When David Leary and I started The Accounting Podcast, we had no grand ambitions to change the profession. We just wanted to geek out about cloud accounting technology and have some fun conversations. Neither of us expected our weekly chats to grow into what it's become today.
That's why I'm surprised and honored to share that I've been named to Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential People list for 2024.
The Power of Being Impossible to Ignore
How does a podcast host end up on a list traditionally dominated by big firm managing partners, professional association leaders, and government regulators? By being impossible to ignore.
In the past year alone, clips from our podcast have racked up 7 million views on TikTok and 16 million on YouTube. To put that in perspective, there are only about 1.5 million accountants and auditors working in the United States.
The message is clear: accounting content can go viral when you make it entertaining and accessible.
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The Silent Supporters
Here's something that might surprise you: the decision-makers in our profession are listening. People from state societies, boards of accountancy, the AICPA, and NASBA regularly tune in to our show. Some reach out privately to express their support and share how they're working behind the scenes to push for change.
Why the secrecy? Change in accounting moves slowly, and institutional resistance is real. But the groundswell of support shows that many leaders share our vision for a better profession.
A Better Way Forward
The path to improving our profession isn't complicated. It starts with treating people better – reducing the crushing workload that drives talent away and paying people what they're worth.
From there, we need to modernize how we work. That means ditching timesheets and the billable hour model, embracing AI to handle routine tasks, and focusing on outcomes instead of inputs.
We need to strengthen audit quality, make financial statements more relevant, and strip away decades of regulatory complexity that adds no value.
The Future is Bright
Despite the challenges our profession faces, I'm optimistic about the future.
Every week, I hear from accountants doing things differently—ditching timesheets, embracing automation, and prioritizing work-life balance. The momentum for change is building in our professional associations. When we started this podcast, these conversations weren't happening. Now, they're impossible to ignore.
We need to keep pushing.
A Personal Note of Thanks
None of this would be possible without my co-host and business partner, David Leary. His unique perspective and willingness to challenge conventional wisdom have been instrumental in building our show into what it is today.
I also want to thank Accounting Today for recognizing the importance of diverse voices and alternative opinions in the profession.
Most importantly, thank you to our listeners who tune in week after week, engage with our content, and help spread the message that accounting can and should be better.
Looking Ahead
As we move into 2025, our mission remains clear: build a better profession for everyone. With continued support from our community and the silent champions working within the system, I believe real change is possible.
Accounting can be a fulfilling career that attracts the best and brightest. We need to be bold enough to make it happen.
