“In a world of change, the learners shall inherit the earth, while the learned shall find themselves perfectly suited for a world that no longer exists.” — Eric Hoffer

In a recent forum of CFOs and Chief Accounting Officers of Maryland public companies we identified talent development as the #1 issue they were facing. 

That’s right #1 issue.

What is interesting to me is that this same issue is bubbling up in all sectors of our Profession.

This was the same issue for CPA Firms at the AICPA PSTECH, same for Government CPAs, same for…you get the point.

Then they said something obvious, yet profound.

“We have been focusing on providing CPE for our CPAs instead of provding LEARNING for talent development.”

CPE versus LEARNING? Is this the death of CPE? 

In a rapidly changing and complex world, the winners will be those who can keep their rate of learning greater than the rate of change (and greater than their competition), or L > C. 

It means much more than just focusing on core technical skills.

It means much more than just the same old same old.

Rest in Peace, CPE and long live Learning!