In this episode of the SALTovation podcast, Judy Vorndran focuses on the current challenges facing the accounting profession, particularly the shrinking pipeline of accountants. Judy highlights how the SALT field offers a dynamic and intellectually stimulating career path. She also discusses the various career trajectories within the field, from litigation to compliance to technology implementation, each presenting unique challenges and opportunities.

*The number of taxing jurisdictions in the U.S. is hard to capture at any one point since it is a moving target. As of June 2024, by some counts, there were over 13,000 taxing jurisdictions combined from 45 states and the District of Columbia, which have a general sales tax, and 38 states with local sales taxes.*

Key Takeaways:

• Multifaceted Nature of SALT: The interplay between legal analysis and compliance makes the SALT profession both challenging and rewarding.
• Diverse Career Paths: Opportunities within SALT extend beyond traditional roles, encompassing litigation, technology, and international tax issues, among others.
• Intellectual Engagement: The logical and strategic aspects of tax law require creativity and decisiveness, making it an engaging field for problem solvers.
• Educational Gaps: There's an ongoing need for more focused SALT education in accounting and law programs, despite its pervasive impact on everyday life.
• Practical Impact: Knowledge in SALT is crucial given its daily impact, from sales tax to property tax, underlining the importance of skilled professionals in the field.

Quotables

• "As a CPA, you read the laws and you learn to apply them. That makes you a big part of America.” -Judy Vorndran [06:51]
• "Every single day we are all impacted by state and local taxes, our property taxes on our housing, our sales taxes on our food, our mobile telephone, our WiFi, and our electricity bill. There is tax all over the place in America and we just don't even see the bite-sized pieces it takes out of our pie.” -Judy Vorndran [09:30]

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