Count Me In®

Get to know Ahmed Al Ahbabi in this inspiring episode of Count Me In Podcast, hosted by Adam Larson! Ahmed shares his journey from discovering a passion for accounting and numbers in university, to earning his CMA certification and becoming the first Emirati on the IMA Global Board. He talks about the power of professional communities, the value of connecting with IMA chapters around the world, and how volunteering opens doors for learning, networking, and personal growth. Hear Ahmed discuss real-world skills, building local chapters, and why being part of a global community matters for accountants and finance professionals everywhere. Whether you’re thinking about joining IMA or leveling up your career, this conversation is packed with practical advice, encouragement, and stories you won’t want to miss.

Tune in to this engaging episode of the Count Me In Podcast, where we sit down with Rob Stephens, founder of CFO Perspective and an expert who brings a refreshing perspective to the often complex topic of behavioral finance. Rob sheds light on how this field not only intertwines with traditional finance but actually builds upon it, introducing the human elements behind financial decisions. Perfect for CFOs, controllers, and finance teams, Rob shares real-world applications of behavioral finance in corporate settings, from mergers and acquisitions to consumer psychology. Learn about the decision-making processes that can make or break a business and discover practical tools to improve communication and awareness. Whether it's understanding the group dynamics in management or navigating the tricky waters of debt and equity, Rob's insights are invaluable. Don’t miss this episode if you’re looking to enhance your financial decision-making with a touch of human psychology.

Join host Adam Larson for an insightful and refreshingly human conversation with Todd Thornock, Associate Professor at University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Academic Research Fellow at the Institute of Management Accountants. Todd brings a unique blend of academic research and real-world perspective to the art of understanding and motivating your team. In this episode, he explains why being “people first” matters even in a numbers-driven field like accounting and shares personal stories and surprising research findings on personality traits in the workplace. Discover practical tips to build trust, curiosity, and self-awareness as a leader, and learn how understanding the individual personalities on your team can transform your workplace culture. If you’re looking for thoughtful takeaways and fresh motivation to connect with your colleagues, this conversation is packed with useful insights and inspiration to help you lead with empathy and intention.

Join host Adam Larson as he sits down with Brian Hogeland, CFO of Packer Fasteners, in this SuiteWorld edition of Count Me In. Brian shares his journey from high school accounting classes to leading a fast-growing finance team, offering insights on how to manage rapid growth, adopt new technology, and foster a culture of curiosity and empowerment. He talks candidly about taking a company through an IPO, implementing ERP systems, and exploring AI with his team. Brian also gives practical advice on automation, upskilling employees, and embracing change while keeping trust and human judgment at the heart of finance. If you’re looking for real-world lessons from a forward-thinking leader, you’ll enjoy this engaging episode.

Join host Adam Larson for a lively conversation with entrepreneur, speaker, author, and president of VisionEdge Marketing, Laura Paterson. Drawing on decades of experience, Laura shares her practical wisdom on building stronger partnerships between marketing and finance in today’s data-driven organizations. Discover why learning to speak each other’s language and focusing on real business outcomes rather than budget line items leads to smarter decisions and meaningful growth. Laura breaks down common traps like “random acts” of marketing, reveals how aligning around purpose improves performance, and gives actionable advice for CFOs and finance leaders who want to genuinely connect with their marketing counterparts. With real-world stories and plenty of energy, Laura discusses the transformative power of customer-centric strategies and outcome-based budgeting, all while highlighting the importance of using data for insight, not just information. Perfect for anyone in marketing, finance, or leadership, this episode is packed with fresh ideas and relatable anecdotes that will inspire collaboration and drive success. If you’re ready to move from transaction to strategy and make a real impact. Don’t miss this engaging conversation.

Get ready for another exciting bonus episode from SuiteWorld 25! Host Adam Larson sits down with Kimberlee Duval, CFO of Cymbiotika, an inspiring leader whose unconventional journey in accounting will resonate with anyone passionate about growth and purpose. Kimberlee shares how her early experiences shaped her career, the key lessons she learned while scaling startups, and why her mantra of “measure twice, cut once” is her guide for success.From working with supportive mentors and breaking the mold in corporate leadership, to building teams where curiosity thrives and mistakes are part of the process, Kimberlee offers candid stories and actionable advice on cultivating a culture that empowers people to grow, learn, and truly love what they do. Plus, you’ll hear her insights on embracing AI and technology in accounting, ensuring that her teams spend less time crunching numbers and more time thinking strategically.Whether you’re climbing the ranks in finance, leading a team, or just looking for inspiration, don’t miss this conversation packed with heart, humor, and practical wisdom from Kimberlee Duval.

What happens when you mix a lifelong fascination with business, a love of personality quizzes, and a career in academic research? You get Kari Olsen, Department Chair at Utah Valley University and this episode’s featured guest! Join host Adam Larson as he chats with Kari about how our unique personality traits shape the way we work, especially in the world of accounting. Kari shares his journey from delivering newspapers as a kid to leading academic teams, revealing why understanding human behavior is more relevant than ever for organizations. The two discuss everything from the surprising upsides of traits like narcissism, to how managers can use personality insights to build stronger, happier teams. Whether you’re a leader or an employee, you’ll pick up practical tips and fascinating stories that can help you work better with colleagues (and maybe learn a little about yourself along the way). If you’re curious about how personality shapes performance and culture at work, you won’t want to miss Kari’s fresh take, packed with research and relatable advice!

Get ready for an inspiring chat with Evan Goldberg, co-founder and EVP at Oracle NetSuite, as he sits down with host Adam Larson at SuiteWorld 25. In this special bonus episode, Evan looks back on over 27 years of building the world’s #1 cloud ERP and shares honest stories about his entrepreneurial journey—successes, setbacks, and all the learning in between. Evan opens up about what sparked the idea for NetSuite, how seeing his own company grow helped shape the product, and how today’s AI tools, like NetSuite’s new “Ask Oracle” feature, are changing the game for finance teams of all sizes. Whether you’re leading a startup, part of a fast-moving finance department, or just excited about the future of business tech, you’ll love Evan’s insights on innovation, building for scale, and the skills tomorrow’s leaders will need. Tune in for a friendly, down-to-earth conversation packed with wisdom and a dose of real-world inspiration.

In this episode of Count Me In, host Adam Larson sits down with Elizabeth Lotardo, author of "Leading Yourself," for a candid and refreshing conversation about finding purpose, battling burnout, and navigating real-life work challenges. Elizabeth shares relatable stories and actionable advice for anyone who’s ever wondered how to stay motivated in a less-than-dream job, or how to handle difficult coworkers and demanding bosses. From debunking hustle culture to practical tips on “phoning it in” when you need to, Elizabeth’s insights will have you rethinking what self-leadership actually means. Whether you’re leading a team or just trying to survive Monday, you’ll walk away with tools to boost your mindset, improve your work relationships, and take control—even when everything feels uncertain. Don’t miss this engaging chat packed with wisdom, humor, and the perfect dose of real talk.

In this episode of Count Me In, host Adam Larson chats with John Rubinetti, President of B2B Payments at Deluxe, about what it really takes for mid-market companies to move from manual accounts payable and receivable processes to smart automation. John shares eye-opening stats (like 71% of firms still juggling AP/AR manually) and practical insights on making the switch, from overcoming resistance to integrating multiple payment systems. You'll get honest advice on preparing your team, what to look for in automation platforms, and why empowering your finance pros matters more than ever. If you’re looking to save time, reduce errors, or just get your team out of endless reconciliation work, don’t miss this episode—John’s straightforward tips and real-world stories make automation less intimidating and a lot more achievable.