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IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants)
IMA® (Institute of Management Accountants) brings you the latest perspectives and learnings on all things affecting the accounting and finance world, as told by the experts working in the field and the thought leaders shaping the profession. Listen in to gain valuable insight and be included in the future of accounting and finance!
Episodes
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Mar 17, 2025 • 27min
Ep. 300: John Hewitt - Achieving the Extraordinary: Lessons in Entrepreneurial Success and Growth
Join host Adam Larson in an engaging conversation with John Hewitt, a remarkable figure in the accounting world. Despite never taking an accounting course, John has built multi-million dollar companies like Jackson Hewitt and Liberty Tax. In this episode, he shares how his father inspired his entrepreneurial journey and offers insights into franchising and self-employment. Whether you're considering entrepreneurship or curious about building a billion-dollar business, John provides valuable advice on risk-taking, differentiation, marketing, and delivering exceptional customer service. Tune in for actionable insights and inspirational stories on this episode of the Count Me In Podcast
Sponsor:Today's episode is brought to you by U.S. Bank. U.S. Bank is a trusted financial partner for our clients, businesses and communities. We believe in doing the right thing and putting people first. It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute for the tenth consecutive year. From commercial credit cards and program management tools to innovative payment technologies and transportation offerings, U.S. Bank Corporate Payment Systems has the right solution to help your organization reduce payment costs, enhance control and streamline your entire payment processing function. We’ll partner with you to uncover your challenges and provide smart, clear and honest guidance to help you meet the financial goals for your business. Visit usbank.com/corporatepayments to learn more.

27 snips
Mar 2, 2025 • 29min
Ep. 299: Razzak Jallow - The Impact of Technology on Finance Leadership and Transformation
Razzak Jallow, the innovative CFO of FloQast, dives into the transformative world of finance. With a unique blend of tech and finance experience, he emphasizes the evolving role of CFOs as strategic leaders. Razzak discusses the importance of collaboration and a long-term vision for financial transformation, especially for small businesses. He highlights the role of technology in streamlining processes and the necessity for finance professionals to adapt their skills to the changing landscape. His insights inspire a future-driven approach to finance leadership.

Feb 17, 2025 • 33min
Ep. 298: Alan Lazaros - Overcoming Self Doubt and Embracing Your Unique Strengths
Tune in to an enlightening chat with Alan Lazaros, CEO, Founder & Co-Host at Next Level University, on this episode of Count Me In Podcast. Join host Adam Larson as he and Alan explore the transformative power of personal responsibility in personal and business growth. Alan shares insights from his own journey, illustrating the nuances of emotional intelligence, self-belief, and the balance of fitting in versus standing out. With his captivating storytelling, including anecdotes from popular films and real-life experiences, Alan offers listeners valuable life strategies. Whether you're looking to level up in your career or personally, this conversation is packed with actionable takeaways. Perfect for those eager to reflect, take responsibility, and unlock their full potential. Don't miss out!
Sponsor:Today's episode is brought to you by U.S. Bank. U.S. Bank is a trusted financial partner for our clients, businesses and communities. We believe in doing the right thing and putting people first. It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute for the tenth consecutive year. From commercial credit cards and program management tools to innovative payment technologies and transportation offerings, U.S. Bank Corporate Payment Systems has the right solution to help your organization reduce payment costs, enhance control and streamline your entire payment processing function. We’ll partner with you to uncover your challenges and provide smart, clear and honest guidance to help you meet the financial goals for your business. Visit usbank.com/corporatepayments to learn more.

Feb 10, 2025 • 32min
Ep. 297: Mike Straza - Building Strong Accounting Teams through Effective Leadership
Join host Adam Larson for an enlightening chat with business consultant Mike Straza of Straza Consulting as they tackle the ins and outs of strengthening accounting teams amidst today’s market challenges. Mike shares his secrets on balancing financial responsibilities with genuine team support, emphasizing the power of effective communication and tailored leadership. Discover how identifying each team member’s unique motivations and strengths can lead to happier employees and a healthier company. Hear real-life success stories, practical tips, and down-to-earth advice on navigating the modern work environment. Whether it’s about mentoring, improving workplace culture, or handling restructuring gracefully, Mike serves up wisdom with a side of humor, making this episode a must-listen for leaders and team members alike. Tune in for a casual yet impactful conversation that’s packed with insights you can apply right away.
Sponsor:Today's episode is brought to you by U.S. Bank. U.S. Bank is a trusted financial partner for our clients, businesses and communities. We believe in doing the right thing and putting people first. It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute for the tenth consecutive year. From commercial credit cards and program management tools to innovative payment technologies and transportation offerings, U.S. Bank Corporate Payment Systems has the right solution to help your organization reduce payment costs, enhance control and streamline your entire payment processing function. We’ll partner with you to uncover your challenges and provide smart, clear and honest guidance to help you meet the financial goals for your business. Visit usbank.com/corporatepayments to learn more.

Feb 3, 2025 • 32min
Ep. 296: Samantha Jewel - Pioneering Soil Carbon Credits And Environmental Stewardship
Join host Adam Larson as he sits down with Samantha Jewell, author and CEO, Soil Carbon Advisory at urth.io, on this episode of the Count Me In Podcast. Samantha shares her fascinating journey from organic farming to pioneering soil carbon credits in Australia. She explains the crucial role these credits play in sequestering carbon and improving soil quality. Dive into the intricacies of carbon markets, the potential of regenerative agriculture, and the impact of evolving ESG laws. Learn about the challenges in educating financial professionals and the innovative solutions Samantha is bringing to the table, including blockchain transparency and smart contracts. Discover why big businesses should consider buying soil carbon credits and what it means for our environment and future. If you’re curious about sustainability, agriculture, or climate action, this conversation is a must-listen.
Sponsor:Today's episode is brought to you by U.S. Bank. U.S. Bank is a trusted financial partner for our clients, businesses and communities. We believe in doing the right thing and putting people first. It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute for the tenth consecutive year. From commercial credit cards and program management tools to innovative payment technologies and transportation offerings, U.S. Bank Corporate Payment Systems has the right solution to help your organization reduce payment costs, enhance control and streamline your entire payment processing function. We’ll partner with you to uncover your challenges and provide smart, clear and honest guidance to help you meet the financial goals for your business. Visit usbank.com/corporatepayments to learn more.

Jan 6, 2025 • 32min
Ep. 295: Stacey Chazin - Busting Myths About Introverts and Leadership
In this episode of Count Me In, join host Adam Larson as he chats with Stacey Chazin, Founder and Principal Coach at I-Factor Leadership. Stacey, a passionate advocate for introverts in the workplace, shares eye-opening insights on why introverts excel in presenting, debunking common myths about their roles in meetings, and how the post-COVID shift is impacting them. Get practical tips from Stacey's "meeting playbook for introverts" and discover strategies to manage energy in office environments designed for extroverts. Whether you're an introvert looking to thrive or a leader aiming to understand your diverse team better, Stacey's advice on leveraging introverted strengths in leadership roles is a must-listen. Plus, hear about her online course aimed at preventing burnout and the importance of setting boundaries and communicating work style needs. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation!Follow the below links to find important information about today's topic:A Conference Survival Guide for IntrovertsMeeting Playbook for Introverts: 10 Strategies to Have Your Voice Heard and Your Ideas ShineDaily Productivity Hacks for Introverts: Achieve More with Less StressThe Introvert’s Edge: 10 Tips for Winning Negotiations
Sponsor:Today's episode is brought to you by U.S. Bank. U.S. Bank is a trusted financial partner for our clients, businesses and communities. We believe in doing the right thing and putting people first. It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute for the tenth consecutive year. From commercial credit cards and program management tools to innovative payment technologies and transportation offerings, U.S. Bank Corporate Payment Systems has the right solution to help your organization reduce payment costs, enhance control and streamline your entire payment processing function. We’ll partner with you to uncover your challenges and provide smart, clear and honest guidance to help you meet the financial goals for your business. Visit usbank.com/corporatepayments to learn more.

7 snips
Dec 30, 2024 • 27min
Ep. 294: Michael Dion - Mastering Financial Transformation: The Strategic Power of Automation
In this engaging conversation, Mike Dion, a finance expert in FP&A and automation with experience from startups to Fortune 100 companies, shares his journey from intern to automation advocate. He discusses the remarkable power of streamlining finance processes, utilizing tools like Excel to boost productivity. Mike offers insights into managing burnout in finance, the strategic role of AI, and how automation can transform data handling. Tune in for practical tips that empower finance professionals to work smarter, enhance efficiency, and embrace technology.

Dec 23, 2024 • 35min
Ep. 293: Siqi Chen: Breakthrough In Financial Intelligence
Join us for an insightful chat with Siqi Chen, CEO of Runway and a visionary in AI and finance, on this episode of Count Me In! Host Adam Larson sits down with Siqi to explore the incredible potential of AI in streamlining our work, making complex tasks more intuitive. Discover the fascinating world of prompt engineering and how Runway, Siqi's brainchild, is redefining tools for strategic thinking.Siqi shares his unique journey from working on Mars rovers to revolutionizing financial planning. Dive into a discussion on the democratization of data, the evolution of finance from a backward-looking to a forward-thinking strategy, and the shortcomings of traditional tools like spreadsheets. This episode is full of compelling insights on making financial models accessible and integrating context seamlessly into complex projects.
Sponsor:Today's episode is brought to you by U.S. Bank. U.S. Bank is a trusted financial partner for our clients, businesses and communities. We believe in doing the right thing and putting people first. It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute for the tenth consecutive year. From commercial credit cards and program management tools to innovative payment technologies and transportation offerings, U.S. Bank Corporate Payment Systems has the right solution to help your organization reduce payment costs, enhance control and streamline your entire payment processing function. We’ll partner with you to uncover your challenges and provide smart, clear and honest guidance to help you meet the financial goals for your business. Visit usbank.com/corporatepayments to learn more.

Dec 9, 2024 • 33min
Ep. 292: Court Watson - From Balance Sheets To AI: Shaping the Future of Accounting
Join host Adam Larson as he chats with Court Watson, Partner in Deloitte Advisory’s Controllership services practice. Discover the future of accounting through Court's insights on data science, generative AI, and modernizing financial practices. From tackling manual journal entry inefficiencies to exploring AI-driven dynamic account closures, this episode offers plenty of real-world takeaways. Gain practical tips on integrating innovative tech, fostering continuous learning, and upskilling for the evolving landscape. Whether you're curious about AI's potential or seeking new ways to enhance your role, this engaging conversation is packed with inspiration and actionable advice. Tune in to elevate your accounting game with invaluable insights from Court Watson. Don’t miss out! We also invite you to listen and subscribe to Deloitte’s Resilient Controller podcast featuring controllers and financial executives who put the attributes of authenticity, determination, trust and grit into action.
Sponsor:Today's episode is brought to you by U.S. Bank. U.S. Bank is a trusted financial partner for our clients, businesses and communities. We believe in doing the right thing and putting people first. It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute for the tenth consecutive year. From commercial credit cards and program management tools to innovative payment technologies and transportation offerings, U.S. Bank Corporate Payment Systems has the right solution to help your organization reduce payment costs, enhance control and streamline your entire payment processing function. We’ll partner with you to uncover your challenges and provide smart, clear and honest guidance to help you meet the financial goals for your business. Visit usbank.com/corporatepayments to learn more.

Dec 2, 2024 • 36min
Ep. 291: Alexandre Louisy - The Future of B2B Payments: Embracing Revolutionary Automation and Innovation
Join us in an exciting conversation with Alexandre Louisy, the co-founder and CEO of Upflow, as he and host Adam Larson tackle the challenges of ensuring timely payments in the B2B world. Alexandre shares his insights on modernizing payment methods, stressing why online payments are crucial for both vendors and customers. Learn why manual invoices and checks are becoming outdated and how automation can save time and money. Alexandre's passion for integrating finance and customer experience shines through as he discusses the future of digital payments and what it means for your business. Plus, get practical advice on how finance teams can drive effective change and simplify the payment process. Don't miss this engaging and informative episode that promises to change how you think about B2B payments! Tune in now and stay ahead of the curve.
Sponsor:Today's episode is brought to you by U.S. Bank. U.S. Bank is a trusted financial partner for our clients, businesses and communities. We believe in doing the right thing and putting people first. It’s an honor to be recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® by the Ethisphere Institute for the tenth consecutive year. From commercial credit cards and program management tools to innovative payment technologies and transportation offerings, U.S. Bank Corporate Payment Systems has the right solution to help your organization reduce payment costs, enhance control and streamline your entire payment processing function. We’ll partner with you to uncover your challenges and provide smart, clear and honest guidance to help you meet the financial goals for your business. Visit usbank.com/corporatepayments to learn more.