The Woodard Report Podcast: Featuring Heather Satterley and Joe Woodard

On this episode, Joe speaks with Chaunté about how her journey as a four-time Olympian and breast cancer survivor has reshaped her understanding of resilience, faith, and purpose. She shares how her athletic discipline, mindset, and spiritual grounding prepared her to train for the Olympics even during chemotherapy—motivated not by medals, but by her mission to raise breast cancer awareness. From embracing failure in the high jump to facing life’s heaviest challenges head-on, Chaunté offers business professionals powerful lessons on showing up, stretching limits, and rising from setbacks to stand for something greater. Thank you to our show sponsor, Canopy!Unclunk your firm with Canopy, the fully integrated practice management that helps accountants build the firm they always wanted. The suite includes client and document management, workflow, time and billing, engagements and proposals, and more. Check out getcanopy.com. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode Joe speaks with Liz Scott about the ongoing AI revolution in the accounting profession and how it's transforming the way firms handle data, reduce burnout, and deliver client insights. Liz breaks AI down into three key “buckets”: bookkeeping, data review, and client deliverables—explaining how each is being reshaped by AI-powered tools. They also discuss how AI enables accountants to move beyond compliance into impactful advisory roles. About Liz Scott Liz Scott advocates for the future of accounting technology and community, assisting accounting firms in utilizing AI, automation, and cybersecurity. Learn more about Liz at https://www.lizscottconsulting.com Thank you to our show sponsor, Canopy! Unclunk your firm with Canopy, the fully integrated practice management that helps accountants build the firm they always wanted. The suite includes client and document management, workflow, time and billing, engagements and proposals, and more. Check out getcanopy.com. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode Joe speaks with Heather about how to maximize your return on investment from conferences by attending with intention, identifying clear learning goals, and planning connections in advance. They dive into the “three threes” approach—three skills to learn, three tools to explore, and three people to meet—and emphasize the importance of self-awareness, authenticity, and pacing to make the most of any event. Link mentioned in the show: The Accounting Cornerstone Foundation Unveils Accounting Conference Scholarships TV and Movie Quote: Heather quoted Battlestar Galactica Joe quoted Much Ado about Nothing Book of the Week: Immunity to Change by Robert Kegan and Lisa Laskow Lahey Favorite Social Posts: Heather mentioned Melissa Miller Furgeson on LinkedIn Joe mentioned Blake Oliver on X/Twitter The Woodard Report Article of the Week: Top 21 Lessons from Serving on Conference Speaker Committees by Nancy McClelland Thank you to our show sponsor, Bill, your financial operations platform. Bill is the intelligent way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses, control budgets and access the credit your business needs to grow all in one platform. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode Heather speaks with Eric Green, Founder of the Tax Rep Network, about leveraging expert tax representation to empower business advisors in streamlining client services. They delve into how Eric’s extensive experience as a tax attorney and founder of the tax rep network aids in enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in client engagements. Additionally, the conversation explores innovative approaches and practical insights for building trust and delivering superior advisory services. Thank you to our show sponsor, Brex!Brex accounting partners close clients books faster, earn rewards for referrals and attract new customers all on Brex. Brex's integrated platform provides numerous accounting automation benefits, which enable your accountants to focus on premium advisory services, help clients close the books faster and elevate the overall client experience. To become a Brex accounting firm, visit brex.com/partners/accounting to apply. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode Joe speaks with Dan Hood, editor-in-chief of Accounting Today, about the latest trends from Accounting Today's research on the Top 100 firms, the explosive growth of Client Accounting Services (CAS), and how firms are adapting to staffing shortages and technological innovation. They dive into why CAS is the future growth engine for accounting firms, how leadership and process changes are critical, and the evolving role of AI as a near-future disruptor in the industry. Thank you to our show sponsor, Bill! Bill is the intelligent way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses, control budgets and access the credit your business needs to grow all in one platform. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

Dive into the transformative impact of AI on accounting as the hosts share insights from their leadership course at Brown University. Learn about the different types of AI and their necessity for firms in today's market. They explore real-world applications like automating blog writing and client communication, urging accountants to embrace AI now. The discussion includes navigating complex regulations and the importance of integrating AI for competitive advantage, all while considering data privacy and cybersecurity risks.

On this episode Joe Woodard speaks with Deb Defer, Director of CAS Consulting at Woodard, about how firms can turn client onboarding from a loss leader into a profitable, strategic phase of their CAS engagements. They explore pricing structures like evergreen retainers, volume-discounted cleanups, and onboarding fees to ensure firms aren’t losing money or undervaluing their services. The episode is packed with actionable advice for firms of all sizes looking to boost MRR and avoid getting stuck in once-a-year cleanup chaos. Thank you to our show sponsor, Bill — your financial operations platform.Bill is the intelligent way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses, control budgets and access the credit your business needs to grow, all in one platform. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode, Heather Satterley chats with Dave Olsen and Shane Rowley from Nimbl about a big question many accounting pros wrestle with: Should you keep your firm small and flexible or scale it up? Dave shares his personal journey of growing Nimbl from a solo practice into a thriving business with over 100 team members, while Shane talks openly about how he drove Nimbl's growth to $6 million in revenue (and what he learned along the way). You'll hear real-world stories, practical tips, and honest reflections about the challenges and rewards of growth, keeping your firm profitable without burning out, and protecting your firm's culture—even when things get messy. Whether you're ready to scale or happy staying small, this episode will help you find the clarity you need to build the business you truly want. Resources mentioned during the show: What You Do Is Who You Are: How to Create Your Business Culture by Ben Horowitz Thank you to our show sponsor, CorpNet! CorpNet is the trusted leader in business formation and compliance services, offering one of the best tools for accountants, CPAs and tax professionals nationwide. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode, Heather speaks with Todd Robinson, Director of Practice Engagement at Woodard, about the evolution of the accounting industry over the past two decades, from the early days of QuickBooks Online to today's AI-driven landscape. They explore the rise of Client Advisory Services (CAS), the growing interest of private equity in accounting firms, and the critical importance of adopting modern technology to stay competitive. Thank you to our show sponsor, Brex! Brex Accounting Partners close clients’ books faster, earn rewards for referrals, and attract new customers — all on Brex. Brex’s integrated platform provides numerous accounting automation benefits, which enable your accountants to focus on premium advisory services, help clients close the books faster, and elevate the overall client experience. To become a Brex Accounting Firm visit brex.com/partners/accounting to apply. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode Joe speaks with Heather about why operations should be the next big focus in your practice. Heather emphasizes the importance of documenting and reflecting on current processes to identify areas for improvement. The discussion also covers aligning operational improvements with firm culture, broadening technology views with automation and AI, and practical steps to stay ahead in the coming year. TV and Movie Quote: Heather quoted The Office Joe quoted 1923 Book of the Week: The e-Myth by Michael Gerber Favorite Social Posts: Heather mentioned Ashley Francis on LinkedIn Joe mentioned Caleb Jenkins on X/Twitter The Woodard Report Article of the Week: Spring Cleaning for the Mind: Clearing Clutter for Greater Productivity by Kim Petro Thank you to our show sponsor, CorpNet! CorpNet is the trusted leader in business formation and compliance services, offering one of the best tools for Accountants, CPAs, and Tax Professionals nationwide: the CorpNet Partner Program. 10X your firm’s revenue by helping clients form a business, register for payroll taxes, maintain compliance, and more. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast