Beyond Insights

In this episode, we speak to Jody Padar, the Radical CPA, about the critical role of AI in the future of the accounting profession, emphasizing its shift from compliance-based tasks to strategic advisory roles. Some of the topics covered include: Immediacy of Adoption : Accountants must embrace AI now to remain relevant; those who do not by 2030 (or potentially as early as 2028) may no longer be c...

In today's episode, Laurika sits down with Geni Whitehouse to discuss the importance of being able to speak a client's language. They consider everything from combatting the stereotype of the "boring accountant" to empowering clients as experts in their own fields to providing advisory services using the language that makes most sense to your clients. Geni is a CPA, CITP, CSPM, a...

Is the traditional accounting model dead? In this episode, we sit down with Blake Oliver (Founder of Earmark and co-host of The Accounting Podcast ) to discuss the radical shift toward modernizing the profession. We dive deep into how firm owners can stop trading time for dollars by adopting SaaS metrics , productizing services, and leveraging the subscription economy. If you’re looking to scale y...

In this episode, we talk to David Leary CPA, the co-host of The Accounting Podcast! The discussion covers what you need to be a future-proof accountant, with some new and unconventional perspectives along the lines of: Turning the idea of "grunt work" on its head - and why ensuring your bookkeeping is on point it so important Why AI is critical but also overhyped - and thought about in t...

Time's Top 100 Influential Voice in AI, Benjamin Rosman, returns to Beyond Insights to discuss the latest trends, efficiencies, and decisions in the world of artificial intelligence.

In this episode, we are joined by Steven Werley, Owner of Closable.ai, to discuss how AI can serve as your silent business partner - handling repetitive tasks, client communication and more. Rapid-fire recommendations: Software: GoHighLevel, a marketing and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) combination that allows users to manage their entire sales pipeline, call bookings, and create marketin...

In this episode, we explores why Japan has over 33,000 companies that have endured for more than a century. Our guest is Angad Soin, the Managing Director of ANZ and Global Chief Strategy Officer at Xero. Soin helps lead global strategy for the fintech platform and oversees operations across Australia and New Zealand. The discussion focuses on six Zen-inspired business principles that promote long...

This episode features Steven Puri, a speaker and serial entrepreneur, who is the CEO of The Sukha Company, a flow state app. Steven has a unique background, having been a senior executive at film studios, running tech companies, and raising over $20 million in venture capital. Steven discusses what makes remote work successful and shares insights on achieving focus, mindset, and intentionality for...

In this episode of "Beyond Insights," we discuss how to appreciate customer feedback and respond in a way that benefits your business, customers, and teams. We are joined by Melanie Fischer, the Customer Experience Director at Xero in the UK, who has over 20 years of experience in embedding cultures of continuous improvement. Melanie shares insights on how to handle difficult feedback, t...

Many business owners may see compliance as a grudge expense – something they have to spend on but would rather not think about. But ensuring compliance is not only essential for business it also helps them grow faster and make better decisions. To join us in considering its importance, we are joined by Simon Magner, the Managing Director of Iridium Business Solutions. Rapid-fire recommendations So...

In this episode, we talk about scaling businesses with Malcolm Box, the GM of Engineering for Xero in the UK. Box has experience in software development management at Amazon Web Services, Amazon, and other companies, and co-founded his own company, Tellybug, which created TV companion apps and a scalable back-end platform for shows like X Factor and Got Talent . Key Principles of Scalability Some...

Taking risks is part of every entrepreneur’s journey — but not all risks are created equal. In this episode, we explore how business owners can take smarter risks — the kind that fuel growth, not failure.  Joining us is Ian Phillips, Head of Partner Sales at Xero in the UK. Ian has seen firsthand how bold decisions, backed by data and strategy, can transform a business. Rapid-fire recommendations...

Today, we are diving into some of the details surrounding data protection for small and medium businesses – from what it is to why it matters and, specifically, what smaller businesses need to keep in mind.  To help us unpack this topic, we are joined by Danie Strachan, a Senior Privacy Counsel who guides organizations through complex privacy laws, turning them into actionable strategies. Danie ad...

Accounting and TikTok? Gone are the days of the stereotypical man in a drab gray suit with a calculator. Today, young accountants are paving the way for a new generation of accountants who are in touch with tech and are sharing the gift of financial literacy not only with their clients but with the wider world by creating educational content.  In this episode, we speak to Grace Hardy, an enthusias...

We are surrounded by data. But just because we've become proficient at collecting it doesn't mean we're good at understanding it or using it to its full advantage. How do you know if your company is reading data correctly? What should you be doing differently to make the most of it?  To answer that question, we sit down with Arnaud Petriolle, the Senior Director of GTM Finance at Xero...

How do you build a team that cares as much about the bottom line as you do? That's the million-dollar question for every business owner, and today, we have the answer. It's not just about a paycheck; it's about making everyone a partner in the company's success. Our guest is Rob Gallaher, the author of the new book, Profit Sharing: The Power of Shared Success . Rob dives deep into...

Today, we’re tackling a question that every leader and manager is asking: how do you make AI practical and usable for the people actually running your operations — the leaders who aren’t coders and the teams on the shop floor? Hoping to help us tackle this question is today’s guest, Derek Crager. Derek is the founder of Practical AI and creator of Pocket Mentor which happens to be the world’s firs...

When it comes to selling a business, most founders obsess over top line revenue — but buyers are looking at much more than just the numbers. There are hidden drivers of enterprise value that can dramatically change an exit price, and they’re often overlooked until it’s too late. In this episode, we dig into those invisible levers that can make or break a deal. And to dive into the details, we spea...

One of the biggest topics of discussion for accountants at the moment is making the move from traditional compliance services to more value-added services such as advisory work. In this episode, we chat with Jason Robinson, the Director of Future Advisory and co-host of The Numbers Game Podcast, to discuss this important topic. We chat about how Jason made the transition to offering advisory servi...

This episode covers something that's on the mind of every business leader and IT professional: application modernization. From the 'why' to the 'how,' we get an insider’s perspective on the journey to the cloud and what it takes to build a truly modern enterprise. Our guest is Jonathan Davidson, a Cloud Solutions Architect and Customer Engineer from Google. Jonathan helps compa...

In today's episode, we're stepping out of the traditional boardroom and into the legal landscape. We know that as a business scales, managing legal risk is no longer just a "nice-to-have" – it's a critical component of growth. That's why we're joined today by Gifty Okonkwo, Senior Legal Counsel at Xero UK and the winner of In-House Rising Star 2023 at the British Lega...

Today, we’ll be diving into what it takes to be a good leader, and why not everyone is necessarily cut out for the job. To help us in our discussion, we have Sam Ducker, the People Experience Director at Xero, for the UK and EMEA regions. Rapid-fire recommendations: Favorite Software: Asana & Spotify Best book: Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek Key takeaway: There’s no right or wrong path to tak...

In this episode, we’ll unpack how to build a productive, strategic relationship with your account manager so you're not just getting answers to your questions, but unlocking real value, insights, and opportunities. From communication tips to goal alignment and everything in between, we’re covering what it really means to get the most out of this key partnership. Today we are speaking to Junaid...

September is upon us. In South Africa, that means spring time and the association of new beginnings, rebirth, flowering. In the Northern Hemisphere, where many of our customers are based, this means autumn and the start of the new school year. So, we thought this was a good time to think about the start of something new. In this special episode, we sit down with several members of the Syft Analyti...

Most business advice follows a familiar script — play it safe, scale slowly, stick to the numbers. But what if some of the best growth strategies for SMEs go against conventional wisdom? Today’s guest, Kate Hayward, the UK Managing Director at Xero, shares the bold bets, overlooked insights, and counterintuitive lessons that have helped businesses punch above their weight. Rapid-fire recommendatio...