In this episode of Accounting Voices, Rob Brown discusses the evolving landscape of leadership in the accounting profession. He emphasizes that technical excellence is no longer sufficient for leaders, who must now embrace emotional literacy, adaptability, and strategic thinking to navigate the complexities of modern business. The conversation highlights the importance of trustworthiness, effective people management, and the need for leaders to develop AI skills to stay relevant in a rapidly changing environment.

Takeaways

Technical excellence is the price of entry for accountants.

Leaders must transition from technical experts to enterprise leaders.

Emotional literacy is crucial for effective leadership.

Change management differs from change leadership.

Delegation is essential to prevent burnout.

Trustworthiness cannot be automated and is vital for leadership.

Every firm member will need AI operator skills by 2026.

Strategic heresy involves letting go of outdated practices.

Leaders should view their firms as products requiring systems thinking.

Humanity and judgment are key attributes for future leaders.

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/gyfVzKISy78

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

In this episode of Accounting Voices, we continue our Reflections 2025 series with a different kind of question:

What moment actually changed how leaders think about the accounting profession?

Across 48 conversations, a clear pattern emerged.

2025 became the year the profession was forced to look in the mirror — and many leaders didn’t like what they saw.

This episode explores the assumptions that quietly collapsed:

1. The idea that technical excellence alone is enough to survive
2. The belief that only accountants can run accounting firms
3. The illusion that private equity is a guaranteed exit
4. The comfort of reactive advisory instead of proactive leadership
5. And the dangerous gap between AI experimentation and governance

From the Deloitte Australia AI scandal, to the rise of non-accountant COOs, to push-button data migrations eliminating long-accepted friction, this conversation maps the strategic fault lines now defining the profession.

You’ll hear insights from leaders including:

1. Alice Grey Harrison on the irony of firms failing to give themselves strategic advice
2. Sagar Ahuja on the quiet death of partner consensus
3. Becky Livingston on governance failures masquerading as AI failures
4. Trow Trowbridge on the cost of being reactive
5. Ira Rosenbloom on the myths surrounding private equity
6. Ben Taylor on why long-held technology assumptions finally broke

At its core, this episode asks a confronting question:

If your firm were your own client, would you still be hired?

2025 wasn’t about better tools.

It was about better thinking.

And once the mirror is held up, you can’t unsee what’s reflected.

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/3NKN3q3dfsY

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

In this episode of Accounting Voices, Rob Brown shares the most honest reflections yet from 48 industry leaders, partners, and practitioners. After asking one tough question, “What disappointed you in 2025?”, a clear pattern emerged.

The problem wasn’t a lack of technology.

It wasn’t AI.

And it wasn’t ambition.

It was execution.

From shiny new tools layered onto broken processes, to decision paralysis, vendor overpromising, outdated partner models, and firms mistaking activity for progress, this episode breaks down why the profession feels stuck despite unprecedented opportunity.

You’ll hear powerful metaphors, sharp warnings, and uncomfortable truths about why agreement without action is holding firms back, and why courage, not more tools, is now the missing ingredient.

If you’re a firm leader, partner, or professional navigating change, this episode will challenge how you think about technology, strategy, talent, and accountability.

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

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

In this powerful episode of Accounting Voices, Rob Brown reveals the findings from an ambitious project: interviewing 48 senior leaders across the accounting profession and asking them the same five questions about the year that changed everything.

This episode focuses on Question 1: What defined 2025? And the answer is uncomfortable but critical: 2025 was not a year of progress. It was a year of separation.

You’ll hear how:

AI stopped being “innovation” and became baseline infrastructure.

Private equity permanently changed the profession’s operating model.

Legacy processes collided with modern technology.

Talent pressure exposed broken cultures and outdated firm models.

The profession entered a deep identity crisis.

The “velocity gap” between firms is now a serious threat.

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/01w0gDWxE6E

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

In this episode, Rob Brown discusses the evolving landscape of accounting firms, emphasizing the importance of understanding the type of firm one wants to become amidst rapid changes driven by technology and market dynamics. He highlights five key signals affecting leadership and firm relevance, including the discomfort surrounding AI, the challenges of the partnership model, and the pressures faced by mid-tier firms. Brown offers takeaways for current and aspiring leaders, focusing on the need for clarity, interpretation of information, and the importance of relevance over tenure in leadership roles.

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/WhG5gORGVCs

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

In this episode of Accounting Voices, Rob Brown discusses the critical choices accounting firms must make as they navigate the evolving landscape of the profession. He emphasizes the importance of making intentional decisions regarding automation, client relationships, and specialization, highlighting the trade-offs that come with each choice. The conversation explores the four dominant strategic positions firms can adopt and the implications of these choices for their future success.

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/42pAfXia5LwFuture Accounting Firm Models 2026 | The Strategic Trade-Offs Leaders Must Face

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

2026 is not a reset year for accounting firms.It is a sorting year.

In this episode of Accounting Voices, Rob Brown explains why the accounting profession is splitting and why firms will be forced to choose a direction.

Four fault lines are reshaping the profession:

1. How firms adopt AI

2. How client expectations are changing

3. Whether the next generation wants ownership

4. Which business models survive consolidation

Some firms will gain clarity, margin and confidence. Others will stay busy and quietly fall behind. This episode is not about tools. It is about direction.

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/240ZreNQrT4

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

In this episode, Rob Brown reflects on the significant changes and challenges faced in the accounting and finance sectors over the past year. He discusses the impact of private equity, AI, and shifting workplace dynamics on professionals' mental health and job satisfaction. Rob emphasizes the importance of recognizing these changes, reassessing career paths, and building personal brands to ensure stability and relevance in the evolving job market. He encourages listeners to reflect on their experiences and consider what they want to carry forward into the next year.

Takeaways

This year has brought unprecedented change in the workplace.

Mental health and job satisfaction are crucial for professionals.

Many are questioning if their current career aligns with their expectations.

Stability comes from personal skills and relationships, not just employers.

Silence in the workplace can lead to irrelevance.

It's acceptable to seek more from your career without being ungrateful.

Accounting offers diverse career paths and opportunities.

Not every workplace deserves your best efforts.

Clarity and context are essential for career success.

Reflecting on the past year can guide future career decisions.

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/_Q-K-1vW5TU

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

In the final part of this mini series Rob Brown explains how professionals and leaders should act when firm change is officially announced. From mergers to ownership shifts this episode shows why coping with uncertainty is now a career defining skill.

Key takeaways

1. Change tests behaviour
2. Clarity builds trust
3. Visibility creates security
4. Adaptation wins careers

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/YnwCVRqWdO0

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

Accounting firms send signals long before announcing mergers restructures leadership changes or new ownership. In this episode Rob Brown explains the early warning signs that professionals notice first and how to read them so you stay informed relevant and secure during uncertainty.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Leaders change language before they change structure

Partner behaviour reveals direction

Hiring patterns predict strategy

Tech spend is the earliest indicator

Visibility protects your career during uncertainty

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/WXUNtQOLv0M

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.