymiw
7:06 – Challenging the status quo
10:20 – Rethinking the talent problem
15:33 – The future of CPA training
20:27 – Beyond the billable hour
30:52 – Work-life harmony
39:04 – The future of accounting firms
49:50 – CPA = Certified people accountant?
57:05 – Episode wrap-up
About Chris Vanover
Chris Vanover, CPA, blends expertise in public accounting, auditing, regulation, innovation and education to drive meaningful change in the profession. A two-time Accounting Today Top 100 Most Influential People honoree and founder of CPAClub, he is committed to advancing excellence and progress across the accounting profession.
Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisvcpa/
About Stephanie Silva
Stephanie Silva is an Associate Chief at CPAClub and co-host of Qualified Opinions. A former audit manager at KPMG, where she also worked in the firm’s audit technology organization, Stephanie now leads CPAClub’s Technology & Transformation efforts, helping firms and companies modernize their processes, adopt new technologies, and drive innovation. She brings a unique blend of audit experience and technology expertise to conversations about the evolving accounting profession.
About Mike Maksymiw
Mike Max is a Director of Aprio Alliance, which provides CPA firms with exclusive access to the professional connections, advice, and technical resources they need to overcome obstacles and seize opportunities for growth.
The Alliance unites forward-thinking firms to exchange ideas, solutions, and experiences related to managing their businesses. Members enjoy access to invaluable resources, peer group roundtables, and leadership suites to prepare themselves for the future. Among industry professionals, Mike is a recognized thought leader who is spearheading the transformation of the CPA space.
Prior to joining Aprio, Mike made the bold decision to resign from his position of partner at a CPA firm and dedicate his career to revolutionizing the aspects of the profession that don’t make sense. A tireless advocate for the principle of value versus time, Mike is dedicated to helping CPA firms promote family initiatives, foster inclusion and belonging, and advocate for work-life harmony. With relentless determination, he challenges the entrenched norms of the accounting profession, striving for a progressive and inclusive future.
Mike has held various positions in his professional life, including serving as the past Chair of the Connecticut Society of CPAs (CTCPA) Board of Directors. He is also a 2010 alumnus of the AICPA Leadership Academy, and a former member of the AICPA Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee. Mike has participated in several task forces and committees at both the CTCPA and AICPA, all of which have allowed him to make significant contributions to the accounting industry.
Connect with Mike
Website: https://www.aprio.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaksymiwjr
Connect with CPAClub
More Resources: https://cpaclub.cpa/resources
Website: cpaclub.cpa
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/cpaclub
Instagram: instagram.com/cpaclubinc
Facebook: facebook.com/cpaclubinc
