Accounting Talent Podcast

Burnout is not just exhaustion—it’s a breakdown of how we cope, perform, and lead.  In this episode of the Accounting Talent Podcast, we sit down with Lynnette Oss of ReInspired, a former firm owner turned burnout strategist. After spending years pushing through work and family demands—only to crash hard when personal emergencies hit—Lynnette realized the problem wasn’t her grit. It was the s...

Talent acquisition is a draining endeavor for many accounting firm owners.    Chris Johnson of CJ CPAs knows the pain of trying to hire the right people. The time wasted, the money lost, the endless cycle of hiring and rehiring.    After coming up short again and again, he knew something had to change.     So, he did something bold: he offered a $50,000 sign-on b...

Accounting firms succeed when their people thrive. Join us each month as we uncover the best strategies, tools, and insights for attracting, managing, and leading high-performing accounting teams. Subscribe now to build a stronger, more successful firm!

In this final episode of the Accounting Talent podcast, Rob Brown reflects on the journey of the show, discussing the challenges and opportunities in recruitment, retention, and talent development within the accounting profession. He shares ten powerful takeaways that firms can implement to remain competitive and attract talent, emphasizing the importance of hybrid work, employer branding, onboard...

In this episode of the Accounting Talent podcast, Rob Brown and Jeff Phillips discuss the contrasting views on the accounting profession's performance in 2024 and make predictions for 2025. They explore the challenges of attracting talent, the impact of private equity, the return to office trends, and the role of AI in the industry. The conversation emphasizes the need for a stronger value proposi...

Rob Brown is joined by Jeff Phillips to discuss the return-to-office mandates sweeping across the industry and how small firms can turn this moment into an opportunity. We explore hybrid working models, the talent stack, and the increasing demand for remote roles. They ask and answer the question: "can firms thrive with a fresh hiring strategy, or are they falling behind?" Highlights and questions...

What’s really causing top talent to leave traditional accounting firms? It’s not what you might think. In this episode, Rob Brown explores why 70% of top performers are ready to jump ship to private equity-backed firms. It’s not just about the money. It’s about opportunities and reimagined career paths. Rob also breaks down the strategies private equity firms use to attract and retain talent that...

In this episode of the Accounting Talent Podcast , Rob Brown and Jeff Phillips continue their deep dive into onboarding, focusing on the practical steps accounting firms can take to retain top talent. Building on Part 1, they address how to provide new hires with the resources they need, foster team engagement, and avoid the common pitfalls of onboarding. The discussion includes actionable strateg...

In this episode of the Accounting Talent Podcast , Rob Brown and Jeff Phillips tackle one of the biggest challenges for accounting firms: retaining talent. They dive into why onboarding often fails, explore best practices, and discuss actionable steps for creating a smooth and engaging onboarding process. From setting clear job expectations to connecting new hires emotionally with the team, this c...

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 fir...

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...

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, a...

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...

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: Firm...

🎯 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 o...

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 chal...

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 hirin...

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...

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 emplo...

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 leader...

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 pla...

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 expe...

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 f...

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 a...

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 hy...