Christina Ricke discusses the evolving landscape of accounting careers, emphasizing the flexibility and opportunities available in the industry today. She highlights the unique culture at Pinion, where diverse talent is embraced, and the importance of leadership and employee engagement in creating a positive work environment. Christina also addresses the significance of mental wellness and the firm's commitment to supporting its employees. Looking ahead, she expresses excitement about the...

In this episode of the Accounting Talent Podcast, Rob Brown talks to Nick Sinclair of TOA Global about what makes a great leader in accounting firms, focusing specifically on emerging leaders. Gain insights into the unique challenges that accounting firms face, including compliance, talent shortages, and evolving client expectations. Also discover how adaptability and coaching are critical skills for any accounting professional looking to take their leadership to the next level. Key...

In this episode of the Accounting Talent podcast, Rob Brown discusses the critical importance of value creation in accounting firms, emphasizing that true value comes from people rather than just appearances. He highlights the need for firms to differentiate themselves by focusing on genuine narratives, individualized career paths, work-life balance, mental health support, community involvement, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. By showcasing real, tangible actions and...

Think talent management is just another HR buzzword? Think again!  In this new podcast episode, I’m joined by Ginger Craig—an executive coach with over 20 years in the field—who recently led a transformative leadership program for BRC, a North Carolina-based firm known for putting people first. Together, we explore why a true investment in talent is key to retention, productivity, and making your firm a place where people want to stay.  Ready for real-world strategies to develop your team? In...

AI: biggest threat or greatest opportunity for accountants?  In this podcast episode, Rob Brown chats with Nick Sinclair to explore how emerging tech, like AI, is reshaping the accounting world. We dive into what’s happening with the evolving roles of accountants, the end of Excel (maybe!) and how firms that embrace AI and automation are setting themselves up for success. Takeaways: Firms today face significant challenges that require adaptability.Service models are evolving, with an emphasis...

🎯 How to Hire: Attracting Top Talent 🎯 Knowing when to hire and who to hire is critical, but the real challenge often lies in the how. How do you actually attract top talent to your accounting firm? In an increasingly competitive market, it’s not enough to post a job ad and hope for the best. You need a strategic approach to stand out and bring in the best candidates. 🎙 In the final episode of our Accounting Talent Podcast mini-series, we focus on how to hire. We cover practical, actionable...

Are you strategically hiring for your accounting firm's future? Or are you just filling gaps? Discover how to transform your hiring process from reactive to proactive as Rob Brown talks more about the critical question of "who to hire" for accounting firms. He emphasizes that hiring isn't just about filling vacancies, but about strategically building teams for future growth and success. Brown challenges the common practice of replacing departing employees with carbon copies, instead...

Are you overlooking a critical aspect of leadership in accounting? Could your involvement in hiring be the key to elevating your influence and driving your firm's success? Rob Brown challenges the common misconception that hiring is solely HR's responsibility. He argues that regardless of your position in an accounting firm, if you aspire to leadership, you should be actively involved in the hiring process. Brown emphasizes that bringing in new talent is as crucial as acquiring new clients,...

Are you struggling to attract and retain top talent in your accounting firm? What if there was a way to create a workplace culture that people actually want to be part of? Rob Brown interviews Sarah Hauge and Deepa Bhat from ASL, an accounting firm that's revolutionizing workplace culture in the industry. They discuss how ASL has become a great place to work, attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive market. Deepa and Sarah share insights into ASL's innovative approaches, including...

Are you struggling to attract and retain top accounting talent? Could your firm's inability to find and keep the right people be its biggest threat? Rob Brown uncovers what makes certain accounting firms truly great places to work. With the accounting profession facing unprecedented challenges in talent acquisition and retention, Brown emphasizes the critical importance of standing out as an employer of choice in today's competitive market. Brown outlines the key areas he'll be exploring with...

Are you prepared for the leadership void in your accounting firm? What if your firm's next leader isn't even on your radar? In this eye-opening episode of the Accounting Talent Podcast, Rob Brown dives into the critical topic of external succession planning for accounting firms. Building on his previous episode about internal succession, Rob explores why looking outside your firm for future leaders isn't just an option—it's a necessity for staying relevant and competitive in today's rapidly...

Is your accounting firm gambling with its future? Are you one retirement away from a complete meltdown? Rob Brown tackles the critical but often overlooked topic of succession planning in accounting firms. With 75% of accountants in the UK and US at or near retirement age, Brown warns that many firms are sleepwalking into a succession crisis. He emphasizes the urgency of having a solid plan in place, not just for senior partners looking to retire, but for all levels of the firm. Brown delves...

Have you ever lost a key team member and felt unprepared? What if you could turn hiring crises into manageable puzzles? Rob Brown and Jeff Phillips share the strategic hiring practices for accounting firms. They discuss how to move beyond reactive hiring and develop a proactive, long-term approach to talent acquisition and retention. Jeff emphasizes the importance of learning from past hiring experiences and creating systems to make future hiring easier. He outlines steps to develop a...

Did you just lose a key staff member during busy season? What should you do in the next 30 days to fill that critical position? Rob Brown and Jeff Phillips tackle the pressing issue of sudden staff departures in accounting firms. They provide a step-by-step guide on how to handle this crisis situation, from the immediate aftermath to finding a suitable replacement quickly. Jeff Phillips, drawing from his extensive experience in the job board and staffing industry, offers invaluable insights...

Is money the solution to the accounting profession's talent crisis? How are major firms investing billions to attract the next generation of CPAs? Rob Brown shares the transformative trends reshaping the accounting industry. He explores how leading firms like Ernst & Young, PwC, and KPMG are making massive investments in technology, particularly artificial intelligence, to attract top talent and revolutionize their services. Rob Brown discusses the billion-dollar commitments made by these...

Rob Brown sits down with Jeff Phillips to discuss the challenges and opportunities of remote and hybrid work environments in the accounting industry. Jeff, drawing from his experience as a CEO managing remote teams, shares valuable insights on how firms can not only maintain but increase productivity with remote staff. The discussion explores into the shift from traditional office-based work to hybrid and remote models, addressing common concerns about productivity, trust, and company...

Rob Brown talks about the challenges facing the accounting profession in attracting and retaining new talent. He explores the declining interest in accounting as a career choice, the perception problems plaguing the industry, and the barriers to entry that discourage potential candidates. Rob Brown also discusses how the outdated image of accountants as boring number-crunchers persists, despite the evolving nature of the profession. He highlights the need for a more realistic portrayal of...

Is your firm's technology driving away top talent? Are you leveraging modern tech to attract the best accountants? Rob Brown sits down with Jeff Phillips to discuss the crucial role technology plays in recruiting and retaining accounting talent. They explore how a firm's tech stack can be a major factor in attracting or repelling potential hires, especially among younger generations who have grown up with advanced technology. Jeff emphasizes that modern firms using up-to-date technology are...

Is your accounting firm struggling to find talent? Could freelancers be the solution you've been overlooking? Rob Brown interviews Jeff Phillips, CEO of AccountingFly, about the critical role freelancers play in winning the war for talent in the accounting world. Jeff reveals that a staggering 30% of the labor force now identifies as freelance, and this trend is rapidly reshaping the landscape of knowledge work, including accounting. Jeff introduces the concept of the "talent stack," a new...

Is the traditional office becoming obsolete for accounting firms? Are we witnessing the death of remote work, or is the push to return to the office shortsighted? Rob Brown digs deep into the contentious issue of returning to the office in the accounting industry. He explores the rationale behind companies pushing for a return to in-person work, examining the belief that physical presence enhances collaboration, creativity, and company culture. Rob challenges these notions, highlighting the...

Is the traditional office becoming obsolete for accounting firms? Are we witnessing the death of remote work, or is the push to return to the office shortsighted? Rob Brown digs deep into the contentious issue of returning to the office in the accounting industry. He explores the rationale behind companies pushing for a return to in-person work, examining the belief that physical presence enhances collaboration, creativity, and company culture. Rob challenges these notions, highlighting the...

Are you struggling to find top accounting talent? Could remote hiring be the solution you've been overlooking? Rob Brown sits down with Jeff Phillips, to discuss how hiring remote accountants could be the key to solving recruitment challenges in the accounting industry. Jeff, co-founder of AccountingFly, shares his expertise on tapping into a vast pool of domestic remote talent, highlighting the benefits and addressing common concerns associated with remote hiring. The conversation goes into...

Is trust the missing element in your organization? How can you close the trust gap between leaders and employees? In this compelling episode of the Accounting Talent Podcast, host Rob Brown sits down with Cory Sheer, the author of "Closing the Trust Gap," to explore the critical issue of trust within accounting firms. With a deep dive into the multiple trust gaps identified by Cory's research, this conversation uncovers the staggering reality that leaders often overestimate their...

Are you and your employees caught in the overtime epidemic? Is overwork silently killing productivity and driving away top talent? Rob Brown delves into the alarming issue of overwork and excessive overtime that is plaguing workplaces across the UK and the US. Drawing from compelling research, he reveals the severe toll it's taking on businesses and employees alike. Excessive workloads, unrealistic expectations from managers, and an ingrained culture of overwork are undermining employee...