Thrivecast: A Podcast for Accountants

Alan Whitman challenges firm leaders to embrace uncomfortable questions as catalysts for organizational transformation. His central thesis: we are already advisors, trapped not by capability but by inherited paradigms that no longer serve our evolving purpose.Jason and Alan discuss how advisory and compliance were once integrated, but now we've artificially separated them. Modern firms must position traditional services as support structures for advisory work, not the primary focus. This requires asking: "Is this really our highest and best use to the organization?"Some specific reflection points from this episode are how many leaders are actively questioning their status quo versus simply going through the motions? The "ShoShin" approach—embracing beginner's mind when facing major changes—demands we start from scratch rather than incrementally adjust failing systems. Begin with uncomfortable questions that challenge existing assumptions. Evaluate whether you're accumulating clients or strategically building practice. Assess which non-negotiables could most transform your firm's trajectory.As a reminder, transformation is not about perfection, but about courageous, intentional movement toward our highest organizational potential. We are architects of possibility, constantly redesigning our structures to align with our evolving vision of what professional services can become.

In this episode, we chat with Katrina Nacci, a CPA based in Frankfurt, Germany who helps European companies navigate US accounting standards. Originally from Boston, Katrina describes her work as "bridging the gap with two A's" - taking companies from local European accounting to US GAAP or IFRS when they're seeking American investors or planning IPOs. After 12 years abroad and experience at PwC and in private equity, Katrina found her niche with scale-up companies in the $30-50 million revenue range. Her approach leverages clients' internal teams through collaborative "GAAP summits" where she guides finance departments through accounting differences, making the process more cost-effective than larger firms. Interestingly, Katrina often discovers companies struggle not just with accounting standard differences, but with correctly applying their current standards. She works across the UK, Germany, Netherlands and other European countries, each with their own requirements. Despite initial language barriers, Katrina has adapted to life in Europe, traveling monthly throughout the continent. She reflects on her growth from a "dorky technical accountant" to a confident business owner with a unique specialization at the intersection of European and American financial requirements.

Sarah Acton, Chief Customer Officer at BILL, shares her insights on transforming the accounting profession. She argues that accountants should evolve beyond traditional service roles to become technology advisors. Embracing AI and automation can free professionals to focus on building genuine client relationships. Acton emphasizes the importance of understanding client needs and encourages accountants to experiment and guide clients through tech adoption fears. Ultimately, authenticity and efficiency are key to establishing credibility and driving success.

Michael Horwitz, Executive Director at BDO Alliance USA, brings a wealth of experience from international economics to the accounting scene. He delves into the significance of collaboration among accounting firms, highlighting the benefits of innovative alliances. The discussion touches on trends like employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) and their positive impacts on company culture. Horwitz also advocates for a rethink of educational requirements, pushing for more experiential learning to attract diverse talent and address workforce challenges in the industry.

In this engaging discussion, Dr. Scott J. Allen, an award-winning educator and leadership consultant, shares insights on the importance of leadership in accounting firms. He explains why top technical experts aren't always the best leaders and how to nurture suitable career paths for them. Dr. Allen emphasizes the necessity of emotional intelligence and communication in leadership, especially post-pandemic. He also highlights practical strategies for measuring leadership effectiveness and fostering a positive organizational culture. A must-listen for anyone in or aspiring to leadership roles!

Welcome to Thrivecast! In today’s episode, Jason Blumer sits down with Rob Nixon, a global expert in driving profitability for accounting firms. They unpack the nitty-gritty of critical utilization, productivity, and efficiency concepts. They’ll explore how the pandemic has reshaped virtual work, the historical changes in accounting efficiency, succession planning, and transforming firms into vehicles for wealth creation. Tune in as they uncover strategies for firm owners to balance profitability, efficiency, and personal fulfillment. Whether you’re aiming for practice improvement or transitioning to an investor level, this episode is packed with actionable insights!

Jason reflects on the lessons from recent challenges and embraces new beginnings within the accounting profession. He announces the end of The Businessology Show to focus on growth and innovation. The discussion emphasizes the importance of flexibility and bold choices in evolving businesses. Listeners are encouraged to recommit to their paths, find new value for clients, and approach the new year with energy and a commitment to change. This journey promises renewed opportunities and a brighter future for all in the industry.

Brett Kelly, the founder and CEO of Kelly Partners Group, discusses modern leadership and innovative strategies in accounting. He highlights the shift towards bottom-up leadership, emphasizing the alignment of business practices with core values. The conversation explores the growing importance of long-term vision over short-term gains, and how transformative leadership can unlock potential in teams. Brett also addresses the need for a people-oriented approach, advocating for dignity in the accounting profession and the power of storytelling to enhance its impact.

Welcome back to The Thrivecast! Today, Jason sits down for part 2 of his episode with Ian Vacin where they finish their teaching from the highly successful Deeper Weekend conference. This episode is a follow up from Ian’s sessions at Deeper Weekend and they dive into the Qualitative Research they are doing for their upcoming book on Human Capacity. Come learn about the 7 qualitative research findings that help firms reach profitability and firm success.

Welcome back to Thrivecast! In today’s episode, Jason chats with Ian Vacin, co-founder and chief customer officer of Karbon. Known for his extensive background in industrial engineering, high tech manufacturing, and an MBA, Ian brings a wealth of industry knowledge to the table. Together, they dive deep into the intricacies of capacity planning and resource management for accounting firms, drawing from their own collaboration history and experiences on road shows. They’ll give us a sneak peek into their latest endeavor: co-writing a book on "human capacity," blending extensive research with anecdotal wisdom to tackle the complexities of scaling service-based businesses. From labor cost challenges to the nuanced art of outsourcing staff, Ian and Jason share invaluable insights that can help any entrepreneur navigate the choppy waters of growth and organizational design!