How do you modernise a family business when the older generation resists change? This episode explores emotional barriers, trust, and a practical tiny pilot approach to digital adoption.

Summary

In this episode, I explore the challenge of introducing new technology into long established family businesses. Inspired by a LinkedIn post from Tony Harcourt, we unpack why tech resistance is often emotional, not practical.

Key discussion points:

• The generational technology gap in family businesses
• Emotional drivers behind software resistance: identity, control, pride, risk
• Insights from Xero’s behavioural research on tech adoption
• Why trust and communication shape innovation success
• The “Tiny Pilot” method for low risk digital change
• Practical scripts to reduce defensiveness and build collaboration
• Handling common objections like “It’s too expensive” or “We’ve always done it this way”
• The role of external advisors in supporting family dynamics

Key Takeaway:

Successful technology adoption in family businesses is about protecting legacy while reducing friction. Start small, make it reversible, and focus on outcomes, not features.

Contact details:

Tony Harcourt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-harcourt/

LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7432901025231159296/

WorkGuru https://workguru.io/

Behavioural Research by Xero https://www.xero.com/au/media-releases/behavioural-research-by-xero-uncovers-barriers-for-au-small-businesses/

Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/

Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting

X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

Cameron Anderson General Manager XBert

What does AI fluency really mean for accountants and bookkeepers? This episode explores governance, prompting frameworks, and practical AI use cases you can apply immediately.

Summary

In this episode, we explore AI fluency for accountants and bookkeepers and what it really means in practice. From governance to prompting frameworks, we unpack practical steps firms can take today.

• What AI fluency means for modern bookkeeping firms
• Traditional AI vs Generative AI explained simply
• The AI and human partnership model
• Governance, ethics, and client disclosure considerations
• The RTRI prompting framework: Role, Task, Requirements, Instructions
• AI use cases across client communication, reporting, and operations
• Using AI for financial analysis and contextual insights
• Capacity planning and workflow intelligence
• Starting small and building sustainable capability
• Why data quality underpins every AI initiative

• AI should augment human judgement, not replace it
• Start with low risk, easy to validate use cases
• Build AI capability alongside human skills
• Transparency and governance matter
• Small, consistent learning builds long term fluency

XBert, Xero, ChatGPT, Gamma, Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai, Gmail, Microsoft Outlook

Contact details:

Cameron Anderson : https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronanderson2/

XBert : https://www.xbert.io/

Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/

Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting

X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU

AI is reshaping accounting roles, not replacing them. Explore what’s changing, emerging governance roles, and why strategic thinking and AI fluency matter more than ever.

Summary

As AI reshapes our profession, we're essentially seeing less demand for those routine tasks, a boom in strategic roles and new opportunities for those who understand the cross section between accounting and technology, so less routine, more strategy, more cross disciplinary. And today, I'd like to talk about what's changing in the roles, what's not changing in the roles, what new roles are emerging, and what accountants and bookkeepers should focus on now.

Key discussion points:

• Why AI will replace tasks, not accountants
• The decline of routine compliance work
• The rise of advisory, virtual CFO and fractional CFO roles
• Emerging positions: AI governance, risk reviewers, AI audit trail designers
• The concept of AI “agent managers”
• AI fluency as a critical professional skill
• The growing importance of critical thinking and communication
• Ethical obligations in an AI-embedded profession
• Practical steps: auditing your task list and shifting time to interpretation
• Why governance frameworks and AI policies are now essential

Key takeaways:

• AI augments judgement, it does not replace it
• Advisory creates value, productivity alone does not
• Ethics and professional standards become even more important
• Accountants are uniquely positioned to manage AI governance
• This is a leadership moment for the profession

Contact details:

Accounting Apps newsletter: http://accountingapps.io/

Accounting Apps Mastermind: https://www.facebook.com/groups/XeroMasterMind

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HeatherSmithAU/

YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/ANISEConsulting

X: https://twitter.com/HeatherSmithAU