The Woodard Report Podcast: Featuring Heather Day and Joe Woodard

On this episode, Joe and Heather explore the sudden closure and acquisition of Bench, the venture-backed bookkeeping and accounting firm, diving into its implications for the accounting industry, private equity, and an AI-driven future. They also discuss the challenges of balancing client-focused service with profit motives, highlight key takeaways from Andy Stanley's book Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets, and share their favorite quotes and social media insights of the week.

• More about Bench
• TV/Movie quote of the week — Dune: Prophecy
• Book of the week — Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets by Andy Stanley

Thank you to our show sponsor, Zoho!

• Zoho is a unique and powerful software suite to transform the way you work. Designed for businesses of all sizes, built by a company that values your privacy.

Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode Heather speaks with Deborah Defer, Director of CAS Consulting at Woodard, about the transformative role of artificial intelligence in the accounting industry. They explore Deborah's extensive career journey, her insights from attending the Digital CPA conference, and the exponential growth in AI adoption. Most importantly, they talk about the importance of blending technology with human expertise.

Thank you to our show sponsor, Zoho!

• Zoho is a unique and powerful software suite to transform the way you work. Designed for businesses of all sizes, built by a company that values your privacy.

Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

In this episode, Joe Woodard talks to Ron Baker about the concept of moral injury as a more accurate explanation for what is often misdiagnosed as burnout, especially in the accounting and medical professions. They explore how moral injury arises when professionals face systemic or situational pressures that force them to act against their deeply held beliefs, creating anxiety and dissatisfaction. This issue is more profound than the surface-level symptoms of burnout and is rooted in the disconnect between the transactional nature of modern work environments and the purpose-driven calling many professionals feel.

You can learn more about Ron Baker at TheSoulOfEnterprise.com and Verasage.com

Thank you to our show sponsor, Truewind!

• Truewind is a next generation AI-powered accounting platform. Adhering to the highest standards of data security, Truewind's close management platform automates routine tasks and finishes your monthly close with time to spare.

Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode, Heather Satterley interviews Danielle Bornowski, the CEO of DQB Strategies, who is a marketing strategist helping business owners make smart marketing decisions that don't feel like slimy sales. Danielle believes that customer reviews are an unsung hero in marketing that can do a lot to help people grow their business. For professional firms, they help to document the customer journey and inform services, which in turn, allows accounting pros to provide a unique experience and set themselves apart from everyone else.

From DBQ Strategies, here is a copy-and-paste template you can use to ask for customer reviews:

• DBQstrategies.marketing/reviews

Thank you to our show sponsor, Truewind!

• Truewind is a next generation AI-powered accounting platform. Adhering to the highest standards of data security, Truewind's close management platform automates routine tasks and finishes your monthly close with time to spare.

Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode, Joe Woodard and Heather Satterley discuss the recent U.S. election. They focus on how business advisors, leaders, and individuals can manage political shifts in a way that prioritizes understanding, respect, and stability within professional and personal relationships.

As always, the Woodard organization remains apolitical and fosters an internal environment where varying perspectives can thrive.

Books mentioned during this episode:

• Radical Candor by Kim Scott
• Infinite Game by Simon Sinek

Thank you to our show sponsor, Truewind!

• Truewind is a next generation AI-powered accounting platform. Adhering to the highest standards of data security, Truewind's close management platform automates routine tasks and finishes your monthly close with time to spare.

Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this show, Heather Satterley speaks with Candy Bellau about her personal journey in the accounting industry, touching on resilience, pricing, and the power of community. Candy shares valuable insights from her experiences, especially on overcoming business struggles, and offers guidance for accountants facing similar challenges. Some of the wide ranging topics discussed in this episode:

• Candy's Career Background
• Building Resilience
• Community Support
• Overcoming Pricing Struggles
• Importance of Mindset
• Creating a Positive Work Environment
• Practical Advice for Accountants

Thank you to our show sponsor!

• Rightworks — All your accounting apps, unified in the cloud

Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this show, Heather and Joe discuss the Intuit "Tax Breakup" advertising campaign and the industry reaction. Here are some important links for this special edition of the Woodard Report Podcast:

• The Tax Breakup Commercial
• What Intuit's 2024 Investor Day Means for ProAdvisors in an AI-Driven World
• Intuit's Tax Breakup Campaign Sparks Strong Response from the NATP
• Update: Intuit Responds to Controversial Tax Ad Following NATP Feedback

Thank you to our show sponsor!

• Rightworks — All your accounting apps, unified in the cloud

Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this show, Joe Woodard speaks with Jina Etienne about reimagining and redefining Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), as well as exploring its broader implications beyond common perceptions.

Jina is CEO of Etienne Consulting, LLC. She is a consultant, coach, facilitator, and speaker on inclusivity and belonging. Jina's work can be found at Etienne Consulting where her mission is to shatter unseen barriers.

Additional work from Jina:

• 2024 season of D&I One-on-One
• CPA Trendlines Podcast on decoupling DEIB
• "A Holistic Approach to Diversity"
• Podcast on ADHD called "The Distracted Elephant"

Thank you to our show sponsor!

• Rightworks — All your accounting apps, unified in the cloud

Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this show, Heather Satterley speaks with William "Bill" Murphy about the newly announced Intuit Enterprise Suite, a major release targeting mid-market businesses aimed at companies with sales over $3 million and up to 250 employees.

Bill Murphy's work, including his predictions about Intuit Enterprise Suite prior to it being officially announced, can be found at Insightful Accounting using this link.

Thank you to our show sponsor!

• Rightworks — All your accounting apps, unified in the cloud

Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this show, Heather Satterley and Joe Woodard discuss the intricacies of outsourcing and offshoring strategies, focusing on how businesses can leverage these approaches during a staffing crisis. Here are the key points discussed in the episode:

• Outsourcing and Offshoring: Joe and Heather went through the details of different models depending on company size and can even addressed how this practice can be great for small firms and solo practitioners.
• TV and Movie Segment: Heather is rewatching Game of Thrones and loves this quote from Daenerys Targaryen: "I'm not going to stop the wheel, I'm going to break it". Joe talked about this quote from Rings of Power: "What cannot be known hollows the mind. Fill it not with guesswork."
• Book Segment: Dare to Lead by Brene Brown. The author also has a great TEDTalk called, "The power of vulnerability"
• Social Media Segment: Heather mentioned this X post from @LilyTranTax and Joe mentioned a random X post with an amazing play on words. Here is a link to the image Joe referenced.
• Woodard Report Article Recommendation: Heather recommended "Thriving in Accounting: The Importance of Lifelong Learning"

Thank you to our show sponsor!

• Rightworks — All your accounting apps, unified in the cloud

Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast