In this engaging conversation, Kirthi Mani, Chief People Officer at CLA, shares her journey into the accounting profession, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in accounting and the need for work-life balance. She discusses the challenges facing the profession, including misconceptions about salaries and the impact of AI. Kirthi highlights the importance of independence in firms and the need to transform the accounting profession to attract new talent. The conversation concludes with reflections on finding joy in work and the future of accounting.