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 advantage over AI.

Leadership must engage with AI as a core issue.

Accountants should experiment with AI and upskill regularly.

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/doI88u39LYM

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

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.”

- “Compliance is commoditised. Trust is the differentiator.”

-"The accountant’s job is shifting from preparer to protector.”

The Accounting Voices Podcast is part of the Accounting Voices Network helping accountants stay relevant, influential and ready for the future.

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/rgnbuR61T2E

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

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 connects leaders globally

- Thousands follow the YouTube channel weekly

- Subscribe to the LinkedIn newsletter for updates

- Sponsors can reach decision-makers with high-value content

Killer Quotes:

1. Change is hard, but not changing is harder.

2. Having a voice is hard, but having no voice is harder.

3. Irrelevance equals unemployment in today’s profession.

4. Influence is the new career insurance.

5. This is the survival guide for accountants in the age of AI and M&A.

6. The future belongs to the visible, authoritative and influential.

7. Competence is the baseline, visibility is the edge.

If you’d like to sponsor Accounting Voices and connect with decision-makers across accounting and finance, reach out to Rob Brown on LinkedIn.

The Accounting Voices Podcast is aimed at accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally.

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/i3FsU40xPyQ

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on LinkedIn to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

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 opportunities
• Edelman: 63% trust individual experts more than companies
• Presence, perspective, proof: the 3 Ps of personal brand
• Personal brand is contribution, not bragging
• 5 actions to build your personal brand today
• Episode 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 follow people, not firms”
• “Irrelevance equals unemployment. Visibility equals survival”

Want help becoming more visible and authoritative? Explore Rob Brown’s Personal Brand Interview service.

The Accounting Voices Podcast is aimed at accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally.

You can find this on youtube here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=deIaE8rAmYE

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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 show focuses on helping professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes, and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. The content includes solo insights from host Rob Brown as well as interviews or panel discussions with industry leaders. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Influencers YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format.

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

Thanks to our sponsors:

ADVANCETRACK OUTSOURCING. Transform your accounting firm with AdvanceTrack. Our top-tier offshoring solutions free your team from mundane tasks, allowing you to focus on growth and client engagement. Experience seamless scalability and expert support. Visit advancetrack.com and elevate your practice today. https://www.advancetrack.com

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

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 advisory
• Automate, analyse, advise: the 3-step model
• Tools: dashboards, forecasting, AI-driven insights
• Clients want answers, not data
• Episode 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 is your new staff member”
• “Accountants who resist tech will be left behind”

Want help becoming more visible and authoritative? Explore Rob Brown’s Personal Brand Interview service.

The Accounting Voices Podcast is aimed at accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally.

You can find this on youtube here: https://youtu.be/7RWouB3HAXo?si=OuxJhdQd7vQNtqQQ

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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 show focuses on helping professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes, and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. The content includes solo insights from host Rob Brown as well as interviews or panel discussions with industry leaders. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Influencers YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format.

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

Thanks to our sponsors:

ADVANCETRACK OUTSOURCING. Transform your accounting firm with AdvanceTrack. Our top-tier offshoring solutions free your team from mundane tasks, allowing you to focus on growth and client engagement. Experience seamless scalability and expert support. Visit advancetrack.com and elevate your practice today. https://www.advancetrack.com

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

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 cannot hide behind compliance anymore”

* “Advisory is not an extra, it is the core”

* “Repackage, reprice, retrain, rebrand, replace — that is the shift”

* “Advisory makes you indispensable, compliance makes you replaceable”

* “The only accountants who will thrive are those who move forward”

Want help becoming more visible and authoritative? Explore Rob Brown’s Personal BrandYou can find this on youtube here:

https://youtu.be/b55qmfluDak

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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 show focuses on helping professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes, and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. The content includes solo insights from host Rob Brown as well as interviews or panel discussions with industry leaders. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Influencers YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format.

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

Thanks to our sponsors:

ADVANCETRACK OUTSOURCING. Transform your accounting firm with AdvanceTrack. Our top-tier offshoring solutions free your team from mundane tasks, allowing you to focus on growth and client engagement. Experience seamless scalability and expert support. Visit advancetrack.com and elevate your practice today. https://www.advancetrack.com

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore. Interview service.

The Accounting Voices Podcast is aimed at accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally.

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

**Killer Quotes**

* “Compliance asks what happened. Advisory asks what’s next”

* “Advisory is not a service line. It is a mindset”

* “Technical competence without presence is expendable”

* “Middle management is shrinking. Influence is growing”

* “Only one of these roles has a future”

Want help becoming more visible and authoritative? Explore Rob Brown’s Personal Brand Interview service.

The Accounting Voices Podcast is aimed at accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally.

You can find this on youtube here:

https://youtu.be/bcnY6ke9sOc

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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 show focuses on helping professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes, and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. The content includes solo insights from host Rob Brown as well as interviews or panel discussions with industry leaders. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Influencers YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format.

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

Thanks to our sponsors:

ADVANCETRACK OUTSOURCING. Transform your accounting firm with AdvanceTrack. Our top-tier offshoring solutions free your team from mundane tasks, allowing you to focus on growth and client engagement. Experience seamless scalability and expert support. Visit advancetrack.com and elevate your practice today. https://www.advancetrack.com

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

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-fillers. They want advisors”

* “Advisory is not optional. It’s the expectation”

* “70% of SMEs will switch firms for more advice”

* “If you stay silent, someone else will step into your client’s ear”

* “Advisory is the only safe harbour left in accounting”

Want help becoming more visible and authoritative? Explore Rob Brown’s Personal Brand Interview service.

The Accounting Voices Podcast is aimed at accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally.

You can find this on youtube here:

https://youtu.be/EpLuGfrNaYE

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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 show focuses on helping professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes, and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. The content includes solo insights from host Rob Brown as well as interviews or panel discussions with industry leaders. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Influencers YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format.

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

Thanks to our sponsors:

ADVANCETRACK OUTSOURCING. Transform your accounting firm with AdvanceTrack. Our top-tier offshoring solutions free your team from mundane tasks, allowing you to focus on growth and client engagement. Experience seamless scalability and expert support. Visit advancetrack.com and elevate your practice today. https://www.advancetrack.com

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.