Advertise on podcast: The Woodard Report Podcast: Featuring Heather Satterley and Joe Woodard

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather and Joe talk about the rapidly evolving AI landscape, the importance of responsible innovation, and how accounting professionals can prepare for the potential of AI-driven self-improvement (commonly called, "recursive self improvement"). They explore leadership lessons from popular films, strategies for challenging personal assumptions, and why accounting firms should use the fourth quarter to plan rather than overcommit to major initiatives.  Current events — 1 in 5 Workers Say Their Current Job Is Not What They Were Hired to Do AI CEO's issued a public warning to slow down the pace of AI development TV/Movie quote of the week — The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Excellent Thing We Learned — Loving What Is: Four Questions that Can Change Your Life Recursive Self-Improvement The Woodard Report article of the week — Putting the Puzzle Pieces Together after the Accrual Acquisition Thank you to our show sponsor Meridian by Pilot, the AI operating system for accounting firms. Grow capacity, strengthen client relationships, and improve margins. Meridian automates the month end close across your entire client portfolio, so your team reviews finished books and spends their time on the work that grows the firm. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Seth Fineberg about the importance of building trust between accounting professionals and technology providers as AI transforms the profession. Drawing on his decades of experience in accounting journalism and his work with Accountants Forward, Seth discusses how vendors can better understand practitioners' challenges, communicate honestly, and demonstrate real-world value rather than overpromise solutions. They also explore how AI is empowering accountants to create their own tools and why listening, transparency, and strong relationships are essential to moving the profession forward. About Seth Fineberg Seth Fineberg is a content marketing and PR specialist with a keen focus on the accounting profession. He is a 35-year journalist and editor, mostly overseeing accounting. Learn more about Accountants Forward Connect with Seth on LinkedIn Thank you to our show sponsor, Rightworks! RightWorks has everything your firm needs to do exactly that. Most accounting firms are juggling scattered apps, dealing with ongoing security risks and relying on manual workarounds, all on top of serving your clients. RightWorks takes that off your plate. One secure workspace for all your apps and tools. Enterprise-grade security managed for you. And the AI and productivity tools built specifically for accounting firms. Whether you have an IT team or not, whether you have five employees or 45, RightWorks grows with your firm and keeps you ready for whatever comes next. RightWorks, it's all right here. Learn more at RightWorks.com. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Tanya Hilts about her experience as a delegate at a United Nations summit focused on AI governance and the importance of giving small businesses and developing countries a voice in shaping the future of artificial intelligence. They discuss AI guardrails, the risks of losing human judgment and critical thinking, the potential for an AI investment bubble, environmental concerns, and why accounting professionals should use AI as a tool rather than surrender decision-making to it. Tanya also shares practical advice for embracing AI while staying informed, skeptical, and in control. About Tanya Hilts Tanya Hilts, CPB, FCPB—award-winning accounting pro helping firms adopt practical AI, tighten processes, and grow profit-focused advisory. Download 102 Fail-Proof AI Prompts for Bookkeepers Learn more about Tanya's Bookkeeper's Bootcamp Connect with Tanya on LinkedIn Thank you to our show sponsor, Meridian by Pilot, the AI operating system for accounting firms. Grow capacity, strengthen client relationships, and improve margins. Meridian automates the month-end close across your entire client portfolio so your team reviews finished books and spends their time on the work that grows the firm. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Liz Farr about the six foundational pillars of a successful accounting firm: a clear North Star, strong systems and processes, the right people in the right roles, trust and transparency, clear communication, and accountability. They explore why embracing the "messy human stuff" is becoming increasingly important in an AI-driven profession, and Liz shares practical advice for firms looking to deepen client relationships, identify their ideal clients, and build a better way of working. About Liz Farr Liz has been a CPA since 2004 and a full-time freelance writer and ghostwriter since 2018. She also hosts The Disruptors podcast for CPA Trendlines. Learn more about Farr Communications Connect with Liz on LinkedIn Thank you to our show sponsor, Woodard! The Woodard membership program will help you build your ideal practice with our coaching, education, community, and resources. We'll get you there with strategic direction from experienced professionals, access to skill building and resources, along with the community, to continually inspire your practice's transformation. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe and Heather talk about the latest developments in accounting technology, including Accrual's acquisition of Puzzle and the growing convergence of tax and CAS services. They also explore how AI is reshaping professional education and the need to develop and test real-world skills, while discussing AI governance, empathy, the concept of "reverse centaurs," and why accounting professionals must learn to use AI as a tool rather than become tools for AI. Current events — Accrual to Acquire Puzzle 4 State Societies Combined forces to launch Five Storm Systems. TV/Movie quote of the week — Rocky Horror Picture Show Wonder Woman Excellent Thing We Learned — Empathy is "feeling with people" Centaurs and reverse centaurs The Woodard Report article of the week — 10 Ways Your Writing May Look AI-Generated Thank you to our show sponsor Canopy! Unclunk your firm with Canopy, the fully integrated practice management that helps accountants build the firm they always wanted. The suite includes client and document management, workflow, time and billing, engagements and proposals, and more. Check out GetCanopy.com Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Randy Crabtree about his next chapter after retiring from Tri-Merit, his continued work supporting the accounting profession, and his passion for addressing burnout, mental health, and leadership. They discuss how AI can give accountants more freedom to focus on relationships and meaningful work but only if firms resist the temptation to simply fill newfound efficiency with more work. Randy and Heather also explore vulnerable leadership, curiosity, empathy, and the importance of understanding your strengths and passions to build a more fulfilling career and a stronger profession. About Randy Crabtree Randy Crabtree, CPA, is President of The Brainstorm Group and founder and host of The Unique CPA podcast and the Bridging the Gap conference. The Brainstorm Group is Randy Crabtree's speaking and advisory practice. Randy delivers keynotes and workshops at conferences and events across the accounting profession, and works directly with firms to build healthier cultures, prevent burnout, and create workplaces where people can thrive. He also advises companies that serve the accounting profession, helping them understand the industry and connect with the firms they support. Learn more about The Brainstorm Group Connect with Randy on LinkedIn Thank you to our show sponsor, Puzzle! The next generation firm, AI-powered human lead. Puzzle replaces manual QuickBooks workflows with AI-driven books built for review, approval, and audit-ready accountability. Learn more at puzzle.io. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather and Joe discuss major changes shaping the accounting profession, including the growing influence of private equity, market consolidation, and the importance of maintaining a strong mindset regardless of the size of your firm. They also explore the concept of "crappification" in software, and what accountants can learn from the unsung role meteorologists played in D-Day. Current events — Top 50 Women in Accounting H.I.G. Capital just became HBK's first institutional investor TV/Movie quote of the week — House of the Dragon Pressure Excellent Thing We Learned — Ensh*tification is an actual word, with a very specifically defined meaning Member Spotlight — Laura Solt of Solt Bookkeeping and Advisory The Woodard Report article of the week — I Found My Wife with a Sales Pipeline by Camden Bean Thank you to our show sponsor, Digits! Digits is the world's first agentic general ledger, accounting software that works for you. Built from the ground up for the AI era, Digits automates bookkeeping and month-end, shifting your team from data entry to review and advisory. Visit digits.com to get started today. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Michelle Weinstein about how accounting professionals can escape burnout, increase revenue, and build more profitable firms by learning to communicate their value and sell with confidence. They discuss the importance of listening to clients, focusing on ideal customers, tracking the value and "wins" delivered to clients, and turning quick questions into deeper advisory conversations rather than giving away expertise for free. About Michelle Weinstein Michelle Weinstein is the founder of The Abundant Accountant and a sales strategist who helps CPAs, EAs, Accounting, Tax, Bookkeeping, and Fractional CFO firm owners generate more revenue without working harder and burning out. Through the 8-Week Sales Mastery Training, she teaches firm owners how to build a proven sales process, communicate their value, gain the confidence to raise their fees, and enroll premium clients without pressure or burnout. Her work helps firm owners build more profitable practices without working more hours, chasing more clients, or giving away their expertise for free. Learn more about The Abundant Accountant Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn Thank you to our show sponsor, Bill, your financial operations platform. Bill is the intelligent way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses, control budgets, and access the credit your business needs to grow all in one platform. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe and Heather talk about major changes reshaping the accounting profession, from the end of BOI reporting and unprecedented firm consolidation to the rise of boutique, relationship-driven practices. They also explore AI's potential evolution from generative AI to AGI and beyond, new CPE rules allowing half-credit sessions, and the importance of innovation, intentional client relationships, and taking calculated risks to build a thriving practice. Current events — FinCEN ends BOI reporting TV/Movie quote of the week — House of Dragon Star Trek Strange New Worlds Excellent Thing We Learned — NASBA is going to start allowing 1/2 credit CPE sessions - beginning August 1 How To Think About AI: A Guide For The Perplexed by Richard Susskind Member Spotlight — Jennifer Mitchell of Accountsense The Woodard Report article of the week — Strategic Client Onboarding: Where Advisory Success Really Begins Thank you to our show sponsor, Woodard! The Woodard membership program will help you build your ideal practice with our coaching, education, community, and resources. We'll get you there with strategic direction from experienced pros, access to skill building and resources, and a community to continually inspire your practices transformation. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe and Dawn Brolin talk about the accelerating impact of AI on the accounting profession, from secure, specialized AI tools to the emerging potential of quantum computing. They explore why accounting professionals need to move beyond fear and begin experimenting with AI now, sharing practical examples of using tools like Claude and Tax Figure to analyze financial data, strengthen advisory services, and work more efficiently. Current events — EY installed a quantum computer in their Toronto office TV/Movie quote of the week — The Greatest Showman House of the Dragon Excellent Thing We Learned — There are a series of tags you can use that will change the way most GPTs will respond to you. Examples are: TRUTHMODE – forces direct, unvarnished feedback instead of the AI just agreeing with you HUMAN – strips the "AI voice," makes writing sound like a person wrote it HORMOZI – answers like a blunt, ROI focused business coach (style associated with Alex Hormozi) REDTEAM – argues against your idea to stress test it before you commit FUTUREYOU – answers as if it's the version of you who already solved this problem ELI10 – explains it like you're 10 years old, no jargon UNLEARN – flags outdated assumptions or bad advice you're carrying around 80/20 – skips straight to the highest leverage move, ignores the rest SOCRATES – teaches by asking you questions instead of handing you the answer LINDYMODE – sticks to long proven approaches, filters out hype and fads The Woodard Report article of the week — Accounting Pros Now Have a Voice at the AI Table Thank you to our show sponsor, Rightworks! If you're coming out of tax season wondering how to make next year better, RightWorks has everything your firm needs to do exactly that. Most accounting firms are juggling scattered apps, dealing with ongoing security risks, and relying on manual workarounds all on top of serving your clients. RightWorks takes that off your plate. One secure workspace for all your apps and tools. Enterprise Great Security managed for you and the AIM productivity tools built specifically for accounting firms. Whether you have an IT team or not, whether you have five employees or 45, RightWorks grows with your firm and keeps you ready for whatever comes next. RightWorks, it's all right here. Learn more at RightWorks.com. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe speaks with Ron Baker about Peter Drucker's most influential ideas, including the rise of knowledge work, the importance of effectiveness over efficiency, and the need for businesses to pursue future opportunities instead of clinging to the past. They also explore how accounting firms can use distinct brands to separate commoditized services from high-value advisory work as well as why religious leaders offer valuable insights into purpose, dignity, stewardship, and the moral role of business. About Ron Baker Ronald J. Baker began his CPA career with KPMG in 1984. He is the co-founder of THRESHOLD and co-host of The Soul of Enterprise podcast. A renowned speaker and author, he has written eight best-selling books, including Firm of the Future, Implementing Value Pricing and Time's Up. He has educated over 450,000 professionals worldwide and has been named among Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential People. A graduate of San Francisco State University, he is also a faculty member of the Professional Pricing Society and a Disney University alumnus. HBR interview with Jerry Seinfeld The Soul of Enterprise clergy episodes Father Robert Sirico Rabbi Daniel Lapin Mustafa Akyol Peter Drucker GPT interview Thank you to our show sponsor, Puzzle! Puzzle replaces manual quickbooks workflows with AI-driven books built for review, approval, and audit-ready accountability. Learn more at puzzle.io. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Peter McCarroll about why accounting firms must treat AI adoption as a strategic business transformation rather than simply adding new software tools. Peter explains the pricing pressures threatening traditional compliance work, the need to redesign firms around advisory value and human relationships, and how reusable AI instructions and skills can help teams turn individual experimentation into shared, repeatable processes. About Peter McCarroll Peter McCarroll is a Chartered Accountant (NZ), CPA (Canada), and the founder of The AI Accountant — the only AI training and implementation platform built exclusively for CAS practices. He runs a full-service accounting practice at Fuel Accountants, where he has spent the past two years deploying AI across real client workflows. Peter helps accounting firms move from experimentation to operational transformation — not with theory, but with systems built inside a working practice. The AI Champion's Field Guide: What to Do Now, What to Ask For Learn more about The AI Accountant Learn more about Fuel Accountants Connect with Peter on LinkedIn Thank you to our show sponsor, Bill! Bill is the intelligent way to create and pay bills, send invoices, manage expenses, control budgets, and access the credit your business needs to grow, all in one platform. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe and Heather talk about Xero's move into the midmarket, why accounting firms may find greater opportunity above the AI disruption zone, and how empathy can defuse difficult client conversations. They also discuss how personal transformation can lead to a healthier, more successful practice. Current events — NJ Considers Pet tax credit Xero targets Australia's medium-sized businesses with launch of Ultra TV/Movie quote of the week — Outcome House of the Dragon Excellent Thing We Learned — As AI replaces search, all roads lead to authority Member spotlight — David Williams of CPB Solutions The Woodard Report article of the week — The "Ask Deb" series begins this week! Thank you to our show sponsor, Digits! Digits is the world's first agent general ledger, accounting software that works for you. Built from the ground up for the AI era, Digits automates bookkeeping in month and shifting your team from data entry to review and advisory. Visit digits.com to get started today. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe speaks with Jan Haugo about how accounting firms can move beyond experimenting with AI and begin using it to transform workflows, increase profitability, and create more capacity for strategic advisory services. Jan shares practical approaches for overcoming security concerns and uncertainty, including her "pain, problem, prompt" method, while emphasizing the importance of firmwide training, strong governance, and leadership-driven adoption. They also explore how AI can help accountants become more thoughtful, empathetic advisors by freeing them to focus on the goals and challenges that matter most to their clients. About Jan Haugo Jan Haugo Vuicich is the founder of SmartAccountant.AI, an AI training and implementation company built for accounting professionals, by someone who spent years doing the actual work. She was named to MSN's Top 10 AI Leaders to Follow in 2026 and co-authored Intuit's AI Certification curriculum. Before any of that, she was running a small accounting practice, finishing her degree over a decade as a single mom, and logging 70+ hour weeks. That history is what makes her training different. She is not teaching from the outside. She built her frameworks from inside the same workflows her clients are trying to fix. Through SmartAccountant.AI, Jan runs the SMART Method Bootcamp, a foundational AI training program that has seen 100% adoption among participants, along with done-with-you training and direct AI implementation for firms ready to make real operational changes. She works with solo practitioners through mid-size accounting firms across the country, and the work is the same regardless of firm size: help owners and their teams reclaim their time, price their services at the level the work actually deserves, and build practices that hold up outside of tax season too. Learn more about SmartAccountant.AI Connect with Jan on LinkedIn Thank you to our show sponsor, Rightworks! For more information about RightWorks, please visit Rightworks.com.  Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe and Heather speak about Microsoft's latest quantum computing and AI developments, and what those shifts could mean for accounting professionals. They also connect lessons from TV, April Rinne's book Flux, and Donna Reed's article on client conversations to the importance of adaptability, empathy, and intentional decision-making in advisory work.  Current events — Microsoft's New Quantum Chip Aiming for Useful Machine in 2029 Microsoft Build 2026: Be yourself at work TV/Movie quote of the week — The Boroughs House of the Dragon Excellent Thing We Learned — Insert live valuations of stocks, currency or geographical information right in Excel Change Is Not an Event—It's the Environment (from April Rinne's book, Flux) Member spotlight — Connect with Diane Dana on LinkedIn The Woodard Report article of the week — The Quiet Question that Improves Every Client Conversation Thank you to our show sponsor, Zoho! Zoho is a unique and powerful software suite to transform the way you work, designed for businesses of all sizes, built by a company that values your privacy. Learn more about the show and our sponsors at Woodard.com/podcast