KPMG CEO Paul Knopp Visits Bentley to Discuss the Future of the Accounting Industry

Paul Knopp, U.S. chair and chief executive officer at KPMG, visited Bentley for a conversation about the evolving accounting profession — including certified public accounting (CPA) requirements and artificial intelligence (AI) — and the outlook for college graduates entering the field. Knopp talked with small groups of students and professors in their classrooms before joining President E. LaBrent Chrite for an on-stage discussion in the Koumantzelis Auditorium. 

“There’s no doubt that as I talk to other leaders around the world there’s been more focus lately on how we accelerate the development of interpersonal skills, soft skills, communication skills — those other skills that have become increasingly important,” said Knopp, who spoke at Bentley a day after making international news in the Financial Times as the first Big Four accounting firm CEO to call for replacing the fifth year of accounting education with an apprenticeship. The number of U.S. accounting undergraduates has dropped to its lowest level in 15 years, and the number of people taking the CPA exam has fallen as graduates opt for high-paying jobs in financial services, tech and other industries. 

Knopp told the audience of students, faculty and staff that the accounting industry needs to tell its story more clearly and work on “glamorizing” the field to attract more young accountants. “At the end of the day, what we do is impactful to society,” he said. “If the way to build more success is to become a better storyteller as a profession, we need to do better at that.” 

Knopp spoke with President Chrite as part of the President’s Speaker Series, which brings influential and high-profile business leaders to campus so students, faculty and staff can learn from their experiences and insights. Past speakers have included Rich Gotham, president of the Boston Celtics, and Edward Dugger III, CEO and president of Reinventure Capital. 

During the discussion, Knopp emphasized the importance of listening and lifelong learning, no matter one’s role in an organization. “Growth mindset is more than just about growing your technical capabilities,” he said. “It’s growing your digital capabilities, your interpersonal capabilities, your relationships, your knowledge about a diverse world that still is highly reliant upon connections between economies.” 

While AI will require technical knowledge, Knopp said a human-centric approach will be needed to responsibly harness its power and potential. “We look at it as the merging of human intelligence with artificial intelligence to produce better outcomes, more valuable information and amazing results,” he said. 

A first-generation college student, Knopp shared personal insights about his career path from CPA to CEO, including his evolution as a public speaker. He said it took him a long time to “get comfortable feeling uncomfortable” in his career, adding that it’s OK to keep working on those skills well after college graduation. 

After more than four decades at KPMG, Knopp said he has a very positive view of the youngest members of today’s workforce. “The great thing about Generation Z,” he said, “is that you’re willing to speak your mind. And I would encourage you to continue doing so.” 

KPMG Chair and CEO Paul Knopp spoke with small groups of students and professors in their classrooms and after his talk in the Koumantzelis Auditorium.