In this episode of Accounting Voices, Rob Brown discusses key predictions for the accounting profession in 2026 based on insights from 48 industry leaders. The conversation covers themes of automation, revenue shifts from compliance to advisory, the integration of AI in accounting practices, talent sustainability, and the ongoing trend of consolidation within the industry. The episode emphasizes the need for firms to adapt to rapid changes and prepare for future challenges, particularly during busy seasons.

Takeaways

The month-end close process will be automated by 2026.

Audits will be completed in under five hours.

Advisory revenue is set to surpass compliance revenue.

Firms will budget for AI as they do for headcount.

AI will become the first staff accountant in firms.

50% of firms will use AI assistance systematically.

Consolidation in the industry will intensify.

Busy seasons will continue to be challenging for firms.

Change is inevitable in the accounting profession.

Firms must stay relevant and adapt to new trends.

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/z-4VrkN3Ksc

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

AI transforming accounting firms… or quietly breaking their leadership pipeline?

In this first episode of a 5-part leadership series, Rob Brown explores a critical issue facing the profession:

AI is not just improving productivity in accounting firms. It is stress-testing leadership models.

If AI removes the grind, what replaces the apprenticeship? Drawing insights from conversations on the Inside Public Accounting podcast with Chelsea Summers, this episode goes beyond margin, leverage, and production capacity.

Instead, it asks a deeper question: 👉 If machines are drafting the work… who is doing the learning?

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/FncMCgB3jLI?si=pV1BkRgQ5F9oVYjc

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

In this episode of Accounting Voices, Rob Brown discusses the evolving landscape of leadership in the accounting profession. He emphasizes that technical excellence is no longer sufficient for leaders, who must now embrace emotional literacy, adaptability, and strategic thinking to navigate the complexities of modern business. The conversation highlights the importance of trustworthiness, effective people management, and the need for leaders to develop AI skills to stay relevant in a rapidly changing environment.

Takeaways

Technical excellence is the price of entry for accountants.

Leaders must transition from technical experts to enterprise leaders.

Emotional literacy is crucial for effective leadership.

Change management differs from change leadership.

Delegation is essential to prevent burnout.

Trustworthiness cannot be automated and is vital for leadership.

Every firm member will need AI operator skills by 2026.

Strategic heresy involves letting go of outdated practices.

Leaders should view their firms as products requiring systems thinking.

Humanity and judgment are key attributes for future leaders.

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/gyfVzKISy78

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

◣━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━◢

The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.