accounting influencers

the profession’s future amid talent gaps, tech disruption, and evolving business models | accounting influencers

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global accounting leaders call for mindset shifts, better storytelling, and a redefined brand.

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

in this edition of accounting influencers, four of the profession’s most prominent voices gather for a candid discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing the accounting world. from evolving business models to deep talent shortages, the conversation explores how firms must adapt—or risk irrelevance.

the panel includes randy johnston, co-founder of k2 enterprises and a long-time tech strategist for cpas; trevor greenway, ceo of interval, a software firm helping accountants uncover real-time advisory opportunities; harry blum, managing partner at rsm canada; and jennifer o’carroll, ceo of erp vendor hansaworld and former tax advisor.

“the knowledge is there,” says greenway. “the question is—do firms have the people and bandwidth to act on it?” he warns that while accountants understand the changes required—like the shift to advisory services and the adoption of ai—the labor shortage is the primary obstacle.

blum agrees, calling today’s environment “an experiment in change management,” where firms have never had more opportunity but also never faced more complexity. “the mindset shift needed to transform is the biggest challenge,” he says.

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okorie ramsey: diversity’s about building bigger tables | accounting influencers

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“…not just filling seats.”
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accounting influencers
with rob brown

as past chair of aicpa and cima, okorie ramsey represented nearly 700,000 members worldwide. but in his view, leadership isn’t about wielding power—it’s about partnership, innovation, and service to the public.

in a wide-ranging conversation on the accounting influencers podcast, ramsey reflects on his tenure, the profession’s most significant challenges, and what excites him most about the future.

“it’s a huge role,” ramsey says, “but it’s also a wonderful opportunity.”
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expert panel: the year of the advisor is here | accounting influencers

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“your top clients are your competitors’ top prospects. are you showing up as their trusted advisor?”
sponsored by “radical pricing: optimize profits, delight clients, and build a top-value firm,” by jody padar, cpa  – see today’s special offer

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

how well-equipped is the accounting profession to handle rapid technological advancements and a changing workforce? are firms ready to embrace the future or stuck in outdated models?

rob brown hosts an expert panel featuring angie grissom, co-owner of the rainmaker companies; itamar jobani, ceo of payem; todd robinson, director of practice engagement at woodard; and james hickey, chief “cat herder” at herding cats; to discuss the future of the accounting profession. the conversation explores critical challenges facing accountants today, such as adapting to technological changes, ai integration, talent retention, and shifting towards a more advisory-based role. the panel shares their unique insights on how firms must navigate cultural shifts, embrace leadership, and rethink their traditional business models to stay competitive.
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hannah munro: why 70% of transformation projects fail | accounting influencers

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“a bad process is a bad process, whether a person or a piece of technology is doing it.”

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

change is inevitable, but learning to navigate transformation effectively is the key to long-term success for finance and accounting professionals. in this part two of the accounting influencers podcast with hannah munro, the change expert shares her insights on how firms and finance leaders can embrace change and drive it forward to enhance efficiency, adaptability, and business impact.

“what’s also very interesting is that change is getting faster,” says munro, managing director at itas solutions and host of the cfo 4.0 podcast. “the pace of change is accelerating, and that volatility and uncertainty are driving the need for finance professionals to step up and elevate their role.”

munro emphasizes that transformation is not a one-time event but a journey. “if you feel like it’s something short term that you’re going to suffer through and then never have to change again, you are probably living in the wrong century.”

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hannah munro: leading change in vuca | accounting influencers

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“if you think change is hard, try not changing and see what happens.”

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by rory henry  – see today’s special offer

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

in part one of this accounting influencers podcast, special guest hannah munro, managing director of transformation consultancy with itas and host of the cfo 4.0 podcast, joins the conversation to unpack the realities of change and transformation in today’s volatile world.

munro makes one thing clear: change is no longer a future event to plan for—it is the present reality.

“transformation is a journey, not a one-step process,” munro says. “it’s about becoming comfortable in that vuca environment—volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous—and building a skill set to navigate it.”

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john fenton: unlock leadership gold | accounting influencers

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sought-after coach shares key philosophy and four daily rituals for effective leadership.

sponsored by “max: maximize productivity, profitability and client retention” by august j. aquila  – see today’s special offer

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

leadership is a journey that starts within.

in the latest episode of accounting influencers, john fenton, a former managing partner at bdo usa and a seasoned leadership consultant, discusses what it truly takes to lead in today’s complex professional environment. known as the “ceo sensei,” fenton brings a unique blend of corporate leadership, athletic experience, and martial arts mastery to his philosophy on leadership.

fenton’s insights go far beyond traditional management techniques, diving into the inner game of leadership, mindset, and self-awareness. as he puts it, “everything starts with you as a leader—the mindset you convey shapes your team.”

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jim bourke: keep your edge | accounting influencers

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“embrace change and keep filling your tool belt with the best technology out there.”

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

jim bourke, a recognized leader in accounting technology and a partner at withum, shares his insights on the rapid transformation of the accounting profession in a recent episode of the accounting influencers podcast. with decades of experience advising firms on technology adoption, bourke discusses how artificial intelligence (ai), cloud computing, and regulatory changes are shaping the industry.

“the excitement around technology today is off the charts,” bourke states, highlighting how innovations like chatgpt have reignited enthusiasm for ai in accounting. just a year ago, ai was barely mentioned at major industry conferences. now, it is at the forefront of discussions as firms evaluate how automation can streamline audits, tax preparation, and client advisory services.

“ai is not here to take the accountant’s job away,” he clarifies. “it will allow them to focus on what they were trained to do—interpret results and advise clients—while letting the machines handle repetitive tasks.”

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brian hock: qualifications matter more than ever | accounting influencers

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“it’s a five-year degree for accounting versus four years for finance, and finance graduates often earn more.”

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

brian hock, founder of hock international, argues that accounting certifications and qualifications are more important than ever in an era of automation and artificial intelligence.

hock says the rapid shift in accounting standards is spawning a host of new specialty skills, including data analytics, cybersecurity, and automation.

“when i took the cpa exam almost 30 years ago, it was paper-and-pencil,” hock recalls. “now, technology is embedded in every aspect of accounting.”

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randy johnston: ai opportunities and risks | accounting influencers

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adopting these tools will define future success.

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

randy johnston, a pioneer in fintech and technology for accounting, shares his insights on the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence by diving deep into its history and future potential. johnston traces ai’s roots back to alan turing’s groundbreaking work in the 1950s and walks listeners through decades of milestones, from the first neural networks to openai’s chatgpt.

highlighting the shift to generative ai, johnston explains how tools like chatgpt leverage vast datasets through large language models (llms) to deliver advanced, nuanced responses. “ai isn’t prescient or conscious,” johnston clarified, “but it’s a significant leap forward in what machines can do.”

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expert panel: are you risking obsolescence? | accounting influencers

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innovation, ai, and next-gen leaders must successfully adapt to constantly changing landscapes.

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

industry leaders bobby lane, ceo of factotum; tony szczepaniak, ceo of lea global; randy wootton, ceo of maxio; and rick richardson, ceo & founder of richardson media & technologies, probe the state of accounting, the biggest threats facing the profession, and the opportunities ahead.

szczepaniak sees hope in the pressing issue of talent shortages, noting that regulatory bodies are exploring new ways to accelerate certifications and attract non-traditional candidates. he acknowledges that while some firms are innovating, others remain stagnant. “the firms that can clearly articulate their value proposition and adapt to strategic conversations internally will thrive,” he asserts.

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nick huber: strategic marketing requires elevated content | accounting influencers

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“have fun. make it accurate, clear, and interesting.”

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

on this episode of accounting influencers, nick huber, a journalist and content strategist, explores how accounting firms can transform their content into a powerful tool for growth. known for his work with the financial times and expertise in thought leadership, huber shares actionable strategies to help firms navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape.

huber emphasizes that content creation is more than a marketing task—it’s an opportunity to showcase authority and build trust. from blogs to white papers, he stresses the importance of creating material that is clear, engaging, and relevant.

“thought leadership, done well, isn’t just about promoting your firm,” huber explains. “it’s also about building your personal profile and advancing your career.”

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mark fritz: leadership lessons for today | accounting influencers

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“you don’t get to choose the leader you need to be. your people tell you who you need to be to get the best out of them.”

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

leadership is in the spotlight like never before. in a recent episode of the accounting influencers podcast, global leadership expert mark fritz shares his insights on how leaders can navigate today’s complex environment. fritz emphasizes that the core principles of leadership remain timeless, but their application must adapt to the rapidly changing demands of the modern world.

drawing from his early career implementing enterprise systems globally, fritz highlights how his international experience shaped his understanding of business operations and leadership dynamics. “the principles of leadership are universal,” he explains. “but the key is adapting them to the specific needs of your people.”

fritz underscores that effective leaders must evolve based on the situation. “your people tell you who you need to be to get the best out of them,” he notes, stressing the importance of flexibility and understanding diverse team dynamics.

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jean caragher: fire clients who don’t fit | accounting influencers

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removing clients isn’t just about profitability—it’s a firm-wide morale booster.

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

with over 35 years of industry experience, jean caragher has witnessed the profession’s transformation, noting that marketing roles in accounting firms are now more strategic and influential than ever.

caragher describes her work at capstone marketing, where she serves as a fractional chief marketing officer for firms specializing in branding, content marketing, pricing, and client satisfaction strategies. “the foundation of marketing remains the same,” she explains, “but today, we have a wealth of digital tools and data to enhance how firms promote themselves.”

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