Ep. 17: Building Trust and Leading Change: Insights from Donny Shimamoto’s Accounting Career

What if the future of accounting isn't about crunching numbers, but about unleashing untapped human potential?In this episode of Codified Wisdom, host Eric Eager sits down with Donny Shimamoto, founder of the Center for Accounting Transformation and one of the accounting profession’s most influential voices, to explore how technology—particularly AI and automation—isn't replacing accountants, but promoting them into more impactful advisory roles.Donny shares how his roots in Hawaii shaped his philosophy on trust and community, traces his path from tech-loving high schooler to national leader, and gets candid about why the surge in automation is a once-in-a-generation shift in accounting. You’ll hear practical advice for firms wrestling with advisory services, learn why balance between compliance and advisory is the real key to growth, and discover why the next generation of accountants might look—and think—very differently. Plus, Donny reveals the career advice he'd go back and give his younger self.Episode Overview:00:00 Introduction and guest background02:45 Growing up in Hawaii and foundational values06:17 First exposure to accounting and technology10:02 Early work experiences and choosing career path13:00 Early tech projects and consulting at Coopers16:36 Transition into consulting and entrepreneurship21:41 Founding his own firm and first clients24:14 Recognizing and responding to emerging risk28:05 National involvement and becoming an influencer31:40 How AI is shifting accounting from compliance to advisory36:20 Why this technology leap is different—and urgent42:54 How to get partners onboard with advisory services47:32 Retaining talent and new opportunities in accounting50:49 AI, human advisors, and the enduring need for expertise56:19 AI risks, reliability, and trust in decisions59:54 The advice Donny would give his younger self01:01:14 Wrap-up and closing thoughts