On The Books

If you are experiencing mental health challenges, please consult local resources for assistance. This episode is intended to offer encouragement, but is not intended to provide medical advice. See below for resources to help you in your mental health journey. This episode is part two of our discussion on mental health and burnout in the accounting industry. Part 1 with Randy Crabtree is available on all podcasts feeds. For this episode, we are joined by Kane Polakoff, CAS Practice Leader at CohnReznick, and Jennifer Alleva, CEO of Your Part-Time Controller (YPTC). We dive into the shifting culture of the accounting industry, specifically focusing on the transition from busy seasons to a year-round workload. They share their personal stories and leadership strategies for prioritizing staff well-being, fostering a supportive firm culture, and navigating the exciting yet daunting integration of AI into professional workflows. The group discusses: Rethinking busy season": “Busy season” is now “busy year” and the guests talk through managing workload year-round, offering flexible schedules and other ways to help accountants find balance. Managing macroeconomic stress: The impact of macroeconomic forces on clients creates a unique mental load for the advisors who serve them. The "Sunday Scaries" test: Kane and Jennifer discuss the importance of being attuned to staff stress levels and fostering an environment where employees aren't dreading the start of their work week. The power of vulnerability: Overcoming the industry stigma against asking for help and the importance of leaders modeling healthy boundaries and self-care. Capacity management: Differentiating between capacity of time and capacity of skill to provide the right support for every team member. For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

If you are experiencing mental health challenges, please consult local resources for assistance. This episode is intended to offer encouragement but is not intended to provide medical advice. See full show notes for resources to help you in your mental health journey. In this episode, hosts Ted Callahan and Jessica McCracken dive into a critical conversation on mental health, burnout, and the evolving culture of the accounting industry. Their guest, Randy Crabtree (co-founder of Tri-Merit Specialty Tax and host of The Unique CPA podcast), shares his harrowing personal journey of suffering a stress-induced stroke and how it transformed his approach to leadership and life. Randy details the events leading up to February 6, 2014, when he suffered a stroke at age 51. The power of vulnerability - Post-recovery, Randy realized that pretending to be perfect was detrimental to his firm's culture. Redefining Success and metrics in the industry - Randy challenges the traditional accounting model that equates long hours with success. AI as an Enabler: Randy views AI as a tool to remove the drudgery of compliance and data entry, allowing accountants to step into their true value as advisors. Passion vs. Role: Randy stepped down as managing partner to focus on what he loves—inspiring change and speaking—demonstrating that career paths should align with personal skills and passions. For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

Technology is constantly evolving, but people don’t change. In this special crossover episode of On the Books and Intuit Connect On, hosts Ted Callahan and Jessica McCracken sit down with Dave Olsen, founder of Nimbl. Dave shares his journey from working at one of the Big Four accounting firms to becoming a fractional CFO, and eventually founding Nimbl. He dives deep into the philosophy of "wide experimentation and narrow adoption," the nuances of leading a global team, and why the best accountants are often the best listeners. In This Episode, We Discuss: The transition from practitioner to leader: Why Dave decided to stop doing the work himself to focus on building the systems that empower others. Wide experimentation, narrow adoption: A strategic framework for introducing AI and new tech without burning out your team. The human intelligence factor: Why technology makes growth possible, but people are the ones who make that growth meaningful. Managing a global workforce: How Nimble integrates offshore teams in the Philippines and Argentina to create a seamless client experience. Overcoming tech stack fatigue: Strategies for consolidating tools to improve internal efficiency and employee retention. Leadership mindset: The importance of progression over change and how to instill confidence in your team and your clients. For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

In this episode of On the Books, we talk about one of the hottest topics in the accounting industry: the talent and skills shortage. Joining us are Katie Rosenberg and Lynn Letukas from the Intuit for Education team to talk about Intuit’s bold mission to upskill the next generation, the impact of AI on early-career roles, and how modern accounting is currently one of the most tech-forward professions In This Episode, We Discuss: Intuit’s Bold Goals: How Intuit aims to help 50 million students become financially literate by 2030 and upskill 1 million future accounting professionals over the next five years. The Talent Pipeline: Addressing the 8% year-over-year decline in accounting graduates and the upcoming retirement of 70% of the current workforce. AI + HI: Why AI won't replace accountants, but rather empower them to focus on high-value advisory services and critical thinking. Hands-On Learning: Exploring the Food Truck Program and other simulations that give high school and college students real-world experience using tools like QuickBooks and Mailchimp. Changing the Narrative: Moving away from the "Big Four or bust" mentality to show students the diverse, tech-driven opportunities in the Client Advisory Services space.

"I believe we live in a world of confidence... AI will eliminate almost all the drudgery and manual work over time, but it will not change the importance of human interaction." — Sasan Goodarzi In this landmark episode, hosts Ted Callahan and Jessica McCracken are joined by Sasan Goodarzi, the Chairman and CEO of Intuit. Sasan shares his unique leadership philosophy, the future of the "human-to-AI" connection, and how Intuit is revolutionizing the accounting industry through the newly launched Intuit Accountant Suite. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Pillars of Customer Obsession: Sasan breaks down his hands-on approach to leadership, including spending 30% of his time on the road, responding personally to customer escalations, and meeting directly with frontline engineers and sales teams. The Birth of "Intuit Intelligence": Sasan recounts a pivotal "aha moment" at an Accountant Council meeting. After seeing accountants manually use external AI tools due to safety concerns, he pivoted the company's strategy to build a secure, generative AI "thought partner" directly into the Intuit platform. AI + HI (Human Intelligence): A deep dive into why AI will never replace the accountant. Sasan emphasizes that while AI eliminates manual "drudgery," the "X-factor" remains the human confidence and expertise provided by accounting professionals. The Intuit Accountant Suite: Sasan discusses the vision behind this massive release—the biggest for the community in over a decade—designed to help firms manage their practice, clients, and workforce in one unified ecosystem. For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com. And to see the full video of this episode head over to the Intuit Connect ON website.

In this episode of On the Books, hosts Ted Callahan and Jessica McCracken head north to explore the global accounting landscape, starting with the Canadian market. They are joined by Mike Libbey, Partner and COO at YBL (formerly Your Bottom Line) and co-founder of Edgeflow. Mike shares his journey of scaling a 26-year-old family-run firm in Oshawa to a team of 33, while navigating the rapid technological shifts currently transforming the industry. From the nuances of Canadian capital gains tax to the "vibe coding" revolution, Mike provides a high-energy look at how firms can stay human in an increasingly automated world. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Canadian vs. US Market: Mike breaks down the similarities and key differences between the two markets, specifically regarding app availability and tax complexities. Scaling a Family Business: Insights into working alongside parents and siblings, and the professional maturity required to grow a family firm without losing the personal touch. Navigating Regulatory Uncertainty: How YBL is managing tariff uncertainty and impending changes to Canadian capital gains inclusion rates. The Power of "I Don't Know": Why radical candor and fact-checking are more important than ever in the age of AI. Vibe Coding and Custom Apps: Mike explains how he is building custom tools like Stash (in beta) to solve internal inefficiencies and why "vibe coding" is the most transformative thing to happen to his firm. The Human Differentiator: Why the future of accounting isn't just about compliance, but about being an integrated business partner that provides the human interaction AI can't replicate. For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

In this episode, hosts Ted Callahan and Jessica McCracken reflect on the transformative year of 2025 and look ahead to the future of the accounting profession. The episode features panel discussion from Intuit Connect, featuring industry leaders Dixie McCurley, Kim Blascoe, Greg Landers, and Liz Mason. The conversation moves beyond the buzzword of "advisory" to define the "augmented advisor"—a professional who leverages the power of technology to drive real economic impact. The discussion dives deep into the practicalities of integrating AI and human intelligence within accounting firms. The experts address the current trust gap regarding AI accuracy and emphasize the necessity of clean data architecture and strong data governance as the foundation for new technology. Looking toward the next generation of talent, the panel outlines how the accountant profile is evolving to require a blend of technical numeracy, data analytics, and the soft skills of storytelling and empathy. By embracing vulnerability and a willingness to learn in public, the panelist detailed how firms can close the gap between traditional compliance and high-value advisory, ultimately creating a more healthy and sustainable future for the industry. For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

In this final episode of 2025, hosts Ted Callahan and Jessica McCracken are joined by two exceptional guests to reflect on the year in accounting and look ahead to 2026: Becky Munson, a Partner in the Advisory Group at EisnerAmper, and Michael Hitchcock, Vice President of Product for Accounting and Accountants at Intuit. The four talk about the notable AI perception shift within the accounting community, the accelerating pace of change and the necessity for accounting firms to lean into innovation, a growing sense of app fatigue, the need for strong change management, and how accountants have become solution “builders” this year. The discussion also covers accelerated career trajectories for younger staff who can leverage technology to quickly ingest information, bypassing the need for decades of manual experience. And the group talks about why consolidation became the thing all accountants had to consider in 2025. Becky drops a brilliant perspective for the new year: the tech we have today is the worst it will ever be, meaning things are only going to get better and faster from here! Becky and Micahel also share what they are most excited about in 2026 and the group shares their thoughts on Metallica, My Morning Jacket, Eminem, and Peanut M&Ms. For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

The Working Families Tax Cut, signed into law earlier this year, introduces several compliance changes that will impact payroll and tax filing for the 2025 tax year. This episode features Tanner Arnold, Staff Program Manager on the Intuit Payroll team, who dives into the specifics. Learn about the provisions for "no tax on tips" and "no tax on overtime," understanding the critical distinction between qualified and non-qualified tips and overtime. Tanner explains what accountants need to know about these changes and discusses what resources Intuit is providing to accountants and their clients. The episode also touches on future changes for 2026, including the introduction of new retirement accounts, and what you can do today to prepare for these new compliance requirements. For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

This episode of the "On the Books" podcast celebrates its one-year anniversary and dives into the exciting launch of the Intuit Accountant Suite. Directors Karla Uribe and Jaclyn Anku join us to discuss the new firm-level product, which aims to be a single destination for all of your firm's work. Karla details how the suite was co-built with accountant feedback and introduces powerful features like Client Insights and enhanced user permissions. Additionally, Jaclyn deep-dives into the transformed ProAdvisor Program, which is now integrated directly into the Accountant Suite, offering new firm-based tiers, the CAS Foundations learning pathway, and a Training Manager experience to help leaders upskill their teams. The hosts also address the eventual sunset of QuickBooks Online Accountant (QBOA) and encourage firms to opt-in to the new suite today to take advantage of its free core features and future premium innovations. And stick around to the end of the episode for a special Happy Thanksgiving wish for you all. For full show notes, visist firmofthefuture.com

At Intiut Connect, Jaclyn Anku, Principal Program Manager of ProAdvisor, was able to catch up with Professor David Waite of Utah Valley University who brought a group of accounting students to this year’s event. In Episode 14, we profiled Professor Waite and accountants Brittany Brown and Dan Luthi and their first-of-its-kind Client Advisor Services course at the university. Check out episode 14 for their initial story, then listen to the current episode for an update on the students' progress, the significance of attending Intuit Connect, and the program's second-semester developments. Plus Jaclyn details a new ProAdvisor student mentorship program and an exciting virtual opportunity for students in January 2026. For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

Tune in to this episode of On The Books as host Jessica McCracken gives a sneak peek at the upcoming Intuit Connect conference in Las Vegas. Learn about what to expect at the tentpole event, including the main stage lineup featuring Intuit leaders, Queen Latifah, Brene Brown, John Foley, Vanessa Van Edwards, and Carla Hall. Jessica also details new event features like the Intuit Theater and Intuit-led breakout programming, as well as the unveiling of Intuit Accountant Suite. Hear from past On the Books guests and Connect speakers like Michael Hitchcock, Joe Preston, Chris Williams, Kane Polakoff, Erin Hutton, and Jacob Schroeder as they share details about their sessions and why you should connect with them at the event. Plus, Intuit Connect veteran and Founder and CEO of 1st Step Accounting, Nayo Carter-Gray joins the show to discuss why she keeps returning, her excitement for the main stage guests, and the Black Accountant Meetup she's hosting. Download the Intuit Connect app to start building your agenda now! For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

On this episode of On the Books, hosts Ted Callahan and Jessica McCracken welcome Dan Hood, Editor-in-Chief at Accounting Today, to discuss the biggest trends and disruptions facing the accounting profession, particularly as firms look ahead to 2026. Dan shares his take on the multiple crossroads the industry faces, focusing on the significant impact of technology (especially AI), ongoing staffing and capacity issues, and the influence of private equity. He emphasizes that for firms to thrive, they must view change as permanent and develop the core competency of continuous adaptation. The conversation also looks at how companies are hiring and making changes. It highlights the change to human intelligence and advisory services like Client Accounting Services (CAS). For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

In episode 21, Chris Willams, CEO of System Six summarized the key focus areas of any merger or acquisition as “get the keys to the technology and focus on the people.” Practically, what is entailed in‌ getting the keys to the technology? Erin Hutton and Janelle Fox have lived this experience. Both were accounting firm leaders at a large top 40-firm and now work at Intuit helping firms navigate technology changes necessitated by a merger or acquisition. Erin and Janelle discuss who owns which software and data, how to ensure contracts are transferred to the new firm and the best lens to use when prioritizing technology decisions. The group also talks about the role of AI, data cleanup, and truly how to simplify a firm’s tech stack. For more full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

Private equity and accounting. Let’s talk about it. Hosts Ted Callahan and Jessica McCracken talk with Jacob Schoeder, founder and CEO of Asecend Consulting about what private equity investment means for accounting, if this is a phase or a durable reality in the industry, and other growth strategies available for firms. The trio talks about what role innovation plays in determining growth strategies and what firm leaders must consider when thinking about private equity investments. Don’t miss Jacob’s session at Intuit Connect, where he will deep dive growth strategies outside of private equity with a panel of firm leaders who have chosen other paths. For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

In this episode of On the Books, Ted and Jessica sit down with Chris Williams, the founder of System Six, a fully remote outsourced accounting business with 50 team members across three countries, to talk about the human side of mergers and acquisitions. The group talks about best practices in identifying firm goals before stepping into an M&A conversation, the right mindset for those conversations, and how to truly put staff and clients first in the middle of a change. And Chris was kind enough to humor Ted and Jessica’s lightning round questions. Don't miss Chris’s session at Intuit Connect, where he will discuss post-acquisition integration alongside leaders from Acuity and EisnerAmper. Chris highlights that the panel will provide a tactical look at how different-sized firms approach integrating clients, technology, and people. For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

Here is a much-needed dose of accountant wisdom. Get ready for a deep dive into the evolving world of Client Advisory Services (CAS). In this episode, Ted and Jessica are joined by special guest Kane Polakoff, Partner and Practice Leader at CohnReznick and a pioneer in the CAS space. The trio talk about the increasing demand for CAS and its rapid growth, with CohnReznick experiencing over 60% practice growth last year. The group also discusses how the talent profile for CAS is changing, with a need for analytical, dynamic, and communicative individuals who are open to change and skilled in problem-solving. The conversation also covers the critical role of technology in CAS, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on client expectations and technology adoption, and the importance of change management for both clients and firms. With his characteristic humor, Kane shares his passion for making CAS a more appealing career path for recent college graduates and discusses the challenges and opportunities in building awareness for the profession. Be sure to catch the rapid-fire section at the end where Kane tries to sell Ted on the superiority of Detrot’s sports teams and mic-drop pitch for anyone interested in working with his team at CohnReznick. Tune in and be encouraged by the direction of CAS accounting. For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com.

In our latest On the Books episode, we explore the insights gathered from the 2025 Intuit QuickBooks Accountant Technology Survey. The survey sheds light on accountants' perspectives on the current technology landscape, including the benefits and challenges you face, as well as the evolving nature of your work. Key findings include insights into technology standardization, the integration of AI in accounting practices, and the state of technology training within firms. We also take a look at what you told us about your clients’ sentiments and expectations around technology adoption. For full show notes, head over to firmofthefuture.com

“Our mantras have been, ‘we will turn it on for every firm once we’ve earned the right’ and ‘every click matters.’” If you have been curious about the new QuickBooks Accounting Agent, we can help. In this episode of On the Books, Michael Hitchcock, VP of Product for Core FMS at Intuit, joins Ted and Jessica to delve into the AI Accounting Agent, an important piece of the groundbreaking new agentic technology in QuickBooks. Michael walks through the key features of the Accounting Agent such as AI-powered bank feeds that improve categorization accuracy and the 'ready to post' functionality that simplifies transaction management. The team also discusses the importance of review and approval capabilities for all agentic work and how his team worked to maintain control for accountants. The discussion emphasizes the benefits of increased efficiency, better data accuracy, and the ability for firms to focus on strategic client advice. For full show notes, log on to firmofthefuture.com

Meet your AI-sherpa, your guide, in this new accounting frontier. Chad Davis, Co-Founder and Partner of LiveCA, joins Ted and Jessica to talk about his journey with AI in accounting. Chad's interest in AI grew as he saw its potential to revolutionize the accounting industry. He has since become a leading expert and speaker on the subject, implementing robust AI solutions in his firm and fostering a community of learning and support through Automation Town, a group of accountants interested in how AI can be integrated into their work. This episode explores the importance of education, trust, and adaptability in embracing AI, and how Chad's experiences can inspire other accountants to lean into the future of their profession. And in true summer road trip vibes, we also talk with Chad about what it is like to live with is family and run a firm from his RV while traveling around Canada and the U.S. For full show notes, check out firmofthefuture.com