Building a scalable, systematic firm that doesn’t drive you into the ground

Ryan Lazanis

Knowing your purpose, educating, and building communities

Jason Blumer

Balancing work with family, avoiding burnout, and running a female-only firm

KyleneOConnorCarse

Kylene O’Connor Carse

Accounting in rural New Zealand, the talent shortage, and what young accountants need to know

Marilyn Davies

The inside story of GoProposal’s acquisition by Sage

James Ashford headshot

James Ashford

Navigating the crypto and tax world, and the trends you need to know, with Zac McClure and Arthur Teller

Arthur Teller

Arthur Teller & Zac McClure

What success really means, the state of UK accounting, and the strength of community

Heather Townsend

Improving life for your customers, powering prosperity, and not doing it on your own

Jorge Olavarrieta

Being responsively responsive, adopting technology, and providing expert evidence in court

OhranGobrin

Ohran Gobrin

Working with your dad, creating the ultimate client experience and technologies that the industry needs

BernieandJasonAckerman

Bernie & Jason Ackerman

The effect of having a designated motivator, defining the why, and creating an all-star tech stack

Dawn Brolin headshot

Dawn Brolin

Networking, the benefits of running a small firm and saying ‘no’

Gary Wood Headshot

Gary Wood

Helping clients tell their story, building long-lasting partnerships and automating the accounting industry

Steph Hinds headshot

Steph Hinds

Hiring effective workers, scaling your company and utilizing marketing for firm growth

DavidDiNardo

David DiNardo

Calculated risks and lifetime learning are the keys to success

Bruce Phillips Headshot

Bruce Phillips

Making a difference through closing deals, selling services and client relationships

What got us here might not get us there

Jeremy Allen

<div>Ryan Lazanis joins Stuart on the Accounting Leaders Podcast for an inspiring chat around the future of the accounting profession, the model for a scalable, systematic accounting firm, and how to build a firm that can give you the life you want. Ryan founded Xen Accounting, a 100% cloud-based accounting firm, in 2013. Following its acquisition in 2018, he started Future Firm to provide content and coaching to help other accountants fast-track their own firm.<br><br>Ryan and Stuart discuss:</div><ul><li>Founding Xen Accounting in 2013 (1:30)</li><li>How Ryan got into accounting and was exposed to entrepreneurship from a young age (3:00)</li><li>Creating a new kind of model for accounting (6:20)</li><li>How the accounting industry has evolved (8:00)</li><li>The decision to sell Xen Accounting (10:20)</li><li>Establishing Future Firm to help accountants grow a scalable, systematic firm that they love (12:20)</li><li>Accountants have never been taught to run a business (14:30)</li><li>Why more is not better for a firm’s tech stack (15:50)</li><li>The model for creating a scalable, systematic accounting firm (17:00)</li><li>The future of Future Firm (20:00)</li><li>The differences (and similarities) between a software company and a service company (22:00)</li><li>The freedom and flexibility that comes with leading Future Firm (27:10)</li><li>Pilot, Botkeeper and the future of accounting technology (29:40)</li><li>How to learn more from Ryan (33:00)</li></ul>

Ryan Lazanis joins Stuart for an inspiring chat about the future of the accounting profession, the model for a scalable, systematic accounting firm, and how to build a firm that can give you the life you want. Ryan founded Xen Accounting, a 100% cloud-based accounting firm, in 2013. Following its acquisition in 2018, he started Future Firm to provide content and coaching to help other accountants fast-track their own firm.

Building a scalable, systematic firm that doesn’t drive you into the ground, with Ryan Lazanis

<div>Few encapsulate the title of accounting leader more than this episode’s guest, Jason Blumer. Together, Jason and Stuart discuss the background and success of Thriveal, the network Jason founded to help other entrepreneurial CPA firm owners connect, learn and grow. They also discuss the trend of larger firms acquiring smaller firms, the challenges of growth, why you need to know your strengths and weaknesses, and how you can use that knowledge to define your purpose, lean into it, and help your own firm thrive.<br><br>Together they discuss</div><ul><li>The origin of Thriveal (3:40)</li><li>The importance of resilience and perseverance (5:50)</li><li>“Whistleblower” podcast, basketball and referees (6:40)</li><li>The biggest changes in accounting in the last decade (9:00)</li><li>The evolution of accounting conferences and education (11:00)</li><li>Why large firms acquire smaller firms (13:30)</li><li>The advantages for smaller firms of selling to larger firms (16:00)</li><li>Challenges scaling your firm (16:50)</li><li>Building culture when your team is virtual (19:00)</li><li>Equity, staff compensation and partnerships (22:30)</li><li>Success stories from Thriveal Deeper Weekend (27:20)</li><li>Teaching accounting firm growth in different ways (30:30)</li><li>The firm that went through turmoil and then thrived (31:45)</li><li>Quality over quantity (36:00)</li><li>Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is a pretty cool place to be (37:50)</li><li>Why every accounting firm needs a purpose (40:40)</li><li>The impact of the global pandemic on the accounting industry (42:10)</li><li>The value of experience (45:00)</li></ul>

Few encapsulate the title of accounting leader more than this episode’s guest, Jason Blumer. Together, Jason and Stuart discuss the background and success of Thriveal, the network Jason founded to help other entrepreneurial CPA firm owners connect, learn and grow. They also discuss the trend of larger firms acquiring smaller firms, the challenges of growth, why you need to know your strengths and weaknesses, and how you can use that knowledge to define your purpose, lean into it, and help your own firm thrive.

Knowing your purpose, educating, and building communities with Jason Blumer

<div>Kylene O'Connor Carse from BWCO CPAs joins the Accounting Leaders Podcast this week to share her story with Stuart. In an honest chat, they discuss the challenges of constantly being busy and how to balance that when you also have a family. Kylene also talks about capacity planning, burnout, running a female-only firm, and even Peloton. Any accountant who has ever felt the pressure of deadlines and an always-growing workload will relate to this episode.&nbsp;<br><br>Together they discuss:</div><ul><li>The story of BWCO CPAs and Kylene’s entry to accounting (1:40)</li><li>Growing up with your clients (5:20)</li><li>What it means to be a female-only firm (7:20)</li><li>Being proud of who you are (9:40)</li><li>Figuring out where you want to go and how you want to grow (10:00)</li><li>Marchternity and being over-capacity (12:10)</li><li>Avoiding burnout (16:20)</li><li>Getting on the Peleton bike (19:20)</li><li>Lessons from Jason Blumer and Thriveal (21:00)</li><li>The pitfalls of Slack and Zoom (21:50)</li><li>Raising kids when you own an accounting firm (23:20)</li><li>Storms and changing tax deadlines (28:20)</li></ul>

Kylene O'Connor Carse from BWCO CPAs joins the Accounting Leaders Podcast this week to share her story with Stuart. In an honest chat, they discuss the challenges of constantly being busy and how to balance that when you also have a family. Kylene also talks about capacity planning, burnout, running a female-only firm, and even Peloton. Any accountant who has ever felt the pressure of deadlines and an always-growing workload will relate to this episode. 

Balancing work with family, avoiding burnout, and running a female-only firm, with Kylene O'Connor Carse

<div>This week, Stuart is joined by Marilyn Davies, Director of Tandem Group, an accounting firm founded more than 100 years ago in the Taranaki region of rural New Zealand. Marilyn discusses the impact of COVID-19 on New Zealand businesses, the challenges of finding great staff, advice for the younger generation of accountants, and much more.&nbsp;</div><ul><li>The impact of COVID-19 in New Zealand, and affects on the supply chain (3:00)</li><li>Different types of clients and specialities (7:00)</li><li>The embracement of Xero (10:10)</li><li>The state of distributed teams versus in-office teams in a post-COVID world (12:40)</li><li>Battling Zoom meeting exhaustion (14:10)</li><li>The industries that have suffered and those that have thrived during the pandemic (15:30)</li><li>The secrets to Xero’s success (19:30)</li><li>Marilyn’s experience using Karbon at Tandem (21:40)</li><li>The challenges of finding great staff when you’re not in a big city (24:00)</li><li>Succession planning (26:50)</li><li>The tax return as a by-product of what accountants actually do (30:00)</li><li>Advice for young up-and-coming accountants (31:00)</li><li>Incredible client stories (32:10)</li></ul>

This week, Stuart is joined by Marilyn Davies, Director of Tandem Group, an accounting firm founded more than 100 years ago in the Taranaki region of rural New Zealand. Marilyn discusses the impact of COVID-19 on New Zealand businesses, the challenges of finding great staff, advice for the younger generation of accountants, and much more. 

Accounting in rural New Zealand, the talent shortage, and what young accountants need to know, with Marilyn Davies

<div>We're interrupting your podcast feed for a bonus, shorter episode to discuss some breaking industry news. Last week, pricing and onboarding app GoProposal announced that they had been acquired by Sage. To give you the inside story, we brought back one of our earlier guests, the co-founder of GoProposal James Ashford. In this episode, James shares why he made this decision, what it means for GoProposal's customers and the wider profession, what accountants can learn from his M&amp;A experience, and most importantly, what comes next.<br><br>James and Stuart discuss:&nbsp;</div><ul><li>Making the decision to sell GoProposal at day 1 (2:15)</li><li>Wrestling with your ego and testing the market (4:10)</li><li>What accountants can learn from James’ experience (6:50)</li><li>Deciding to sell GoProposal to Sage (9:30)</li><li>Prioritizing the GoProposal team and ensuring their buy-in every step of the way (10:45)</li><li>The positive and negative reactions from GoProposal customers (12:00)</li><li>What will happen to GoProposal’s integrations with Sage competitors? (15:30)</li><li>The next chapter for James (16:30)</li><li>A deeper integration between GoProposal and Karbon (21:30)</li></ul>

We're interrupting your podcast feed for a bonus, shorter episode to discuss some breaking industry news. Last week, pricing and onboarding app GoProposal announced they had been acquired by Sage. To give you the inside story, we brought back one of our earlier guests, the co-founder of GoProposal James Ashford. In this episode, James shares why he made this decision, what it means for GoProposal's customers and the wider profession, what accountants can learn from his M&amp;A experience, and most importantly, what comes next.

We're interrupting your podcast feed for a bonus, shorter episode to discuss some breaking industry news. Last week, pricing and onboarding app GoProposal announced they had been acquired by Sage. To give you the inside story, we brought back one of our earlier guests, the co-founder of GoProposal James Ashford. In this episode, James shares why he made this decision, what it means for GoProposal's customers and the wider profession, what accountants can learn from his M&A experience, and most importantly, what comes next.

The inside story of GoProposal’s acquisition by Sage, with James Ashford

<div>This week, Stuart is talking all things cryptocurrency with Arthur Teller and Zac McClure from TokenTax, the leading crypto tax platform and cryptocurrency tax accounting company. Together they discuss a broad range of crypto topics including how this movement is giving the younger generation a way to gain wealth, the global implications, and the trends in cryptocurrency that everyone in the accounting profession should know about. They even provide an answer to Stuart’s question; “what is going to 20x in value in the next two years”!&nbsp;<br><br>Together they discuss:&nbsp;</div><ul><li>Bitcoin or Ethereum (1:20)</li><li>Arthur’s journey toward involved with crypto and TokenTax (3:00)</li><li>Zac’s experiences in Zimbabwe and India (5:00)</li><li>Discovering cryptocurrency and the birth of TokenTax (7:50)</li><li>Being here for the long-haul (13:00)</li><li>The IRS’ approach to cryptocurrency (14:00)</li><li>The transition from the corporate world to the crypto world (17:20)</li><li>Navigating crypto’s complexities and ambiguities (19:10)</li><li>The countries showing the most progression and maturity toward cryptocurrency (22:40)</li><li>The mistakes occurring in the US (25:40)</li><li>The impact of the generational shift (27:00)</li><li>What happens when the young become rich (30:10)</li><li>Generations interacting and adapting to a whole new concept of economics (33:00)</li><li>The importance of (and problem with) common sense (36:50)</li><li>Zac and Arthur’s predictions for the coins or tokens that will 20x over the next two years! (38:00)</li></ul>

This week, Stuart is talking all things cryptocurrency with Arthur Teller and Zac McClure from TokenTax, the leading crypto tax platform and cryptocurrency tax accounting company. Together they discuss a broad range of crypto topics including how this movement is giving the younger generation a way to gain wealth, the global implications, and the trends in cryptocurrency that everyone in the accounting profession should know about. They even provide an answer to Stuart’s question; “what is going to 20x in value in the next two years”!

Navigating the crypto and tax world, and the trends you need to know, with Zach McClure and Arthur Teller

<div>This week, Stuart is joined by Heather Townsend, founder of The Accountants Millionaires' Club, author of 6 books, and highly-regarded influencer, speaker and coach to accounting firm owners. They explore the intricacies of her career, her capacity to be well prepared, and the growth that she's helped many partners and firms achieve over the years.<br><br>Together they discuss:</div><ul><li>How Heather fell into the accounting profession (1:40).&nbsp;</li><li>Being an educator, taking the complex and making it simple (6:30).&nbsp;</li><li>Acknowledging that you can’t do everything (9:00).&nbsp;</li><li>The 3 ways to grow an accounting practice (10:30).&nbsp;</li><li>Pricing and increasing your fees (12:00).&nbsp;</li><li>Going after the wrong goals and having the wrong ideas of success. (16:00).&nbsp;</li><li>Recruiting challenges and the impact of COVID-19 (22:10).&nbsp;</li><li>Outsourcing and offshoring staff (28:30).&nbsp;</li><li>Teaching the wrong skills to young accountants (35:40).&nbsp;</li><li>The consolidation of technology (39:40).&nbsp;</li><li>The future of compliance (41:40).&nbsp;</li><li>The Accountants Millionaires' Club and the strength of community (45:30).</li></ul>

This week, Stuart is joined by Heather Townsend, founder of The Accountants Millionaires' Club, author of 6 books, and highly-regarded influencer, speaker and coach to accounting firm owners. They explore the intricacies of her career, her capacity to be well prepared, and the growth that she's helped many partners and firms achieve over the years.

What success really means, the state of UK accounting, and the strength of community, with Heather Townsend

<div>This week, Stuart is joined by Vice President of Product Management and Design for Intuit, Jorge Olavarrieta. In a wide-ranging chat, Jorge shares the path that brought him to Intuit, how the business is solving its customer’s biggest problems, and what’s coming next.<br><br>Together they discuss:&nbsp;<br><br>Jorge’s education at Texas A&amp;M University (2:30). The path that led him to a company that employs more than 10,000 and brings in $10billion annual revenue, and working under different Intuit leaders and CEOs (14:30). Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, and accepting it as a form of currency (20:40). How marketplaces influence technology adoption (23:10). Competitors, partners and providing the best solution to the customer (28:30). Intuit’s approach to practice management and the decision to partner with Karbon (39:00).</div>

This week, Stuart is joined by Vice President of Product Management and Design for Intuit, Jorge Olavarrieta. In a wide-ranging chat, Jorge shares the path that brought him to Intuit, how the business is solving its customer’s biggest problems, and what’s coming next. 

Together they discuss: 

Jorge’s education at Texas A&amp;M University (2:30). The path that led him to a company that employs more than 10,000 and brings in $10billion annual revenue, and working under different Intuit leaders and CEOs (14:30). Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, and accepting it as a form of currency (20:40). How marketplaces influence technology adoption (23:10). Competitors, partners and providing the best solution to the customer (28:30). Intuit’s approach to practice management and the decision to partner with Karbon (39:00).

This week, Stuart is joined by Vice President of Product Management and Design for Intuit, Jorge Olavarrieta. In a wide-ranging chat, Jorge shares the path that brought him to Intuit, how the business is solving its customer’s biggest problems, and what’s coming next. 

Together they discuss: 

Jorge’s education at Texas A&M University (2:30). The path that led him to a company that employs more than 10,000 and brings in $10billion annual revenue, and working under different Intuit leaders and CEOs (14:30). Cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, and accepting it as a form of currency (20:40). How marketplaces influence technology adoption (23:10). Competitors, partners and providing the best solution to the customer (28:30). Intuit’s approach to practice management and the decision to partner with Karbon (39:00).

Improving life for your customers, powering prosperity, and not doing it on your own, with Jorge Olavarrieta from Intuit

<div>This week Stuart is joined by a friend and accounting industry colleague, Ohran Gobrin from Fuller Landau in Canada. Together they discuss:&nbsp;<br><br>Stuart and Ohran catch up (0:59-2:00). Ohran’s journey from engineering to accounting (2:00-8:20). Being responsibly responsive to a changing environment (8:20-14:03). Rolling out a hybrid model in your firm (14:03-18:48). How Ohran went from living in South Africa to Canada (18:48-22:59). Ohran’s different experiences and roles in the accounting industry (22:59-27:05). Technology adoption in the accounting industry (27:05-32:27). Ohran’s experience providing legal expertise and expert evidence in the Ontario courts (32:27-35:16). What’s on the horizon for Fuller Landau and the accounting industry (35:16-42:31).</div>

This week Stuart is joined by a friend and accounting industry colleague, Ohran Gobrin from Fuller Landau in Canada. Together they discuss: 

Stuart and Ohran catch up (0:59-2:00). Ohran’s journey from engineering to accounting (2:00-8:20). Being responsibly responsive to a changing environment (8:20-14:03). Rolling out a hybrid model in your firm (14:03-18:48). How Ohran went from living in South Africa to Canada (18:48-22:59). Ohran’s different experiences and roles in the accounting industry (22:59-27:05). Technology adoption in the accounting industry (27:05-32:27). Ohran’s experience providing legal expertise and expert evidence in the Ontario courts (32:27-35:16). What’s on the horizon for Fuller Landau and the accounting industry (35:16-42:31).

Being responsively responsive, adopting technology, and providing expert evidence in court, with Ohran Gobrin

<div>This week Stuart is joined by the father-son accounting duo: Bernie and Jason Ackerman. Together they discuss:&nbsp;<br><br>The hunt for the world’s best scrambled eggs (0:55-5:35). Bernie’s career journey and how he got his son, Jason, to join his firm (5:35-8:08). Loyal clients and low turnover is part of the reason why BNA is doing well today (8:08-9:13). When you join your dad’s company, it's in your best interest to upgrade the tech stack (9:13-12:26). Creating the ultimate client experience (12:26-18:28). What technologies and improvements the accounting industry needs (18:28-22:36). The downfalls of the partnership model (22:36-25:26). What’s in store for Jason’s future and BNA’s future (25:26-29:58). Computers are not replacing accountants anytime soon (29:58-31:40). PPP loans and some positive impacts COVID-19 had on the accounting industry (31:40-36:41).</div>

This week Stuart is joined by the father-son accounting duo: Bernie and Jason Ackerman. Together they discuss: 

The hunt for the world’s best scrambled eggs (0:55-5:35). Bernie’s career journey and how he got his son, Jason, to join his firm (5:35-8:08). Loyal clients and low turnover is part of the reason why BNA is doing well today (8:08-9:13). When you join your dad’s company, it's in your best interest to upgrade the tech stack (9:13-12:26). Creating the ultimate client experience (12:26-18:28). What technologies and improvements the accounting industry needs (18:28-22:36). The downfalls of the partnership model (22:36-25:26). What’s in store for Jason’s future and BNA’s future (25:26-29:58). Computers are not replacing accountants any time soon (29:58-31:40). PPP loans and some positive impacts COVID-19 had on the accounting industry (31:40-36:41).

Working with your dad, creating the ultimate client experience and technologies that the industry needs, with Bernie and Jason Ackerman

<div>This week Stuart is joined by Connecticut-based CPA and author Dawn Brolin. Together they discuss:&nbsp;<br><br>How experiences from coaching softball can be utilized in your accounting firm (1:14-8:45). Why you need a designated motivator (8:45-13:20). How to find the motivation (13:20-16:28). The importance of defining the WHY in your work (16:28-24:23). Trends in the industry (24:23-28:39). Dawn’s experience fighting against fraud (28:39-35:40). Innovation in accounting and the operational technology stack (35:40-47:11). Running a virtual-first company, and the opportunities it allows (47:11-49:11). All about Powerful Accountants Inc and their clients (49:11-56:51).</div>

This week Stuart is joined by Connecticut-based CPA and author Dawn Brolin. Together they discuss: 

How experiences from coaching softball can be utilized in your accounting firm (1:14-8:45). Why you need a designated motivator (8:45-13:20). How to find the motivation (13:20-16:28). The importance of defining the WHY in your work (16:28-24:23). Trends in the industry (24:23-28:39). Dawn’s experience fighting against fraud (28:39-35:40). Innovation in accounting and the operational technology stack (35:40-47:11). Running a virtual-first company, and the opportunities it allows (47:11-49:11). All about Powerful Accountants Inc and their clients (49:11-56:51).

The effect of having a designated motivator, defining the why, and creating an all-star tech stack, with Dawn Brolin

<div>Gary Wood from CRC, a small accounting firm in Missouri, joins Stuart on this week's episode. Together they discuss:&nbsp;<br><br>The value of conferences, with a little sprinkle of hockey playoff talk (0:53-4:48). The importance of networking with accountants in similar-sized firms (4:48-6:44). Dealing with legislative changes and government resources during COVID-19 (6:44-9:55). Burnout, overworking and saying ‘no’ (9:55-12:12). Having deep, instead of wide, client relationships (12:12-15:29). Client retention and communication (15:29-17:54). Work-life balance (17:54-19:30). The benefits of working for a small firm (19:30-22:55). How does the accounting industry change its recruiting pitch to get young professionals into the industry (22:55-26:47). Why accountants love seeing their clients succeed (26:47-31:36). Creating a blueprint for running a small firm (31:36-35:20).</div>

Gary Wood from CRC, a small accounting firm in Missouri, joins Stuart on this week's episode. Together they discuss: 

The value of conferences, with a little sprinkle of hockey playoff talk (0:53-4:48). The importance of networking with accountants in similar-sized firms (4:48-6:44). Dealing with legislative changes and government resources during COVID-19 (6:44-9:55). Burnout, overworking and saying ‘no’ (9:55-12:12). Having deep, instead of wide, client relationships (12:12-15:29). Client retention and communication (15:29-17:54). Work-life balance (17:54-19:30). The benefits of working for a small firm (19:30-22:55). How does the accounting industry change its recruiting pitch to get young professionals into the industry (22:55-26:47). Why accountants love seeing their clients succeed (26:47-31:36). Creating a blueprint for running a small firm (31:36-35:20).

Networking, the benefits of running a small firm and saying ‘no’, with Gary Wood

<div>Long-time friend of Stuart, Steph Hinds from Growthwise, joins the podcast to talk about topics from accounting to Australia (and everything in between). Together they discuss:&nbsp;<br><br>How Steph’s business and clients are handling the impact of COVID-19, how different areas of the world are handling the situation, and how community has been critical during the past 1.5 years (1:32-21:00). The importance of telling your story (21:00-24:45). Loving what you do and who you work with (24:45-26:39). When larger companies come into your town (26:39-31:52). Automating the accounting industry (31:52-41:39). The state of the Australian economy (41:39-53:40).</div>

Longtime friend of Stuart, Steph Hinds from Growthwise, joins the podcast to talk about topics from accounting to Australia (and everything in between). Together they discuss: 

All things Covid-19: how Steph’s company and clients are doing during this time, how different areas of the world are handling the situation, and how community has been the success story of the past 1.5 years (1:32-21:00). The importance of telling your story (21:00-24:45). Loving what you do and who you work with makes for 40 years of partnership (24:45-26:39). When larger companies come into your town (26:39-31:52). Automating the accounting industry (31:52-41:39). Some good old Australian economy talk (41:39-53:40).

Helping clients tell their story, building long-lasting partnerships and automating the accounting industry, with Steph Hinds

<div>Our first Canadian Guest, David DiNardo, joins Stuart on this week's episode of the Accounting Leaders Podcast. Together they discuss:&nbsp;<br><br>How Envolta and their clients are doing throughout Covid-19 (0:36-4:39). Preventing burnout and focusing on mental health in the never-ending tax season (4:39-8:24). Specializing in a specific vertical/niche (8:24-11:36). The importance of marketing (11:36-20:04). David’s career path to owning a bookkeeping company, plus the lessons he learned along the way (20:40-26:31). Growth and acquisitions (26:31-28:42). Building a performance-based team (28:42-29:57). Cloud-based work allows you to have it all (29:57-30:59). Scaling your company (30:59-32:51). Creating and maintaining and online company culture (32:51-35:26). Companies, and company characteristics, to keep your eye on (35:26-38:09). The best part of being an accountant (38:09-41:26).&nbsp;</div>

Our first Canadian Guest, David DiNardo, joins Stuart on this week's episode of the Accounting Leaders Podcast. Together they discuss: 

How Envolta and their clients are doing throughout Covid-19 (0:36-4:39). Preventing burnout and focusing on mental health in the never-ending tax season (4:39-8:24). Specializing in a specific vertical/niche (8:24-11:36). The importance of marketing (11:36-20:04). David’s career path to owning a bookkeeping company, plus the lessons he learned along the way (20:40-26:31). Growth and acquisitions (26:31-28:42). Building a performance-based team (28:42-29:57). Cloud-based work allows you to have it all (29:57-30:59). Scaling your company (30:59-32:51). Creating and maintaining and online company culture (32:51-35:26). Companies, and company characteristics, to keep your eye on (35:26-38:09). The best part of being an accountant (38:09-41:26). 

Hiring effective workers, scaling your company and utilizing marketing for firm growth, with David DiNardo

<div>This week Stuart sits down with seasoned CPA and cloud technology advocate, Bruce Phillips from Aprio Cloud. Together they discuss:&nbsp;<br><br>When traditional accounting was simply accounting (1:58-4:42). Mentorship and advice for the early years of your career (4:42-7:07). The biggest changes in accounting from getting rid of file rooms to cloud accounting (7:07-9:19). Global accounting (9:19-11:06). Relationship building, networking and lifetime learning (11:06-12:42). Owning a smaller firm vs. being part of a large firm (12:42-16:43). Changes in the talent market and how firm’s can meet current and potential employee expectations (16:43-26:43). The different cycles of accounting functions and the need for them to be automated (26:43-29:58). Why stop working when you can work from your boat (29:58-31:23). Advice for the next generations of accountants (31:23-33:55).</div>

This week Stuart sits down with seasoned CPA and cloud technology advocate, Bruce Phillips from Aprio Cloud. Together they discuss: 

When traditional accounting was simply accounting (1:58-4:42). Mentorship and advice for the early years of your career (4:42-7:07). The biggest changes in accounting from getting rid of file rooms to cloud accounting (7:07-9:19). Global accounting (9:19-11:06). Relationship building, networking and lifetime learning (11:06-12:42). Owning a smaller firm vs. being part of a large firm (12:42-16:43). Changes in the talent market and how firm’s can meet current and potential employee expectations (16:43-26:43). The different cycles of accounting functions and the need for them to be automated (26:43-29:58). Why stop working when you can work from your boat (29:58-31:23). Advice for the next generations of accountants (31:23-33:55).

Calculated risks and lifetime learning are the keys to success, with Bruce Phillips

<div>In the second episode of the Accounting Leaders Podcast, Stuart sits down with James Ashford from GoProposal. Together they discuss:&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>His career path from magician to GoProposal, and everything in between (2:12-20:10). What happens when the complex meets the complicated (20:10-25:45). Vertical vs. horizontal software (25:45-29:34). How the caring nature of accountants is their greatest strength and biggest weakness (29:35-33:29). What’s next for accounting industry, GoProposal and James (33:30-45:15).</div>

In the second episode of the Accounting Leaders Podcast, Stuart sits down with James Ashford from GoProposal. Together they discuss: 

His career path from magician to GoProposal, and everything in between (2:12-20:10). What happens when the complex meets the complicated (20:10-25:45). Vertical vs. horizontal software (25:45-29:34). How the caring nature of accountants is their greatest strength and biggest weakness (29:35-33:29). What’s next for accounting industry, GoProposal and James (33:30-45:15).


Making a difference through closing deals, selling services and client relationships, with James Ashford 

<div>Jeremy Allen, founder of System Six, joins Stuart in the inaugural episode of the Accounting Leaders Podcast.<br><br>Working for a cloud-based company (2:46-5:00). Small town living (5:00-6:47). How Covid has affected System Six, their clients and the future of the accounting industry (6:47-20:00). Jeremy's career path and the lessons he learned along the way (20:00-26:58). Company growth and acquisition vs. being acquired (26:58-33:32). Company culture and work-life balance (33:33-39:03). Questions that Stuart is asking as he plans the future of Karbon (39:03-45:03).<br><br></div>

Jeremy Allen, founder of System Six, joins Stuart in the inaugural episode of the Accounting Leaders Podcast. Together, they discuss what it’s like to lead a firm when you are not an accountant, the past, present and future of cloud accounting, the importance of company culture (especially for remote companies) and acquisition vs. being acquired. 

What got us here might not get us there, with Jeremy Allen

<div>Welcome to the Accounting Leaders Podcast, a weekly podcast where our host, Stuart McLeod, goes behind the scenes with the worlds top accounting leaders.&nbsp;<br><br>Each week Stuart will have an open conversation with his guests about anything and everything accounting. Whether you are looking for benchmarks for your firm, want to learn how the best leaders in the world of accounting do their thing or simply want to enjoy some mindless banter between people in your industry, this podcast is for you. So grab a cup of coffee and sit down with Stuart as he dives deep with the leaders of the accounting industry.</div>

Stuart McLeod dives into the stories behind the world’s top accounting leaders. Each week he uncovers how they operate, their mission, and the struggles faced along the way.

Meet the Accounting Leaders

Ryan Lazanis

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Jason Blumer

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Kylene O’Connor Carse

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Marilyn Davies

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Discover what makes the world's accounting leaders tick