ACCOUNTING VOICES

Deal or No Deal? The P.E. Dilemma for CPAs | Accounting Influencers

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Leaders must decide whether to follow the money—or protect their independence.
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Accounting Influencers
With Rob Brown

In a striking shift that’s redefining the accounting profession, private equity is no longer circling—it’s landed. On a recent episode of the Accounting Influencers Podcast, host Rob Brown breaks down what might be the most transformative trend facing accounting firm leaders today: the rapid influx of private equity (PE) into the industry.

“Would you sell half of your accounting firm to a private equity firm for a billion dollars?” Brown asks. “Because some of the biggest names in our industry already have.”

And they’re not small names. Baker Tilly, the 10th largest U.S. accounting firm, recently sold more than 50% of its business to a private equity firm. Grant Thornton did the same. The motivations are clear: stay competitive, invest in technology, attract top-tier talent, and survive the pressures of a changing profession.

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Huber: From Noise to Noteworthy | Accounting Influencers

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Ditch bland blogs and craft content that actually converts.

 

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Accounting Influencers
With Rob Brown

In this Accounting Influencers episode, Nick Huber—former Financial Times journalist and expert in content strategy—calls out the elephant in the accounting marketing room: most firm content is forgettable. But it doesn’t have to be.

Instead of cranking out generic updates and lifeless newsletters, Huber challenges firms to rethink their approach. “Content is more than a checkbox. It’s your chance to stand out, show what you know, and shape how people perceive your firm,” he says.

Despite his statement, Huber does offer two checklists for evaluating and producing lead-generating content.

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Hannah Munro: Real Reasons Change Fails | Accounting Influencers

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From unclear goals to digital missteps, this episode outlines what it takes to transform with confidence.

This was originally published April 19, 2025.
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Accounting Influencers
With Rob Brown

Change isn’t slowing down. It’s speeding up. And according to Hannah Munro, that’s precisely why finance professionals can’t afford to treat transformation as a one-time event.

In this episode of Accounting Influencers, Munro—managing director of ITAS Solutions and host of the CFO 4.0 podcast—discusses driving successful change in accounting and finance. She dives into why so many transformation initiatives fail and outlines a smarter path forward for firms looking to adapt, evolve, and thrive.

“The pace of change is accelerating,” Munro explains. “That volatility and uncertainty are forcing finance professionals to elevate their role.”

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Johnston: Private Equity, Shady Vendors, and Broken Software | Accounting Influencers

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“We’ve got a real problem. And no easy fix.”

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Accounting Influencers
With Rob Brown

The accounting profession is undergoing a seismic shift—and not all of it bodes well for those who value independence, innovation, or client service. In this episode of Accounting Influencers, veteran tech strategist Randy Johnston, shareholder at K2 Enterprises, reveals the hard truths behind the changing operational and technological landscape of accounting firms.

MORE Accounting Influencers with Rob Brown

Johnston, who has advised thousands of firms across four decades, shares what he’s hearing behind closed doors at events like AICPA ENGAGE. From AI hysteria to private equity overreach, the most alarming trend is clear: “We’re seeing the erosion of what made accounting firms trusted advisors in the first place.”

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Embrace the Machines | Accounting Influencers

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Forward-thinking firms transform disruption into dominance.

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Accounting Influencers
With Rob Brown

In a profession built on precision, trust, and timeless principles, a disruptive force has arrived—and it’s not just another regulation. It’s technology. Automation, AI, and machine learning are redefining accounting at a rapid pace, sparking a pressing question: Is technology a force for good, or the demise of accountants as we know them?

MORE Accounting Influencers with Rob Brown

In this episode of Accounting Influencers, host Rob Brown tackles this seismic shift head-on. With over 300,000 accountants having exited the profession since 2020—a 17% decline—Brown cuts through the noise to examine whether accounting is facing an extinction event or a long-overdue evolution.

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