Beyond the Ledger
Beyond the Ledger, hosted by Troy Ashby — President at Benchmark Search, shines a light on the people, ideas, and stories shaping today’s accounting and finance industry. Each episode features in-depth conversations with leaders, innovators, and professionals who share their journeys, insights, and strategies for success. From career growth and leadership lessons to industry trends and challenges, the podcast explores what it really takes to thrive beyond the numbers. Whether you’re an experienced professional or just starting out, Beyond the Ledger offers inspiration and practical wisdom for the road ahead.
Beyond the Ledger
Videos
From Deloitte to Startup CEO: Johnnie Akin on Risk, Faith, and Reinvention
Success today looks different—defined less by stability and more by the freedom to adapt and evolve. Professionals across industries are reimagining their careers, moving away from predictable ladders toward paths that reflect purpose and balance. What once meant climbing steadily toward partnership or promotion now often means taking bold pivots or pursuing second acts…
How Shanice Scott Reinvented Her Accounting Career — And Found Her ‘Why’
The accounting pipeline is in flux. After years of decline in new graduates, the AICPA reported that bachelor’s completions fell 7.8% in 2021–22 and master’s fell 6.4%. In Fall 2024, undergraduate accounting enrollment rebounded by about 12%, while graduate enrollment continued to dip, underscoring a profession still recalibrating its talent model. For those building or…
Building Careers, Balancing Life: A CFO’s Journey from Public Accounting to Pipeline Construction
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of accountants and auditors will grow by about 5 percent between 2024 and 2034. That growth is fueled by a combination of factors: companies facing increasingly complex regulatory requirements, an expanding economy that requires financial oversight at every level, and ongoing retirements and career shifts that…