Stefan van Duyvendijk: Develop Operational Mindset | The Disruptors
Feb 11, 2025
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Stefan van Duyvendijk, Accounting Operations Evangelist at FloQast and co-author of 'Shift Happens,' encourages accountants to adopt an operational mindset. He discusses how automation is transforming accounting, allowing professionals to focus on strategic engagement. The conversation also highlights the evolving role of accountants as strategic assets, stressing the importance of effective communication and collaboration. Van Duyvendijk emphasizes the need for ongoing assessment of processes and networking in the accounting community to adapt to client expectations.
Adopting an operational mindset enables accountants to drive strategic value and foster a culture of continuous improvement within organizations.
The projected shortage of qualified accountants emphasizes the need for firms to streamline their operations and adapt to changing demands.
Deep dives
Transforming Accounting Practices
The podcast highlights the movement towards automating accounting functions for enhanced efficiency. It emphasizes a shift from manual processes to more strategic roles, empowering accountants to focus on broader organizational goals rather than mundane tasks. The integration of advanced technology allows for a more streamlined workflow, shifting the focus to strategic analysis and oversight. By enabling accountants to elevate their roles, the transformation aims to create more engaged and fulfilled professionals within the finance sector.
The Rise of Operational Mindset
An operational mindset is introduced as a crucial approach for accountants to help improve organizational performance. This mindset involves tracking and measuring processes to identify areas for improvement, leading to a more engaged workforce. By understanding the holistic operations of a business, accountants can provide valuable insights beyond basic financial reporting. This evolution in perspective fosters a culture of continuous improvement, allowing accountants to drive strategic value within their organizations.
Addressing Talent Shortages in Accounting
The podcast discusses the significant projected deficit of qualified accountants in the industry, estimating a shortage of around 160,000 CPAs by 2025. This shortfall highlights the necessity for firms to utilize accounting operations strategies to fill the gap and streamline services. By employing teams that specialize in operational accounting, organizations can enhance productivity and maintain quality during times of talent scarcity. This approach not only addresses immediate needs but also positions firms to adapt to future demands in the accounting landscape.
Future of Accounting Roles
The conversation speculates on the future roles of accountants within organizations, pointing to a shift towards more strategic positions such as transformation engineers. As firms increasingly seek accountants who go beyond traditional number crunching, those with operational insights will be in high demand. The expectation is that accountants will also take on more leadership roles, influencing strategic decisions within their companies. This future trend reinforces the importance of adaptability and broad skill sets for accountants aiming to thrive in an evolving business environment.
Stefan van Duyvendijk, Accounting Operations Evangelist at FloQast, wants accountants in the industry to expand their roles. In addition to the vital role of providing the basic requirements of accounting, he wants them to develop an operational mindset, as described in the book van Duyvendijk co-authored with Mike Whitmire, CEO of FloQast: Shift Happens: The Rise of the Operational Mindset and How Controllers Can Drive Real Value.
(Editor's Note: Liz Farr served as Developmental Editor on this book.) \
The operational mindset isn’t just about “making sure we make the product, and we move the product, and we get it to people,” but it means taking the discipline accountants already have for optimizing accounting processes and “taking that and applying it to our work and saying, ‘I'm going to track what I do in work. I'm going to measure what I do and work objectively so that I can go in and improve it and change it,’” van Duyvendijk explains.
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