Count Me In®

Join us for a lively conversation with Marina Ter Sargsyan, Founder and CFO of Crystal Books Consulting, whose 25-year journey spans Armenia to the U.S., banking to nonprofits, and tech transformations to teaching. Marina shares how her love for numbers and problem-solving fueled her passion for helping small businesses and nonprofits tackle complex challenges. You'll hear honest insights on the realities of adopting AI and automation (and how they're not the same thing!), the importance of data readiness, and her unique approach to building a “wish list” before jumping into new tech. Whether you're a CFO, work in finance, or just love hearing from smart people making a real impact, Marina’s practical wisdom and openness to change will leave you inspired—and maybe even a little more confident about your next big leap.

What does it really take to keep ethics at the forefront as AI changes the game in accounting? In this episode, Tala Khalifeh, Chief of Staff at STAXX and a leader for IMA Shared Interest Groups, joins Adam Larson for an honest, insightful chat about her journey from internal audit to championing ethics in finance. Listen as Tala shares real stories about walking away from unethical workplaces, why human judgment still matters in the age of advanced AI, and how accountants can build trust in financial outputs. Perfect for anyone in accounting or finance curious about where technology and integrity meet, this episode will leave you with practical ideas and a fresh perspective on the future of your work.

Join Adam Larson as he sits down with Ali Hussain, founder and CEO of Tabs, for a candid conversation about redefining the landscape of accounting and finance through AI-powered technology. Ali shares his journey from COO to entrepreneur, the real struggles finance teams face with outdated tools, and why party tricks in AI aren’t enough for meaningful change. Get an inside look at what it means to build agents that work alongside humans, not just automate tasks—and what this shift means for teams, roles, and leadership in finance and accounting. You’ll hear practical advice for embracing AI without falling for hype, smart ways to upgrade your finance stack, and raw stories about rethinking culture and managing people in a fast-evolving landscape. If you’re ready to move beyond the buzzwords and get real about what AI can do for your finance team, you’ll want to listen in on this one.

Ever wondered how an electrical engineer ends up as the CFO of a major company in Brazil? Join us for a candid conversation with Rafael Pinho, Co-Founder and CFO at TD Pine Advisors, as he shares his unconventional career journey from engineering to investment banking, and onward to leading large finance teams. Rafael opens up about learning on the job, the challenges of managing through crisis, and how to truly transform accounting data into strategic business decisions. Packed with real-life stories—from wrangling 14 tangled business models in Excel to turning around a high-pressure finance team with nothing but Red Bull and grit—this episode offers powerful lessons on leadership, delegation, and developing a forward-thinking mindset. Rafael also reveals how he now uses his experience to guide small and medium businesses through critical transitions, and leaves us with simple, actionable advice for making a strategic impact no matter your role. If you’re looking to think bigger about your career, your team, or your business, don’t miss this engaging episode with Rafael Pinho.

Join us for an engaging and insightful chat with Katie Trowbridge, educator-turned-CEO and author of the latest leadership book, Lead Boldly Think Deeply. Katie shares her journey from the classroom to the boardroom and reveals how experiences in both spaces are more alike than you might expect. Throughout the episode, Katie highlights ideas from her book as she talks about creating genuine connection, building trust, and encouraging creativity on your team, whether you’re working in-person or remotely. She offers useful tips like introducing a "recess" to the workday, making meetings more meaningful, and asking questions that inspire deeper thinking. With stories, research, and ready-to-use advice, this conversation will help you rethink your approach to leadership. If you want to build a culture where people feel valued, motivated, and empowered to think deeply, you will not want to miss Katie’s inspiring perspective.

Get ready for a revealing conversation as Jennifer Pinder, Controller for Watchdog Real Estate Project Management, joins Adam Larson to share real-life stories of bank fraud in the small business world. This episode is brought to you in connection with IMA's Shared Interest Groups, a community where members explore topics that matter most to their careers and industries. From firsthand experiences with check scams and wire fraud to tips you can put to use today, Jennifer brings her unique perspective as both an accountant and a former small business owner. She talks about how old-school fraud methods have become even easier for scammers with new technology, and why most small businesses are more vulnerable than ever. Whether you are running your own business or want to learn about practical fraud prevention, this episode is packed with eye-opening examples, simple strategies, and lessons learned the hard way.

Looking to boost your confidence as a presenter and storyteller? In this engaging episode, Adam Larson welcomes Christiane Schroeter, Professor at Cal Poly State University, health economics doctorate, TEDx speaker, and storytelling coach. Together, they explore how taking small steps and making authentic connections can help you become a better communicator. Christiane Schroeter opens up about her journey from Germany to the U.S. and talks about her "just go for it" attitude. She introduces her signature "petite practice" method, giving you practical tips to build confidence, take action, and handle tricky audiences—even when things go off-script. Hear real-life stories from the TEDx stage, learn how to tell stories with data, and discover advice you can put to work for your next big presentation right away. Whether you get nervous presenting to executives or want your data to be more engaging, you’ll find relatable moments, humor, and actionable ideas in this conversation. Christiane Schroeter brings encouragement, motivation, and a reminder that you don’t have to be perfect to make a big impact—just start, even if things feel a little messy at first.

If you've ever stared down a massive prepaid spreadsheet, chased a missing accrual on the last day of close, or found out about a new contract when the invoice showed up months later, this episode is for you. Adam Larson sits down with David Buchanan, product leader at FinQuery and former auditor, for a candid conversation about why the traditional month-end close is still a chaotic scramble for so many teams and what it actually looks like to fix it. David breaks down why accruals and prepaids are such persistent pain points, what's really at stake when things fall through the cracks (one team nearly broke a debt covenant), and why cloud-storing your spreadsheets is just a sturdier shelf for a broken process.But this episode isn't just about commiserating. David shares how AI and automation are shifting accounting teams from reactive to proactive, with tools that loop you in the moment a contract is signed, automatically match expected payments to actuals, and give auditors a clean trail without the last-minute scramble. If you're ready to retire "we've always done it this way," tune in. _____________________________________________________________________________________________About FinQuery FinQuery, formerly LeaseQuery, is an intelligent subledger that simplifies lease accounting compliance (ASC 842, IFRS 16, GASB 87 & 96, SFFAS 54, and FRS 102) and automates accrual and prepaid accounting. Built by accountants for accountants, our AI-enabled, CPA-approved SaaS platform empowers 40,000+ professionals by abstracting source documents like leases, contracts, and invoices into a complete system of record. FinQuery integrates with and complements your ERP, simplifying complex accounting, accelerating month-end close, streamlining the audit, and enhancing internal controls.  Learn more at FinQuery.com.

Join host Adam Larson as he welcomes expert guests Dana Hermanson, Daniel Haggerty, and Douglas Boyle—the authors of the 2026 Curt Verschoor Ethics Feature of the Year—for an honest, eye-opening discussion on the shadow side of professional ethics. After their award-winning article on building virtue, the trio flips the script—this time tackling the capital vices of pride, envy, and greed, and exploring why good people sometimes make bad choices. Hear real-world examples, from Enron to Theranos, and pick up practical strategies for recognizing and overcoming these vices in yourself and your organization. Daniel shares a philosopher’s perspective on the roots of bad behavior, Douglas draws on his executive experience to talk about healthy versus harmful pride, and Dana connects classic wisdom to familiar fraud prevention tools. Whether you’re a finance leader, student, or just curious about why fraud still happens, this is a conversation packed with insight, stories, and advice you can use right away—including a behind-the-scenes look at their award-winning article.

Join Barry Dyke, veteran financial planner, author, and leader of Castle Asset Management, for an honest and eye-opening conversation on the fundamentals of building financial stability. With 40 years of experience and stories from working with everyone from families to billionaires, Barry shares practical advice on saving smart, planning for uncertainty, and why focusing on real retirement income is more important than ever. Whether you're a small business owner wondering how to set up benefits, or just want to understand what’s really going on under the hood of the financial system, this episode is packed with candid insights and actionable tips from a trusted expert who’s seen it all.

In this engaging conversation, Adam Larson welcomes data science veteran, AI thought leader, and founder & CEO of AI-celerator, Michael Housman, back to the podcast. Michael shares his personal journey from data nerd to bestselling author, reflecting on his years building machine learning platforms and fintech innovations. They chat about the rapid evolution of AI—from its early "big data" days to the powerful generative tools shaping businesses now. Get practical insights on adopting AI in your workplace, moving past the fear of change, and turning your team into super adopters. Michael discusses his new book "Future Proof," explains why storytelling is your superpower in the age of AI, and gives actionable tips for leveraging tools like Claude Code in your daily workflow. Whether you’re an AI skeptic or an aspiring tech disruptor, this episode offers a down-to-earth guide for thriving in today’s AI-powered world.