Accounting Influencers

This episode features a panel discussion on the challenges and future of the accounting profession. Panelists include Ed Kless, Michael Turner (Validis), Steve Cox (IRIS), and Dan McMahon (Integrated Growth Advisors). They delve into issues like the billable hour model, talent shortages, resistance to change, the role of technology like AI, client advisory services, private equity's impact, and more. The conversation offers insightful perspectives on where accounting is stuck and what kind of transformation is needed.Panelists:- Ed Kless, Former Senior Director of Partner Development and Strategy at Sage- Michael Turner, CEO of Validis- Steve Cox, Business Intelligence Director at IRIS - Dan McMahon, Management Consultant at Integrated Growth AdvisorsKey Topics:- The billable hour as the "cancer" holding back accounting- Need to transition to selling knowledge/value instead of time- Talent shortage and struggles to attract newcomers - Importance of purpose, values, and accountability for great firms- Role o

Rob Brown discusses the future of accounting with special guests Davis Bell, Geni Whitehouse, Geoffrey Brown and Jason Blumer. The panel provides insights into the key challenges and opportunities facing accountants, from talent retention and technology adoption to redefining the role of the modern accountant.The conversation delves into the accounting profession's image problem, with the panel highlighting the need to better communicate the diverse career paths and meaningful work available to aspiring accountants. They also explore the shifts in firm ownership models, the rise of entrepreneurial mindsets, and the importance of accountants embracing a more advisory and future-focused role.The guests share their predictions for the profession, including the changing talent pool, the commoditization of certain services, and the critical need for firms to integrate technology and business analysis skills. Overall, the episode paints a picture of an industry in flux, but one that holds immense potential for thos

Jeff Seibert is the co-founder and CEO of Digits, a modern accounting platform. Jeff and Rob delve into the impact of AI on the accounting profession, exploring its potential to revolutionize the industry while also addressing concerns and misconceptions surrounding this emerging technology.Jeff explains the fundamental concepts of machine learning and artificial intelligence in layman's terms, emphasizing that AI is not aimed at replacing accountants but rather augmenting their capabilities and freeing them from tedious tasks. He discusses the two main branches of machine learning – generative models like ChatGPT and predictive models – and how Digits is leveraging the latter to automate bookkeeping with an 87% accuracy rate.The conversation also touches on the importance of data security, collaborative finance, real-time accounting, and the need for accountants to embrace technology to stay relevant and competitive. Jeff's message is one of hope, encouraging accountants to experiment with AI and adopt these

This engaging panel discussion explored the rapidly evolving landscape of the accounting profession, addressing the challenges, opportunities, and pivotal factors shaping its future. The panelists delved into topics such as technological disruption, changing workforce dynamics, the erosion of public trust, and the critical skills and mindsets required for accountants to stay relevant and indispensable in an era of unprecedented change.The conversation highlighted the shared responsibility among various stakeholders, including individuals, firms, professional bodies, and technology providers, to drive the profession forward and maintain its ethical integrity. The panelists emphasized the importance of continuous learning, specialization, problem-solving, agility, and client-centricity as key competencies for accountants to cultivate in this transformative period.Important Takeaways:Continuous learning, specialization, and the ability to adapt to rapid change are essential for accounting professionals to stay r

This is an insightful discussion on the future of the accounting profession, featuring an esteemed panel of accounting industry leaders and experts - Gary Boomer, Val Steed, Sarah Beale, and Bob Lewis. They delve into the current state of accounting, the need for change, potential threats like AI and automation, the importance of rebranding and improving the profession's perception, the relevance of accounting qualifications, predictions for the profession's future, and more. The panel acknowledges that while accounting has historically been stable, it's currently facing the most profound changes from all angles - economic shifts, regulatory uncertainties, technological disruptions like AI, and a severe talent shortage. They emphasize that to remain relevant, the profession must adapt, innovate, improve processes, diversify talent, focus on advisory services, leverage technology intelligently, and most importantly, change its perception among the youth to attract the required talent.Key Takeaways:- The accoun

Rob Brown and Jeremy Clopton discuss work-life balance and productivity in the accounting profession. Jeremy, a thought leader in the industry, shares his candid views on why traditional work-life balance is a flawed concept and offers a fresh perspective on prioritizing life over work. He emphasizes the importance of defining personal success, setting boundaries, and identifying the right work to focus on rather than falling into the hustle culture trap of merely doing more.Jeremy's wisdom challenges the notion that more hours equate to greater productivity and encourages professionals to shift their mindset towards quality over quantity. He provides practical tips for leaders and individuals alike to recalibrate their priorities, acknowledge their contributions to the current situation, and make meaningful changes to improve their work-life harmony.Key Takeaways:Traditional "work-life balance" is a broken concept; it should be viewed as an action verb, "balancing life and work," not a destination.Prioritize

In this panel discussion, host Rob Brown brings together knowledgeable guests from the accounting industry to discuss the current state of the profession, the challenges and threats it faces, and make bold predictions about the future of accounting. The panelists include Jeff Gramlich (Managing Director, Validus), Pat Morrell (Co-Founder, iWin), Hitender Patil (Director, Datamatics Business Solutions), Doug Lewis (Director, The Visionary Group), and the host Rob Brown.The conversation covers various topics, such as the impact of technology, artificial intelligence (AI), outsourcing, private equity investments, talent acquisition, and the evolving role of accountants. The panelists share their insights and expertise, offering diverse perspectives on the industry's transformation and the changes firms must embrace to remain competitive and future-ready.Key Takeaways:Accounting firms are currently in good financial shape, with many experiencing strong growth and profitability.However, firms face significant chal

This engaging roundtable discussion explores the future of the accounting profession from multiple perspectives. Host Rob Brown is joined by Gary Shamis, Lexy Kessler, Roger Knecht and Calvin Harris to debate whether accountants need to change, examine threats and challenges facing the field, discuss making accounting an attractive career choice, and share bold predictions.The panel acknowledges accounting is in flux, with technology, staffing shortages, and an increasingly transactional approach reshaping the profession. However, they see tremendous opportunity amid this disruption for those willing to adapt. Private equity investment, offshoring, and new firm models are expected, as well as a continued push to redefine accounting's relevance and enhance the pipeline of emerging talent.Key Takeaways:The accounting profession is becoming more transactional and less relationship-oriented due to staffing constraints.Poor starting salaries compared to the significant educational investment required is a major th

Discover how Bob Lewis shapes CPA firm futures with M&A, advisory services and growth tactics. Essential listening for accountants and CPAsIn this episode, host Rob Brown interviews Bob Lewis, CEO of The Vision Group, about major disruptions happening in the accounting industry.They discuss the key inflection points causing disruption such as aging partners, workforce shortages, emerging technologies, and private equity investments. Bob explains the importance of recognizing these disruptions and taking proactive steps to get "disruption ready".He shares insights on managing people, improving firm profitability, preparing for leadership transitions, and rethinking service offerings to meet evolving client needs.Key Takeaways:Aging partners, workforce shortages, and emerging technologies are disrupting accounting firms, requiring changes in strategy.Firms must invest in technology, people, and new service offerings to stay competitive. Lack of investment reduces profitability.Metrics like revenue per profe

Jim Bourke is a thought leader in the accounting profession. Jim and host, Rob Brown, extensively discuss the impact of private equity investments and rapidly evolving technology on the accounting landscape.Bourke emphasizes the substantial changes brought about by private equity, altering traditional norms of firm acquisitions and augmenting profitability. He also underscores how technology, particularly artificial intelligence and machine learning, is reshaping the profession.He talks about the demographic shift witnessed in the field with younger, tech-savvy professionals driving change. Additionally, the conversation touches upon the challenges and opportunities faced by firms contemplating mergers and acquisitions.Bourke offers valuable advice for both junior and senior professionals in the accounting industry to stay relevant and thrive in the face of these sweeping transformations.Key Takeaways➯Private equity has permanently changed the accounting profession, affecting acquisitions, firm structure, and

Rob Brown interviews Katie Thomas, a podcasting expert, about the benefits of podcasting for accountants and finance professionals. Katie makes a compelling case for why podcasting is worth the investment of time and resources, even in a crowded space with over 5 million active podcasts.Katie explains how podcasting helps build relationships and trust with both existing and prospective clients. It establishes you as an expert in your niche and gives you a platform to share valuable insights. Podcasting also generates content that can be repurposed across social media, your website, and other marketing channels.Katie also offers practical tips for getting started, like batch recording episodes in advance for busy seasons and working with a professional agency so you only have to focus on the recording.Key Takeaways:➯ Podcasting builds trust and relationships with your audience.➯ It establishes you as an expert in your niche.➯ A podcast spearheads content that can be repurposed across channels.➯ You don't need

Rob Brown interviews Geni Whitehouse, an accountant turned speaker, author, and trainer who helps CPAs make the transition from compliance work to becoming trusted advisors for their clients.They discuss why technology hasn't replaced accountants, the importance of communication skills for advisors, asking insightful questions, and overcoming the resistance many accountants have to expanding their services.Geni emphasizes that the future of the accounting profession depends on building deeper relationships with clients by uncovering their goals and turning financial data into meaningful insights.Key Takeaways:Technology like AI will augment the work of accountants, not replace them. Accountants will be freed up to focus on more strategic insights.Communication skills, especially listening, are critical for advisors. Asking thoughtful questions is key to understanding client needs.Advisors don't impose solutions. They collaborate with clients to develop custom strategies based on their goals.Accountants have i

In this insightful conversation, Nicolas Boucher shares his perspective on how artificial intelligence (AI) and tools like ChatGPT are transforming the accounting and finance functions. He emphasizes that AI will not make these roles obsolete but rather enable professionals to focus on more strategic and value-adding activities. Boucher highlights the importance of embracing technology, learning coding (e.g., Python), and developing communication skills to effectively translate financial insights to non-finance stakeholders.Key Takeaways:AI and ChatGPT can significantly increase productivity and automation, allowing finance professionals to spend more time on analysis and strategic decision-making.Learning coding languages like Python and leveraging ChatGPT's capabilities can automate mundane tasks and enable more effective data analysis.Communication skills are crucial for finance professionals to effectively translate financial data and insights to non-finance stakeholders and decision-makers.Embracing AI a

Marketing expert Jo Edwards brings 35 years of experience to the topic of personal branding for accountants and CPAs in creating industry rockstars in accounting.Jo shares why building a strong personal brand is critical for standing out and attracting high-quality clients in a competitive marketplace.Rob and Jo discuss how to build an authentic brand aligned with your interests, the power of microniche expertise, and how to measure your brand's progress.Jo emphasizes being intentional about developing your brand and using tools like content creation and public speaking to raise your profile. She offers advice for overcoming introversion and making time for branding activities.Jo argues that amplifying your personal brand is essential for commanding premium fees, generating referrals, fast-tracking your career, and achieving influence in your firm.Key Takeaways:The "three R's" of personal branding are recognition, reputation, and respect. A strong brand helps you get "paid" through attention, high fees, and r

Steve Cox, Director of Business Intelligence @ IRIS Software Group, shares what works for accountants and CPAs during and post busy tax seasons.Rob and Steve discuss the international prevalence of busy seasons, and the impact it has on accountants in terms of long hours, stress and mental health.Steve provides advice for accountants on how to get through busy season and how to reflect afterwards on what went well and what could improve. He emphasizes the importance of long-term planning and strategy, reviewing your client list, and looking at processes and workflows.Steve also discusses the role of software vendors in supporting accountants during busy season. He predicts that busy season will continue but technology and benchmarking can help smooth out the cycles.Key Takeaways:Busy season is an international phenomenon, with accountants worldwide facing intense workloads leading up to tax deadlines.Busy season takes a toll on accountants through sleep deprivation, stress, and negative impacts on health and

Welcome to the Accounting Influencers Podcast, dropping every Monday to 40,000 accounting professionals, finance specialists, software vendors, tech providers and influencers across 150 countries in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space. To participate in our international virtual speed networking events for the accounting community, go to https://accountinginfluencers.com/events and book your place at the next gathering. Great to build your personal brand and make valuable industry connections.For today's show "Ken Schmitt, Founder of TurningPoint Executive Search and 'The Practical Optimist' author, discusses practical optimism tools for accountants in tough times."In this inspiring episode, host Rob Brown interviews author and executive recruiter Ken Schmitt about cultivating practical optimism. They discuss how leaders can create engaged, empowered teams by trusting employees and giving them autonomy. Schmitt emphasizes taking "baby steps" to make changes sustainable, whether it's becoming more

"CEO Richard Kopelman unveils Aprio's massive expansion, secret projects and shares invaluable CPA advice for global accounting success."Richard Kopelman, CEO and Managing Partner of accounting firm Aprio, shares his personal philosophy of staying positive and never giving up, the importance of having a well-written strategic plan, and his vision to have truly global accounting firms.Kopelman shares how staying positive and persistent has been key to leading Aprio's tremendous growth from $70 million to $450 million in revenue. He emphasizes the importance of having a well-defined strategic plan and sticking to it, even though growth is never a straight line. Kopelman also provides insight into transitioning accounting firms beyond traditional partnership structures into more corporate models in order to scale. His vision is to have truly global accounting firms without restrictions. Throughout the discussion, Kopelman's passion for the profession and commitment to seizing opportunities comes

"Explore the success journey of Aprio, a Top 30 US Accounting Firm, with CEO Richard Kopelman. Gain insights from overseeing 25+ strategic mergers & acquisitions."Richard Kopelman, CEO and Managing Partner of Aprio, discusses the exciting transformation and rebranding of HA&W into a global business advisory and accounting firm.He explores the high demand for accounting services due to changes in business, regulatory requirements, and technology. A key challenge for accounting firms, according to Kopelman, often lies in mindset, with many professionals needing to shift from a risk-averse outlook to a more positive, entrepreneurial one.He highlights the importance of an inclusive, growing, and nurturing work culture and leveraging technology for business operations, emphasizing the crucial role of data. He shares the hiring strategies of Aprio and discusses the future of the accounting sector, expressing a keen interest in the endless opportunities that constant change brings.◣━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━◢The A

Jennifer Warawa is a trailblazer in the accounting world. She's the North American president of a leading firm, a self-made entrepreneur, and even a foster parent. However, her standout achievement isn't just financial—it's a remarkable employee net promoter score (NPS) above 60. Her workplace thrives on purpose, passion, and even a few laughs, like the notorious beanbag chair mishap. Learn how to build a company culture where employees are genuinely happy and engaged.Dive into the world of digital transformation in accounting firms. Jennifer reflects on a stagnant decade-long conversation. While some firms embrace tech, others lag, widening the gap. Discover why change is crucial for future success and explore the clash between fast-paced tech and the traditional accounting profession. Accountants must offer more value by focusing on higher-level tasks. Discover which firms will thrive and how to attract and retain talent.Why resist change? Comfort with the status quo or thinking clients are content might be

The Art of Saying No & Other Productivity Strategies with Mark FritzMark Fritz focuses on the vital topic of saying no and setting boundaries. Mark highlights the significance of being assertive and maintaining focus to say no to various demands and requests effectively. He emphasises the value of listening and understanding the perspective of others when communicating a refusal. Mark also discusses the challenges busy professionals face, particularly accountants, who often feel overwhelmed by the multitude of tasks and responsibilities they have to handle.He shares his observations on the current era of information overload and the need for individuals to prioritise and do less to achieve more. Mark suggests learning from other sectors can provide valuable insights and strategies for managing workload and avoiding burnout. The episode further delves into the psychological factors behind saying no, such as fear of disappointing others, fear of missing out (FOMO), and the pressure to fit in or be seen as a