Accounting Talent Podcast

Jason Staats shares valuable insights on growing an accounting firm, defining a niche, and building a vision to differentiate.

Through expert interviews and high-level panels, Talent in Accounting explores talent, culture, recruitment, leadership, mental well-being, and more with expert interviews and high-level discussions.

Solving Talent Problems in Accounting: Jason Staats

In this episode of the Accounting Influencers podcast, host Rob Brown interviews Jason Staats, an accomplished entrepreneur and CPA, to provide insights on how to grow an accounting firm. Jason shares his experience and expertise in building a $5M accounting firm, as well as in producing content and providing thought leadership on sustainable accounting firms, AI adoption, and software partnerships.

He emphasizes the importance of being able to say "no" and capitalizing on the coolest "yeses" to engage, as well as defining the type of clients and employees the firm is best for. Jason also highlights the need for a compelling vision to differentiate the firm and build a team around the right abilities. He emphasizes that it's essential to ensure that the support structure for the team is built to prioritize emotional health and mindfulness.

Lastly, Jason shares his insights on the calculation for individuals just entering the accounting profession and the need to find the right place that aligns with their abilities and way of working best. Overall, the episode provides valuable advice for accountants looking to grow their firms and build a team around the right abilities.

Guest Bio

Jason Staats is an accomplished CPA and entrepreneur, running a $5M accounting firm and an online community for accounting firm owners. He produces content and provides thought leadership on sustainable accounting firms, AI adoption, and software partnerships. He is also a prolific content creator with a YouTube channel and weekly newsletter. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family.

Your Host

Host Rob Brown is a renowned presenter, facilitator, and chair for high-level conferences and events in the accounting and fintech profession worldwide. He's an expert on trust, reputation, talent, career development, and more.

Author of Build Your Reputation and a TEDx speaker with over 300,000 YouTube views: stroke survivor, a committed Christian, and a black belt in kickboxing. Based in Nottingham, UK, he enjoys chess, backgammon, and orange chocolate but is allergic to grapefruit.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown/
• Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

AdvanceTrack sponsors talent in Accounting

Please get to know us better!

If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on your preferred platform.

• Website: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

Social Media:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@accountinginfluencers

Discover how leadership coaching can help accounting firms overcome challenges such as recruiting top talent and adapting to hybrid work with Katie Best.

Through expert interviews and high-level panels, Talent in Accounting explores talent, culture, recruitment, leadership, mental well-being, and more with expert interviews and high-level discussions.

Problem Solving for Accounting Leaders: Katie Best

In this episode of the Accounting Influencers Podcast hosted by Rob Brown, a leadership coach and consultant, Katie Best discusses the challenges faced by professional services firms and their leaders and how coaching, consultancy and leadership development can help overcome these challenges. Katie explains that some common problems firms face include recruiting and retaining top talent, adapting to the hybrid work model, and staying ahead of the curve with new technology.

Katie emphasises the importance of having a distinct culture and unique flavour to appeal to potential employees while acknowledging the commonalities across different sectors. She also discusses her upcoming book on messy leadership problems and a framework leaders can use to solve them.

Katie highlights the challenges individual leaders face, especially the link between a particular leader's work and the broader corporate strategy, and how coaching can be used to overcome these challenges. Finally, she discusses the importance of engagement, culture, and personal relationships in leadership, especially in the current climate where work-life balance and mental health are becoming increasingly important.

Guest Bio

Dr Katie Best is a renowned leadership coach, consultant and Visiting Fellow at LSE and King's College, passionate about helping leaders and their firms navigate complex and challenging situations. With years of experience in coaching, consultancy and leadership development programmes, Dr Best has helped partners and senior leaders from top-tier firms such as EY, KPMG and RSM to tackle their most challenging leadership dilemmas.

Dr Best's expertise in leadership has also made her a sought-after speaker at events, where she shares insights and perspectives on leadership in today's ever-changing business landscape. She is also working on a book about messy leadership problems, which will be a valuable resource for leaders looking to improve their leadership skills.

Outside of work, Dr Best is an avid fan of competitive socializing, flea market hunting and travelling. Her love for sports has led her to attend the Women's Euros final, where she nearly passed out from excitement. Dr Best lives in North London with her husband and daughter, where she inspires and supports leaders to achieve their full potential.

Your Host

Host Rob Brown is a renowned presenter, facilitator, and chair for high-level conferences and events in the accounting and fintech profession worldwide. He's an expert on trust, reputation, talent, career development, and more.

Author of Build Your Reputation and a TEDx speaker with over 300,000 YouTube views: stroke survivor, a committed Christian, and a black belt in kickboxing. Based in Nottingham, UK, he enjoys chess, backgammon, and orange chocolate but is allergic to grapefruit.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown/
• Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

AdvanceTrack sponsors talent in Accounting

Could you get to know us better?

If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on your preferred platform.

• Website: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

Social Media:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@accountinginfluencers

Discover the importance of culture building, leadership development, and employer branding in accounting firms to improve retention and growth.

Through expert interviews and high-level panels, Talent in Accounting explores talent, culture, recruitment, leadership, mental well-being, and more with expert interviews and high-level discussions.

Employer Brand Wins for Accounting Firms: Trisha Daho

The episode of the Accounting Influencers Podcast hosted by Rob Brown features Trisha Daho, who talks about culture building, talent acquisition and retention in accounting firms. Daho explains that firms are struggling to find conventional talent to fill the needs of their growing businesses, and high performers are leaving early because they don't see the accounting space as an innovative career path. To address this, firms must create a culture of inclusion that provides a custom experience for each employee. They also need to develop an employer brand that is compelling, authentic, differentiated, and feeds into the client brand.

Daho emphasizes that firms must intentionally discover what makes them unique and different and what compels people to stick around. Firms must align their vision with their employees' to create a sense of purpose and meaning and focus on the onboarding experience to appeal to various people. To retain highly motivated employees, firms need to measure the impact of their leaders on their people and create a culture of open communication and mentorship that fosters growth and development.

Guest Bio

Trisha Daho is a former Big 4 Accounting and Advisory partner turned into a culture, talent, and DEI expert. She founded Empowered, partnering with leadership teams to create sustainable and measurable people results. With laser-focused strategies, she built thriving practices in four regions and created growth businesses that have expanded exponentially. Trisha writes and speaks regularly on authenticity in leadership, creating growth cultures, diversity and inclusion, and more. She is also a kickboxing instructor, dog fosterer, and avid traveller.

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

Your Host

Host Rob Brown is a renowned presenter, facilitator, and chair for high-level conferences and events in the accounting and fintech profession worldwide. He's an expert on trust, reputation, talent, career development, and more.

Author of Build Your Reputation and a TEDx speaker with over 300,000 YouTube views: stroke survivor, a committed Christian, and a black belt in kickboxing. Based in Nottingham, UK, he enjoys chess, backgammon, and orange chocolate but is allergic to grapefruit.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown/
• Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

AdvanceTrack sponsors talent in Accounting

Could you get to know us better?

If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on your preferred platform.

• Website: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

Social Media:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@accountinginfluencers

Dr. Juana Bordas emphasises the significance of intergenerational and intercultural leadership, diversity, and preparation for future trends.

Through expert interviews and high-level panels, Talent in Accounting explores talent, culture, recruitment, leadership, mental well-being, and more with expert interviews and high-level discussions.

Culture, Inclusion & Accounting Talent: Juana Bordas

In this episode of the Accounting Influencers Podcast hosted by Rob Brown, the guest, Dr Juana Bordas, discusses the importance of intergenerational and intercultural leadership in the accounting industry. Bordas explains that elders play a crucial role as a bridge between generations, sharing their experiences and perspectives. She emphasises the need for diversity in leadership to create a multicultural global world that taps into the talents of all different cultures, ethnic groups, and nationalities.

Juana also discusses the impact of women in leadership roles, noting that women CEOs can help the bottom line by bringing their people skills and relationship orientation with them. She suggests that leaders should think about the future and prepare for trends such as the increasing youthfulness, multiculturalism, globalisation, and digitisation of the world. Bordas explains that young people today value work-life balance, meaning and purpose in their careers and want to connect with others, including getting to know their stories and narratives. She argues that intergenerational and intercultural leadership is vital for enriching organisations and enhancing humanity.

Guest Bio

Juana Bordas is a renowned thought leader and pioneer in leadership, diversity, and organisational change. She is a celebrated author of award-winning books, including "Salsa, Soul, and Spirit: Leadership for a Multicultural Age" and "The Power of Latino Leadership, Second Edition, Revised and Updated: Culture, Inclusion, and Contribution."

As an immigrant from Nicaragua, Dr. Bordas embodies the resilience and determination of the immigrant spirit. She is recognised for her expertise in multicultural and inclusive leadership, which includes the contributions of Latinos and communities of colour. She has worked with various organisations, including Google, Microsoft, and Chevron, to prepare them for the multicultural age.

Dr. Bordas also received several awards and recognitions, such as the Lifetime Achievement Award from The International Leadership Association and being named one of the 100 Top Latino Leaders in the U.S. by The National Diversity Council. Her upcoming book, "The Power of Latino Leadership," explores how Latinos can be positioned to be leaders in this century through expanding demographics, intergenerational leadership, economic power, international connections, and workforce participation.

Your Host

Host Rob Brown is a renowned presenter, facilitator, and chair for high-level conferences and events in the accounting and fintech profession worldwide. He's an expert on trust, reputation, talent, career development, and more.

Author of Build Your Reputation and a TEDx speaker with over 300,000 YouTube views: stroke survivor, a committed Christian, and a black belt in kickboxing. Based in Nottingham, UK, he enjoys chess, backgammon, and orange chocolate but is allergic to grapefruit.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown/
• Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

AdvanceTrack sponsors talent in Accounting

Could you get to know us better?

If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on your preferred platform.

• Website: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

Social Media:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@accountinginfluencers

Learn why culture & people strategy are crucial for accounting firms, trust is vital for service providers, & employer branding wins the talent war.

Through expert interviews and high-level panels, Talent in Accounting explores talent, culture, recruitment, leadership, mental well-being, and more with expert interviews and high-level discussions.

Employer Brand Wins for Accounting Firms: Trisha Daho

The episode of the Accounting Influencers Podcast hosted by Rob Brown features Trisha Daho, who talks about culture building, talent acquisition and retention in accounting firms. Daho explains that firms are struggling to find conventional talent to fill the needs of their growing businesses, and high performers are leaving early because they don't see the accounting space as an innovative career path.

To address this, firms must create a culture of inclusion that provides a custom experience for each employee. They also need to develop an employer brand that is compelling, authentic, differentiated, and feeds into the client brand.

Daho emphasizes that firms need to be intentional about discovering what makes them unique and different and what compels people to stick around. Firms must align their vision with their employees' to create a sense of purpose and meaning and focus on the onboarding experience to appeal to various people. To retain highly motivated employees, firms need to measure the impact of their leaders on their people and create a culture of open communication and mentorship that fosters growth and development.

Guest Bio

Trisha Daho is a former Big 4 Accounting and Advisory partner turned into a culture, talent, and DEI expert. She founded Empowered, partnering with leadership teams to create sustainable and measurable people results. With laser-focused strategies, she built thriving practices in four regions and created growth businesses that have expanded exponentially. Trisha writes and speaks regularly on authenticity in leadership, creating growth cultures, diversity and inclusion, and more. She is also a kickboxing instructor, dog fosterer, and avid traveller.

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

Your Host

Host Rob Brown is a renowned presenter, facilitator, and chair for high-level conferences and events in the accounting and fintech profession worldwide. He's an expert on trust, reputation, talent, career development, and more.

Author of Build Your Reputation and a TEDx speaker with over 300,000 YouTube views: stroke survivor, a committed Christian, and a black belt in kickboxing. Based in Nottingham, UK, he enjoys chess, backgammon, and orange chocolate but is allergic to grapefruit.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown/
• Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

AdvanceTrack sponsors talent in Accounting

Could you get to know us better?

If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on your preferred platform.

• Website: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

Social Media:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@accountinginfluencers

Through expert interviews and high-level panels, Talent in Accounting explores talent, culture, recruitment, leadership, mental well-being, and more with expert interviews and high-level discussions.

Hinge Research: Talent, Tech & High Growth Firms: Lee Frederiksen

The Accounting Influencers Podcast, hosted by Rob Brown, features Lee Frederiksen, a behavioural scientist and researcher at Hinge Marketing, discussing marketing and growth opportunities for accounting firms.

Lee talks about the importance of marketing and the need for the right talent and skills to implement effective marketing strategies. He highlights the role of digital marketing techniques such as search engine optimisation, consultations, and blog posts in high-growth firms. In contrast, traditional techniques like business development and networking are used by no-growth firms. The episode also covers the importance of being flexible and adaptive to changes and gathering client data to understand their needs and anticipate changes in the market. The focus should be on leveraging technology and talent to develop innovative solutions and stay ahead of the competition. Frederiksen concludes by emphasizing the evolving role of accounting firms, which includes strategy development, branding, and marketing services.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

➤ why employer branding is a critical topic for accounting firm leaders to understand

➤ the three things you need to build a successful professional services firm

➤ the biggest growth challenge for many accounting firms

➤ why the accounting profession has the lowest number of actively looking job-seekers in the whole professional services sector

➤ what exactly job seekers are looking for in new roles depends on where they are in their career

➤ the importance of being able to work remotely for talent looking for accounting roles

➤ why accounting firms who have not responded well to covid will suffer most in losing top talent

➤ the number one factor in creating a really strong employer brand for your accounting firm

➤ the futility of your accounting firm having more than 3 core values

➤ the number one thing job seekers who are actively looking for a new position actually want

➤ the prime times or triggers that make people restless in wanting to leave an accounting firm or role

➤ explaining the trend of people thinking of their career as a series of gigs vz jobs

➤ why loyalty to an accounting firm increases for both staff and clients once a critical time has passed

➤ the disruptive effect of mergers and acquisitions on workforce stability of accounting firms

➤ why making people stay with 'golden handcuffs' can cause resentment and lowered productivity in accounting firm staff

➤ the two stages in developing a compelling 'employer brand' in an accounting firm

➤ a strong accounting firm brand in the marketplace may attract talent to you, but there's one vital thing it won't do

➤ the differences in professional services sectors when it comes to how they attract and retain top talent

➤ the importance of time horizons for restless employees - vital to know for retaining your best people

➤ why it's inevitable in tough times that accounting firms will lose people

➤ how the business model of 'needing a local and regional presence' has changed for accounting firms

➤ what do accounting firms can do to attract employees that are not actively looking to move

➤ questions accounting firm leaders should be asking in shaping a strong employer brand

➤ two top tips for accountants who want more career capital and greater profitability

Guest Bio

Lee Frederiksen is an award-winning marketer, Visible Expert®, and business strategist. As the Managing Partner of Hinge, he uses his PhD in behavioural psychology and CEO experience to help professional service firms achieve high growth and profitability. Lee is a recognized industry name, having authored several books and conducted extensive research on marketing and business growth. He is a regular speaker at major industry events and quoted in mainstream publications.

Discover growth strategies for accounting firms in this Accounting Influencers Podcast episode. Learn the importance of research-based approaches and digital marketing to stay competitive.

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

https://twitter.com/leefrederiksen

http://www.hingemarketing.com

Your Host

Host Rob Brown is a renowned presenter, facilitator, and chair for high-level conferences and events in the accounting and fintech profession worldwide. He's an expert on trust, reputation, talent, career development, and more.

Author of Build Your Reputation and a TEDx speaker with over 300,000 YouTube views: stroke survivor, a committed Christian, and a black belt in kickboxing. Based in Nottingham, UK, he enjoys chess, backgammon, and orange chocolate but is allergic to grapefruit.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown/
• Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

Talent in Accounting is sponsored by AdvanceTrack

Get to know us better!

If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on your preferred platform.

• Website: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

Social Media:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@accountinginfluencers

Through expert interviews and high-level panels, Talent in Accounting explores talent, culture, recruitment, leadership, mental well-being, and more with expert interviews and high-level discussions.

The Under-Used Brain of Accountants: Dawn Goldberg

In this Talent Special bonus, "The Under-Used Brain of Accountants", Rob Brown chats to Dawn Goldberg, a mindset coach for accountants and shares how understanding and managing your brain can transform your personal and professional life. She discusses the universal application of the mindset mastery tool she teaches, explaining how it can improve relationships and every other area of life. She also shares her experience applying the tool to tax season and how it improved her experience with reduced stress.

Dawn highlights the importance of mastering time management for accountants and explains that managing the brain and time go together. She stresses the significance of taking ownership of our thoughts, creating intentional change, and sharing how getting everything out of our brains and onto paper can help in this process, allowing us to separate the facts from our thoughts about the facts. She emphasises that our thoughts are optional, and we can think intentionally to achieve better results.

Key Takeaways

➤ Mindset mastery is a universal tool that can be applied to every area of our lives.

➤ Circumstances are neutral, and our thoughts create our reality.

➤ Better time management for accountants involves understanding how to manage our brains, not just relying on external tools.

➤ Taking ownership of our thoughts and understanding that our thoughts about our jobs create our feelings is crucial for creating intentional change.

➤ Getting everything out of our brains and onto paper can help with the process of mastering our mindset.

➤ Our thoughts are 100% optional, and intentional thinking can lead to better feelings and results.

Guest Bio

Dawn Goldberg is an accomplished CPA with over 30 years of experience in public accounting, having worked for notable firms such as Deloitte and Ernst & Young. She is also a Professional Certified Coach for Accountants, passionate about teaching accountants how to optimise their skills and become more competent professionals.

Dawn's interest in learning led her to study life coaching, through which she learned powerful tools that positively impacted her life, including stress-free tax seasons. Her passion for helping accountants led her to write the book "The Smarter Accountant" and create two 6-week coaching programs - The Smarter Accountant Program and The Smarter Accountant Time Management Program.

Dawn aims to empower accountants to become more efficient and productive, preventing burnout, stress, and frustration. She achieves this by sharing her coaching and tools, helping accountants become more intelligent, effective, and ultimately more fulfilled.

• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Dawn.Goldberg.CPA
• Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-g-11366717b/
• Website https://thesmarteraccountant.com/

Your Host

Host Rob Brown is a renowned presenter, facilitator, and chair for high-level conferences and events in the accounting and fintech profession worldwide. He's an expert on trust, reputation, talent, career development, and more.

Author of Build Your Reputation and a TEDx speaker with over 300,000 YouTube views: stroke survivor, a committed Christian, and a black belt in kickboxing. Based in Nottingham, UK, he enjoys chess, backgammon, and orange chocolate but is allergic to grapefruit.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown/
• Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

AdvanceTrack sponsors talent in Accounting

Could you get to know us better?

If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on your preferred platform.

• Website: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

Social Media:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@accountinginfluencers

Through expert interviews and high-level panels, Talent in Accounting explores talent, culture, recruitment, leadership, mental well-being, and more with expert interviews and high-level discussions.

What Motivates Accountants & CPAs: Ashleigh Miller

In this Talent Special bonus, "What Motivates Accountants & CPAs", Rob Brown features Ashley Miller, an executive coach. Ashley shares insights into leadership, team dynamics, and influence. She discusses the importance of the human element in accounting and how firms can add value by understanding what motivates their employees. Ashley also describes creating emotional connections in the workplace and inspiring employees through communication and empathy. She suggests building trust by being vulnerable and creating a sense of belonging for employees. Furthermore, Ashley notes the unique opportunity for accounting firms to expand globally by recruiting diverse individuals. She concludes by challenging leaders to be self-aware and advocate for their careers while being accountable.

You can also watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/jrprBPjKU_g

Accounting firms are uniquely positioned to help businesses grow and succeed, especially during challenging times like the pandemic. Firms can expand globally and seek diverse talent to support their clients.

People crave human connection, even in their work lives, and accountants need to remember that clients and colleagues are people, not robots. Leaders can motivate and retain talent by understanding what motivates each individual and providing value beyond just salary.

Self-awareness is crucial for both leaders and team members. Leaders need to be aware of their impact on others and seek feedback to improve, while team members must advocate for their careers and take personal accountability for their actions.

Trust and vulnerability are essential for building relationships with colleagues and clients. People are likelier to follow leaders they trust and buy from organizations they like. Accountants can build trust and create deeper connections by being vulnerable and sharing their human side.

Guest Bio

Ashleigh Miller is the founder of Amplify Excellence LLC, a certified executive coach, and a business leader with over 20 years of experience in professional services organizations such as EY and Accenture. She is passionate about the human element within the business environment and empowers others by helping them realize their unique strengths as a catalyst for personal and team success. Ashleigh facilitates workshops and coaches on the art of emotional intelligence and its impact on business development, leadership skills, and team dynamics. She also serves as the President of the Board of Ballet Excel Ohio (BXO). In her free time, Ashleigh enjoys consuming hours of audiobooks and exciting podcasts, playing cards, laughing with friends, and engaging with her teenage children.

Your Host

Host Rob Brown is a renowned presenter, facilitator, and chair for high-level conferences and events in the accounting and fintech profession worldwide. He's an expert on trust, reputation, talent, career development, and more.

Author of Build Your Reputation and a TEDx speaker with over 300,000 YouTube views: stroke survivor, a committed Christian, and a black belt in kickboxing. Based in Nottingham, UK, he enjoys chess, backgammon, and orange chocolate but is allergic to grapefruit.

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown/
• Company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers
• YouTube: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/accinfluencersAdvanceTrack sponsors talent in AccountingkCould you get to know us better?!

If you enjoy the show, please leave a review on your preferred platform.

• Website: https://accountinginfluencers.com/podcast

Social Media:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@accountinginfluencers

Through expert interviews and high-level panels, Talent in Accounting explores talent, culture, recruitment, leadership, mental well-being, and more with expert interviews and high-level discussions.

Accounting & Finance Soft Skills Upgrade: Sean Purcell

In this episode of the Accounting Influencers Podcast, Rob Brown engages in a deep conversation with the seasoned expert, Sean Purcell ACMA. Sean dives into the critical skills necessary for the future of finance professionals and emphasizes the evolving role of finance business partners. With a decade of experience in crafting Continuing Professional Development (CPD) content for prestigious accounting bodies, Sean is a recognized authority in this field.

He sheds light on the shifting landscape of finance due to automation and the growing need for competencies beyond traditional finance knowledge. Sean discusses the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) over IQ for success in the finance world. He also highlights the challenge of effective communication within finance teams and with other departments in an organization.

Sean shares valuable insights on influencing and understanding colleagues, drawing parallels between different industries. He emphasizes the importance of empathy and soft skills in building trust and collaboration. The conversation touches on the cultural differences in the perception of sales and the role of finance professionals in various countries.

Throughout the episode, Sean encourages a more open and transparent approach to mistakes, drawing parallels between the healthcare and airline industries. He also stresses the need for finance professionals to adapt and develop their soft skills to remain relevant and impactful in the evolving financial landscape.

Tune in to this episode to gain a fresh perspective on the future of finance and the essential skills required to excel in this dynamic field. Sean's wealth of experience and insights will leave you with valuable takeaways for your finance journey.

To connect with Sean Purcell and explore his work further, visit wiseupnow.co.uk. Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your finance knowledge and skills with Sean's expertise. #FinanceSkills #EmotionalIntelligence #FutureOfFinance

Guest Bio

Sean Purcell ACMA is a seasoned expert with nearly three decades of experience in enhancing the softer skills within finance functions on a global scale. He is dedicated to delivering impactful programs worldwide and has played a pivotal role in shaping Continuing Professional Development (CPD) content for prestigious accounting bodies such as ACCA, CGMA, and AICPA. With a track record of working closely with over 1000 finance business partners globally, Sean is a go-to resource for organizations seeking to optimize their commercial success. He specializes in crafting bespoke programs that empower finance professionals to provide actionable insights, especially in a landscape where automation is revolutionizing traditional financial tasks. Learn more about Sean's work at wiseupnow.co.uk.

Your Host

Host Rob Brown is a renowned presenter, facilitator, and chair for high-level conferences and events in the accounting and fintech profession worldwide. He's an expert on trust, reputation, talent, career development, and more. Author of Build Your Reputation and a TEDx speaker with over 300,000 YouTube views: stroke survivor, a committed Christian, and a black belt in kickboxing. Based in Nottingham, UK, he enjoys chess, backgammon, and orange chocolate but is allergic to grapefruit.

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

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

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

Through expert interviews and high-level panels, Talent in Accounting explores talent, culture, recruitment, leadership, mental well-being, and more with expert interviews and high-level discussions.

Talent Strategies That Work in Accounting: Gary Shamis

In this episode of the Accounting Influencers Podcast, hosted by Rob Brown, Gary Shamis delves into the challenges accountants face in growing their firms today. The traditional formula of growth, which involved hiring more people as the client base expanded, is no longer as straightforward. Gary highlights several key factors affecting this paradigm shift in the United States, which could resonate with European audiences.

First, he discusses the significant decline in the number of people taking the CPA exam, down by 50% compared to five years ago. This drop is attributed to great resignation, pandemic-induced life reevaluation, the rise of virtual work culture, and unattractive starting compensation in public accounting.

Moreover, Gary emphasizes the emergence of various career options like technology, investment banking, private equity, and fintech, which weren't as prevalent two decades ago. These factors have led to a shortage of talent and issues related to succession planning within accounting firms.

Gary then reflects on how firms previously managed growth, focusing on clients, people, and growth. However, with the current capacity challenges, the approach needs to adapt. He introduces a four-pronged strategy, highlighting the importance of hiring and retaining millennials, revisiting and streamlining processes with external input, refining practice management for profitability, and embracing outsourcing as a viable solution.

This episode provides valuable insights for accountants aiming to navigate the evolving landscape of the industry and address capacity-related challenges while seeking sustainable growth opportunities. The conversation underscores the need for adaptability, innovation, and a willingness to explore new avenues in modern accounting.

Guest Bio

Gary Shamis is a former top 40 US accounting firm managing partner who sold to BDO in 2015. He is now CEO of Winding River Consulting, a high-level strategy consulting for the Restaurant, CPA, and professional services industries. Gary won EY Entrepreneur of the Year and is a Top Ten Managing Partner Elite (Accounting Today), among many other accounting accolades. He was called the “very model of the modern managing partner. He was awarded Most Admired Peer (INSIDE Public Accounting) and has over a dozen appearances on the Most Influential list (Accounting Today). He has served within the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants ranks. He co-authored How to Manage Your Accounting Practice: Taking Your Firm from Chaos to Consensus.

Your Host

Host Rob Brown is a renowned presenter, facilitator, and chair for high-level conferences and events in the accounting and fintech profession worldwide. He's an expert on trust, reputation, talent, career development, and more. Author of Build Your Reputation and a TEDx speaker with over 300,000 YouTube views: stroke survivor, a committed Christian, and a black belt in kickboxing. Based in Nottingham, UK, he enjoys chess, backgammon, and orange chocolate but is allergic to grapefruit.

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