Episode 185 - Surviving or Thriving? The Future of Accounting in an AI-Driven Profession - The Woodard Report Podcast

Episode 185 - Surviving or Thriving? The Future of Accounting in an AI-Driven Profession - The Woodard Report Podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe and Heather talk about major changes reshaping the accounting profession, from the end of BOI reporting and unprecedented firm consolidation to the rise of boutique, relationship-driven practices. They also explore AI's potential evolution from generative AI to AGI and beyond, new CPE rules allowing half-credit sessions, and the importance of innovation, intentional client relationships, and taking calculated risks to build a thriving practice. Current events — * FinCEN ends BOI reporting [https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/fincen-ends-beneficial-ownership-reporting] TV/Movie quote of the week — * House of Dragon [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11198330/] * Star Trek Strange New Worlds [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12327578/] Excellent Thing We Learned — * NASBA is going to start allowing 1/2 credit CPE sessions - beginning August 1 [https://nasba.org/blog/2026/05/19/approved-revisions-to-standards-2026/] * How To Think About AI: A Guide For The Perplexed [https://a.co/d/08UK0fIR] by Richard Susskind Member Spotlight — * Jennifer Mitchell of Accountsense [https://www.accountsense.cpa/meet-our-team/jennifer-mitchell/] The Woodard Report article of the week — * Strategic Client Onboarding: Where Advisory Success Really Begins [https://report.woodard.com/articles/strategic-client-onboarding-where-advisory-success-really-begins-opawr-ocewr] Thank you to our show sponsor, Woodard! The Woodard membership program will help you build your ideal practice with our coaching, education, community, and resources. We'll get you there with strategic direction from experienced pros, access to skill building and resources, and a community to continually inspire your practices transformation. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast [https://www.woodard.com/podcast]

Episode 184 - AI at Full Speed: Adapting Before the Future Arrives - The Woodard Report Podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe and Dawn Brolin talk about the accelerating impact of AI on the accounting profession, from secure, specialized AI tools to the emerging potential of quantum computing. They explore why accounting professionals need to move beyond fear and begin experimenting with AI now, sharing practical examples of using tools like Claude and Tax Figure to analyze financial data, strengthen advisory services, and work more efficiently. Current events — * EY installed a quantum computer in their Toronto office [https://www.techtimes.com/articles/322705/20260802/ey-installs-quantum-computer-house-big-four-race-data-sovereignty.htm] TV/Movie quote of the week — * The Greatest Showman [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1485796/] * House of the Dragon [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11198330/] Excellent Thing We Learned — * There are a series of tags you can use that will change the way most GPTs will respond to you. Examples are: * TRUTHMODE – forces direct, unvarnished feedback instead of the AI just agreeing with you * HUMAN – strips the "AI voice," makes writing sound like a person wrote it * HORMOZI – answers like a blunt, ROI focused business coach (style associated with Alex Hormozi) * REDTEAM – argues against your idea to stress test it before you commit * FUTUREYOU – answers as if it's the version of you who already solved this problem * ELI10 – explains it like you're 10 years old, no jargon * UNLEARN – flags outdated assumptions or bad advice you're carrying around * 80/20 – skips straight to the highest leverage move, ignores the rest * SOCRATES – teaches by asking you questions instead of handing you the answer * LINDYMODE – sticks to long proven approaches, filters out hype and fads The Woodard Report article of the week — * Accounting Pros Now Have a Voice at the AI Table [https://report.woodard.com/articles/accounting-pros-now-have-a-voice-at-the-ai-table-obtwr] Thank you to our show sponsor, Rightworks! If you're coming out of tax season wondering how to make next year better, RightWorks has everything your firm needs to do exactly that. Most accounting firms are juggling scattered apps, dealing with ongoing security risks, and relying on manual workarounds all on top of serving your clients. RightWorks takes that off your plate. One secure workspace for all your apps and tools. Enterprise Great Security managed for you and the AIM productivity tools built specifically for accounting firms. Whether you have an IT team or not, whether you have five employees or 45, RightWorks grows with your firm and keeps you ready for whatever comes next. RightWorks, it's all right here. Learn more at RightWorks.com [https://www.rightworks.com/]. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast [https://www.woodard.com/podcast]

Episode 183 - Beyond Pricing: Drucker, Branding, and the Soul of Business - The Woodard Report Podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe speaks with Ron Baker about Peter Drucker's most influential ideas, including the rise of knowledge work, the importance of effectiveness over efficiency, and the need for businesses to pursue future opportunities instead of clinging to the past. They also explore how accounting firms can use distinct brands to separate commoditized services from high-value advisory work as well as why religious leaders offer valuable insights into purpose, dignity, stewardship, and the moral role of business. About Ron BakerRonald J. Baker began his CPA career with KPMG in 1984. He is the co-founder of THRESHOLD and co-host of The Soul of Enterprise podcast. A renowned speaker and author, he has written eight best-selling books, including Firm of the Future, Implementing Value Pricing and Time's Up. He has educated over 450,000 professionals worldwide and has been named among Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential People. A graduate of San Francisco State University, he is also a faculty member of the Professional Pricing Society and a Disney University alumnus. * HBR interview with Jerry Seinfeld [https://hbr.org/podcast/2017/01/stopping-and-starting-with-success] * The Soul of Enterprise clergy episodes * Father Robert Sirico [https://www.thesoulofenterprise.com/search?q=Father%20Robert%20Sirico&f_collectionId=547a239ce4b03c297480f407] * Rabbi Daniel Lapin [https://www.thesoulofenterprise.com/search?q=Rabbi%20Daniel%20Lapin&f_collectionId=547a239ce4b03c297480f407] * Mustafa Akyol [https://www.thesoulofenterprise.com/346] * Peter Drucker GPT interview [https://www.thesoulofenterprise.com/454] Thank you to our show sponsor, Puzzle! Puzzle replaces manual quickbooks workflows with AI-driven books built for review, approval, and audit-ready accountability. Learn more at puzzle.io [https://puzzle.io/]. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast [https://www.woodard.com/podcast]

Episode 182 - AI-Ready Accounting: Transforming Firms Before the Market Does - The Woodard Report Podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Peter McCarroll about why accounting firms must treat AI adoption as a strategic business transformation rather than simply adding new software tools. Peter explains the pricing pressures threatening traditional compliance work, the need to redesign firms around advisory value and human relationships, and how reusable AI instructions and skills can help teams turn individual experimentation into shared, repeatable processes. About Peter McCarroll Peter McCarroll is a Chartered Accountant (NZ), CPA (Canada), and the founder of The AI Accountant — the only AI training and implementation platform built exclusively for CAS practices. He runs a full-service accounting practice at Fuel Accountants, where he has spent the past two years deploying AI across real client workflows. Peter helps accounting firms move from experimentation to operational transformation — not with theory, but with systems built inside a working practice. * The AI Champion's Field Guide: What to Do Now, What to Ask For [https://theaiaccountant.ai/blog/ai-champion-field-guide] * Learn more about The AI Accountant [https://theaiaccountant.ai/] * Learn more about Fuel Accountants [https://fuelaccountants.com/] * Connect with Peter on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/petermccarroll/] Thank you to our show sponsor, Bill! Bill is the intelligent way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses, control budgets, and access the credit your business needs to grow, all in one platform. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast [https://www.woodard.com/podcast]

Episode 181 - Moving Upmarket (and Making Business More Human) - The Woodard Report Podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe and Heather talk about Xero's move into the midmarket, why accounting firms may find greater opportunity above the AI disruption zone, and how empathy can defuse difficult client conversations. They also discuss how personal transformation can lead to a healthier, more successful practice. Current events — * NJ Considers Pet tax credit [https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/07/16/a-900-tax-break-for-pet-owners-new-jersey-is-considering-it/186766/] * Xero targets Australia's medium-sized businesses with launch of Ultra [https://www.xero.com/au/media-releases/xero-targets-medium-businesses-with-ultra/?utm_source=press%20release] TV/Movie quote of the week — * Outcome [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt23724682/] * House of the Dragon [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11198330/] Excellent Thing We Learned — * As AI replaces search, all roads lead to authority [https://www.accountingtoday.com/opinion/as-ai-replaces-search-all-roads-lead-to-authority] Member spotlight — * David Williams of CPB Solutions [https://cpbsolutions.com/] The Woodard Report article of the week — * The "Ask Deb" series begins this week! [https://report.woodard.com/articles/author/debra-kilsheimer] Thank you to our show sponsor, Digits! Digits is the world's first agent general ledger, accounting software that works for you. Built from the ground up for the AI era, Digits automates bookkeeping in month and shifting your team from data entry to review and advisory. Visit digits.com [https://digits.com/] to get started today. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast [https://www.woodard.com/podcast]