Ep. 09: How AI Is Transforming Accounting and Empowering Advisors with Aaron Harris of Sage

What if everything you thought you knew about the accounting profession was about to be turned upside down?In this episode of Codified Wisdom, host Eric Eager sits down with Aaron Harris, Global CTO at Sage and pioneering CTO of Intacct, for a jaw-dropping journey into the seismic innovations transforming accounting, AI, and the very nature of advisory work.Aaron reveals shocking truths from his decades-long journey—from being the 7th employee at a shaky startup to building a $100M powerhouse. He shares candid stories about risking it all during the dot-com crash, surviving mass layoffs, and how naïve boldness—and a touch of fear—shaped the foundation for revolutionizing accounting technology.But the biggest bombshell? The future isn’t about more hours, more staff, or even more compliance. Instead, AI is already unleashing a new breed of accounting advisor—one who can amplify their impact to serve 100 clients (or more), focus forward instead of backward, and help shape business strategy, not just count the beans.Key highlights include:The untold, messy backstory of Intacct’s rise—and how setbacks proved to be the fuel for explosive innovation.Why “continuous accounting” and real-time closing are becoming the new gold standard—and how they’re making spreadsheets and slow monthly closes obsolete.The game-changing role of AI: from automating compliance and transaction processing to providing real-time business insights and even upskilling accountants on the fly.Surprising advice for accountants: the most important upskilling isn’t about tech, but about how you think and what you aspire to deliver for clients.How AI may spark an unprecedented wave of entrepreneurship and make billion-dollar companies possible with just a handful of people.Aaron’s powerful reflection on “youthful exuberance,” the wisdom of failure, and the unique collision of brashness and experience every leader needs to innovate.Whether you’re an accounting professional, a startup founder, or just curious about how AI and automation will reshape the future of work, this episode will open your mind to what’s possible—and what’s coming faster than most expect.Episode Overview & Key Moments:[00:00:00] Introduction & background: Eric introduces Aaron Harris and frames the episode around radical transformation in accounting and AI.[00:02:17] Aaron’s accidental journey into accounting and tech; early entrepreneurial experiments.[00:05:22] Joining Intacct as the 7th employee; struggles, setbacks, and the early days of cloud-based accounting.[00:07:41] Overcoming skepticism: Convincing the world to trust the 'cloud' for sensitive financial data.[00:11:30] Today’s frontier: How AI is shifting accounting from backward-looking compliance to proactive advisorship.[00:17:25] Continuous accounting, real-time insights, and the power of agentic AI in decision-making.[00:23:16] Why getting data right and closing continuously is the new mission-critical skill.[00:25:06] Upskilling for the future: The surprising skill accountants will need (hint: not just data science).[00:32:11] The future of entrepreneurship in a world where AI lowers all barriers.[00:33:13] The impact of small, AI-powered teams—and the billion-dollar opportunities on the horizon.[00:34:39] Aaron’s advice to his younger self, and the power of combining youthful confidence with hard-won wisdom.[00:36:53] Wrap-up and final reflections.How AI Is Transforming Accounting and Empowering Advisors with Aaron Harris of Sage