Accounting Voices

By Rob BrownBusiness Careers Management

Accounting Voices episodes

August 24Bottom Up or Top Down AI Adoption in Accounting Firms?
Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond.
This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms.
No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside.
Today's special guest is Brian Lang, CEO of SSC CPAs and Advisors.
The five questions:
Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?
What are firms still getting wrong about AI?
Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?
Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?
By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest?

Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QG8PuqcTnQg
This episode is part of AI Reality Inside Firms on Accounting Voices, where senior accounting firm leaders answer the same five questions about how AI is genuinely landing inside their firms. Find the full series on YouTube, LinkedIn, CPA Trendlines and all major podcast platforms.
Thank you to our series partners: Fieldguide, the AI-native platform for audit and advisory firms. Karbon, the global leader in AI-powered practice management software. Digits, the AI-powered financial intelligence platform for accounting firms. Filed, the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation. Instead, the first AI tax agent for end-to-end research, planning, filing and defence.
Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices
To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown
12 min
August 17Accounting's Billable Hour Problem Now Exposed by AI
Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond.
This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms.
No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside.
Today's special guest is OJ Laos, Director of AI and Innovation at Sorren.
The five questions:
Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?
What are firms still getting wrong about AI?
Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?
Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?
By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest?

Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/n2cdoeICs_M
Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible.
Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io
Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com
Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com
Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com
Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com
Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice.
This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative.
Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices
To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown
12 min
August 10 9 CPA Firm Leaders on How AI Is Changing Accounting
Rob Brown pulls together direct quotes from Chris Jones, Randy Nail, Sean Spitzer, David Emmer, Richard Lynch, Randy Johnston, Chelsea Summers, Richard Kopelman and Jason Miller to reveal five consistent patterns emerging across nine very different firms.
Compliance is not the strategic question anymore. Pricing, capacity and culture are. This episode shows where the leaders agree, where they diverge, and what it means for the second half of the series.
Sponsored by FieldGuide, Instead, Carbon, Digits and Filed, the technology partners helping accounting firms bridge the gap between AI ambition and operational reality
13 min
August 03What AI Is Actually Changing Inside Our CPA Firm Now
Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond.
This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms.
No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside.
Today's special guest is Jason Miller, President and CEO at Dean Dorton.
The five questions:
Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?
What are firms still getting wrong about AI?
Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?
Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?
By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest?

Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZDwK0ndPcjg
Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible.
Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io
Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com
Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com
Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com
Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com
Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice.
This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative.
Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices
To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown
13 min
July 27Where AI Adoption in Accounting Firms Is Really Going
Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond.
This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms.
No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside.
Today's special guest is Jin Chang, CEO and Co-Founder at Fieldguide.
The five questions:
Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?
What are firms still getting wrong about AI?
Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?
Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?
By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest?

Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Gr-YJUDqkJ4
Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible.
Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io
Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com
Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com
Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com
Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com
Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice.
This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative.
Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices
To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown
13 min
July 20How One Mid-Tier CPA Firm Is Really Using AI Day to Day
Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond.
This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms.
No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside.
Today's special guest is Chris Jones of Linkenheimer, a North Bay accounting firm in Sonoma County, California.
The five questions:
Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?
What are firms still getting wrong about AI?
Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?
Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?
By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest?

Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026.Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DCAv6qtcnXc
Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible.
Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io
Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com
Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com
Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com
Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com
Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice.
This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative.
Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices
To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown
13 min
July 13Where AI Is Actually Working Inside Accounting Firms
Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond.
This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms.
No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside.
Today's special guest is Jeff Seibert, Founder and CEO at Digits
The five questions:
Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?
What are firms still getting wrong about AI?
Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?
Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?
By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest?

Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7KiDgcr1xf0
Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible.
Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io
Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com
Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com
Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com
Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com
Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice.
This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative.
Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices
To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown
15 min
July 06The Real Cost of Adopting AI in Accounting Firms Now
Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond.
This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms.
No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside.
Today's special guest is Randy Nail, CEO at HoganTaylor
The five questions:
Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?
What are firms still getting wrong about AI?
Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?
Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?
By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest?

Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/TUauf9ZEUIY
Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible.
Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io
Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com
Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com
Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com
Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com
Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice.
This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative.
Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices
To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown
12 min
June 29How This CPA Firm Is Rolling Out AI Across Every Team
Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond.
This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms.
No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside.
Today's special guest is Sean Spitzer, President and COO at Smith + Howard
The five questions:
Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?
What are firms still getting wrong about AI?
Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?
Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?
By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest?

Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CAPH-vOkJzQ
Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible.
Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io
Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com
Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com
Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com
Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com
Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice.
This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative.
Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices
To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown
10 min
June 22What AI Actually Changes for Accounting Firms Today
Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond.
This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms.
No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside.
Today's special guest is Andrew Argue, CEO and Founder at Instead.
The five questions:
Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?
What are firms still getting wrong about AI?
Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?
Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?
By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest?

Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OUpsCLSGpKI
Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible.
Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io
Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com
Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com
Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com
Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com
Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice.
This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative.
Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices
To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown
18 min

About Accounting Voices

From the publisher's feed

Accounting Voices is the only accounting show built for boardroom-level leadership conversations. Hosted by Rob Brown, it exists to interpret the structural forces placing accounting firms and their leaders under sustained pressure. AI. Private equity. Consolidation. Talent strain. Shifting client expectations. Operating models under stress. These are not emerging trends. They are realities reshaping how firms operate and how leaders make decisions right now.

Where other accounting shows report news, share technical updates or offer tactical advice, Accounting Voices operates at a different altitude. This is a senior leadership platform built around structured seasonal inquiry. Each season focuses on one defined tension facing the profession. A curated cohort of senior firm leaders records focused conversations answering the same five disciplined questions. The result is not opinion or commentary. It is comparable cross-firm intelligence on how leadership decisions are actually being made inside accounting firms today.

This format is unique in the profession. No other show asks the same structured questions of multiple senior leaders. No other show produces the kind of pattern recognition that emerges when managing partners, firm owners and PE-backed executives answer the same questions independently. And no other show synthesises those patterns into forward-looking interpretation designed for leaders who are accountable for outcomes and short on time.

Previous seasons have examined AI reality inside firms, the future of advisory, leadership under pressure and the forces testing firm durability. Guests include firm owners and founders, managing partners, firm CEOs, PE-backed executives and senior operators from firms across North America. Every conversation is short, structured and designed to surface lived experience rather than theory.

Rob Brown has conducted more than 1,000 interviews with leaders across accounting, fintech and professional services. His approach is rooted in pattern recognition. He listens across dozens of senior voices and synthesises what he hears into forward-looking interpretation that helps leaders see what is changing before it becomes visible in their own firms. He is not a commentator reacting to headlines. He is an interpreter of the structural shifts that compound quietly until they reshape entire firms.

Accounting Voices is used by firm leaders and boardrooms to navigate change and support leadership teams under pressure. Partners share episodes internally to frame strategic conversations. Managing partners reference the series in leadership meetings and planning sessions. The show provides structured thinking for senior decision makers navigating complexity and ambiguity.

This is not news. It is not education. It is not a vendor platform. It is not a guest submission show. Participation is by invitation only and limited to senior leaders whose lived experience directly informs the season theme. Every season is editorially independent. Sponsors do not shape topics, select guests or influence direction.

The platform operates across all major podcast channels, YouTube and LinkedIn. It is syndicated through CPA Trendlines and distributed to accounting professionals globally. Accounting Voices also underpins private leadership conversations with firms, networks and associations. The same structured format is used in closed settings to help leadership teams align around the pressures they face internally. The public show is the proof of concept. The private work is where it lands.

If you lead an accounting firm or sit inside one navigating structural change, this show was built for you. Not to tell you what to think. To help you think more clearly about what is already in front of you.

Rob also hosts BACKED, a dedicated YouTube series examining capital, control and power inside accounting firms. BACKED is the only platform covering private equity, consolidation and independence in accounting at depth. Through long-form interviews with PE investors, consolidator CEOs, independent firm owners and M&A advisors, BACKED surfaces the real decisions and consequences behind the capital transformation reshaping the profession. Watch at youtube.com/@accountingvoices