accounting influencers

how smart firms handle dei | accounting influencers

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accounting leaders face pressure to choose a path that could reshape talent pipelines and firm culture for years to come.

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

deloitte’s decision to dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion (dei) program for 173,000 u.s. employees is sending shockwaves through the accounting profession, exposing deep divisions on a global scale and forcing firm leaders to weigh politics against talent priorities.

the move—ending dei goals, disbanding related departments, eliminating annual reporting, and ordering staff to remove pronouns from email signatures—came just hours before deloitte uk issued a memo affirming its commitment to dei.

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meet your new boss: gen z | accounting influencers

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zoomers expect clarity, equity, and purpose—and they’re not afraid to walk if firms don’t deliver.

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

by 2025, one in 10 managers will be from generation z. that’s right—the so-called “lazy, entitled” group born between 1997 and 2012 is already leading teams in accounting firms. but instead of wrecking the workplace, gen z might be exactly what the profession needs to survive its crossroads.

more accounting influencers with rob brown

on accounting influencers, host rob brown explores the rise of gen z and what their entry into the accounting workforce means for leaders, firms, and the profession at large.

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the truth behind accounting’s rto push | accounting influencers

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firms blame culture and training, yet ai, real estate, and talent pressures tell a different tale.

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

the push to bring accountants back to the office is gaining momentum, echoing trends at corporate giants like jpmorgan, amazon, and meta. while firms frame return-to-office (rto) policies as a way to boost collaboration, mentorship, and culture, industry observers question whether the real motivations include cost control, talent reshaping, and even quiet workforce reductions.

in the latest episode of accounting influencers, host rob brown examines the drivers behind rto in accounting, from big four mandates to real estate obligations, and explores whether being in the office truly advances careers or simply serves firm agendas.

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why p.e. is winning the talent wars | accounting influencers

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pe-backed firms are luring top performers with faster promotions, equity stakes, and career paths that traditional firms rarely offer.

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

private equity’s influence on the accounting profession is shaking up more than firm valuations — it is rewriting the rules for attracting and retaining talent. a staggering 70% of top performers at traditional firms say they would move to a pe-backed competitor right now if given the chance, according to new industry insights.

and it’s not just about bigger paychecks. private equity firms have zeroed in on what motivates high performers — opportunity, impact, and accelerated growth — and are building career models to match.

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change=hard. obsolescence=worse. | accounting influencers

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turn disruption into opportunity and lead with confidence.

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

as disruption reshapes the accounting profession, a harsh reality is emerging: the vast majority of firms are not keeping pace. in this episode of accounting influencers, host rob brown warns that more than 70% of accountants globally are unprepared for the seismic changes sweeping through the industry, from ai and automation to evolving client expectations and a volatile talent marketplace.

“disruption isn’t coming. it’s already here,” brown says. “those who don’t make the shift in time are going to get left behind—plain and simple.”

the show explores how outdated processes, resistance to change, and lagging leadership development are putting firms at risk. leaders can no longer afford to rely solely on technical skills. today’s environment demands influence, adaptability, and a willingness to tackle uncomfortable change head-on.

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in 3 years, 1/2 of accounting leaders will be irrelevant | accounting influencers

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private equity is redefining influence, and only agile, change-ready professionals will survive.


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accounting influencers
with rob brown

in the next 36 months or so, nearly half of accounting leaders could find themselves labeled as legacy problems. that’s the stark prediction in the latest episode of accounting influencers, where host rob brown unpacks how private equity is fundamentally reshaping the rules of leadership, authority, and influence in the profession.

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as private equity (pe) firms continue to invest heavily in accounting, they’re accelerating transformation—and not everyone is keeping up. “this is not just about writing big checks,” says brown. “it’s a power shift that rewards adaptability, speed, and strategic boldness over patience and technical seniority.”

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how accounting leaders build influence without a big four resume | accounting influencers

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…and the 8 emerging leadership paths that can help you rise to the top…


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accounting influencers
with rob brown

in the world of accounting, influence is no longer the exclusive domain of big four alumni or ivy league pedigrees. each december, accounting today releases its top 100 most influential people list, highlighting leaders who shape the profession. the surprising truth behind many of these selections? over 70% started from modest beginnings, without elite credentials, but with a clear strategy for building career capital.

in a recent episode of the accounting influencers podcast, host rob brown delves into the evolving landscape of leadership in accounting. “this isn’t about popularity or vanity metrics,” brown says. “it’s about curating influence—the kind that drives innovation, fosters relevance, and moves the profession forward.”

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stay employable in the age of ai | accounting influencers

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plus, get 20 key takeaways, including life after layoffs.

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

as technology transforms the accounting profession, jobs are being redefined—or eliminated altogether. in this episode of accounting influencers, host rob brown unpacks the wave of layoffs sweeping through the big four and leading software providers and what it means for the future of accounting careers.

layoffs at pwc, ey, deloitte, kpmg, and intuit are a wake-up call. these aren’t just belt-tightening moves—they’re signs of a larger shift driven by ai and automation. pwc cut 1,500 jobs in may, ey let go of over 1,400 employees, and deloitte laid off “an unspecified number.” meanwhile, intuit laid off 1,800 employees to invest more heavily in ai.

as brown puts it: “this isn’t just about cutting costs. these firms are pivoting to hire people who can drive tech-enabled growth.” the message is clear: jobs are disappearing, but new ones are emerging—for those with the right skills.

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deal or no deal? the p.e. dilemma for cpas | accounting influencers

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leaders must decide whether to follow the money—or protect their independence.
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accounting influencers
with rob brown

in a striking shift that’s redefining the accounting profession, private equity is no longer circling—it’s landed. on a recent episode of the accounting influencers podcast, host rob brown breaks down what might be the most transformative trend facing accounting firm leaders today: the rapid influx of private equity (pe) into the industry.

“would you sell half of your accounting firm to a private equity firm for a billion dollars?” brown asks. “because some of the biggest names in our industry already have.”

and they’re not small names. baker tilly, the 10th largest u.s. accounting firm, recently sold more than 50% of its business to a private equity firm. grant thornton did the same. the motivations are clear: stay competitive, invest in technology, attract top-tier talent, and survive the pressures of a changing profession.

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huber: from noise to noteworthy | accounting influencers

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ditch bland blogs and craft content that actually converts.

 

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

in this accounting influencers episode, nick huber—former financial times journalist and expert in content strategy—calls out the elephant in the accounting marketing room: most firm content is forgettable. but it doesn’t have to be.

instead of cranking out generic updates and lifeless newsletters, huber challenges firms to rethink their approach. “content is more than a checkbox. it’s your chance to stand out, show what you know, and shape how people perceive your firm,” he says.

despite his statement, huber does offer two checklists for evaluating and producing lead-generating content.

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hannah munro: real reasons change fails | accounting influencers

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from unclear goals to digital missteps, this episode outlines what it takes to transform with confidence.

this was originally published april 19, 2025.
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accounting influencers
with rob brown

change isn’t slowing down. it’s speeding up. and according to hannah munro, that’s precisely why finance professionals can’t afford to treat transformation as a one-time event.

in this episode of accounting influencers, munro—managing director of itas solutions and host of the cfo 4.0 podcast—discusses driving successful change in accounting and finance. she dives into why so many transformation initiatives fail and outlines a smarter path forward for firms looking to adapt, evolve, and thrive.

“the pace of change is accelerating,” munro explains. “that volatility and uncertainty are forcing finance professionals to elevate their role.”

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johnston: private equity, shady vendors, and broken software | accounting influencers

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“we’ve got a real problem. and no easy fix.”

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

the accounting profession is undergoing a seismic shift—and not all of it bodes well for those who value independence, innovation, or client service. in this episode of accounting influencers, veteran tech strategist randy johnston, shareholder at k2 enterprises, reveals the hard truths behind the changing operational and technological landscape of accounting firms.

more accounting influencers with rob brown

johnston, who has advised thousands of firms across four decades, shares what he’s hearing behind closed doors at events like aicpa engage. from ai hysteria to private equity overreach, the most alarming trend is clear: “we’re seeing the erosion of what made accounting firms trusted advisors in the first place.”

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embrace the machines | accounting influencers

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forward-thinking firms transform disruption into dominance.

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accounting influencers
with rob brown

in a profession built on precision, trust, and timeless principles, a disruptive force has arrived—and it’s not just another regulation. it’s technology. automation, ai, and machine learning are redefining accounting at a rapid pace, sparking a pressing question: is technology a force for good, or the demise of accountants as we know them?

more accounting influencers with rob brown

in this episode of accounting influencers, host rob brown tackles this seismic shift head-on. with over 300,000 accountants having exited the profession since 2020—a 17% decline—brown cuts through the noise to examine whether accounting is facing an extinction event or a long-overdue evolution.

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