In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, host Calvin Harris Jr. speaks with Mark Stone, CPA, about his journey into the accounting profession, the importance of sales tax advocacy, and the challenges faced by accountants today. Mark shares insights on the stability of accounting careers, the misconceptions surrounding taxes, and the value of proper record-keeping for small businesses. He emphasizes the need for education to prevent tax issues and discusses innovative ideas for improving small business education. The conversation concludes with thoughts on the future of accounting education and the importance of specialization within the profession.

Carla McCall, the chair of the AICPA, joins Calvin Harris Jr. on the Trust Professional Podcast. They discuss Carla's journey into the field of accounting, the biggest challenges facing the profession, and the misconceptions people have about accountants. Carla emphasizes the importance of change management and the need for an integrated tech stack for firms. She also highlights the diversity of work, the relationship focus, and the flexibility and financial freedom that the accounting profession offers. The conversation ends with a discussion on the importance of people skills and building relationships in the profession.

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Calvin Harris Jr., CPA, CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, chats with Liren Wei, Managing Partner of Wei Wei & Co., LLP.

Liren began his accounting career 29 years ago as a staff accountant at the firm. Today, as Managing Partner, he is in charge of overall management and administration of the firm, including directing the activities of managerial, professional and support staff, and coordinating manpower needs, among other resources.

In addition to his role as managing partner, Liren is in charge of the firm’s government and not-for-profit practice group. He is responsible for overall administration and coordination of engagements, including planning and developing audit strategies, directing and implementing audits, supervising staff, and working with clients to ensure the timeliness and quality of the firm's accounting and auditing services. His government clients include the New York State Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, the New York City Department for the Aging, Department of Youth and Community Development, Department of Homeless Services, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Administration for Children’s Services, Human Resource Administration, and the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation.

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Calvin Harris Jr., CPA, CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, chats with Zachary Gordon, the founder of Red Five Services LLC. Zach is a CPA with more than fifteen years of professional experience across multiple industries and functions. He serves as the fractional CFO, strategic advisor or head of technical accounting for a portfolio of crypto, cannabis, psychedelics, AI, and tech companies.

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Calvin Harris Jr., CPA, CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, chats with John M. Spatola, the Partner of the Emerging Business (Tax), Business Valuation, Forensic Accounting and Dispute Resolution Services (BVFDR) practice at Nawrocki Smith LLP. John has diversified experience in income tax planning and preparation, business valuations, insurance loss consulting, economic damages, agreed upon procedure engagements and various other complex matters. He has performed numerous training presentations to clients, attorneys, accountants, and other groups on various topics. Mr. Spatola provides assistance to counsel in all aspects of litigation-related matters. In his capacity as a director, he works with high-net-worth individuals and their business as it relates to tax preparation and planning in addition to being in charge of various business valuation, insurance consulting, forensic accounting, and litigation support engagements.

John is currently serving as a vice president of the New York State Society of CPAs. He has previously served the Society as a Director-at-Large on the Board of Directors, a member of the Awards and Nominating committees, and in chapter roles with the Suffolk Chapter as President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. He is also a Past Co-Chair of the Suffolk Chapter Litigation, Forensic and Valuation Services, and Membership committees.

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Calvin Harris Jr., CPA, CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, chats with Orumé Hays,CPA, CGMA, MST, a director-at-large of the NYSSCPA and founder/CEO of Hays CPA LLC.

Orumé Hays Agbeyegbe (She/Her) is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA ) in the State of New York and the Commonwealth of Virginia. She is also a Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA). Her extensive finance and accounting experience includes working with small, medium, local, national, and international businesses. She has more than a decade of business operations and financial expertise in various business sectors, including architecture, design, entertainment, event productions, food & beverage, healthcare, and hospitality.

Orumé holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and Finance from CUNY College of Staten Island, New York (inducted to Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society), and a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology & Anthropology from the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Nigeria. She also earned a Master of Science in Taxation from the D'Amore Mckim School of Business, Northeastern University, Massachusetts.

In this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast, Calvin Harris Jr., CPA, CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, chats with Michael Durant, CPA, a member of the NYSSCPA board of directors, and a senior tax accountant with Prager Metis CPAs, LLC, New York.

On this episode of the Trusted Professional Podcast from the New York State Society of CPAs, NYSSCPA CEO Calvin Harris Jr.. chats with Kevin O'Leary, president of the NYSSCPA and managing partner at MMB + CO..

About the Guest

Kevin O’Leary became Managing Partner of MMB + CO’s Albany office in 2019. On June 1, 2024, Kevin was elected President of the NYSSCPA. Previously, he had been President, President-elect, Secretary and Treasurer of the Northeast Chapter. Because of his role with the NYSSCPA, he is also now a council member of the AICPA.

Kevin graduated from Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, where he played four years of college football and received his BS in Accounting. During his downtime, he enjoys coaching basketball and flag football at St. Gregory’s School, as well as playing golf with the kids. His wife, Tara, is also a CPA, and they are the proud parents of two awesome boys (and future CPAs—they just don’t know it yet), Mason and Nick.