As KPMG’s incoming Deputy Chair and U.S. Managing Principal, Atif Zaim is taking on a high-profile leadership role at a time when public accounting firms are under pressure to deliver more value, adopt new technologies and respond to shifting client expectations. With more than three decades at the firm, Zaim is now second only to CEO Tim Walsh at the big four accounting firm that employs 36,000 people in the U.S.
In this exclusive two-part interview with CFO.com, Zaim reflects on his previous time at KPMG, how leadership is evolving and what it takes to serve CFOs and C-suites in a fast-changing environment. He also shares his perspective on the 150-hour CPA rule, motivating teams during pushback, why clarity of purpose matters and why communication with family is as important as any other leadership skill.
