Accounting Influencers

In this episode of Accounting Voices, Rob Brown discusses the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the accounting profession. He emphasizes that AI is not a threat to jobs but rather to specific tasks, urging professionals to adapt and embrace AI to remain relevant. The conversation covers the slow adoption of AI in accounting firms, the implications for workforce dynamics, and the necessity for leadership to engage with AI strategically. Brown also provides practical steps for accountants to integrate AI into their work and enhance their careers.Takeaways - AI is changing how accounting firms operate and compete.Professionals who master AI will thrive in the future.Most accounting firms are slow to adopt AI technologies.Early adopters of AI in accounting are seeing significant benefits.AI can free up time for accountants to focus on advisory roles.The big four accounting firms are heavily investing in AI.AI is reshaping entry-level roles in accounting.Human judgment remains a critical adv

In this episode of The Accounting Voices Podcast, Rob Brown talks with Ian Gregory, CTO of AdvanceTrack Outsourcing, about how artificial intelligence is reshaping the accounting profession. They explore where to start with AI, how to protect client data, what skills accountants need for the future, and why process excellence must come before automation. Ian’s insights bridge technology, talent and trust essential listening for firm leaders planning the next phase of change.Key Takeaways:- AI adoption starts small and practical, not theoretical.- Security and trust are top priorities before automation.- Simplify broken processes before digitising them.- Critical thinking and communication skills are rising in value.- The career ladder is shifting from pyramid to diamond.- Advisory and assurance work will define the future accountant.Killer Quotes:- “If your workflows are messy, AI will multiply the mess.”- “Process before automation control, simplify, then digitise.”- “AI supports people; people supervise AI.

Accounting Voices, hosted by Rob Brown, launches with a sharp new season focused on helping accounting and finance professionals stay relevant, visible and vocal in a profession being reshaped by AI, automation, private equity and consolidation. This is not a show about technical standards or software. It is about leadership, authority and influence — the softer skills that matter most when the rules of the game are being rewritten. Rob outlines the themes coming up in future episodes, from credibility and executive presence to thought leadership and personal brand. He also introduces the Accounting Voices Collective, regular gatherings that bring leaders together for candid conversations, and points to the YouTube channel and LinkedIn newsletter where thousands tune in for updates and video content.Key Takeaways:- Competence is expected, but visibility creates opportunity- Influence is career insurance in disruptive times- This show focuses on leadership, not technical content- Accounting Voices Collective c

In Episode 6, the finale of this 6-part series, Rob Brown explains why your personal brand is your greatest asset in the age of AI and consolidation. Compliance is collapsing. Clients want advisors. Tech is an ally. But the only thing you fully control is your visibility, authority and influence.Rob shares stats from LinkedIn and Edelman, examples from firms, and 5 practical actions to start building your personal brand today.This series is not about firms. It is about you — your visibility, your relevance and your survival.*Key Takeaways*LinkedIn: visible professionals are 4x more likely to get opportunitiesEdelman: 63% trust individual experts more than companiesPresence, perspective, proof: the 3 Ps of personal brandPersonal brand is contribution, not bragging5 actions to build your personal brand todayEpisode 6 of 6: The Accountant’s Survival Guide*Killer Quotes*“Personal brand is your career insurance”“If you are invisible, you are vulnerable”“Presence, perspective, proof — that is the model”“People foll

n Episode 5 of this 6-part series, Rob Brown shows how accountants can turn technology from a threat into an ally. With AI automating compliance, the winners will be those who harness tech to automate, analyse and advise.Rob shares stats on firm growth, real-world examples and a 5-step action plan to start making tech your ally today.This series is not about firms. It is about you — your visibility, your relevance and your survival.Sponsored by Infinite Ties, led by Deneen Dias, empowering US firms to scale Client Advisory Services through peer-to-peer learning and training.*Key Takeaways*Firms using advisory tech grow 30% faster (Fathom HQ)Tech automates compliance but empowers advisoryAutomate, analyse, advise: the 3-step modelTools: dashboards, forecasting, AI-driven insightsClients want answers, not dataEpisode 5 of 6: The Accountant’s Survival Guide*Killer Quotes*“Tech will either replace you or empower you”“Clients don’t want data. They want answers”“Automate, analyse, advise — that is the model”“Tech i

In Episode 4 of this 6-part series, Rob Brown lays out the practical playbook to move from compliance worker to trusted advisor. Using a 5-step framework — repackage, reprice, retrain, rebrand and replace — you’ll learn how to build advisory services that clients value and careers that last.Rob shares firm examples, stats from the AICPA, and a 5-action starter kit to help accountants make the shift right now.This series is not about firms. It is about you — your visibility, your relevance and your survival.Sponsored by Infinite Ties, led by Deneen Dias, empowering US firms to scale Client Advisory Services through peer-to-peer learning and training.**Key Takeaways*** 60% of firms admit they have failed to scale advisory (AICPA)* Compliance is commoditised; advisory must be built intentionally* 5 steps: repackage, reprice, retrain, rebrand, replace* Advisory is a growth engine and career insurance* 5 actions to start your shift today* Episode 4 of 6: The Accountant’s Survival Guide**Killer Quotes*** “You canno

In Episode 3 of this 6-part series, Rob Brown explains why the biggest shift accountants must make is in mindset. Advisory is not a service line. It is a way of thinking.Compliance asks “what happened.” Advisory asks “what’s next.” And only one of those roles has a future. Rob shares the evidence, the 5 advisory skills AI cannot replace, and a practical playbook for developing the mindset that keeps you relevant.This series is not about firms. It is about you — your visibility, your relevance and your survival.Sponsored by Infinite Ties, led by Deneen Dias, empowering US firms to scale Client Advisory Services through peer-to-peer learning and training.**Key Takeaways*** Compliance is backward looking. Advisory is forward looking* AI can report but cannot advise* Middle management is shrinking; influence is growing* 5 skills AI cannot replace: curiosity, acumen, communication, entrepreneurial thinking, influence* Advisory is a mindset before it’s a service line* Episode 3 of 6: The Accountant’s Survival Guide

In Episode 2 of this 6-part series, Rob Brown explains why clients no longer value accountants as form-fillers and why they are demanding advisors who bring foresight, strategy and fluency.With 70% of SMEs saying they would switch firms for more proactive advice, advisory is no longer optional. Rob shares the evidence, real-world examples and a 5-step playbook to align your work with client expectations.This is not about firms. It is about you — your visibility, your relevance and your survival.Sponsored by Infinite Ties, led by Deneen Dias, empowering US firms to scale Client Advisory Services through peer-to-peer learning and training.**Key Takeaways*** 70% of SMEs would switch firms for more advice (Thomson Reuters)* Compliance is commoditised. Advisory is the expectation* Clients want foresight, strategy and sector fluency* AI can fill forms but cannot advise* 5 steps to start aligning with client demand today* Episode 2 of 6: The Accountant’s Survival Guide**Killer Quotes*** “Clients don’t want form-fill

In Episode 1 of this 6-part series, Rob Brown explains why compliance work is collapsing under AI, automation and private equity consolidation. Accountants who stay compliance-only face price erosion, invisibility and unemployment.Rob shares hard stats, cross-industry signals and a 5-step survival playbook for protecting your career. This series is not about firms. It is about you — your visibility, your relevance and your survival.Stay tuned for Episode 2 where we explore how client expectations have shifted and what they really want now.Sponsored by Infinite Ties, led by Deneen Dias, empowering US firms to scale Client Advisory Services through peer-to-peer learning and training.*Key Takeaways*40% of jobs worldwide are at risk from AI (IMF)50% of compliance tasks can already be automated (PwC)340k accountants left the US profession in 3 years (WSJ)Middle management is shrinking across industriesPrivate equity roll-ups are cutting costs and layersIrrelevance equals unemployment for accountants5 steps to star

In this final episode of the six-part series, Rob Brown explores what the accounting firm of the future will really look like.Smaller teams. Fewer layers. Modular delivery. Tech-first talent. Clients demanding speed, insight and strategic value. The future firm is already taking shape. Are you part of it?Global economic pressure, rising automation, and evolving business models are forcing firms to rethink how they’re structured. Rob outlines what changes are happening now and what professionals must do to stay valuable in the next chapter of the profession.Whether you're just starting out, navigating mid-career or sitting in the partner seat, this episode gives you the playbook for what's coming.**Key Takeaways:**➜ Firms are shrinking by design, not decline➜ AI and tech are replacing repetitive tasks➜ Modular, freelance and specialist talent is on the rise➜ Subscription and advisory models are replacing hourly billing➜ Influence, adaptability and visibility are now essential➜ Individuals must build relevance

n this episode, Rob Brown exposes a subtle but widespread issue in accounting firms: silent firing.**You haven’t been let go. But you’re no longer invited to meetings. Projects go to others. Nobody is talking about your future. You feel sidelined. Not officially, not publicly, but unmistakably.This is silent firing. And it's happening across the profession.This is episode four in a six-part series on the broken career ladder in accounting. Rob Brown explains how good people are being quietly pushed out without the firm ever saying a word. And more importantly, he shares what professionals can do when their career stalls without warning.*Key Takeaways:*➜ Silent firing is career drift by design➜ It affects high performers who stop being visible➜ AI, private equity and leadership churn increase the risk➜ Being left out of projects is a warning sign➜ Visibility and value must be actively managed➜ You must self-advocate or risk fading away*Killer Quotes:*"You’re not in trouble. You’re invisible.""Silent firing is

In this episode, Rob Brown tackles the slow decline of influence among top accounting leaders.**This is episode three in a six-part series on the broken career ladder in accounting. We’ve covered the collapse of entry-level roles and the hollowing out of mid-level staff. Now, we confront what’s happening at the top—where seasoned partners and firm leaders are watching their influence erode.Rob explores why senior professionals are losing visibility and voice in a fast-moving profession. From AI-driven transformation to younger staff expectations, from private equity shakeups to non-accountants running firms, the rules of leadership are changing. And the old safety net of tenure and equity is no longer enough.If you're a senior leader wondering why you feel out of the loop—or if you manage one—you need to hear this.**Key Takeaways:**➜ 75% of CPAs are retiring or near-retirement age➜ PE-backed firms demand speed, scale and accountability➜ Tenure and equity no longer protect underperformance➜ Clients want commer

In this episode, we explore the profound impact of AI and automation on the accounting profession, particularly how these technologies are hollowing out the middle level of accounting roles. Join us with expert Rob Brown as we discuss the challenges and opportunities this shift presents.Key Takeaways:Mid-Level Disruption: Understanding how AI is automating tasks traditionally handled by mid-level accountants. Adapting to Change: Strategies for mid-level professionals to adapt and thrive in an AI-driven environment. The New Skillset: Essential skills and competencies needed to remain relevant in the evolving accounting landscape. Opportunities Ahead: How automation is creating new roles and opportunities for growth in the accounting field.You can find this on youtube here: https://youtu.be/E-nACbOZSQA◣━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━◢The Accounting Influencers Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. T

In this episode of the Accounting Influencers podcast, Rob Brown discusses the challenges facing entry-level accounting jobs, including the impact of automation and AI on the profession. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to new skills and the evolving nature of accounting careers. The conversation highlights the need for fresh talent and the changing expectations of firms in the accounting industry.You’ll learn:* Why traditional junior roles are vanishing* How this impacts promotion, retention and firm health* What entry-level professionals should focus on now* What firms must do to build new talent pipelines* How to rebuild your brand if you've been laid offThe profession must adapt to survive and thrive in a changing landscape.You can find this on youtube here: https://youtu.be/IfvBt6u32AI◣━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━◢The Accounting Influencers Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. The

In this episode, Rob Brown breaks down how professionals can build serious influence even if they don’t have a senior job title.Whether you’re in accounting, law, consulting or corporate leadership, this episode gives bold strategies to lead from the middle. Rob dives into how to build trust, shape decisions and earn visibility without needing permission or power. Perfect for ambitious professionals who want to grow their internal brand and be seen as leaders before they’re given the title.Key Takeaways:➜ Influence isn’t linked to your job title➜ Visibility beats authority every time➜ Micro-alliances build momentum before meetings➜ Speak up early and often with value➜ Tell better stories to shift perceptions➜ Deliver more than you pitch➜ Initiative earns respect faster than ideasKiller Quotes:"Leadership is a posture, not a position""Influence is how you get the title, not what comes after""People follow clarity, not hierarchy""Quiet power moves the loudest things""If you want a seat at the table, act like yo

In this episode, Rob Brown explains how accountants are sabotaging their authority by being too nice, too humble and too silent.What makes someone respected in today’s accounting profession? Rob Brown explores five subtle behaviours that quietly destroy professional authority and credibility. From downplaying your presence to chasing approval, these hidden habits often go unnoticed. But they’re costing you influence, impact and opportunity.This episode is a wake-up call for accounting leaders, managers and anyone trying to build presence in hybrid or high-pressure environments. Rob lays out the new rules of respect, and how to lead with clarity, calm and self-assurance—without losing your humanity.Key Takeaways:➜ Being composed is more powerful than being casual➜ Likability is not the same as trust or respect➜ Authority grows when you raise standards, not adapt to them➜ Saying nothing when boundaries are crossed trains people to ignore you➜ Minimising your presence for humility leads to being overlooked➜ Calm

In this episode, Rob Brown delivers a wake-up call to accounting firms stuck in legacy thinking and explains why entrepreneurial mindsets are now mission-critical.Accounting used to be about consistency, caution, and compliance. Today, it's about creativity, innovation, and commercial bravery. In this solo episode, Rob Brown unpacks why accounting firms must ditch their old ways of working and embrace an entrepreneurial mindset. Whether it’s the pressure from private equity, client expectations, or shrinking margins, the message is clear: evolve or get left behind.This episode explores what entrepreneurial thinking looks like in a firm, how to identify intrapreneurs, and what leaders must do to create a culture of experimentation and growth. A must-listen for partners, managers, and future leaders who want to stay relevant in a rapidly changing industry.Key Takeaways:➜ Traditional firm models are being disrupted by tech, client demands, and PE influence➜ Entrepreneurial thinking isn’t optional, it’s survival➜

Even if your accounting firm’s brand is forgettable, your personal brand doesn’t have to be. Most accounting firms have forgettable brands. Weak taglines, boring websites and zero personality. But the real problem? Most professionals inside these firms are invisible too. In this episode, Rob Brown shares how partners, managers and leaders can build their own standout brands, even inside bland firms. This is a practical masterclass in personal visibility, positioning and thought leadership. If you're ready to stop hiding behind your job title and start being seen, this one’s for you.Key Takeaways:93.5% of firms still use founder names. You can’t rely on the name to speak for you.Your personal brand matters more than your firm’s when it comes to trust and influence.Only 39% of top firms have a YouTube presence - a huge opportunity for individual video content.Your tagline should describe your impact, not your job title.LinkedIn is your personal website somake it sharp, human and clear.Visibility is not ego. It’

In this episode, Rob Brown reveals what’s really going on with DEI in accounting firms. While some headlines suggest diversity efforts are being scrapped, the truth is more subtle. Across the UK, US and beyond, firms are not abandoning DEI. They are rebranding it. Quietly. Strategically. This is the new phase of inclusion work. Less noise, more integration. The focus has shifted from visibility to viability. From slogans to systems. From identity to opportunity. If you lead people, manage teams or shape firm culture, you need to understand where DEI is going next.Key Takeaways:➜ DEI is being reframed inside firms, not removed➜ Political and legal risks are changing how firms communicate inclusion➜ Smart firms are embedding DEI into talent, leadership and operations➜ Talent still expects progress on fairness, access and culture➜ PE firms are watching DEI through the lens of risk and return➜ Rebranding DEI without substance creates confusion and mistrust➜ Silence on inclusion sends the wrong message to staff an

In this episode of the Accounting Influencers Podcast, Rob Brown explores whether accounting is still a smart career choice. He speaks to professionals at every stage from new starters to seasoned partners and firm owners. The conversation tackles the realities of burnout, the rise of AI and automation, and the growing demand for leadership and strategic thinking in the profession. Rob also shares how accounting opens doors to other careers and why your qualification is never wasted even if you choose to pivot.Key Takeaways:Why accounting is still one of the most stable and valuable careersHow to navigate the impact of AI and automation on accounting jobsWhat mental health and burnout are telling us about the culture of the professionPractical advice for every stage of your career from entry level to firm ownerThe importance of building commercial awareness and a strong personal brandWhy succession planning and leadership matter more as you progressHow feedback and networking accelerate your professional grow