SEC’s Top CPA Laments Poor Selling Job to Recruit Accountants

How accountants support businesses and their unique role in financial reporting should be part of a much-needed pitch to sell their career to future recruits, the SEC’s top CPA said Thursday.

“A lot of times our conversations start out with what is it we are not responsible for. And I submit to you that is not the way to attract talent,” Paul Munter, chief accountant to the Securities and Exchange Commission, said in addressing a worsening shortage of accountants. “We need to be proactive. I think we have a terrific story to tell.”

The profession should highlight accountants’ role in ...