Blog
Lead Through Uncertainty
In a recent firm presentation, we explored what leadership looks like today. One thing is clear: this is a new day, very different from the environment in which most firms operated over the last 50 years. The pace of change is extraordinary. No sooner do we absorb and...
AI Won’t Replace Relationships. But Relationships Will Matter More Than Ever.
Over the last week, I’ve had conversations with three very different people: an accountant, a designer, and a business owner. Different professions. Different work. Different perspectives. And yet, each conversation eventually came back to the same question: “What...
Not A Replacement Of Your Purpose
Technology has always reshaped this profession. Every generation has faced a tool that seemed poised to change everything. Calculating manually gave way to the calculator. The calculator gave way to the computer. Today, artificial intelligence is the next evolution....
What Comes After Technical Expertise?
Technical expertise has been the foundation of the accounting profession. And it should be. It’s the knowledge, accuracy, and judgment CPAs bring to their work that make this profession one of the most trusted. But the world around us is changing. Technology is making...
Would AI Hire You?
Step into an interview with an AI bot who is interviewing a CPA for a position in the AI’s firm. AI: I’m looking for a strategic hire that will allow me to serve clients and build this firm. CPA: Perfect. I’m your person. I have great experience that will be most...
Trust Is Built From the Inside Out
When we talk about trust in our profession, we usually think about our clients or the integrity of the work we do. And that's appropriate. CPAs have long been recognized as one of the most trusted professions, and that's something worth protecting. But lately, I've...
Undervalued Essential Skills
When you hear people talk about the future of the accounting profession, how do you feel? Excited? Uneasy? Anxious? Many believe the future will look much like the past, with a few adjustments along the way. Others expect significant disruption. Whatever the future...
You Can’t Calm the River, But You Can Lead Through It
“The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence – it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” – Peter Drucker There’s a temptation for leaders to believe our job is to eliminate uncertainty. If we could just create the perfect plan, answer every question,...
Are You The Right Person?
Many leadership teams look around the leader table for someone to coordinate a strategic initiative, based on capacity, expertise, or experience. But that person may not be the right one to make it happen. Consider an initiative to create a new department to serve an...
As AI Handles More Tasks, Leadership Matters More Than Ever
There's no question AI is changing the accounting profession. Many of the technical and repetitive tasks that once consumed our time are becoming faster, easier, and more automated. That's exciting because it creates something most firms desperately need: capacity....
