Accounting Talent Podcast

In this Talent Special bonus, "Leading in a People First Culture: Xero's Jen Surtees," host Rob Brown speaks with Jen Surtees, the Director of People Experience (UK & EMEA) at Xero, about the importance of building and leading in a people-first culture.

Jen explains that a people-first culture prioritises employees' well-being, development, and growth. She emphasises cultivating a culture where employees can thrive and feel supported. She identifies the first step as identifying the values that will drive the culture and developing a clear vision.

Leaders should create a safe environment for employees to voice their opinions and concerns. People leaders can support the culture by ensuring policies and practices align with the company's values. Jen shares top tips for understanding and developing culture, including listening to feedback, identifying areas for improvement, and incorporating change where needed.

You can also watch this on Youtube - https://youtu.be/7gz1D2r1Idk

Guest Bio:

Jen is the Director of People Experience (UK & EMEA) at Xero, with extensive experience in coaching and a passion for supporting individuals to be their best selves at work. Jen designs recruitment, development, and cultural programs for businesses that prioritize people at heart. She thoroughly researched the psychological conditions that foster high-performing teams and a sense of belonging, resulting in strong team cultures. Jen works at Xero, ensuring the company provides every employee with a world-class and inclusive experience. She creates an environment where employees can believe, belong and flourish. Under her leadership, Xero has been named the 5th Best Workplace in Tech and the 2nd Best Workplace for Women in the UK Large Business Category. Jen loves the great outdoors and recently moved with her husband and daughter to the coast, where they enjoy spending time outdoors and experiencing nature.

Key takeaways

➤ A people-first culture is crucial for businesses in today's recruitment landscape.

➤ Leaders must prioritise employee well-being, development, and growth to cultivate a thriving culture.

➤ To build a people-first culture, leaders should identify the values that drive the culture and develop a clear vision for the organisation.

➤ Leaders should create a safe environment for employees to voice their opinions and concerns.

➤ People leaders can support the culture by ensuring policies and practices align with the company's values.

➤ Top tips for understanding and developing culture include: listening to feedback, identifying areas for improvement, and incorporating change where needed.

➤ Businesses need to specialise in a niche and become thought leaders.

➤ Firms offering client advisory services (CAS) must focus on sales and marketing to succeed.

➤ Verticals matter in CAS, and firms must think beyond write-up and controllership to provide more value to their clients.

➤ To scale successfully in CAS, firms must focus on hiring and training staff, creating processes and systems and building technology infrastructure.

➤ CPA and BPO firms can compete with low-priced providers in the current market by providing niche expertise and thought leadership.

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If you like the show, we'd truly appreciate a review on whatever platform you listen. We'd love to get to know you!

Main show website. For access to every single show with full shownotes: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

For announcements of published shows, tagging guests so you can build your network and offer feedback on the show: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

For videos of all podcast interviews and bonus video content: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube

https://www.instagram.com/accinfluencers

https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

https://www.facebook.com/accountinginfluencers

It's the "Influencers in Accounting" show, usually going out every Wednesday to 150 countries and 30,000 accounting practitioners, fintech specialists and influencers in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space. However, in Jan 2023 we are phasing out this show and putting out this content on our sister Success in Accounting Show which hopefully you're already subscribed to.

In today's episode 30, "What Healthcare Can Teach Accountants with Ron Baker"

You can also watch this on youtube here: [link from spreadsheet]

Ronald J. Baker started his CPA career in 1984 with KPMG’s Private Business Advisory Services in San Francisco. Today, he is the founder of VeraSage Institute—the leading think tank dedicated to educating professionals internationally. He is a radio talk-show host for The Soul of Enterprise and has authored seven best-selling books, including: The Firm of the Future; Pricing on Purpose; Measure What Matters to Customers; and Implementing Value Pricing.

His forthcoming book, co-authored with Paul Dunn, Time’s Up! The Subscription Business Model for Professional Firms, is now available. Ron has toured the world, spreading his value-pricing message to over 275,000 professionals. He has been named on Accounting Today’s 2001-2007, and 2011-2021 Top 100 and Top 10 Most Influential People in the profession; and inducted into the CPA Practice Advisor Hall of Fame in 2018. He is a faculty member of the Professional Pricing Society. He presently resides in Petaluma, California.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

➳ the need for accountants to restore their relevancy in the business world by 'plussing' the value they offer clients

➳ check out part one of this interview "What Disney Can Teach Accountants with Ron Baker" https://bit.ly/3QBpHpo and 'guiding transformations'

➳ the problem with accountants and CPAs having too many clients when relationships don't actually scale for growth

➳ how only 'uncommon services' can command 'uncommon prices' for accounting firms

➳ what concierge doctors have changed the game in providing healthcare by servicing a smaller number of clients better

➳ why being called an accounting 'industry' is harming accountancy instead of being a profession that is transforming

➳ posing the revenue question 'what exactly are you asking your customers to pay for?'

➳ the accountants can learn from guitar giants Fender on moving to a subscription business model

➳ the subtle change in positioning that makes people want to subscribe to eyeglasses and eye tests

... and much much more from Ron Baker.

www.verasage.com and www.thesoulofenterprise.com

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For access to all episodes: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

For announcements of published shows, tagging guest so you can build your network and offer feedback on the show: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

For videos of all podcast interviews and bonus video content: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube

Mentioned in this episode:

About Talent in Accounting

Welcome to Talent in Accounting, one of the world's leading podcasts in this genre, with several spinoff shows. Our focus now is on talent, a significant challenge for the accounting world. We interview experts, influencers, and leaders on various aspects of talent, from culture to leadership, mental well-being, and more.

It's the "Influencers in Accounting" show, usually going out every Wednesday to 150 countries and 30,000 accounting practitioners, fintech specialists and influencers in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space. However, in Jan 2023 we are phasing out this show and putting out this content on our sister Success in Accounting Show which hopefully you're already subscribed to.

In today's episode 29, "What Disney Can Teach Accountants with Ron Baker"

You can also watch this on youtube here: https://youtu.be/vilAs5KKUT8

Ronald J. Baker started his CPA career in 1984 with KPMG’s Private Business Advisory Services in San Francisco. Today, he is the founder of VeraSage Institute—the leading think tank dedicated to educating professionals internationally. He is a radio talk-show host for The Soul of Enterprise and has authored seven best-selling books, including: The Firm of the Future; Pricing on Purpose; Measure What Matters to Customers; and Implementing Value Pricing.

His forthcoming book, co-authored with Paul Dunn, Time’s Up! The Subscription Business Model for Professional Firms, is now available. Ron has toured the world, spreading his value-pricing message to over 275,000 professionals. He has been named on Accounting Today’s 2001-2007, and 2011-2021 Top 100 and Top 10 Most Influential People in the profession; and inducted into the CPA Practice Advisor Hall of Fame in 2018. He is a faculty member of the Professional Pricing Society. He presently resides in Petaluma, California.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

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www.verasage.com and www.thesoulofenterprise.com

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For access to all episodes: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

For announcements of published shows, tagging guest so you can build your network and offer feedback on the show: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

For videos of all podcast interviews and bonus video content: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube

Mentioned in this episode:

About Talent in Accounting

Welcome to Talent in Accounting, one of the world's leading podcasts in this genre, with several spinoff shows. Our focus now is on talent, a significant challenge for the accounting world. We interview experts, influencers, and leaders on various aspects of talent, from culture to leadership, mental well-being, and more.

It's the "Influencers in Accounting" show, usually going out every Wednesday to 150 countries and 30,000 accounting practitioners, fintech specialists and influencers in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space. However, in Jan 2023 we are phasing out this show and putting out this content on our sister Success in Accounting Show which hopefully you're already subscribed to.

In today's episode 28, "The Full Impact of Chat GPT and AI in Accounting"

Here is the transcript for this show, generated by Chat GPT with some smart AI prompting questions:

Hello, and welcome to the podcast. In this episode, we will

be discussing the impact of Chat GPT, or Generative Pre-training Transformer,

on the world of accountants and CPAs.

First, let's define Chat GPT. It's a machine learning model

developed by OpenAI that is able to generate human-like text and can be used to

assist accountants and CPAs in a variety of tasks.

But how did Chat GPT come about, and why is it making waves

in so many industries?

Chat GPT was developed by OpenAI, a leading artificial

intelligence research lab, as a way to improve natural language processing. It

builds upon the concept of pre-training, which involves training a model on a

large dataset to recognize patterns and relationships in language. By

pre-training a model on a massive amount of text data, it can then be

fine-tuned for specific tasks, such as translation or language generation.

The development of Chat GPT marked a significant step

forward in the field of natural language processing and has led to its

widespread adoption in a variety of industries.

Now, let's dive into how Chat GPT can help accountants and

CPAs.

One way it can assist is by generating reports and

documents. Imagine having to create a financial report for a client. This can

be a time-consuming and tedious task, but with Chat GPT, you can simply input

the necessary data and let the model do the rest. It will generate a

professional, accurate report in a fraction of the time it would take a human.

Another way Chat GPT can be useful is by providing data

analysis. It can be trained to analyze financial data and provide insights and

recommendations based on that analysis. This can be especially helpful for

accountants and CPAs who are looking to make informed decisions for their

clients.

Chat GPT can also be used to automate routine tasks, such as

data entry and reconciliation. This can free up time for accountants and CPAs

to focus on more complex tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.

Finally, Chat GPT can even be used to provide customer

service. It can handle basic customer inquiries and provide information to

clients, allowing accountants and CPAs to focus on more complex tasks.

So, as you can see, Chat GPT has the potential to

significantly streamline processes and improve efficiency for accountants and

CPAs. But what about the potential drawbacks?

Some disadvantages of using Chat GPT include the initial

setup and training, which can be time-consuming and costly. Additionally, Chat

GPT is still limited in its capabilities and may not be able to handle more

complex tasks. Finally, using Chat GPT may create a reliance on technology, and

if there are issues with the system, it could disrupt work and cause delays.

Now, let's take a look at some statistics to give you an

idea of the potential impact Chat GPT could have on your practice and your

clients:

According to a recent survey, over 70% of accountants and

CPAs believe that machine learning will significantly change the way they do

business in the next 5 years.

Another study found that the use of artificial intelligence

in accounting could save up to 400 million hours of manual data entry per year.

One company that implemented Chat GPT saw a 25% increase in

productivity and a 10% reduction in errors.

These statistics show that Chat GPT has the potential to

significantly impact the world of accountants and CPAs, streamlining processes

and improving efficiency.

But it's not just the accounting industry that is being

impacted by Chat GPT. In the healthcare field, Chat GPT has been used to

analyze electronic medical records and provide recommendations for treatment.

In the legal industry, it has been used to generate contracts and legal

documents. And in the customer service industry, Chat GPT has been used to

handle basic customer inquiries and provide information.

You should already be seeing that Chat GPT has the potential

to significantly streamline processes and improve efficiency for accountants

and CPAs. However, it's natural for professionals to have concerns about the

potential impact of new technology on their jobs.

One fear that many accountants and CPAs may have is the

possibility of Chat GPT replacing them and making them less relevant as

professionals. However, it's important to keep in mind that Chat GPT is

designed to assist and augment the work of accountants and CPAs, not replace

them.

While Chat GPT can automate routine tasks and provide data

analysis, it is still limited in its capabilities and cannot fully replace the

expertise and judgement of a trained professional. Accountants and CPAs bring

valuable knowledge and skills to the table that cannot be replaced by a

machine.

In fact, the use of Chat GPT can actually help accountants

and CPAs demonstrate their value to clients by providing faster turnaround

times, improved accuracy, and valuable insights and recommendations.

Another way that Chat GPT can impact the world of

accountants and CPAs is through its ability to help firms attract and retain

top talent. With the increasing adoption of artificial intelligence in the

accounting industry, firms that are able to effectively utilize Chat GPT and

other AI tools will be more attractive to job seekers who are looking for

opportunities to work with the latest technology.

Furthermore, Chat GPT can help firms remain competitive in a

rapidly evolving industry. By streamlining processes and improving efficiency,

firms that use Chat GPT can offer better value to their clients, which can help

them stand out in a crowded market.

Finally, Chat GPT can be particularly beneficial for

engaging the younger generation of employees, who are often referred to as

"technology natives." These employees are accustomed to using

technology in their personal and professional lives and may be more open to the

adoption of Chat GPT and other AI tools in the workplace. By embracing these

technologies, firms can appeal to this younger generation and potentially

retain top talent.

In addition to attracting and retaining top talent, the

adoption of Chat GPT and other AI tools can also make accounting firms more

profitable and attractive to potential buyers, such as private equity or

venture capital firms. By streamlining processes and improving efficiency,

firms that use these technologies can reduce costs and increase profitability,

making them more attractive to potential investors.

Furthermore, the use of Chat GPT and other AI tools can also

position firms for success in the M&A market. By demonstrating their

commitment to innovation and the use of advanced technologies, firms can

attract the interest of potential buyers and position themselves for success in

a potential merger or acquisition.

Alternatively, the adoption of Chat GPT and other AI tools

can also help firms strengthen their brand and maintain their independence. By

positioning themselves as leaders in the industry and demonstrating their

commitment to innovation, firms can resist being bought and maintain their

independence.

Let's consider for a moment how Chat GPT will impact the

fintech industry and the software companies that serve the accounting industry.

As accountants and CPAs become more reliant on technology and AI tools, they

may be more likely to turn to software providers that offer products that

incorporate Chat GPT and other advanced technologies.

We are already seeing the development of new financial

software and tools that utilize the technology. As Chat GPT becomes more widely

adopted in the accounting industry, it's likely that we will see a

proliferation of fintech companies offering products that incorporate the

technology.

These products may include financial analysis software,

automated tax preparation tools, and even chatbots that can handle basic

customer inquiries. The use of Chat GPT in these products can improve

efficiency and streamline processes for accountants and CPAs, making their jobs

easier and more efficient.

This shift towards the adoption of Chat GPT and other AI

tools may also lead to changes in the pricing and business models of these

software companies. As the demand for advanced technology increases, companies

may need to adapt their pricing structures to meet the needs of their customers.

Overall, the impact of Chat GPT on the fintech industry and

software companies that serve the accounting industry is likely to be

significant. As the technology becomes more widely adopted, we can expect to

see a proliferation of new products and changes in business models as companies

seek to meet the demand for advanced technology.

In conclusion, Chat GPT and other AI tools have the

potential to significantly impact the world of accountants and CPAs by

streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and attracting and retaining top

talent. While there may be some initial concerns about the impact of these

technologies, it's important to remember that they are designed to assist and

augment the work of trained professionals, not replace them.

In the rapidly evolving world of accounting, it's crucial to

stay up-to-date with new technologies and be aware of the potential impact on

your job. But it's also essential to remember the value that you bring as a

trained professional.

We hope this discussion of Chat GPT and its potential impact

on the world of accountants and CPAs has been informative and enlightening.

Thank you for tuning in to the podcast.

Be sure to subscribe to the Success in Accounting podcast

going out every Monday - this will soon revert back to its old name Accounting

Influencers Podcast.

Main show website. For access to every single show with full

shownotes: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

For announcements of published shows, tagging guest so you

can build your network and offer feedback on the show:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

For videos of all podcast interviews and bonus video

content: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube

https://www.instagram.com/accinfluencers

https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

https://www.facebook.com/accountinginfluencer

Main show website. For access to every single show with full

shownotes: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

For announcements of published shows, tagging guest so you

can build your network and offer feedback on the show:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

For videos of all podcast interviews and bonus video

content: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube

https://www.instagram.com/accinfluencers

https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

https://www.facebook.com/accountinginfluencers

Mentioned in this episode:

About Talent in Accounting

Welcome to Talent in Accounting, one of the world's leading podcasts in this genre, with several spinoff shows. Our focus now is on talent, a significant challenge for the accounting world. We interview experts, influencers, and leaders on various aspects of talent, from culture to leadership, mental well-being, and more.

In today's episode 27, "Private Equity & VC Money in Accounting: Isaac Heller."

You can also watch this on youtube here: https://youtu.be/KUPfSnzIxyk

Isaac Heller is the Co-founder and CEO of Trullion, an AI-powered SaaS platform that automates financial workflows for CFOs, accountants, and auditors. Trullion unifies the unstructured and structured worlds of accounting by reading PDFs and Excel documents and translating them into financial workflows, such as Lease Accounting and Revenue Recognition.

Isaac has an extensive background in finance & software, including a 2014 IPO with Sabre Holdings. His experience with accounting regulatory changes has helped drive successful partnerships with financial leaders, from CFOs to modern accounting firms.

Key areas covered in this episode include:

1. Why are venture capitalists investing in accounting software currently?

2. Is the recession sparking investors to re-evaluate where they put their funding? Why accounting and fintech?

3. How does fintech help companies flourish during challenging times?

4. Are investors looking to invest in companies that provide data that drives better business decisions more so than previously? Why?

5. Do you have examples of recent VCs investing in accounting and fintech or data to prove the increase?

6. How do you see the future of the accounting and fintech market?

7. Who are your investors? And why did they invest in you?

8. What are investors specifically looking for in a fintech company before they decide to make an investment?

Originally hailing from Texas, Isaac holds a BA from the University of Texas @ Austin and an MBA from the University of Texas @ Dallas. He lives between New York and Israel and enjoys spending time with his wife and children.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaacheller/

https://twitter.com/isaacis

https://trullion.com/

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A reminder of 5 great shows in the Accounting Influencers Podcast Network:

❶ Success in Accounting - MONDAYS. Our flagship main show features panels, live interviews and replays of our most popular shows.

❷ Insights in Accounting - TUESDAYS. The best news, analysis, commercial awareness, news under microscope, podcast mentions and recommendations.

❸ Influencers in Accounting - WEDNESDAYS. Deep dive 1-1 interviews with leaders, experts, influencers from around the world.

❹ Best Practice in Accounting - THURSDAYS. Practice development, growth, management, consulting, examples, stories and practical here's what works stuff for accountants, bookkeepers and the fintech/software people who serve them.

❺ UK Matters in Accounting - FRIDAYS. A UK focused show featuring UK related topics, news items, events and interviews.

All on your preferred podcast app, platform or channel. Thanks for subscribing, sharing and listening!

Main show website. For access to every single show with full shownotes: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

For announcements of published shows, tagging guest so you can build your network and offer feedback on the show: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

For videos of all podcast interviews and bonus video content: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube

https://www.instagram.com/accinfluencers

https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

https://www.facebook.com/accountinginfluencer

Mentioned in this episode:

About Talent in Accounting

Welcome to Talent in Accounting, one of the world's leading podcasts in this genre, with several spinoff shows. Our focus now is on talent, a significant challenge for the accounting world. We interview experts, influencers, and leaders on various aspects of talent, from culture to leadership, mental well-being, and more.

It's the "Influencers in Accounting" show, going live every Wednesday to 150 countries and 30,000 accounting practitioners, fintech specialists and influencers in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space.

In today's episode 26, "Diverse Revenue Streams for Accountants: Kate Johnson."

You can also watch this on youtube here: [link from spreadsheet]

Kate Johnson owns Heritage Business Services, LLC, a virtual bookkeeping firm serving small business clients all over the United States. She can also be found helping other accounting professionals build a virtual accounting career they love inside her Bookkeeping Side Hustle Community. She holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management and a BA in Economics from Baylor University. In 2020, she was recognized as a Top 50 Women In Accounting. She worked in corporate finance before opting to become a stay-at-home-mom for several years after her first child was born. 

Key takeaways from this episode include:

❊ the different accounting influencers, including qualified accountants and bookkeepers who want to serve their peers

❊ how thinking entrepreneurially helps accountants and bookkeepers to truly understand their business clients

❊ examples of alternative revenue streams available to CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers

❊ strategies for CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers to choose viable side hustles and new revenue streams

❊ the importance of building assets, networks, communities and advocates in a professional role like accounting

❊ first steps for CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers in building a community, a fan base or a dedicated tribe of followers

Kate is a very proud Texan, Baylor Bear, and Navy wife. Her hair fits her personality. She is a morning person. Big time. She gets more done before 7:00 am (when her kids are allowed out of their room) than some people get done all day long.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-josephine-mcgill-johnson  

https://www.youtube.com/c/BookkeepingSideHustle

https://twitter.com/BookkeepingSide

https://www.instagram.com/bookkeepingside

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A reminder of 5 great shows in the Accounting Influencers Podcast Network:

❶ Success in Accounting - MONDAYS. Our flagship main show features panels, live interviews and replays of our most popular shows.

❷ Insights in Accounting - TUESDAYS. The best news, analysis, commercial awareness, news under microscope, podcast mentions and recommendations.

❸ Influencers in Accounting - WEDNESDAYS. Deep dive 1-1 interviews with leaders, experts, influencers from around the world.

❹ Best Practice in Accounting - THURSDAYS. Practice development, growth, management, consulting, examples, stories and practical here's what works stuff for accountants, bookkeepers and the fintech/software people who serve them.

❺ UK Matters in Accounting - FRIDAYS. A UK focused show featuring UK related topics, news items, events and interviews.

All on your preferred podcast app, platform or channel. Thanks for subscribing, sharing and listening!

Main show website. For access to every single show with full shownotes: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

For announcements of published shows, tagging guest so you can build your network and offer feedback on the show: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

For videos of all podcast interviews and bonus video content: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube

https://www.instagram.com/accinfluencers

https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

https://www.facebook.com/accountinginfluencer

Mentioned in this episode:

About Talent in Accounting

Welcome to Talent in Accounting, one of the world's leading podcasts in this genre, with several spinoff shows. Our focus now is on talent, a significant challenge for the accounting world. We interview experts, influencers, and leaders on various aspects of talent, from culture to leadership, mental well-being, and more.

In today's episode 25, "Bryan Williams 1."

You can also watch this on youtube here: How Commercial Partnerships Help Accounting Firms

Bryan Williams is the founder of Hockey Stick Advisory. Hockey Stick Advisory exists to help tech businesses to grow & scale through building curated partnership ecosystems, so that they can reach their full potential, faster. Bryan’s role as founder is to help the next generation of aspiring tech companies build their partnership ecosystem muscle, established after Bryan led Xero's ecosystem team across AU/NZ for 5 years.

Brian has worked with hundreds of CEOs in SaaS and knows what great looks like. Here he talks about building partnerships and platforms in accounting and bookkeeping businesses. Areas/questions covered in this episode:

➼ how can accountants decide between offering their product/services traditionally vs partnering?

➼ how have partnerships evolved in professional firms?

➼ what are the benefits for accounting and bookkeeping firms of partnering?

➼ how has the approach to partnering gone wrong for accounting professionals in the past?

➼ how do you define a partnership ecosystem in the context of accounting practices?

➼ what are some examples of how great partnerships work in professional services?

➼ How can accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers harness partnerships to offer more value to their clients?

➼ how can accountancy professionals prioritise which strategic partners to work with?

➼ what pitfalls should accountants and CPAs avoid when adopting a partnering approach?

➼ what are the secrets of becoming a strategic partner of choice?

➼ share any templates, examples and practical tips of best practice for accountants in the area of partnering.

Outside of work, Bryan is very occupied chasing around his 3 kids under 4, (including twins) whilst refusing to give up on being a wkd warrior at various endurance events. He lives in Melbourne, Australia. Contact him here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanwilliamsaus/

https://twitter.com/BryanWi11iams

https://hockeystickadvisory.com/

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A reminder of 5 great shows in the Accounting Influencers Podcast Network:

❶ Success in Accounting - MONDAYS. Our flagship main show features panels, live interviews and replays of our most popular shows.

❷ Insights in Accounting - TUESDAYS. The best news, analysis, commercial awareness, news under microscope, podcast mentions and recommendations.

❸ Influencers in Accounting - WEDNESDAYS. Deep dive 1-1 interviews with leaders, experts, influencers from around the world.

❹ Best Practice in Accounting - THURSDAYS. Practice development, growth, management, consulting, examples, stories and practical here's what works stuff for accountants, bookkeepers and the fintech/software people who serve them.

❺ UK Matters in Accounting - FRIDAYS. A UK focused show featuring UK related topics, news items, events and interviews.

All on your preferred podcast app, platform or channel. Thanks for subscribing, sharing and listening!

Main show website. For access to every single show with full shownotes: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

For announcements of published shows, tagging guest so you can build your network and offer feedback on the show: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

For videos of all podcast interviews and bonus video content: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube

https://www.instagram.com/accinfluencers

https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

https://www.facebook.com/accountinginfluencers

Mentioned in this episode:

About Talent in Accounting

Welcome to Talent in Accounting, one of the world's leading podcasts in this genre, with several spinoff shows. Our focus now is on talent, a significant challenge for the accounting world. We interview experts, influencers, and leaders on various aspects of talent, from culture to leadership, mental well-being, and more.

It's the "Influencers in Accounting" show, going live every Wednesday to 150 countries and 30,000 accounting practitioners, fintech specialists and influencers in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space. Subscribing gets you deep dive interview with top authors, leaders, thinkers and performers in the accounting and fintech world. They're all 30mins max so you can digest them 'on the go'.

In today's episode 24, "Unconscious Bias in Accountancy: Khyati Sundaram."

You can also watch this on youtube here: https://youtu.be/RN9KsxStpCY

Khyati Sundaram is the CEO of Applied: a behavioural science-backed tool for fair and de-biased hiring. Applied helps companies remove bias from hiring processes by removing gendered words from job adverts, anonymising applications, holding structured interviews and hiring based on skills (rather than proxies on CVs).

In this episode, we ask and answer the following questions:

1. Why doesn't unconscious bias training make for inclusive cultures?
2. What exactly is unconscious bias in hiring?
3. How does unconscious bias come into recruitment, and what is the impact?
4. What is unconscious bias training and how does it work?
5. Why are so many accounting firms introducing it?
6. What are the benefits and drawbacks of de-biased hiring?
7. What’s a more effective way of tackling unconscious bias in recruitment, and in company cultures more widely?
8. What next steps can firms easily take to make hiring processes fairer?

You can also watch the youtube video of this interview here: https://youtu.be/RTDuTy1rH9Q

Check out these great extra resources on this topic from Khyati and BeApplied

https://www.beapplied.com/post/does-unconscious-bias-training-work-infographic

https://www.beapplied.com/unconscious-bias

In her former life, Khyati’s pursuits range from co-founding and leading an AI company looking at sustainable supply chains, to investment banking with JP Morgan and RBS. She has a breadth of experience in data science, product development, and fundraising. She also holds an MSc in Economics from the London School of Economics and an MBA from the London School of Business / Wharton School.

In her spare time, Khyati likes playing badminton and is an avid weightlifter.

Contact her here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/khyatisundaram/

https://www.beapplied.com/

https://twitter.com/beapplied

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A reminder of 5 great shows in the Accounting Influencers Podcast Network:

❶ Success in Accounting - MONDAYS. Our flagship main show features panels, live interviews and replays of our most popular shows.

❷ Insights in Accounting - TUESDAYS. The best news, analysis, commercial awareness, news under microscope, podcast mentions and recommendations.

❸ Influencers in Accounting - WEDNESDAYS. Deep dive 1-1 interviews with leaders, experts, influencers from around the world.

❹ Best Practice in Accounting - THURSDAYS. Practice development, growth, management, consulting, examples, stories and practical here's what works stuff for accountants, bookkeepers and the fintech/software people who serve them.

❺ UK Matters in Accounting - FRIDAYS. A UK focused show featuring UK related topics, news items, events and interviews.

All on your preferred podcast app, platform or channel. Thanks for subscribing, sharing and listening!

Main show website. For access to every single show with full shownotes: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

For announcements of published shows, tagging guest so you can build your network and offer feedback on the show: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

For videos of all podcast interviews and bonus video content: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube

https://www.instagram.com/accinfluencers

https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

https://www.facebook.com/accountinginfluencer

Mentioned in this episode:

About Talent in Accounting

Welcome to Talent in Accounting, one of the world's leading podcasts in this genre, with several spinoff shows. Our focus now is on talent, a significant challenge for the accounting world. We interview experts, influencers, and leaders on various aspects of talent, from culture to leadership, mental well-being, and more.

It's the "Influencers in Accounting" show, going live every Wednesday to 150 countries and 30,000 accounting practitioners, fintech specialists and influencers in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space.

In today's episode 23, "The Fun CPA & Personality in Accounting: Yuri Kapilovich."

You can also watch this on youtube here: https://youtu.be/Az4b4L2U9V0

Yuri Kapilovich is the owner of Kapilovich & Associates, a New Jersey based CPA firm specializing in providing high-value and personality along with the basic accounting and tax services. He is passionate about disrupting the stereotypical view of the accountant and making accounting a fun and attractive profession.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

⫸ the journey from Big 4 accounting firm EY via 7 others to starting your own practice on your terms

⫸ the destructive nature of working practices and the pressure of billable hours that suck the fun out of accounting

⫸ considerations an accountant must face in leaving a secure job in practice to start their own firm

⫸ the dark times and high times of 'jumping ship from employed accountant to self-employed accounting firm owner

⫸ the groundwork required ahead of any job or career change to build connections and career capital

⫸ the importance of character and competence to build trust and reputation in a career like accounting

Yuri went through two immigrations (from Belarus to Israel and Israel to the US) and then moved around the US. All these moves have taught Yuri to appreciate different cultures, languages, and ignited his passion of meeting and chatting with people of all walks of life.

Outside of accounting, Yuri loves boating, biking, the outdoors and also loves a good party with friends. Viewing life through the eyes of his 3.5 year old son is one of Yuri’s other favorite pass times.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykapilovich

Website: https://www.thefuncpa.co

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A reminder of 5 great shows in the Accounting Influencers Podcast Network:

❶ Success in Accounting - MONDAYS. Our flagship main show features panels, live interviews and replays of our most popular shows.

❷ Insights in Accounting - TUESDAYS. The best news, analysis, commercial awareness, news under microscope, podcast mentions and recommendations.

❸ Influencers in Accounting - WEDNESDAYS. Deep dive 1-1 interviews with leaders, experts, influencers from around the world.

❹ Best Practice in Accounting - THURSDAYS. Practice development, growth, management, consulting, examples, stories and practical here's what works stuff for accountants, bookkeepers and the fintech/software people who serve them.

❺ UK Matters in Accounting - FRIDAYS. A UK focused show featuring UK related topics, news items, events and interviews.

All on your preferred podcast app, platform or channel. Thanks for subscribing, sharing and listening!

Main show website. For access to every single show with full shownotes: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

For announcements of published shows, tagging guest so you can build your network and offer feedback on the show: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

For videos of all podcast interviews and bonus video content: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube

https://www.instagram.com/accinfluencers

https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

https://www.facebook.com/accountinginfluencer

Mentioned in this episode:

About Talent in Accounting

Welcome to Talent in Accounting, one of the world's leading podcasts in this genre, with several spinoff shows. Our focus now is on talent, a significant challenge for the accounting world. We interview experts, influencers, and leaders on various aspects of talent, from culture to leadership, mental well-being, and more.

It's the "Influencers in Accounting" show, going live every Wednesday to 150 countries and 30,000 accounting practitioners, fintech specialists and influencers in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space.

In today's episode 22, "What Really Is ESG for Accountants? Donny Shimamoto."

You can also watch this on youtube here: https://youtu.be/LhUrnB4a0wc

Donny C. Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA

Donny is the founder of IntrapriseTechKnowlogies LLC, an advisory-focused CPA firm accelerating innovation and organizational development for small and mid-market businesses and nonprofits. He is recognized as a global thought leader and educator in the fields of accounting innovation, IT risk management, and performance management.

Key questions addressed in this episode :

☛ what exactly is ESG and is it just a new hyped concept?

☛ why is it important for accountants to become familiar with ESG?

☛ what is different about ESG and what is known as Integrated Reporting?

☛ of the many facets of ESG, which are most important for accountants?

☛ What constitutes good governance for accountants, particularly in the areas of innovation, cybersecurity and ethics?

☛ why is ESG being driven by the accounting profession?

​Donny co-chair of the National Conference of Lawyers and CPAs, past chairman of the AICPA’s Information Management and Technology Assurance Executive Committee, and former member of its Governing Council, Assurance Services Executive Committee, and numerous other AICPA committees and task forces. He is also a past member of the IFAC Technology Advisory Group. Donny was recognized as one of the Top Thought Leaders in Public Accounting by CPA Practice Advisor from 2012 to 2022, Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting (2013/2014/2017-2021) by Accounting Today, received the 2009-2010 President’s Award from the Hawaii Society of CPAs, was named to CPA Technology Advisor’s 40 Under 40 list in 2007 & 2009 & 2014, and was also a Hawaii Top High Tech Leader in 2004.

Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn/Twitter: @donnyitk​

https://improvetheworld.net

◣━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━◢

A reminder of 5 great shows in the Accounting Influencers Podcast Network:

❶ Success in Accounting - MONDAYS. Our flagship main show features panels, live interviews and replays of our most popular shows.

❷ Insights in Accounting - TUESDAYS. The best news, analysis, commercial awareness, news under microscope, podcast mentions and recommendations.

❸ Influencers in Accounting - WEDNESDAYS. Deep dive 1-1 interviews with leaders, experts, influencers from around the world.

❹ Best Practice in Accounting - THURSDAYS. Practice development, growth, management, consulting, examples, stories and practical here's what works stuff for accountants, bookkeepers and the fintech/software people who serve them.

❺ UK Matters in Accounting - FRIDAYS. A UK focused show featuring UK related topics, news items, events and interviews.

All on your preferred podcast app, platform or channel. Thanks for subscribing, sharing and listening!

Main show website. For access to every single show with full shownotes: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

For announcements of published shows, tagging guest so you can build your network and offer feedback on the show: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

For videos of all podcast interviews and bonus video content: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube

https://www.instagram.com/accinfluencers

https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

https://www.facebook.com/accountinginfluencer

Mentioned in this episode:

About Talent in Accounting

Welcome to Talent in Accounting, one of the world's leading podcasts in this genre, with several spinoff shows. Our focus now is on talent, a significant challenge for the accounting world. We interview experts, influencers, and leaders on various aspects of talent, from culture to leadership, mental well-being, and more.