Your Next Hire Might Not Be an Accountant | It’s Not Just the Numbers

An AI engineer can help accounting teams tackle bottlenecks, streamline workflows, and build capacity.

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The Break-Through Blueprint for Revolutionizing the CPA Firm Business Model

It’s Not Just the Numbers
With Penny Breslin and Damien Greathead
For CPA Trendlines

For years, accounting firm owners have treated the “next hire” question as a simple one: bring on another accountant. However, that assumption is starting to cost firms real time and money.

In this recent case study, MoneyPenny, LLC shares what happened when their newest hire wasn’t an accountant at all. She was a recent graduate with a degree in AI, and within her first weeks, she had built a tool that solved a problem the whole team had been living with for years.

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She graduated in the first AI cohort to come through her university and joined the firm knowing nothing about accounting. What she did know was how to watch a process and ask why it worked the way it did.

Posted on October 9, 2026

Penny Breslin

About the Author

Penny Breslin is co-author with Damien Greathead of It's Not Just the Numbers, published by CPA Trendlines.

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Co-author Damien Greathead

She is the founder of MoneyPenny, a consulting firm specializing in helping accounting firms and other businesses embrace the power of technology to simplify their operations and increase their profit margins.

Drawing on her years of experience and her knowledge of what it takes to run a successful business, Penny oversees the development of back-office processes for her client firms. From the initial evaluation of the firm’s workflow to technology selection to assisting in the on-boarding of the firm’s clients, Penny works with her clients to maximize the benefits of a paperless and cloud-based firm. Penny has been recognized by Worldwide Who’s Who for showing dedication, leadership, and excellence in providing quality consulting services to an international clientele made up of CPA firms and other businesses.

Penny holds a Master of Business Administration in Global Management and is a member of the Intuit Pro-Advisor Group. She's also a Xero Certified Advisor, a member of the Wave Pro Network, and a FreshBooks consultant. She has also co-authored the book, “CFO Services for the Accounting Firm: How to Start.” A firm believer in being able to work from anywhere, you’ll often find Penny running her business on the beach after a morning surf session. She’s also an avid supporter of Meals on Wheels and Oxfam.

Damien Greathead is Head of Accountant and Advisor Marketing for Intuit Quickbooks, based in Sydney, NSW, Australia. He's passionate about helping accountants and bookkeepers have a lasting impact on their small business clients. He's worked with hundreds of firms around the world to help evolve their business models for great growth and profitability. He speaks to accountants and bookkeepers on cloud technology, service definition and pricing, and marketing. Prior to joining Intuit, he was head of marketing at Practice Ignition and Vice President of Business Development at Receipt Bank, North America (now Dext). He can be reached on Linkedin

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This is a preview. The complete video episode, with commentary and transcript, is first available exclusively to PRO Members | Go PRO here

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