ISSUESWATCH PODCAST

Mind the Gap: Addressing the Workforce Readiness Divide

October 21, 2025

A new report from the Illinois CPA Society (ICPAS), titled The Readiness Divide, explores the disconnect between how early-career accounting and finance professionals view their skills and how their managers assess their readiness. Geof Brown, president and CEO of ICPAS, discusses the report’s findings, including gaps in communication, critical thinking, problem solving and even tech skills – and what these gaps mean for the accounting profession.

Topics discussed:

  • Overview of the report and why it was created
  • The disconnect between self-awareness and employer expectations
  • Risks if gaps in communication, critical thinking and problem-solving are not addressed
  • Practical steps to close the divide
  • Final takeaways

Resources:




              Don  Meyer

              Don Meyer

              Don Meyer, CAE, is the chief growth officer of the New Jersey Society of CPAs, where he is responsible for setting the vision, strategy and direction for the organization’s marketing, communications and membership campaigns and for driving the success of a deep and broad swath of organizational initiatives.

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              Geoffrey  Brown

              Geoffrey Brown

              Geoffrey Brown, CAE, is the president and CEO of the Illinois CPA Society, one of the largest state CPA societies in the nation.