The Woodard Report Podcast: Featuring Heather Satterley and Joe Woodard

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Nancy McClelland, CPA about her journey as the "Dancing Accountant" and how embracing authenticity, community connection, and people skills has shaped her firm and career. They explore the importance of trust, niching, and collaboration between bookkeepers and tax professionals. About Nancy McClelland, CPA Nancy The Dancing Account...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe speaks with Megan Tarnow about her journey as an "accidental accountant" who built a successful niche practice serving nonprofits and the unique challenges that come with pricing, staffing, and mission-driven work. Megan shares practical insights on why clean data, strong advisory relationships, and a controller-level mindset matter more than ever...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe and Heather speak about major shifts in the accounting profession, including new partnership and franchise models that are democratizing technology and intellectual property for firms of all sizes. They explore how innovation, hospitality-driven client experiences, and intentional generosity can help advisors stand out while navigating talent shor...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe speaks with Blake Oliver about his new book, Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm , and the shift from transactional, hourly-based accounting to outcome-driven, productized services. Blake explains how firms can escape the "transactional treadmill" by redesigning pricing, redistributing workload to reduce seasonality, and adopting recurring, sta...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe speaks with Dr. Rico D. Short about his remarkable rise from a single-parent household to becoming a world-class endodontist, author, and speaker, and how faith, mentorship, and identity shaped every step of his journey. They explore how finding your true identity and purpose, rather than comparing yourself to others, can unlock your greatest pote...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe and Heather talk about major updates from Intuit, including its expansion of TurboTax service locations and the introduction of the new Intuit Account Suite. They also explore deeper themes, from how past experiences shape us, to generational perspectives on AI, to how firms can adapt strategically to a changing profession. Current events — Intuit...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe speaks with Keila Hill-Trawick about how boutique accounting firms can thrive by prioritizing deep relationships, proactive communication, and intentional growth. Keila shares how Little Fish Accounting creates a high-touch client experience through streamlined processes, boundaries that protect team capacity, and a focus on year-round partnership...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Shirley Koss about the importance of human connection and vulnerability in the accounting profession. Shirley shares insights from her travels to industry events, where she's noticed how many professionals feel isolated in remote work environments. Together, she and Heather discuss ways to combat loneliness—through authentic commun...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe and Heather talk about the evolving accounting landscape including Anderson Group's bold IPO and Carbon's acquisition of AIDER AI. What do these moves signal about automation, workflow convergence, and private equity's growing influence?  Current events — Tax firm Andersen to file publicly for IPO as soon as this week Karbon acquires Aider to deli...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe speaks with Gail Crosley about how accounting firms can achieve sustainable, profitable growth through strategy rather than chance. Gail breaks down the difference between opportunistic and strategic growth, using her "fishing" analogy to show how narrowing focus, identifying ideal client profiles, and evaluating market conditions lead to lasting...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Kristen Keats about how to bring joy back into accounting. Kristen is a CPA and industry leader, with over twenty years experience serving small businesses and self-employed clients. With Heather, she shares her mission to create more meaningful, balanced, and fulfilling work for accountants by focusing on client relationships, fai...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe speaks with Jeff about the future of AI in accounting and how predictive models can transform bookkeeping accuracy. Jeff shares how his company, Digits, leverages AI not to replace accountants but to streamline workflows, reduce errors, and give professionals more time for higher-value work. They also explore the difference between generative and...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Madeline Reeves about the evolution of advisory services in accounting and how firms can confidently transition from transactional work to advisory relationships. Madeline shares insights from her Advisory Amplified Roadshow , a national event series designed to give accounting professionals practical tools for productizing advisor...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather and Joe speak about upcoming regulatory changes that could ease the burden on government contractors and the potential disruption of the proposed HIRE Act, which would heavily tax outsourced accounting labor. They also dive into how the profession must adapt to staffing shortages, the evolving role of CPAs and noncredentialed accountants, and...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather and Joe speak about the Supreme Court's pending decision on tariffs, how it could trigger massive refunds for businesses, and why accountants need to prepare now. They also discuss Ernst & Young's $1 billion investment in AI, exploring how automation might relieve staffing shortages while reshaping the profession. Current events — Refunds on T...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Byron Patrick about how AI is reshaping accounting education, professional development, and even everyday problem-solving. Byron shares insights from co-founding TB Academy, which offers hands-on courses in AI foundations and case studies for accountants, and highlights favorite AI tools like Gamma.app and Google's Notebook LM. Abo...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather and Joe speak about the Gen Z workplace, Microsoft's research on which jobs are most vulnerable to AI disruption, and how accountants can interpret numbers much like mathematicians describe the inexpressible. They also share TV and movie quotes that highlight the importance of continuous learning, spotlight a Woodard member's practice transfor...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Lisa Rothstein about the power of visual storytelling and how even simple drawings can transform complex financial conversations. Lisa, a New Yorker cartoonist and author of Drawing Your Genius, explains her "three C's" framework—character, concepts, and context—as tools to make abstract ideas tangible, engaging, and memorable. Abo...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe and Heather speak about the latest IRS leadership turnover and the growing shift in CPA licensure requirements, including Illinois' move from the 150-hour to the 120-hour rule. They also share insights on how AI is reshaping opportunities in the profession, discuss the value of niching for accounting firms, and reflect on lessons from pop culture...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe speaks with Ed Kless about Threshold, the philosophy behind it, and why transformation is the next evolution for professional services. They explore the progression of economic value—from commodities to transformation—emphasizing that true change means guiding clients to become something new, not just delivering services. Ed explains how accountan...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe speaks with Ron Baker about the ethics of pricing and how lessons from airline yield management can apply to accounting practices. They explore the "good, bad, and ugly" sides of dynamic and AI-driven pricing, the distinction between price transparency and pricing transparency, and the importance of maintaining adaptive capacity to serve top clien...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe and Heather speak about the inspiring story of a former KPMG accountant who rescued over 165 people during catastrophic flooding in Texas, highlighting the human side of the profession. They also dive into Xero's strategic $2.5 billion acquisition of Melio and what it signals for the future of accounting software ecosystems. Referenced during the...

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Heather speaks with Brittany Brown about the painful lessons and courageous decisions that transformed her fast-growing firm, Ledger Gurus. Brittany shares how rapid expansion masked deep inefficiencies, ultimately resulting in nearly $1 million in lost profit, and how embracing accountability, data-driven metrics, and tough cultural shifts helped rev...

On this episode, Joe Woodard continues his conversation from the stage at Scaling New Heights 2025 for the annual practice advancement breakfast address. He shares a heartfelt message on living with agency through autonomy, aspiration, accountability, and authenticity, weaving in personal stories and lessons from leaders like Andy Stanley and Stephen Covey. Through powerful examples he challenges...

On this episode, Joe Woodard comes to us from the stage at Scaling New Heights 2025 for the annual practice advancement breakfast address. Joe reflects on the importance of realizing that our days are numbered in order to live with intention, balancing work and life while pursuing meaningful contributions. Through powerful examples—from Winston Churchill to Rudy—he challenges listeners to embrace...