In this episode of The AI Powered Accountant, hosts Shanil and Dmitry sit down with Lance Rubin, founder of Model Citizen and global expert in financial modeling and AI adoption. From Excel to Power BI to Anthropic and Copilot, Lance shares the six pillars of what it really means to be an AI-powered accountant.

The conversation dives into efficiency gains (3–5x improvements), the balance between human-friendly skills and automation, the risks of unsecured AI use, and why future-ready finance leaders must embrace both technology and trust. If you’re a CFO, accountant, or finance professional curious about how AI will transform your role, this episode is packed with insights and practical takeaways.

In this episode, we sit down with Niroshan Paldano, co-founder of Zanbio, to explore how AI is transforming accounts receivable and payable in emerging markets. From his early days at IBM to building logistics tech startups, Nero shares practical insights on automating finance operations, overcoming AI adoption challenges, and why future-ready CFOs focus on strategy—not spreadsheets. We also dive into AI governance, data security, and the power of localizing finance solutions in Southeast Asia.

Shanil chats with Derek Repp, Co-founder of Colfax, about leveraging AI in accounting. They dove into how AI enhances communication, streamlines research, and revolutionizes data reporting through tools like Power BI, highlighting its role in making accounting more dynamic and enjoyable.

Want to effortlessly create impactful LinkedIn content and establish yourself as an AI-forward accountant? Tune in to this episode of the AI Powered Accountant! Shanil shares his simple yet effective process for leveraging AI to discover trending topics, craft authentic posts, and even generate headlines and visuals in under 10 minutes. Start building your personal brand and connecting with your network today!

Welcome to the first episode of AI Powered Accountants! In this episode, hosted by Shanil Dissanayake, we aim to empower and educate accounting professionals, finance leaders, and business owners on how to effectively use AI. We'll be discussing the challenges of AI implementation, with a special guest sharing his journey of moving from initial frustration to finding practical AI solutions for business problems. Our guest, Rick Bazerghi, is an entrepreneur and business leader; the Founder and CEO of Meir Australia, Meir UK, and The Smash Room. Rick has a strong track record of building high-performing teams, driving sustainable growth, and creating cultures of accountability, and he'll be sharing his insights on leveraging AI to streamline operations and improve decision-making.