Episodes

  • Ep.84: You are more than your title
    Jul 7 2025

    Hey everyone, Rosey Flaherty here!

    In this powerful episode, Ela Bijlani opens up about her transformation from accountant to leadership coach and how facing your fears can become your greatest tool for growth.

    Her story challenges the belief that our titles define us and offers practical insights for professionals ready to lead with purpose and clarity.

    ✅Face your fears to grow as a speaker and professional
    ✅Shift your mindset from employee to entrepreneur
    ✅Build self-awareness and confidence to advance your career
    ✅Use networking and relationship-building to unlock new opportunities
    ✅Embrace change and adaptability as tools for long-term success

    🎧 Listen in and be inspired to keep smiling through the journey!.

    🔗 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

    💬 If Bijlan's story resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
    Drop a comment below!

    👍 Like & Share this episode with someone preparing for the CPA exam or building their accounting career!



    #leadership #accountingcareers #elaBijlani #cpaexam #mentorship #growthmindset #leadershipcoach #communicationiskey #womeninaccounting #careerdevelopment #differentisbeautiful #audiopodcast #careerinsights #cpajourney #inspiringstories



    http://www.youtube.com/@CPACareerPaths

    Show more Show less
    24 mins
  • Ep.83: Accent makes people lean in more
    Jun 30 2025

    Hey everyone, Rosey Flaherty here!

    In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Ela Bijlani, CPC, CPA, CGMA—leadership coach, consultant, and accounting expert—to explore what it truly means to lead with purpose and authenticity.

    Whether you're pursuing your CPA or exploring the world of public accounting, this conversation is filled with practical advice and real-world wisdom.

    ✅ Leadership is a skill, not a title
    ✅ Your accent isn’t a weakness, it’s part of your story
    ✅ Good leaders are coachable and always growing
    ✅ Communication and connection are critical in accounting
    ✅ Great mentors and professors can shape your entire career
    ✅ Commitment is key to passing the CPA Exam
    ✅ Technical skills and leadership skills are not the same

    ✨ This episode is proudly sponsored by Chapman University's Argyros School of Business and Economics. Considering a master's in accounting? Their MSA program offers personalized attention from world-class faculty, intimate class sizes, and a flexible structure designed for ambitious professionals. Learn more and apply at chapman.edu/msa

    🎧 Listen in and be inspired to keep smiling through the journey!.

    🔗 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

    💬 If Bijlan's story resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
    Drop a comment below!

    👍 Like & Share this episode with someone preparing for the CPA exam or building their accounting career!


    #leadership #accountingcareers #elaBijlani #cpaexam #mentorship #growthmindset #leadershipcoach #communicationiskey #womeninaccounting #careerdevelopment #differentisbeautiful #audiopodcast #careerinsights #cpajourney #inspiringstories

    http://www.youtube.com/@CPACareerPaths

    Show more Show less
    29 mins
  • Ep.82: Learn the ropes before stepping up
    Jun 23 2025

    Hey everyone, Rosey Flaherty here!

    In this episode, Hillary Caplan Sefcik, CPA and Assurance Manager at CohnReznick LLP, shares the mindset shifts that helped her thrive in public accounting and how networking has played a bigger role in her growth than any single event ever could.

    Hillary walks us through the early lessons that shaped her leadership style, the value of hands-on learning, and why confidence is built through competence and preparation.

    She opens up about asking for what you want, leaning into feedback, and how delegation helps others rise with you.

    If you're navigating the early stages of your accounting career or gearing up for the next step, Hillary’s story is full of real talk and practical takeaways.

    ✅ Why networking is about relationships, not RSVPs
    ✅ How Hillary built confidence by learning the ropes early
    ✅ The power of clear goals and self-advocacy
    ✅ Delegating with purpose to develop others
    ✅ Encouragement for young professionals ready to lead

    🎧 Listen in and be inspired to keep smiling through the journey!.

    🔗 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

    💬 If Hillary's story resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
    Drop a comment below!

    👍 Like & Share this episode with someone preparing for the CPA exam or building their accounting career!



    #careerjourney #publicaccounting #networkingmindset #youngprofessionals #cpalife #mentorshipmatters #womeninaccounting #accountingtips #leadershipdevelopment #cohnreznick

    http://www.youtube.com/@CPACareerPaths

    Show more Show less
    32 mins
  • Ep.81: A smile goes a long way
    Jun 16 2025

    Hey everyone, Rosey Flaherty here!

    In this episode, Hillary Caplan Sefcik, CPA and Assurance Manager at CohnReznick LLP, shares her inspiring journey from aspiring broadcast journalist to accomplished accounting professional. Hillary opens up about the challenges she faced on the path to becoming a CPA, the importance of strong support systems, and how mentorship and networking helped shape her career.

    She also reflects on how public accounting offers a unique opportunity to learn quickly, why having fun at work matters, and what it truly takes to build a successful and fulfilling career in the industry.

    Whether you're pursuing your CPA or exploring the world of public accounting, this conversation is filled with practical advice and real-world wisdom.

    ✅ How Hillary shifted from journalism to accounting and found her calling
    ✅ Why mentorship and community are essential in public accounting
    ✅ The truth about CPA exam challenges and how she overcame them
    ✅ Balancing work-life demands during peak seasons
    ✅ Encouragement and advice for aspiring CPAs and young professionals

    ✨ This episode is proudly sponsored by Chapman University's Argyros School of Business and Economics. Considering a master's in accounting? Their MSA program offers personalized attention from world-class faculty, intimate class sizes, and a flexible structure designed for ambitious professionals. Learn more and apply at chapman.edu/msa

    🎧 Listen in and be inspired to keep smiling through the journey!.

    🔗 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

    💬 If Hillary's story resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
    Drop a comment below!

    👍 Like & Share this episode with someone preparing for the CPA exam or building their accounting career!


    #cpajourney #accountingcareers #womeninaccounting #publicaccounting #mentorshipmatters #careeradvice #podcast #cohnreznick #youngprofessionals #cpasuccess



    http://www.youtube.com/@CPACareerPaths

    Show more Show less
    27 mins
  • Ep.80: Fail fast, bounce back faster.
    Jun 9 2025

    In this episode, host Rosey Flaherty talks with Precious Opaleke, CPA, MSc, Senior Tax Specialist at Lido Tax LLC, about how Precious discovered her passion for accounting by chance, overcame multiple CPA exam setbacks, and used resilience to keep moving forward. From her start in IT to working at H&R Block and joining CalCPA, her story highlights the power of persistence and community support.

    ✅ Discovering a passion for accounting after starting in IT
    ✅ Overcoming multiple CPA exam failures with resilience
    ✅ Gaining hands-on experience at H&R Block
    ✅ Leveraging community and professional organizations for support

    🎧 Whether you’re just starting your accounting career or preparing for the CPA exam, this episode is full of grounded insights to help you grow with confidence and clarity.

    🔗 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

    💬 If Precious’s story resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment below!

    👍 Like & Share this episode with someone preparing for the CPA exam or building their accounting career!


    #failfast #bounceback #cpajourney #resilience #accountingcareer #cpaexam #womeninfinance #careerchange #podcast #focusandgrow



    http://www.youtube.com/@CPACareerPaths

    Show more Show less
    34 mins
  • Ep.79: Start with basics, then go deep
    Jun 2 2025

    Hey everyone, Rosey Flaherty here!

    🎧 In this episode, Precious Opaleke, CPA, MSc, Senior Tax Specialist at Lido Tax LLC, joins me to share her inspiring journey from IT to accounting and what it takes to succeed in the CPA world.

    ✅ How a chance encounter led Precious to discover her passion for accounting
    ✅ The vital role of mentorship and community in shaping a successful career
    ✅ Real talk about the challenges and setbacks in passing the CPA exam
    ✅ How time management and employer support made all the difference
    ✅ Practical advice for CPA candidates on resilience, focus, and finding support

    🎧 Whether you’re just starting your accounting career or preparing for the CPA exam, this episode is full of grounded insights to help you grow with confidence and clarity.

    🔗 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

    💬 If Precious’s story resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below!

    👍 Like & Share this episode with someone preparing for the CPA exam or building their accounting career!

    #cpaexam #accountingcareer #mentorshipmatters #resilience #taxprofessional #roseyflaherty #cpajourney #womeninaccounting #accountingpodcast #careerinsights



    http://www.youtube.com/@CPACareerPaths

    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • Special Ep: The biggest challenge was having patience (Part 02)
    May 26 2025

    Hey everyone, Rosey Flaherty here!

    🎧 In this episode, Marcus Rien, CPA, Fractional/Interim CFO & COO, joins Rosey Flaherty to talk about what it takes to build a meaningful and flexible career in today’s accounting landscape.

    ✅ Why patience is one of the hardest but most essential entrepreneurial traits
    ✅ How Wave CPAs is helping reduce admin load and empower CPAs
    ✅ The importance of community when you're building something on your own
    ✅ How flexibility and curiosity can shape your entire career
    ✅ Practical advice for CPAs seeking more than the traditional path

    🎧 Whether you're an early-career accountant or a seasoned CPA rethinking your direction, this episode is full of grounded insights to help you grow with purpose and clarity.

    🔗 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

    💬 If Marcus’s story resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below!

    👍 Like & Share this episode with someone exploring new CPA career paths or building something of their own!

    #excellenceinhabits #accountingcareer #leadershipdevelopment #cpajourney #marcusriencpa #roseyflaherty #worklifebalance #mentorshipmatters #practiceexcellence #audiointerview



    http://www.youtube.com/@CPACareerPaths

    Show more Show less
    22 mins
  • Special Ep: Every role teaches you something valuable. (Part 1)
    May 19 2025

    Hey everyone, Rosey Flaherty here!

    🎧In this episode, Marcus Rien, CPA, Fractional/Interim CFO & COO, joins Rosey Flaherty to explore how excellence, when practised consistently, can shape your career, leadership, and impact in the world of accounting.

    ✅ Why striving for excellence is about consistency, not perfection
    ✅ How to avoid burnout while still aiming high
    ✅ The power of balance: unplugging to unlock new ideas
    ✅ What video games, mentors, and auditing have taught Jeff about success
    ✅ Practical insights for CPAs who want to grow their careers without losing themselves

    🎧Whether you’re just starting or looking to level up, this episode is packed with real stories and actionable takeaways to help you lead excellently.


    🔗 Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss an episode!

    💬 If this episode resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts—drop a comment below!

    👍 Like & Share this episode with someone working toward their CPA or dreaming of running their firm!


    #excellenceinhabits #accountingcareer #leadershipdevelopment #cpajourney #jeffwilsoncpa #roseyflaherty #worklifebalance #mentorshipmatters #practiceexcellence #audiointerview

    http://www.youtube.com/@CPACareerPaths

    Show more Show less
    24 mins