The Upstream Leader Podcast

Jeremy Clopton rejoins us for Episode 70 of The Upstream Leader as he engages in an insightful conversation with Carla McCall, managing partner at AAFCPAs and now Chair of the AICPA. Exploring her journey of authentic leadership, the importance of candor and self-reflection, and how creating a culture where team members can bring their whole selves to work can drive success, Carla shares her personal experiences and practical strategies for fostering a human-centric workplace culture that enhances productivity and employee satisfaction. Don't miss out on key book recommendations and actionable advice to elevate your leadership game!

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Jeremy Clopton returns to host Episode 69 of The Upstream Leader featuring Danielle Supkis Cheek, Vice President, Head of Analytics and AI at Caseware. They discuss the transformative role of technology in accounting, how AI and analytics are reshaping the profession and what it means for modern leadership. Danielle shares practical strategies for adopting new technologies, managing risks, and staying competitive, highlighting the impact of AI on efficiency, the future of standards, and emerging trends like chain-of-thought reasoning and small language models. Danielle's insights are pivotal for professionals who want to come to grips with the fast pace of change in both their leadership and firm development roles.

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Tune in for key leadership insights on navigating adversity, on Episode 68 of The Upstream Leader. Anthony Sanfilippo, co-founder of Sorelle Capital, joins Heath Alloway to discuss his successes and tribulations in the hospitality industry. Full of stories from a 40+ year career, Anthony speaks on the importance of integrity, how to implement ideals around it within a company culture, and how to handle unexpected challenges. He highlights the role of grit and determination in achieving career growth, asserting that it's always possible to carve out a place where you'll be singled out for your unique contributions.

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Heath Alloway returns to host Episode 67 of The Upstream Leader, and he talks to James Stapleton, co-founder of Codefi, about his insights on tech entrepreneurs and startups, the challenges they deal with, and how accounting firms can look to aid this specialized group of clients. Through Codefi, James seeks to streamline financial operations and readjust traditional accounting practices through a mutual use of technology between client and firm, allowing for a relationship with room to grow on both sides.

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Join Jeremy Clopton on Episode 66 of The Upstream Leader as he talks to Jeff Bartsch, founder of Story Greenlight. They explore the power of storytelling in transforming communication strategies for accounting professionals, a skill Jeff refined first with over 20 years of experience writing stories in Hollywood, and then subsequently, coaching professionals on how best to communicate theirs. Discover how leveraging communication frameworks can lead to meaningful connections, advisory roles, and transformative outcomes in accounting firms. Jeff provides insights and practical tools to enhance your leadership and client relationships.

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The general accounting business model has remained more or less unchanged for decades, and on Episode 65 of The Upstream Leader, Michelle Golden joins Jeremy Clopton to discuss what needs to happen to capture the increases in efficiency that have exploded in the profession since the end of the 20th century. Michelle, the CEO of Fore LLC, drives home the fact that with technological advancement should come more revenue, but because so many accounting firms are still anchored to time-based billing, the paradoxical result is more clients, but equal or even lower revenue. Michelle and Jeremy discuss solutions to solving this paradox, starting with what she calls "worth-based pricing."

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Jeremy Clopton welcomes David Hartley to The Upstream Leader for Episode 64, and their conversation focuses around the challenges of leading accounting firms into the future. The impact of hybrid work environments, the role of technology, and the shift to advisory services will all play a large role in shaping the direction the profession takes in the coming years, and David stresses that just carrying on as things currently stand is not likely to bear much fruit. He breaks down the power of young professionals who are up to date with modern tools, the efficiency gains this signifies in real terms, and the need for leaders to be willing to take a chance on implementing strategies that utilize both.

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On Episode 63 of The Upstream Leader, Heath Alloway welcomes Philip Palaveev, CEO of The Ensemble Practice, for a discussion on leadership, mentorship, and conflict management. Feedback and trust play a vital role in making emotional discussions productive, and Philip covers helpful information on nonverbal communication, active listening, and the concept of relationship deposits and withdrawals and how to manage them.

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The Upstream Leader's Heath Alloway and Chance Potts, Founder of Employee Benefit Design, roll up their sleeves to tackle how mental fitness can help us function at our best level, no matter the circumstances. This approach includes recognizing how we naturally approach challenges, discomfort, and negativity and ways to rewire our thought processes to embrace the challenges we face in our lives and careers.

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In this episode, Jeremy Clopton and Heath Alloway discuss the challenges and strategies for building unity and a team-driven culture in accounting firms. They explore the impact of remote and hybrid work on firm culture and employee engagement. They emphasize the importance of intentional communication and connection in creating a positive work environment. The conversation highlights the role of leaders in fostering a sense of purpose and belonging among team members. They also discuss the mindset and optimism needed to navigate the profession's changing landscape.

Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com