April 16, 2026
Associate Partner Ren Cicalese III, CPA, MST was featured in a Commerce Magazine article titled “From Burnout to Buy-In: NJ Firms Reinvent Accounting Careers in 2026”
“Leaders at public accounting firms have been dealing with a talent shortage for quite some time now. The combination of intense tax seasons, high cost of college, and the difficulty of the CPA exam have driven students away from the profession. Thankfully, firms are taking steps to address these problems in several ways. One of the biggest shifts has been the rethinking of how careers develop inside firms, with more flexibility around progression and a stronger focus on practical skills. There is more emphasis on firm leaders coaching up their staff for client work and setting realistic performance expectations.
While tax season will always be a stressful time of year for those in public accounting, many firms are trying to reduce the workload crunch through technology and alternative staffing arrangements. None of these changes solve the talent shortage by themselves, but they reflect an evolution of understanding that retaining people depends on the day-to-day experience of the job. Firms that can offer clearer paths forward, more manageable workloads, and strong culture are better positioned to compete for talent over the long term.”
Commerce Magazine is the flagship publication of the Commerce and Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ). For almost 50 years, it has been dedicated to covering key business trends and advocating for New Jersey Businesses.
