The data doesn't lie.

With 40 per cent of workers' current skill sets expected to be transformed or obsolete by 2030, it leads to a question many are asking: How do professionals working in finance and accounting become indispensable in the coming years?

In this episode, INTHEBLACK tries to answer that by exploring the one skill that professionals can focus on to help them remain valuable.

The expert insights in this episode include:

Why AI widens the gap between average and exceptional professionals

The human skills that are becoming more valuable, not less

How critical thinking protects against AI errors and hallucinations

Why emotional intelligence and communication remain competitive advantages

How to build a career that evolves alongside AI

Practical advice for accountants, finance professionals and business leaders planning the next decade

If you're looking to stay indispensable in an AI-enabled workplace, this episode offers practical guidance grounded in real-world leadership experience.

Host: Tahn Sharpe, editor, INTHEBLACK, CPA Australia.

Guests: David Carney and Amanda Kenafake. David is executive director of the Career Industry Council of Australia, and CPA Amanda is CEO and executive director of financial services provider Power Tynan.

Learn more about the the Career Industry Council of Australia (CICA) at its website.

Similarly, head online for more information on the services provided by Power Tynan.

Loving this episode?

Listen to more With Interest episodes and other CPA Australia podcasts on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/@CPAaustralia/podcasts

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CPA Australia publishes four podcasts, providing commentary and thought leadership across business, finance and accounting:

With Interest https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/with-interest

INTHEBLACK https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack

INTHEBLACK Out Loud https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/intheblack-outloud

Excel Tips https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/tools-and-resources/podcasts/excel-tips

Search for them in your podcast platform. Email the podcast team at podcasts@cpaaustralia.com.au

Chapters:

00:00 Technical vs Client-Friendly Answers in Accounting

00:24 Introduction: Future of Accounting Skills and AI Impact

01:02 Pace of Change: Should Professionals Feel Alarmed or Excited?

01:32 Adapting to AI: Mindset, Experimentation, and Career Planning

02:53 Key Skills for Modern Accountants: Problem Solving and Emotional Intelligence

04:27 Does AI Amplify Performance? How to Use AI to Enhance Skills

06:02 AI as an Amplifier, Not a Leveller: Why Context Still Matters

07:30 Using AI Under Pressure: Avoiding Blind Trust in Outputs

09:14 Human Skills vs Technical Accuracy: Communicating for Client Understanding

12:40 AI Risks: Bias, Hallucinations, and the Need for Critical Thinking

13:00 Career Advice: Owning Your Learning and Adapting to Change

15:29 How to Become an Indispensable Accountant: Growth Mindset and Upskilling

16:40 Closing Remarks and Key Takeaways