Pipeline solutions start with passion
Purpose. Passion. Your "why." We're all trying to reconnect with that elusive secret ingredient to our work
And with good reason. As Simon Sinek famously says, "People don't buy what you do. They buy why you do it."
That's especially true for all of you CPAs in the room. As we try desperately to solve our talent pipeline issues, we have to take a good, hard look at the narrative that surrounds this storied profession.
Let's face it: We're probably not going to inspire a lot of young people to study accounting by talking about accounting.
A recent study by the Center for Audit Quality and Edge Research bears this out. Approximately 1,400 undergraduate business students and recent graduates were asked about their attitudes about accounting and the barriers they see to entering the profession. "When asked about their experiences with introductory accounting courses, only one out of three non-accounting majors who considered accounting said the content was interesting or engaging," Accounting Today reports. "Among the students who ultimately chose not to pursue accounting, the main reason cited was a lack of passion."
So there's the question: How do we get students and young professionals passionate about this profession?
I'll tell you this much: It's not through endless debates about the 150-hour requirement. That doesn't thrill anybody. Nor will it get hordes of prospective new CPAs beating down the doors to get into this profession.
You want to know how we'll do that? With passion. With purpose. With a rediscovery of our "why."
Remember why you started doing the work you do in the first place? Rediscovering that purpose is the only way to rekindle your passion for your work. It's also a key way to inspire students to join the next generation of CPAs.
I'm in Atlanta this week for the ASAE's 2023 Annual Meeting. The ASAE is the American Society of Association of Executives. It is, in essence, the association of associations — and proof positive that there's an association for everything out there.
The keynote speaker for this conference was Daymond John. You know him from ABC's entrepreneurial reality show "Shark Tank." He said something during his presentation that resonated with me in a way that few things have recently.
All success — in our businesses, in our careers, in our lives — starts with an understanding of what we love to do. When entrepreneurs find that love, John said their first task is to embrace it. Their next task is to surround themselves with people who are good at the things they don't love to do — people who love doing the dirty work that will allow them to focus on their passion. Everything they do — everything we do — should be fueled by that passion.
It's that easy ... and that hard.
And that brings us back to the job at hand, CPAs: What are you passionate about? What do you love to do? Why did you join this profession in the first place?
You want more people to join this profession? Help them feel the passion you felt when you joined this profession. Find your "why," and then share with everyone.
The future of our profession depends on it.
Here's one way you can help
The MACPA is recruiting Maryland CPAs to visit area classrooms and speak to high school and college students. Our goal is to raise awareness of accounting career opportunities by discussing the exciting and challenging roles CPAs play, and the real difference they make in the business world.
Your passion for the profession can be contagious — and a great way to recruit students to pursue accounting as a career. Join us in spreading the good news! We'll provide the presentations, training, and outreach and support materials if needed. All you need to bring is your passion and a couple of good stories to tell.