This gap isn't about technical know-how. It's about professionalism, the ability to lead, communicate, and thrive in a profession built on trust, relationships, and adaptability. At the end of the day, the CPA profession is far more about people than it is about numbers. Technical excellence might open the door, but people skills — the ability to collaborate, communicate, and connect — determine how far we go once we're inside.
And the best way to develop those people-centered skills isn't in isolation. It's in community.
Why this matters now
Traditionally, many firms took the lead in onboarding new professionals, not just into their organizations but into the profession itself. Mentorship, hallway conversations, client meetings, and shared learning experiences often outside the walls of the firm helped new CPAs absorb the unwritten skills that make our work effective: how to communicate with clarity, lead with integrity, and collaborate with confidence.But with today's capacity crunch, hybrid work, and evolving business models, not every organization has the time or resources to foster those broader skills. Meanwhile, the profession is expanding to include talented individuals from non-traditional backgrounds who may not yet be familiar with the CPA-led but not CPA-only ecosystem that defines our work.
Recent research from the Illinois CPA Society confirms how widespread this readiness divide has become. Their
And if we're not intentional, we risk replacing one gap in soft skills with another — a deeper gap in professional connectedness and belonging. The result could be a generation of professionals who are technically capable and at best well-connected within their own organizations, yet isolated from the broader networks, mentors, and shared purpose that have long been the foundation of our profession.
What we're losing and what we can rebuild
The Illinois study points to one cause that will sound familiar to many of us: the fading of on-the-job learning. The "legacy work and systems that once helped early careerists get up to speed," the report notes, are disappearing, leaving fewer opportunities for feedback, coaching, and informal learning moments. In other words, the scaffolding that once supported professional growth, mentorship, shared work, and open dialogue has eroded just as the need for them has grown.At the Maryland Association of CPAs, we're seeing the same pattern. When professionals lose those points of connection, they lose more than training; they lose belonging. Our response is to rebuild those bridges through programs designed to connect people across firms, generations, and career stages, because connection is what turns technical knowledge into trusted judgment.
In conversations with MACPA members, we've seen this need emerge clearly. To address it, we're piloting two programs co-created with our members to help close this gap through connection and shared learning.
Emerging Professional Membership . This membership program is a year-long, cohort-based onboarding experience into both the accounting profession and the broader MACPA community. It's designed for firms and organizations that understand the importance of supporting new professionals and see the power of community as a part of that journey. We're thrilled to be partnering with six firms of all sizes to pilot and refine this innovative approach to professional onboarding.- Emerging Professional Learning Cohorts. Launching in 2026, these shorter, focused programs will zero in on the competencies today's professionals need most, including communication, leadership, adaptability, and professional judgment, while building relationships across firms, industries, and generations. Participants don't just learn about these skills; they practice them alongside peers through real conversation and collaboration. Cohorts will meet virtually for sessions that blend learning, discussion, and real-world application. Each session will feature discussion leaders from across the profession, including MACPA leaders and members, who bring diverse perspectives and practical insights to the conversations.
Why state society involvement matters
The Illinois CPA Society's report closes with a message that resonates deeply: Talent readiness is a shared responsibility. Their call echoes what we believe — that no single firm, classroom, or association can close these gaps alone. It takes all of us. It takes community.That is the heart of state societies and associations. By creating opportunities for connection, we help close not just the skills gap but the connection gap, the space where mentoring, community, and shared purpose thrive.
Engagement in state society programs also provides a safe space to practice leadership, communication, and collaboration in ways that strengthen performance back at work. For those entering from nontraditional backgrounds, this wider network accelerates understanding of how the accounting and finance ecosystem works. It builds confidence and community, and sometimes even sparks interest in pursuing the CPA license.
Looking ahead
We can't afford to let gaps in professional skills and community hold back the next generation of leaders. By investing in cohort-based learning and association engagement, we can not only develop stronger professionals but also cultivate the community that sustains and future-proofs them.
As our colleagues in Illinois remind us, collective, collaborative investment may be the surest way to build a future where readiness isn't a privilege but a shared promise. When professionals connect beyond their own organizations, they don't just grow their skills; they strengthen the profession as a whole. And as the saying goes, a rising tide raises all boats.
