Host Sam McCarthy and Matt Antine, Executive Director of Cherry Bekaert’s Staffing and Recruiting Services, dive into Cordia Resources by Cherry Bekaert’s 2026 Salary Guides. With 15 years in accounting and finance recruiting and nearly 20 years in sales, Matt shares what the latest salary data means for employers and job seekers.

The discussion covers retention challenges, salary gaps by company size and why employer branding matters. Matt offers practical advice for candidates on interviews and negotiations, plus tips for employers to streamline hiring and avoid common mistakes.

If you’re planning headcount, building compensation strategies or considering your next career move, this episode delivers actionable insights to help you stay competitive in 2026.

This episode covers:

• Key findings from the 2026 Salary Guides
• Retention and attraction trends shaping the market
• Salary gaps by company size and industry
• Employer branding and candidate experience best practices
• Negotiation strategies for job seekers

Listen now for the insights you need to hire smarter and advance your career.

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In episode 24 of Talkin’ Talent, host Sam McCarthy sits down with Mallory Planck, a seasoned talent acquisition (TA) leader, to explore the often-overlooked return of investment (ROI) of strong TA leadership. Drawing from over a decade of experience scaling recruiting functions in high-growth startups, Mallory shares how TA leaders can deliver far more than just filled roles by driving strategic value across the business.

They cover how recruiters can influence headcount planning, shape employer branding and support broader people operations. Mallory also dives into the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in recruiting and how TA professionals can stay ahead by embracing tech and data-driven storytelling.

Whether you're an executive, a TA leader, or building a TA function from scratch, this conversation offers actionable insights on how to elevate recruiting from a tactical function to a strategic growth engine.

This episode covers:

• How TA leaders thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments
• The strategic impact of recruiting beyond filling roles
• Using downtime to build long-term value in TA
• The role of influence, data and AI in shaping talent strategy
• Why startups need TA leaders who think like business partners

Listen now to uncover the real value behind a strong TA partnership.

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In Episode 23 of Talkin’ Talent, host Sam McCarthy explores the powerful dynamic between accounting/finance and human resources (HR) leadership with Nicole Peace, Chief People Officer at AIS, and Kristyn Reed, an experienced chief financial officer (CFO) at emerging and growth tech companies. Together, they unpack how collaboration between CFOs and chief human resources officer (CHROs) or chief people officers (CPOs) can drive strategic growth, improve employee engagement and align people strategies with business outcomes.

Nicole and Kristyn share candid stories from their careers, offering insights into how HR has evolved from a compliance function to a strategic partner. They discuss the importance of transparency, business acumen, and mutual respect in building a successful partnership between finance and people leaders.

Whether you're a CFO, HR leader or aspiring executive, this episode offers practical advice on fostering cross-functional collaboration and elevating the role of HR in your organization.

This episode covers:

• The evolving relationship between CFOs and CHROs/CPOs
• Why HR deserves a seat at the executive table
• How to build business acumen and credibility in HR
• Transparent budgeting and strategic workforce planning
• When HR should report directly to the CEO.

Listen now and gain actionable insights on how to strengthen the finance–HR partnership in your organization.

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