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The email arrives on a Monday morning. Your firm has a new investor, and it's a private equity fund. The announcement talks about growth, technology and opportunity. What it doesn't say is the thing everyone wants to know: what happens to my job? In Part 2 of INSIDE THE SHIFT, Rob Brown looks at what private equity means for the people inside an accounting firm after a deal. He explains why staff judge a deal by one personal question, why promising that nothing will change costs firms trust later and why the path to partner becomes the biggest unanswered question for managers and seniors. The episode applies to owners of small firms receiving approaches, managers at top 100 firms and seniors whose careers shift when outside capital arrives. Key points covered: Why people judge a PE deal by what it means for their jobWhy "nothing changes day to day" damages trust when change arrivesWhy the path to partner is the question most firms leave unansweredWhat a PE deal means for owners, partners, managers and seniorsThe first week test: five questions every firm should be ready to answer Part 2 of 12 in INSIDE THE SHIFT. Sources referenced: INSIDE Public Accounting, Ipsos Life Aspirations 2026, ADP Research Today at Work 2026. Watch BACKED, our sister show on the owner's side of private equity, exclusively on YouTube and supported by INSIDE Public Accounting. Subscribe to the Accounting Voices Show on YouTube: youtube.com/@accountingvoices Follow Rob Brown on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/therobbrown Follow Accounting Voices on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/accountingvoices

A deal gets signed. Two firms merge. A new managing partner takes over. A private equity buyer moves in. The announcement goes out and everyone is told the future looks bright. Six months later, one of the best managers in the firm hands in her notice, and two of the seniors she trained start looking around. In Part 1 of INSIDE THE SHIFT, Rob Brown looks at what happens to the people in the middle of an accounting firm when something changes at the top. He explains the alignment gap between what partners decide and what everyone else understands, works through what one senior manager resignation costs a firm and shows why silence after an announcement does more damage than the change itself. The episode follows on from the AI Reality Inside Firms series, where leaders kept returning to their people more than the technology. It applies to owners of small firms, managers at top 100 firms and seniors at PE-backed firms. Key points covered: Why partners decide, managers absorb and staff guess when change is announcedWhat one senior manager resignation costs in hiring, clients and the people they trainWhy silence after an announcement costs more than the changeWhat the alignment gap means for owners, partners, managers and seniorsThe two-sentence manager test any firm leader can run this week Part 1 of 12 in INSIDE THE SHIFT. Watch BACKED, our sister show on the owner's side of the deal, exclusively on YouTube and supported by INSIDE Public Accounting. Subscribe to the Accounting Voices Show on YouTube: youtube.com/@accountingvoices Follow Rob Brown on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/therobbrown Follow Accounting Voices on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/accountingvoices

Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond. This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms. No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside. In this solo wrap-up episode, Rob Brown, host of Accounting Voices, asks the strategic question most accounting firms are still avoiding: what kind of firm are you trying to become? The five questions: Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?What are firms still getting wrong about AI?Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest? Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026. https://youtu.be/hH0h22fwdWw This episode is part of AI Reality Inside Firms on Accounting Voices, where senior accounting firm leaders answer the same five questions about how AI is genuinely landing inside their firms. Find the full series on YouTube, LinkedIn, CPA Trendlines and all major podcast platforms. Thank you to our series partners: Fieldguide, the AI-native platform for audit and advisory firms. Karbon, the global leader in AI-powered practice management software. Digits, the AI-powered financial intelligence platform for accounting firms. Filed, the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation. Instead, the first AI tax agent for end-to-end research, planning, filing and defence.

As AI Reality Inside Firms draws toward a close, Rob Brown steps back from the interview chair to examine what the wider data reveals about AI investment across the accounting profession. More than 70% of accounting firms increased AI budgets in the past year. Roughly 44% report no measurable impact from any of it. In this solo wrap-up episode, Rob connects the profession-wide data to the patterns that emerged across the series and asks whether accounting firms have a technology problem or a strategy problem. https://youtu.be/hgmq3IGHY1s AI Reality Inside Firms is a structured series on Accounting Voices where senior accounting firm leaders answer the same five questions about how AI is genuinely landing inside their firms. You can find the full series on YouTube, LinkedIn, CPA Trendlines and all major podcast platforms. This series is brought to you in partnership with FieldGuide, the AI native platform for audit and advisory firms. Instead, the first AI tax agent for end to end research, planning, filing and defense. Karbon, the global leader in AI powered practice management software. Digits, the AI powered financial intelligence platform for accounting firms. And Filed, the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation.

Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond. This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms. No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside. Today's special guest is Leroy Kerry, co-founder of Filed, the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation. The five questions: Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?What are firms still getting wrong about AI?Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest? Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tP_VMLXBY8E Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible. Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice. This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative. Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond. This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms. No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside. Today's special guest is Matthew May, the Tech CPA, currently leading accounting services at Soren. The five questions: Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?What are firms still getting wrong about AI?Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest? Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yMUi4h0tMq4 Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible. Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice. This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative. Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond. This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms. No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside. Today's special guest is John Roman, Chief Information Officer at Bonadio Group The five questions: Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?What are firms still getting wrong about AI?Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest? Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jzao8J0Bhxg Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible. Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice. This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative. Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown MuGpicV0BI2pcL5zFzNk

Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond. This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms. No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside. Today's special guest is Carla McCall, Managing Partner of AAFCPAs and past chair of the AICPA. The five questions: Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?What are firms still getting wrong about AI?Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest? Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BkRyKcdMum8 Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible. Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice. This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative. Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond. This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms. No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside. Today's special guest is Ric Opal, AI Enablement Catalyst at BDO USA. The five questions: Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?What are firms still getting wrong about AI?Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest? Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ysoNusfS294 Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible. Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice. This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative. Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond. This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms. No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside. Today's special guest is Mike DePrisco, President and CEO of IMA, the Institute of Management Accountants. The five questions: Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?What are firms still getting wrong about AI?Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest? Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vFE5B2jslRY Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible. Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice. This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative. Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond. This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms. No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside. Today's special guest is Charles Richards, Head of Digital at Azets. The five questions: Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?What are firms still getting wrong about AI?Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest? Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2u6fD6BcWBU Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible. Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice. This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative. Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond. This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms. No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside. Today's special guest is Bill Sorensen, an AI implementation and cybersecurity advisor to accounting firms. Check out his book “The Bottleneck & The Machine” here: http://theaibottleneck.com The five questions: Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?What are firms still getting wrong about AI?Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest? Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QbhzZDp4WTM Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible. Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice. This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative. Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond. This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms. No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside. Today's special guest is Brian Lang, CEO of SSC CPAs and Advisors. The five questions: Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?What are firms still getting wrong about AI?Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest? Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QG8PuqcTnQg This episode is part of AI Reality Inside Firms on Accounting Voices, where senior accounting firm leaders answer the same five questions about how AI is genuinely landing inside their firms. Find the full series on YouTube, LinkedIn, CPA Trendlines and all major podcast platforms. Thank you to our series partners: Fieldguide, the AI-native platform for audit and advisory firms. Karbon, the global leader in AI-powered practice management software. Digits, the AI-powered financial intelligence platform for accounting firms. Filed, the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation. Instead, the first AI tax agent for end-to-end research, planning, filing and defence. Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

Accounting Voices is a senior leadership platform hosted by Rob Brown that interprets the forces reshaping accounting firms across North America and beyond. This "AI Reality Inside Firms" series brings together influential accounting leaders to answer the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms. No hype. No vendor narratives. Just honest leadership perspective from someone navigating AI from the inside. Today's special guest is OJ Laos, Director of AI and Innovation at Sorren. The five questions: Where is AI genuinely reshaping strategic direction for firms?What are firms still getting wrong about AI?Which AI-related leadership decisions will matter most over the next two years?Where is AI creating the greatest internal tension in firms?By 2027, what will separate leading firms from the rest? Five questions. One honest conversation. Part of a season that is building a definitive picture of AI reality inside accounting firms in 2026. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/n2cdoeICs_M Thank you to our Season Partners for making this series possible. Fieldguide is the AI-native platform for audit and advisory enabling human and AI collaboration to scale capacity, improve quality and transform how firms operate. fieldguide.io Instead is the first AI agent that owns end-to-end tax from research, planning, filing, and defense all in one system. It replaces CCH, GoSystems, UltraTax, Lacerte, ProConnect, Drake and many more. instead.com Karbon is the global leader in AI-powered practice management software for accounting firms. Their research into how technology is reshaping firm performance is essential reading for anyone leading a firm in 2026. karbonhq.com Digits is the world’s first AI-native accounting platform. It's accounting software that works for you to deliver real-time financials and automate the month-end close. digits.com Filed is the intelligent tax workspace for preparation and review automation and the only AI for prep, review and planning that runs inside your tax software especially made for high-volume firms. filed.com Accounting Voices is a senior sense-making platform for firm owners, managing partners and senior operators navigating the forces reshaping accounting firms. Host Rob Brown convenes structured conversations with leaders across the profession to interpret what AI, private equity, consolidation and leadership pressure mean in practice. This season, AI Reality Inside Firms, brings together senior accounting firm leaders answering the same five structured questions about how AI is actually landing inside firms, separating execution from narrative. Find all episodes on your preferred podcast platform or on the Accounting Voices YouTube channel. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices To find out more or to explore season partnership opportunities, connect with Rob on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

Rob Brown pulls together direct quotes from Chris Jones, Randy Nail, Sean Spitzer, David Emmer, Richard Lynch, Randy Johnston, Chelsea Summers, Richard Kopelman and Jason Miller to reveal five consistent patterns emerging across nine very different firms. Compliance is not the strategic question anymore. Pricing, capacity and culture are. This episode shows where the leaders agree, where they diverge, and what it means for the second half of the series. Sponsored by FieldGuide, Instead, Carbon, Digits and Filed, the technology partners helping accounting firms bridge the gap between AI ambition and operational reality