The Woodard Report Podcast: Featuring Heather Satterley and Joe Woodard

Episode 165 - AI, Productivity, and the Push for Real Change in Accounting - The Woodard Report Podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather and Joe talk about recent developments in AI-powered audit tools, shifting software strategies, and what these changes mean for accounting firms of all sizes. They also explore lessons from pop culture on leadership and workplace culture, emphasizing the importance of aligning actions with stated values. The conversation rounds out with insights on emerging AI protocols and how firms can better structure both their work and client relationships for long-term success. Current events — * Auvenir separates from Deloitte [https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/auvenir-separates-from-deloitte-now-styles-itself-streamworks] * Intuit launches Construction ERP as part of Enterprise ES [https://report.woodard.com/articles/intuit-launches-construction-erp-for-mid-market-firms-pmgwr-fpwr] TV/Movie quote of the week — * Bugonia [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12300742/] * Age of Ultron [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2395427/] Excellent things we learned — * MCP stands for Model Context Protocol [https://www.anthropic.com/engineering/code-execution-with-mcp] * The Productivity Project: Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy [https://a.co/d/07ogiNZn] Member spotlight — * Mercury Business Associates [https://mercury-biz.com/] The Woodard Report article of the week — * The Art of Truly Not Working [https://report.woodard.com/articles/the-art-of-truly-not-working-opdwr] 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 [https://www.woodard.com/podcast]

Episode 164 - Thriving in a World of Constant Change - The Woodard Report Podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with April Rinne about how our early life experiences shape our relationship with change and how fear versus hope influences how we respond to uncertainty. They explore April's concept of a "flux mindset," including practical strategies like embracing a portfolio career and learning to "run slower" to navigate today's fast-paced, AI-driven world. The conversation highlights how accounting professionals can build resilience and adaptability by reframing change as an opportunity for growth. About April Rinne April Rinne is a change navigator: she helps individuals and organizations rethink and reshape their relationships with change and uncertainty. She's a trusted advisor, speaker, investor, lawyer, global development executive, adventurer (100+ countries) and insatiable handstander. She is ranked one of the 50 leading female futurists in the world and is a Harvard Law School graduate, a Young Global Leader at the World Economic Forum, a member of the Silicon Guild and Thinkers50 Radar, and author of the international bestseller Flux: 8 Superpowers for Thriving in Constant Change. * Learn more about April Rinne [https://aprilrinne.com/] * Connect with April on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilrinne/] Thank you to our show sponsor, Puzzle! Puzzle is the next generation firm: AI-powered, human-led. 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 163 - AI, Scams, and the Future of CAS: Navigating a Changing Accounting Landscape - The Woodard Report Podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather and Joe discuss the growing threat of AI-powered financial scams and practical steps firms can take to protect themselves and their clients. They also explore major shifts in the accounting technology space, including platform-driven CAS models, AI misconceptions, and evolving firm strategies. Current events — * Financial scams on the rise and they are getting better. How can we protect ourselves? [https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2026/03/04/2-in-5-americans-have-experienced-financial-fraud-in-the-past-12-months-bankrate-report-finds/179241/] * Xendoo to purchase the Infinite platform from Botkeeper [https://report.woodard.com/articles/xendoo-acquires-botkeepers-infinite-platform-fpwr] TV/Movie quote of the week — * Portlandia [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1780441/] * A Knight of the 7 Kingdoms [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt27497448/] Excellent things we learned — * More than a Glitch: Confronting Race, Gender, and Ability Bias in Tech [https://a.co/d/0cz2wTrF] * The Productivity Project: Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy [https://a.co/d/0frhYRIg] Member spotlight — * Melissa Honan, Profitable Painter CPA [https://profitablepaintercpa.com/about] The Woodard Report article of the week — * Inside Intuit's Career Pipeline Program for Accountants [https://report.woodard.com/articles/inside-intuits-career-pipeline-program-for-accountants-ombwr-fpwr] 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 practice's transformation. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast [https://www.woodard.com/podcast]

Episode 162 - AI Adoption Is Accelerating—Are Firms Keeping Up? - The Woodard Report Podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather and Joe discuss new research on global AI adoption and what it means for accounting firms, highlighting how early adopters are gaining strategic advantages while others risk falling behind. They explore recent funding surges in AI-powered accounting tools, practical considerations for implementing AI within firms, and the importance of governance, strategy, and financial independence in adapting to rapid technological change. Current events — * AICPA CIMA Survey Shows Growing AI Adoption Gap [https://www.aicpa-cima.com/professional-insights/download/executive-insights-on-ai-opportunities-and-risks] * Basis is the first stand alone AI enablement platform to reach unicorn status [https://financialit.net/news/fundraising-news/basis-raises-100m-115b-valuation-accounting-firms-adopt-end-end-agents-across] TV/Movie quote of the week — * Blue Moon [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32536315/] * Billions [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4270492/] Excellent things we learned — * Copilot allows you to switch between all OpenAI and Anthropic models [https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/blog/search/?s=copilot+models] * The average American adult watches 3 hours and 43 minutes of television every day [https://explodingtopics.com/blog/screen-time-stats] Member spotlight — * Lisa Crawford, Owner of Crawford Financial Solutions [https://www.crawfordfs.com/] The Woodard Report article of the week — * Explore the AI Track at Scaling New Heights 2026 [https://report.woodard.com/articles/explore-the-ai-track-at-scaling-new-heights-2026-opdwr-ombwr-fpwr] Thank you to our show sponsor, Puzzle! Puzzle, the next generation firm, AI-powered, human-led. 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 161 - AI Fluency, Pricing Strategy & the Future of Accounting - The Woodard Report Podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather and Joe discuss new research on AI adoption in the workplace, highlighting the growing wage and opportunity gap between AI-fluent professionals and those who are not. They also explore major shifts in the accounting tech landscape, including month-end automation, evolving pricing strategies, and competitive convergence among software platforms. Current events — * Only 5% of workers are AI fluent - according to Google study [https://fortune.com/2026/02/19/exclusive-google-ipsos-report-five-percent-of-workers-ai-fluent-raises-promotions-workforce-advantage-gen-z-advice/] * The "pile on" around month end automation [https://www.accountingtoday.com/list/tech-news-ramp-canopy-both-announce-ai-powered-bookkeeping-solutions] TV/Movie quote of the week — * The Breakfast Club [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088847/] * Titans: The Rise of Wallstreeet [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18278410/] Excellent things we learned — * Undergraduate enrollment in accounting continues to rise [https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2026/jan/undergraduate-enrollment-in-accounting-continues-to-rise/] Member spotlight — * Dave Eshbach of CleanSlate Financial Services The Woodard Report article of the week — * Canopy Bookkeeping Launches to Streamline Month-End Close [https://report.woodard.com/articles/canopy-bookkeeping-launches-to-streamline-month-end-close-fpwr-pmgwr] 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 to get started today. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast [https://www.woodard.com/podcast]