OUTLOOK & ANALYSIS

23 Insights from 100 Episodes of The Disruptors

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23 Insights from 100 Episodes of The Disruptors

Editor’s note: CPA Trendlines Research is celebrating the 100th episode of The Disruptors, hosted by Liz Farr. Here, Liz reflects on the lessons learned and what they portend for the profession.

The Disruptors
By Liz Farr
For CPA Trendlines

When this show began, the goal was to disseminate ideas that would improve accounting. We wanted the world to know more about people doing things differently than their parents’ or grandparents’ accountants. Maybe a firm owner would hear something they could experiment with. Or a manager would hear something that the ownership group might be willing to implement. Someone with just a few years of experience – or even no experience – would learn about firms that are great places to work. Or someone at any level would be inspired to hang out their shingle because of the many examples of people just like them who have done just that.

CPA TRENDLINES CELEBRATES: The 100th Episode of The Disruptors

MORE STREAMING: Paul Dunn: From Standard, to Stand Out, to Stand For | Jacob Schroeder: AI Won’t Replace Accountants—But It Will Reveal Who’s Replaceable | Ditching Corporate America: The Bold Story Behind PBS Accounting’s Rapid Rise | Jean Zick: Happy Team = Happy Clients | Breslin & Greathead: Be a Client Advocate | Dominic Piscopo: Clear Pay=Bargaining Power | Debbie Kilsheimer: Stop Thinking Small | Dave Kersting: Collaborate with Co-Firming | Ashley Francis: AI’s a Partner, Not a Replacement | Richard Roppa-Roberts: Collaboration Over Competition | Ira Rosenbloom: M&A Numbers Are Easy – Culture Fit Is Hard | Roman Villard: Ditch the Suit & Shine | Monique Swansen: Align Firm Values with Services | Tina McGill: How to Create Lasting Client Impact | Stefan van Duyvendijk: Develop Operational Mindset | Steve Evans: Why Traditional Hiring Methods Fail | Roger Knecht: Can You Be an Accountrepreneur? | Beth Whitworth: Focus on Outcomes Not Hours |Mike Sylvester: Learn to Say No | Salim Omar: Identify Your Client’s $100,000 Problem | Jackie Meyer: Earn More with Fewer Clients

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Accounting is changing, thanks to the willingness of firm owners, consultants, coaches, innovators, and thought leaders who have generously shared their intellectual capital. Over the last several years, it’s been a privilege to tap into the collective wisdom of The Disruptors of this profession.

These conversations provide hope and guidance for the profession. While far too many firms still operate the way they have for decades, with long hours, nonexistent work-life balance, toxic culture, terrible clients, difficult co-workers, and micro-managing bosses, there are many, many firms out there that do not operate that way. We’ve heard through the grapevine that being a guest on this show is a badge of honor. However, we feel even more honored by all the amazing guests and their willingness to openly share their struggles, hopes, and ideas for making accounting better for future generations.

Here are 23 of the most important insights from 100 conversations with Disruptors.

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Hollywood’s Next Plot Twist: Can a 100% Tariff Bring the Movies Home?

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Behind the politics lies a high-stakes financial drama for studios, vendors, and CPAs.

King

By Kendale King

Kendale King, CPA, works closely with individuals and businesses, helping them reduce their tax burden and get their accounting audit-ready. He serves as a subject matter expert for the Financial Accounting Standards Board on the “Accounting for and Disclosure of Digital Assets” project. King is on the board of directors for the California Society of CPAs and serves as the president of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Association of Black Accountants. He has also worked at Deloitte, PwC, Siegfried Group, Propeller, CFGI, Netflix, ITV Studios, and Snapchat. King can be reached at kck-cpa.com.

In a move that has shocked the global entertainment industry, President Trump proposed a 100 percent tariff on all foreign-made films entering the U.S. market. The declaration via Truth Social framed the policy as a patriotic push to “make movies in America again,” citing national security concerns and the erosion of domestic film production.

More on Tariffs

At first glance, it sounds like a headline engineered for outrage—or applause, depending on your vantage point. But beneath the political theater lies a real-world drama with high stakes for everyone, from studio execs to set designers, and even accountants. READ MORE →

Tax and Accounting Wages Hit Record Highs

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Outpacing pricing power and inflation.

So far this year, hourly wages are up by $2.52 year over year.

 

By CPA Trendlines Research

Average hourly earnings in the tax and accounting sector are surging at a 6.1 percent year-over-year rate – faster than the overall inflation rate and outpacing price growth, setting up a new squeeze on profit margins.

MORE in Pay and Comp | Dominic Piscopo: Clear Pay=Bargaining Power | Kristen Rampe: Accountability and Simplicity in Partner Comp Drive Success | Show Us the Money! Accountants Are Making More

The $43.73-an-hour wage rate marks a new record, and the fourth straight month of historic highs for pay in accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping and payroll services. Since January, hourly wages have jumped by $2.52.

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Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk: The Quiet Crisis in Accounting – Losing People We Need Most | Know-How Korner

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MOVE’s latest project examines why even high-performing professionals are quietly leaving—and how firms can prevent the exodus. 

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Know-How Korner
With Amy L. Welch
Center for Accounting Transformation

The accounting profession stands at a crossroads. Despite a steady influx of women into the field, their advancement into leadership continues to lag. Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk, managing director of the Accounting MOVE Project, is sounding the alarm—and offering data-driven solutions. 

MORE: Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk, host of MOVE Like This

Start Your Benchmarking – Take the Survey

Now in its 15th year, the MOVE Project studies how firms support, advance, and retain women and underrepresented professionals. On a recent episode of Know-How Korner with host Amy Welch, APR, CAE, Ruszczyk describes the project’s long-standing foundation—Money, Opportunity, Vital Supports, and Entrepreneurship—and how these pillars remain critical in today’s evolving landscape. 

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Expert Panel: Answers for Talent Gaps, Tech Disruption, and Evolving Business Models | Accounting Influencers

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Global accounting leaders call for mindset shifts, better storytelling, and a redefined brand.

Sponsored by “MAX: Maximize Productivity, Profitability, and Client Retention” by August J. Aquila  – See Today’s Special Offer

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Accounting Influencers
with Rob Brown

In this edition of Accounting Influencers, four of the profession’s most prominent voices gather for a candid discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing the accounting world. From evolving business models to deep talent shortages, the conversation explores how firms must adapt—or risk irrelevance.

The panel includes Randy Johnston, co-founder of K2 Enterprises and a long-time tech strategist for CPAs; Trevor Greenway, CEO of Interval, a software firm helping accountants uncover real-time advisory opportunities; Harry Blum, managing partner at RSM Canada; and Jennifer O’Carroll, CEO of ERP vendor HansaWorld and former tax advisor.

“The knowledge is there,” says Greenway. “The question is—do firms have the people and bandwidth to act on it?” He warns that while accountants understand the changes required—like the shift to advisory services and the adoption of AI—the labor shortage is the primary obstacle.

Blum agrees, calling today’s environment “an experiment in change management,” where firms have never had more opportunity but also never faced more complexity. “The mindset shift needed to transform is the biggest challenge,” he says.

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