Why Accounting Firms Can't Find Time to Transform

Donny Shimamoto, founder of IntrapriseTechKnowlogies and the Center for Accounting Transformation, joins Matt, Doug, and Emily to talk about why time, not technology, is the real bottleneck slowing down firms. He breaks down what firms actually ask for when they bring in a transformation consultant, why the profession needs to revive its apprenticeship roots as AI automates entry-level prep work, and what he's seeing on international standard-setting boards shaping AI guidance for audit quality.(00:00) - Podcast kickoff (00:41) - Meet Donny Shimamoto (03:09) - Foodie side quest (06:31) - Why standards matter (08:56) - Who sets global rules (11:23) - US vs international standards (13:19) - Sage Intacct in midmarket (15:21) - Global rollout challenges (17:28) - Firms struggle for time (19:26) - Transformation roadmap calls (22:38) - Serving firms of all sizes (24:14) - Automation and new roles (26:10) - Triaging Firm Issues (27:06) - AI and Career Pathways (27:43) - Reviving Apprenticeship Training (29:21) - Fixing Onboarding and Curriculum (31:57) - Burnout and Busy Season (32:35) - Why the Center Exists (34:50) - Evaluating Software That Fits (38:56) - AI in Accounting Products (43:34) - Purpose and Leading Change (47:05) - Capacity Through Technology (48:41) - Dad Joke and Farewell Connect with Donnyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/donnyitkhttps://www.intraprise.us/Connect with the Hosts:https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilybmaderehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/mattlescaulthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dlewis715Get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://www.earmark.appDownload the Earmark AppApple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app