grow leaders to transform accounting

letter blocks flip between the words "lead" and "learn"

create a culture where leadership can be learned and practiced.

by donny c. shimamoto

series note: this article is part of a series of articles inspired by “joy, inc.”, written by richard sheridan, cofounder and ceo of menlo innovations. while his book is about the software industry, there are many direct analogies applicable to the accounting profession. we must #transformaccounting and bring joy back into the work we do to sustainably address our profession’s people crisis.

when we talk about leadership in accounting, we often think about the partners in accounting firms, the controller or cfo of a finance department, or the chief audit executive of an internal audit department. we also talk about “young leaders” or “emerging leaders” when referring to those we think have “leadership potential” and could aspire to the positions described above.

more: transform accounting by fighting fear and embracing changetear down towers of knowledge to transform accounting
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however, i have always held the belief that everyone in an organization can be a leader, and we need to equip people within our organizations to lead when an appropriate situation arises. part of empowering employees is enabling them to take action or make a decision, even when “the leader” isn’t present. the organization’s values, policies and culture should help employees make the right decisions – or know who to escalate an issue to make the decision. what we don’t want is total inaction.
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student turns tables on thought leaders | arc

in a special episode, student arpan grewal asks questions future cpas and business leaders need answered.

 

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accounting arc
with liz mason, byron patrick, and donny shimamoto
introducing special guest arpan grewal
center for accounting transformation

in an episode that flips the script, accounting arc  features a fresh voice in business: arpan grewal, a high school junior and state officer for indiana business professionals of america. in this inaugural episode of arc: student-led conversations, grewal takes on the role of interviewer, leading a discussion with donny shimamoto, cpa.citp, cgma; liz mason, cpa; and byron patrick, cpa.citp, cgma—three industry leaders with diverse career paths in accounting. 

more arc: analysis, reaction, comedy

 

more accounting arc: how coaching can unlock professional successdemystifying accounting governancetop 10 red flags to watch for in accounting offices | jeremy dubow: private equity as a catalyst for growth | break the burnout cycle in accountingaccounting in transition: 2024 reflections & the road ahead | ron baker: visions for the accounting professionangie grissom: next gen inspo for accountantsdoes accounting belong in stem?rose wang: where numbers meet strategy and creativitytiktok fraud exposes gaps in financial literacy | how accounting pros own the stage in public speaking | greg kyte: being a cpa is like being the marie kondo of numbersrachel bashore: a lawyer’s case for reinventing accounting | beyond the basics in ethics eduction | bailey lenart: from ledger sheets to transformational change

grewal comes prepared with questions that high school and college students often ask when considering careers in business. the conversation covers the realities of the profession, the importance of career flexibility, and why accounting is anything but boring. 

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stefan van duyvendijk: develop operational mindset | the disruptors

don’t just check the boxes. provide benefits.

sponsored by holistic guide to wealth retention, by rory henry – see today’s special offer
this is a preview. the complete 1-hour video episode, with commentary and transcript, is first available exclusively to pro members | go pro here

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the disruptors
with liz farr

stefan van duyvendijk, accounting operations evangelist at floqast, wants accountants in the industry to expand their roles.

in addition to the vital role of providing the basic requirements of accounting, he wants them to develop an operational mindset, as described in the book van duyvendijk co-authored with mike whitmire, ceo of floqast: shift happens: the rise of the operational mindset and how controllers can drive real value. liz farr served as a developmental editor.

more podcasts and videos: steve evans: why traditional hiring methods fail | roger knecht: can you be an accountrepreneur?beth whitworth: focus on outcomes not hours | mike sylvester: learn to say nosalim omar: identify your client’s $100,000 problem | jackie meyer: earn more with fewer clients | jack fleherty: don’t be a ‘yes’ person | greg adams: from finance to storytelling | the disruptors | jody padar: make radical changes now if you want to be relevant in 2030 | rebecca driscoll: amplify reach by helping other firm owners | rory henry: create the return on relationshipsmike maksymiw: be the leader you wish you hadterrell turner: build a solid business showing up as yourselfkelly mann: be the bull in the china shopalicia katz pollock: create a human-centric businessnancy mcclelland: be the one your clients ask first |alan whitman: stop accepting the status quo | sean duncan: discover your own genius | ingrid edstrom: true wealth is not financial |

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the operational mindset isn’t just about “making sure we make the product, and we move the product, and we get it to people,” but it means taking the discipline accountants already have for optimizing accounting processes and taking that and applying it to our work and saying, i’m going to track what i do in work. i’m going to measure what i do and work objectively so that i can go in and improve it and change it,’ van duyvendijk explains.  

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transform accounting by fighting fear and embracing change

smiling man facing camera while seated at table with four colleagues behind him

focus on actual risks, not artificial fear.

by donny c. shimamoto

series note: this article is part of a series of articles inspired by “joy, inc.”, written by richard sheridan, cofounder and ceo of menlo innovations. while his book is about the software industry, there are many direct analogies applicable to the accounting profession. we must #transformaccounting and bring joy back into the work we do to sustainably address our profession’s people crisis.

“fear is one of the biggest killers of joy,” says richard sheridan. this is viewed as so important by sheridan that he dedicates an entire chapter in his book to explaining why we must fight fear and embrace change. that’s how important these concepts are to create joy in a company.

more: tear down towers of knowledge to transform accounting
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

 

accountants are often stereotyped as being afraid of change and behind the times, and even as killers of joy. but i will contend that we are ahead of many of the other major professions like doctors, lawyers and teachers. people also often stereotype our work as boring and mundane – not work that would bring joy to people. but all of us who have had successful careers as accountants, and other professionals who are a part of the accounting profession, know that we do very meaningful work that helps people prosper and communities thrive. we help bring joy to people’s lives.
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doug slaybaugh: coaching unlocks professional success | arc

coaching isn’t about fixing people—it’s about helping them unlock their full potential.” 

sponsored by 
holistic guide to wealth retention, by rory henry  
see today’s special offer

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accounting arc
with donny shimamoto
center for accounting transformation

for many accountants, career progression follows a predictable path—graduate, gain experience, and work toward a leadership role. however, as the industry transforms, many cpas find themselves seeking something beyond technical expertise: personal growth, leadership skills, and work-life integration. 

that’s where doug slaybaugh, cpa (a.k.a., the cpa coach), comes in.

more arc: analysis, reaction, comedy

 

more accounting arc: demystifying accounting governancetop 10 red flags to watch for in accounting offices | jeremy dubow: private equity as a catalyst for growth | break the burnout cycle in accountingaccounting in transition: 2024 reflections & the road ahead | ron baker: visions for the accounting professionangie grissom: next gen inspo for accountantsdoes accounting belong in stem?rose wang: where numbers meet strategy and creativitytiktok fraud exposes gaps in financial literacy | how accounting pros own the stage in public speaking | greg kyte: being a cpa is like being the marie kondo of numbersrachel bashore: a lawyer’s case for reinventing accounting | beyond the basics in ethics eduction | bailey lenart: from ledger sheets to transformational change

a former big four auditor and regional firm partner, slaybaugh now dedicates his career to helping accountants thrive through professional coaching. 

slaybaugh’s journey into coaching wasn’t a straight line. after spending years in public accounting, rising through the ranks at arthur andersen and later price waterhouse, he realized his passion wasn’t just in financial statements—it was in people. 

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steve evans: why traditional hiring methods fail | the disruptors

redefine how you hire and develop top accounting talent.

this is a preview. the complete 1-hour video episode, with commentary and transcript, is first available exclusively to pro members | go pro here

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the disruptors
with liz farr

in 2012, steve evans’ friend giles pearson, a big four accountant in new zealand, needed help. pwc kept making the same hiring mistakes because they had no way to assess a candidate’s technical accounting skills. steve, an expert in psychometric testing, thought it might take half a day to scour the marketplace for appropriate tests but found nothing useful.   

more podcasts and videos: roger knecht: can you be an accountrepreneur?beth whitworth: focus on outcomes not hours | mike sylvester: learn to say nosalim omar: identify your client’s $100,000 problem | jackie meyer: earn more with fewer clients | jack fleherty: don’t be a ‘yes’ person | greg adams: from finance to storytelling | the disruptors | jody padar: make radical changes now if you want to be relevant in 2030 | rebecca driscoll: amplify reach by helping other firm owners | rory henry: create the return on relationshipsmike maksymiw: be the leader you wish you hadterrell turner: build a solid business showing up as yourselfkelly mann: be the bull in the china shopalicia katz pollock: create a human-centric businessnancy mcclelland: be the one your clients ask first |alan whitman: stop accepting the status quo | sean duncan: discover your own genius | ingrid edstrom: true wealth is not financial |

goprocpa.com exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

they’re all rubbish,” he recalls telling giles. they’re out of date. they’re not country-specific. they’re not really accounting-specific. they’re just math questions dressed up as an accounting test.” out of that failure, accountests was born.  

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demystifying governance | arc

from state societies to the aicpa, the hosts shed light on the collaborative ecosystem guiding cpas. 

sponsored by 
max: productivity, profitability and client retention, by august  aquila  
see today’s special offer

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accounting arc
with liz mason, byron patrick, and donny shimamoto.
center for accounting transformation

the accounting profession operates within a complex framework of governance, where state and national organizations play critical roles in shaping standards, supporting professionals, and maintaining public trust. in a recent episode of accounting arc, donny shimamoto, cpa.citp, cgma; byron patrick, cpa.citp, cgma; and liz mason, cpa, dive deep into the often misunderstood relationships between state societies, boards of accountancy, and national entities like the aicpa and nasba. their discussion offers a candid look at how these organizations work together to regulate, educate, and advocate for cpas, while highlighting the importance of participation at every level. 

more arc: analysis, reaction, comedy

 

more accounting arc: top 10 red flags to watch for in accounting offices | jeremy dubow: private equity as a catalyst for growth | break the burnout cycle in accountingaccounting in transition: 2024 reflections & the road ahead | ron baker: visions for the accounting professionangie grissom: next gen inspo for accountantsdoes accounting belong in stem?rose wang: where numbers meet strategy and creativitytiktok fraud exposes gaps in financial literacy | how accounting pros own the stage in public speaking | greg kyte: being a cpa is like being the marie kondo of numbersrachel bashore: a lawyer’s case for reinventing accounting | beyond the basics in ethics eduction | bailey lenart: from ledger sheets to transformational change | election tax plans: what cpas need to know |

“many see state societies as just cpe organizers, but they’re also advocacy powerhouses,” explains patrick, ceo of verifyiq and co-founder of tb academy, who details maryland’s proactive society. state societies also facilitate specialized communities and foster advocacy efforts on behalf of cpas. 

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roger knecht: can you be an accountrepreneur? | the disruptors

you don’t need all the answers, but you do need to ask the right questions.

this is a preview. the complete 1-hour video episode, with commentary and transcript, is first available exclusively to pro members | go pro here

subscribe to 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 podcasts anywhere: applegoogle/youtubespotifyiheartdeezer, amazon music, audibleplayer fmaudacy, rss.

the disruptors
with liz farr

about ten years ago, roger knecht, president of universal accounting, noticed that while accountants wanted to move into the advisory space, few had any idea how to make that transition. so he talked to business owners about what they’d like to see and developed a curriculum to help accountants develop those skills. “it’s game-changing,” knecht says, “because once you have the confidence as well as the competence to deliver cfo and advisory services, the world is your oyster bed.”

more podcasts and videos: beth whitworth: focus on outcomes not hours | mike sylvester: learn to say nosalim omar: identify your client’s $100,000 problem | jackie meyer: earn more with fewer clients | jack fleherty: don’t be a ‘yes’ person | greg adams: from finance to storytelling | the disruptors | jody padar: make radical changes now if you want to be relevant in 2030 | rebecca driscoll: amplify reach by helping other firm owners | rory henry: create the return on relationshipsmike maksymiw: be the leader you wish you hadterrell turner: build a solid business showing up as yourselfkelly mann: be the bull in the china shopalicia katz pollock: create a human-centric businessnancy mcclelland: be the one your clients ask first |alan whitman: stop accepting the status quo | sean duncan: discover your own genius | ingrid edstrom: true wealth is not financial |

goprocpa.com exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

as more accountants and bookkeepers move beyond compliance work into tax advising and planning, cash flow management, and cfo services, they can do work that knecht says is more fun and creative. “i think it moves the needle for our clients a lot more when we’re able to give them those insights and perspectives to run their businesses more profitably,” knecht says.

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top 10 red flags to watch for in accounting offices | arc

outdated technology, unrealistic billable hours, and “unlimited pto” among key issues discussed. 

click to subscribe anywhere: applegoogle/youtubespotifyiheartdeezer, amazon music and audibleplayer fmaudacygaana (india)boomplay (africa), or rss.

accounting arc
with liz mason, byron patrick, and donny shimamoto.
center for accounting transformation

the accounting profession is undergoing significant change, and workplace culture is at the forefront of that transformation. in a recent episode of accounting arc, industry leaders donny shimamoto, cpa.citp, cgma; byron patrick, cpa.citp, cgma; and liz mason, cpa, explore the red flags professionals should watch for in accounting firms. 

more arc: analysis, reaction, comedy

 

more accounting arc: jeremy dubow: private equity as a catalyst for growth | break the burnout cycle in accountingaccounting in transition: 2024 reflections & the road ahead | ron baker: visions for the accounting professionangie grissom: next gen inspo for accountantsdoes accounting belong in stem?rose wang: where numbers meet strategy and creativitytiktok fraud exposes gaps in financial literacy | how accounting pros own the stage in public speaking | greg kyte: being a cpa is like being the marie kondo of numbersrachel bashore: a lawyer’s case for reinventing accounting | beyond the basics in ethics eduction | bailey lenart: from ledger sheets to transformational change | election tax plans: what cpas need to know |

“a firm that isn’t leveraging modern technology is a huge warning sign,” says mason, ceo of high rock accounting. she and the other panelists agreed that firms clinging to outdated systems often fail to create efficient work environments. “automated hr processes should be a baseline by now,” adds shimamoto, founder and managing director of intraprisetechknowlogies llc and founder and inspiration architect for the center for accounting transformation. 

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beth whitworth: focus on outcomes not hours | the disruptors

stop wearing your hours worked as a badge of honor.

this is a preview. the complete 1-hour video episode, with commentary and transcript, is first available exclusively to pro members | go pro here

subscribe to 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 podcasts anywhere: applegoogle/youtubespotifyiheartdeezer, amazon music, audibleplayer fmaudacy, rss.

the disruptors
with liz farr

a few months ago, beth whitworth emailed her remaining legacy 1040 clients, informing them that they would have to move over to the subscription-based model she’s been implementing over the last few years. “i will say it’s scary,” she says. “and when i pushed the button and then sent the email, i was like, ‘oh, what’d i do?” but she quickly realized that she was doing the right thing. “this is where we need to move to.”

more podcasts and videos: mike sylvester: learn to say nosalim omar: identify your client’s $100,000 problem | jackie meyer: earn more with fewer clients | jack fleherty: don’t be a ‘yes’ person | greg adams: from finance to storytelling | the disruptors | jody padar: make radical changes now if you want to be relevant in 2030 | rebecca driscoll: amplify reach by helping other firm owners | rory henry: create the return on relationshipsmike maksymiw: be the leader you wish you hadterrell turner: build a solid business showing up as yourselfkelly mann: be the bull in the china shopalicia katz pollock: create a human-centric businessnancy mcclelland: be the one your clients ask first |alan whitman: stop accepting the status quo | sean duncan: discover your own genius | ingrid edstrom: true wealth is not financial |

goprocpa.com exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

instead of continuing to accommodate the clients who were resistant to using technology, who wanted to continue dropping off documents, and who no longer fit her business model, she decided that “it would be okay if none of them stayed.” while she did get some pushback for the increase in fees that would accompany a higher level of service, she did get some who happily responded, “sign me up!”

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jeremy dubow: private equity as a catalyst for growth | arc

ceo says private equity isn’t about cost-cutting—it’s about investing in technology and talent.

click to subscribe anywhere: applegoogle/youtubespotifyiheartdeezer, amazon music and audibleplayer fmaudacygaana (india)boomplay (africa), or rss.

accounting arc
with donny shimamoto
center for accounting transformation

the accounting profession is evolving, and if private equity is any indicator, firms like prosperity partners are leading the charge. in the latest accounting arc episode, host donny shimamoto, cpa.citp, cgma, speaks with ceo and pe-backed prosperity partners llc co-founder jeremy dubow, cpa, about the firm’s innovative approach, private equity backing, and non-traditional practices. 

more accounting arc: breaking the burnout cycle in accountingaccounting in transition: 2024 reflections & the road ahead | ron baker: visions for the accounting professionangie grissom: next gen inspo for accountantsdoes accounting belong in stem?rose wang: where numbers meet strategy and creativitytiktok fraud exposes gaps in financial literacy | how accounting pros own the stage in public speaking | greg kyte: being a cpa is like being the marie kondo of numbers |

new: m&a, pe, or independence: chart your cpa firm’s future in 2025 – webinar jan. 28

“we’re not your traditional firm,” says dubow, who started the firm with two partners in 2003 as ndh advisors, and sold a stake to unity partners in in 2023, rebranded as prosperity and launched a series of knock-on acquisitions. “we focus on transformative technologies and people-first culture to redefine what an accounting firm can achieve.” 

unlike most accounting firms, prosperity partners operates without an attest function. “our roots are in tax and client accounting services,” dubow explains. this focus has allowed the firm to streamline operations and specialize in high-demand areas such as mergers and acquisitions and litigation support. 

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mike sylvester: learn to say no | the disruptors

be blunt. give your clients the advice they should hear, not what they want to hear. 

this is a preview. the complete 1-hour video episode, with commentary and transcript, is first available exclusively to pro members | go pro here

 subscribe to 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 podcasts anywhere: applegoogle/youtubespotifyiheartdeezer, amazon music, audibleplayer fmaudacy, rss.

the disruptors
with liz farr

the talent crunch in accounting isn’t an issue for mike sylvester. last year, 40 accountants applied to work at his firm, sbs cpa group. he’s had serious inquiries from people at top 50 firms eager to work with him. further, he just hired someone from a top 10 firm who says the benefits are better and who will make $10,000 more while working 300 fewer hours.  

more podcasts and videos: salim omar: identify your client’s $100,000 problem | jackie meyer: earn more with fewer clients | jack fleherty: don’t be a ‘yes’ person | greg adams: from finance to storytelling | the disruptors | jody padar: make radical changes now if you want to be relevant in 2030 | rebecca driscoll: amplify reach by helping other firm owners | rory henry: create the return on relationshipsmike maksymiw: be the leader you wish you hadterrell turner: build a solid business showing up as yourselfkelly mann: be the bull in the china shopalicia katz pollock: create a human-centric businessnancy mcclelland: be the one your clients ask first |alan whitman: stop accepting the status quo | sean duncan: discover your own genius | ingrid edstrom: true wealth is not financial | caleb jenkins: firm growth requires owners to shift roles |

goprocpa.com exclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

his not-so-secret secret? he talks over and over and over on twitter about the unique way his firm operates. during busy season, all team members –even the partners – are paid overtime on 60-hour weeks. then, after april 15, everyone works 32 hours a week and gets 37 three-day weekends in a row. it’s a very popular schedule, sylvester said.  

his team agrees: he’s had zero turnover in the last four and a half years.

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break the burnout cycle in accounting | arc

“a firm’s culture during busy season reveals its true colors.”  

click to subscribe anywhere: applegoogle/youtubespotifyiheartdeezer, amazon music and audibleplayer fmaudacygaana (india)boomplay (africa), or rss.

more arc: analysis, reaction, comedy

accounting arc
with liz mason, byron patrick, and donny shimamoto.
center for accounting transformation

as the busiest time of year looms for accountants, industry leaders byron patrick, cpa.citp, cgma; donny shimamoto, cpa.citp, cgma; and liz mason, cpa, share practical advice in the first episode of the second season of accounting arc on maintaining resilience during tax season. their conversation explores actionable strategies to counteract stress and promote mental health. 

more accounting arc: accounting in transition: 2024 reflections & the road ahead | ron baker: visions for the accounting professionangie grissom: next gen inspo for accountantsdoes accounting belong in stem?rose wang: where numbers meet strategy and creativitytiktok fraud exposes gaps in financial literacy | how accounting pros own the stage in public speaking | greg kyte: being a cpa is like being the marie kondo of numbersrachel bashore: a lawyer’s case for reinventing accounting | beyond the basics in ethics eduction | bailey lenart: from ledger sheets to transformational change | election tax plans: what cpas need to know | leadership for the future: stakeholders, sustainability, and strategic vision |

the hosts share relatable anecdotes, from patrick’s newfound habit of scheduling haircuts to mason’s candid discussion about balancing adhd with professional responsibilities. shimamoto, founder and managing director of intraprisetechknowlogies llc and founder and inspiration architect for the center for accounting transformation, adds, “if it’s not on my calendar, it’s not happening,” highlighting the need for intentional scheduling. 

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