"Tech Finance" with Sasha Orloff: B2B Fintech | AI | Finance Tech

In this discussion, Ben Cohen, Head of Data at Deel, shares his expertise on global hiring trends and the impact of Generation Z on the workforce. He reveals surprising insights from Deel's 2025 Global Hiring Report, including the rising demand for finance roles and the shift towards domestic hiring. The conversation also touches on the challenges of managing a distributed workforce and the innovative tools that enhance collaboration and productivity, emphasizing the importance of trust in asynchronous decision-making.

Kash Ali, Founder and CEO of TaxGPT, shares his inspiring journey from Pakistan to Silicon Valley, ignited by a personal tax dilemma. He reveals how a simple domain purchase transformed into a multi-million dollar B2B AI assistant for accountants following a GPT-4 demo. The discussion highlights the platform's unique advantages in compliance and data security, its evolution from a consumer tool, and the impact of Y Combinator on his success. Kash envisions a future where AI simplifies tax solutions, redefining accounting and tax compliance.

Donald Gossen, CEO of Nevermined and a veteran in AI and machine learning, discusses the future of AI-driven payments and the concept of AI agents acting as independent economic entities. He dives into the challenges and innovations of dynamic payment systems and the transformative potential of blockchain in enhancing transaction security. Gossen also shares insights on how these intelligent agents will reshape commerce, facilitating automated transactions and financial decision-making, marking a revolutionary shift in the fintech landscape.

Ankur Dahiya, Founder and CEO of Fifteenth, dives into the world of modern tax solutions. He shares his journey from engineer to entrepreneur, highlighting the complexities he faced with stock options. Ankur discusses how Fifteenth blends expert CPAs with AI to automate mundane tasks, freeing professionals to focus on strategy. He predicts a future where AI will simplify tax processes for most clients while maintaining high-quality advisory. Plus, he offers insights into the challenges of scaling a tax firm and navigating the fundraising landscape.

In this first episode of Season 2, Sasha Orloff is joined by Matt Tait, CEO of Decimal, to discuss the rise of AI in accounting, Decimal’s recent acquisition of KPMG Spark, and their new strategic partnership with Puzzle. Matt also covers his journey building Decimal, the balance of human expertise in a tech-driven world, and the industry’s future.--SPONSORS: Puzzle📈  No more waiting for month's end. No more manual reconciliations, just financials that keep up with you. Puzzle is leading a new movement with an AI first ledger, built for speed, automation, and real time decision making. Join today at https://puzzle.io/FoundFound provides small business owners tools to track expenses, calculate taxes, manage cashflow, send invoices and more. Open a Found account for free at https://found.com/econ102--RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE:https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtait83/https://www.decimal.com/--X/SOCIAL:@GoDecimal (Decimal)@sashaorloff (Sasha)--TIMESTAMPS:(00:00) Intro(00:59) Season 2 changes(01:48) Exciting times in accounting(03:12) Interview with Matt Tate, CEO of Decimal(04:22) Rise and fall of Bench(06:18) Challenges in the accounting industry(13:03) Founding and vision of Decimal(16:46) Sponsors: Puzzle | Found(18:34) Acquisition of KPMG Spark(23:11) Team collaboration and roadmap insights(23:45) Scaling with Puzzle's AI native ledger(24:31) Evaluating technology partnerships(28:59) Role of trust and accountability in accounting(29:43) AI's impact on client experience(31:08) Human interaction vs. full automation(36:22) Future of AI in accounting(43:34) Implementing AI tools at scale(45:14) Wrap

David Hartley, a seasoned CPA and former CIO, dives into the fascinating evolution of accounting from quill to AI. He discusses the critical role technology plays in the profession today, noting the major challenges and opportunities posed by AI and automation. With 75% of CPAs nearing retirement, he highlights a looming talent gap in the field. Despite advancements, Hartley emphasizes the unwavering importance of trust and human insight, positioning AI as a partner rather than a replacement in the accounting landscape.

In this conversation, Andrew Gazdecki, founder of Acquire.com, draws from his impressive experience in facilitating over $500 million in successful exits. He emphasizes the importance of creating a competitive bidding process and how having multiple buyers enhances exit value. Andrew discusses the necessity of thorough preparation and transparent communication about business challenges to build trust. He also touches on the financial advantages of Qualified Small Business Stock and adapts to changing regulations in the evolving crypto landscape.

In this discussion, co-founders Daniel Kivatinos, a pioneer in iPad medical records, and Anelya Grant, a former YC accountant from Kazakhstan, delve into their revolutionary platform JustPaid. They explore the challenges in accounts receivable management and introduce the CHARGE framework to streamline billing processes. The duo shares their personal journeys of innovation, emphasizing the transformative potential of AI finance agents in startups. Listeners will gain insights into enhancing financial communication and operational efficiency with cutting-edge technology.

In this discussion, Matt Lerner, a growth leader and former PayPal executive, shares insights from his book 'Growth Levers.' He emphasizes how understanding customer needs is critical for startup success. Lerner advises on identifying the 10% of efforts that yield 90% of growth and the importance of rapid experimentation. He explores common pitfalls founders face and the significance of effective messaging and user retention strategies. The conversation also highlights the contrast between the writing process and agile startup methodologies.

Nicolas Boucher, a finance influencer with nearly a million LinkedIn followers, shares his journey from corporate finance to content creation. He discusses the viral success of his free finance courses and their impact on financial education. The conversation delves into AI’s transformative role in finance, its impact on jobs, and the evolving skill set needed in the industry. Boucher emphasizes the importance of communication and community, advocating for continuous learning to navigate the tech-driven future of finance.