Jason On Firms Podcast

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down how accounting firms can make their sales and discovery process less painful by moving repetitive information upstream, introducing pricing earlier, setting better expectations, and using AI meeting transcripts to continuously improve the process. I also launch a new segment, 🫖 Hot Tea, covering Xero drama, Drake’s new extraction tool, the Puzzle acquisition, practice management consolidation, and the growing tension between all-in-one platforms and open ecosystems. Then I answer 📫 Mailbag questions about remote staff accessing U.S. bank accounts, file management, accountant perfectionism, practice management for larger firms, K-1 and 1099 extraction, and building a tax planning and advisory practice.💰 Today's SponsorsVerito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesSoraban: https://hubs.ly/Q04cNLF80MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: Go to https://www.getcanopy.com/jason and schedule a demo to see for yourself, and Canopy will send you a $75 gift card after your demoFinancial Cents: sign up at https://hubs.li/Q03mLr_x0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Karbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staats// Chapters:00:00 - Fixing Your Sales Process01:50 - The Sales Process Problem02:47 - Stop Calling Everyone Tire Kickers07:57 - Move Information Upstream13:06 - Talk Price Earlier14:00 - Better Discovery Meetings17:30 - The Monthly Sales Review21:10 - 🫖 Hot Tea21:42 - Xero Backlash24:45 - Drake Smart Extract24:45 - Puzzle and Accrual26:50 - Carbon Updates28:28 - The App Ecosystem War32:42 - All-in-One vs. Best of Breed35:15 - Double Updates36:07 - Testing Instead38:37 - 📫 Mailbag39:00 - Remote Bank Access43:07 - Accounting File Management48:07 - Accountant Perfectionism53:16 - Practice Management for Big Firms55:37 - K-1 and 1099 Extraction57:29 - Building a Tax Advisory Practice01:03:16 - Closing Thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down the biggest AI developments of the last two weeks and what they could mean for accounting firms, especially the shift toward AI that can actually operate a computer instead of simply chatting with you. I explain why computer-use AI could be especially powerful in accounting, where firms are constantly stitching together disconnected software, and why security and due diligence become even more important as AI agents gain more autonomy. I also go through 🔥 Roast My Tech Stack and answer to some of your questions in 📞 Accountant Support.💰 Today's SponsorsVerito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesSoraban: https://hubs.ly/Q04cNLF80MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: Go to https://www.getcanopy.com/jason and schedule a demo to see for yourself, and Canopy will send you a $75 gift card after your demoFinancial Cents: sign up at https://hubs.li/Q03mLr_x0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Karbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staats// Chapters:00:00 - The AGI Era01:20 - Artificial General Intelligence02:30 - Fable 5.104:45 - AI Benchmarks06:10 - GPT6 Astra07:55 - AI That Uses Your Computer09:25 - Automating Accounting Work10:40 - AI Inside Your Apps12:15 - What Do I Do With My Hands?13:05 - ChatGPT vs. Claude13:49 - AI Security Risks15:59 - Trusting AI Agents18:00 - Sandboxing AI19:45 - The Four-Monitor Accountant21:15 - Talking to Your Computer22:25 - Learning AI23:25 - AI Due Diligence25:35 - 🔥 Roast My Tech Stack26:25 - The 3.5-Person Firm27:54 - Practice Management28:44 - Month-End Close Automation32:24 - Drake Tax Hosting34:09 - Filed vs. GruntWorx34:49 - GoHighLevel35:24 - Document Management36:09 - Digits or Zero?36:29 - Upfront Pricing38:03 - Stop Building Software38:38 - AI and the Tech Stack40:44 - Submit Your Tech Stack40:59 - 📞 Accountant Support41:19 - Acquisition Fatigue43:14 - When to Acquire Firms43:59 - Starting With Small Acquisitions44:04 - Leaving Intuit45:19 - The Case for AI46:04 - Moving Beyond QuickBooks48:59 - Raising Your Prices49:44 - Migrating Existing Clients51:19 - Outsourcing Bookkeeping52:59 - Offshore Bookkeeping53:58 - AI Bookkeeping54:43 - Business Valuation Credentials55:38 - Building a Valuation Practice56:38 - Is an Accounting Degree Still Worth It?57:28 - Accounting Beyond Bookkeeping58:18 - AI Watermarks59:08 - Talking to Clients About AI01:00:14 - Closing Thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I dig into data from 5,000 accounting firm listings to see what firms are actually selling for, what drives higher multiples, and which common M&A assumptions don’t hold up. I also break down medical spas as a potential accounting niche in 🐝 Niche of the Week and map out how I would enter that market. Then I answer to your questions in 📞 Accountant Support.📄 Grab the Accounting Firm Acquisitions spreadsheet I talked about: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HHxl5KGG-3zApXRbpok8Hkacvn4vE6D_/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=100194317059241398669&rtpof=true&sd=true💰 Today's SponsorsVerito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesSoraban: https://hubs.ly/Q04cNLF80MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: Go to https://www.getcanopy.com/jason and schedule a demo to see for yourself, and Canopy will send you a $75 gift card after your demoFinancial Cents: sign up at https://hubs.li/Q03mLr_x0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Karbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staats// Chapters:00:00 - 5,000 Accounting Firm Sales01:15 - Accounting Firm M&A Data02:35 - Multiples Are Rising03:30 - Does Firm Size Matter?05:45 - Virtual Firm Premium06:25 - Why Owners Sell07:15 - Geography and Firm Value07:45 - Most Firms Sold Are Small08:55 - Financing Firm Acquisitions09:20 - Buyer Demand Is Rising09:40 - Which Services Sell Best?10:35 - The 1.5x Multiple Myth14:55 - More M&A Surprises16:50 - What Firms Actually Sell For17:40 - 🐝 Niche of the Week18:00 - Medical Spas19:05 - Are Solo Med Spas Too Small?20:20 - The Better Med Spa Client21:25 - Targeting More Mature Med Spas23:05 - Finding Med Spa Clients28:30 - Med Spa Referral Channels30:10 - The Swear Jar32:30 - Accounting Cornerstone Foundation32:35 - 📞 Accountant Support32:55 - Puzzle Acquired by Accrual35:00 - How Fast Should Your Firm Grow?41:55 - Claude Skills Security44:35 - Claude Pro and Client Data46:40 - Automating QBO Deposits48:55 - Can Instead Replace UltraTax?51:55 - App Recommendations52:00 - Accounting Firm Sales Data🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down 23 accounting firm models that go beyond traditional bookkeeping and tax, including specialized compliance, niche audit, and advisory opportunities that small firms can compete for. Then I take the idea of specialization to its logical extreme and build a space accounting firm from scratch, using government awards, cost reimbursement contracts, conferences, and accelerators to find potential clients. In 📫 Mailbag, I dig into whether AI will eliminate junior accounting roles, how firms can use AI to attract better clients, connecting Claude directly to QuickBooks Online, private versus cloud AI models, what I’m spending on AI subscriptions, and the environmental tradeoffs of AI.🔥 Want the chance to have your firm anonymously roasted? Complete this form! https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsVerito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesKarbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsMakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: Go to https://www.getcanopy.com/jason and schedule a demo to see for yourself, and Canopy will send you a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - 23 Accounting Firm Niches03:30 - Trust & Estate Firms04:50 - Nonprofit Tax Firms05:40 - Tax Representation Firms06:10 - Sales & Use Tax Firms07:20 - Foreign-Owned Business Firms08:10 - Expat Tax Firms08:40 - Crypto Compliance Firms09:00 - Cannabis Compliance Firms09:34 - 401(k) Plan Audit Firms10:40 - Government Grant Audit Firms14:04 - Nonprofit Audit Firms14:39 - HOA Audit Firms15:29 - Construction & Surety Firms16:14 - Affordable Housing Firms16:59 - Franchisor Audit Firms17:24 - Captive Insurance Audit Firms17:49 - Credit Union & Community Bank Firms18:24 - Business Valuation Firms19:09 - Divorce Forensics Firms19:44 - Forensic & Fraud Firms20:09 - Royalty & Contract Compliance Firms21:09 - Healthcare Reimbursement Firms21:53 - Government Contractor Firms26:13 - Building a Space Accounting Firm27:43 - Finding Space Companies30:02 - Cost Reimbursement Contracts31:33 - Space Industry Gateways32:33 - Finding Niche Opportunities33:08 - Let’s Make a Hire35:48 - 📫 Mailbag36:22 - Will AI Replace Juniors?41:47 - Using AI to Grow44:17 - Claude + QuickBooks45:32 - Private AI Models50:26 - Jason’s AI Spend52:36 - AI’s Environmental Cost54:36 - Closing Thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

 🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down nine non-accounting apps that can make a modern accounting firm more efficient, from collaborative email and soft phones to AI assistants, meeting recorders, and scheduling tools. I also 🔥 Roast a Firm and explain why an extremely specific niche can be a powerful advantage. Then in 📞 Accountant Support, I answer questions about cutting lower-paying clients, using Claude with QuickBooks, choosing PC versus Mac for AI, trial balance software, replacing traditional software with AI, and whether new accounting graduates should start their own firms.🔥 Want the chance to have your firm anonymously roasted? Complete this form! https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsVerito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesKarbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsMakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: Go to https://www.getcanopy.com/jason and schedule a demo to see for yourself, and Canopy will send you a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - Private Equity in Accounting01:45 - Accounting Firm Exit Options04:49 - $1M to $3M Firms06:34 - $3M to $10M Firms09:29 - Larger Firm Deals11:09 - Six Types of Deals14:04 - Minority Recapitalization15:09 - External Sales and Succession15:34 - What Makes Firms Valuable17:18 - Alliances and Franchises19:23 - 🔥 Roast My Firm20:05 - The $1.9M Tax Firm21:15 - Pricing Problems22:45 - Family Office Opportunity23:25 - The $100K Tech Stack24:19 - The Owner Bottleneck28:43 - Four Delegation Strategies32:27 - The Senior Hire Problem35:36 - 📫 Mailbag35:51 - Choosing Practice Management38:26 - Finding Audit Clients39:56 - Outsourcing Tax Production42:50 - Claude as Accounting Software43:50 - QuickBooks MCP Connector47:49 - MCP Security Risks48:49 - Building a Firm While Working51:09 - AI Advisory for Clients52:49 - Tax Return Delivery53:34 - Luca Pacioli Joins the Podcast56:19 - Closing Thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down nine non-accounting apps that can make a modern accounting firm more efficient, from collaborative email and soft phones to AI assistants, meeting recorders, and scheduling tools. I also 🔥 Roast a Firm and explain why an extremely specific niche can be a powerful advantage. Then in 📞 Accountant Support, I answer questions about cutting lower-paying clients, using Claude with QuickBooks, choosing PC versus Mac for AI, trial balance software, replacing traditional software with AI, and whether new accounting graduates should start their own firms.🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesFinancial Cents: Book a demo https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesKarbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsMakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: Go to https://www.getcanopy.com/jason and schedule a demo to see for yourself, and Canopy will send you a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - 9 Essential Non-Accounting Apps01:55 - Collaborative Email04:44 - Soft Phones + SMS06:25 - Loom for Client Communication08:55 - Social Media Scheduling10:19 - Password Management12:24 - Claude or ChatGPT14:04 - Slack or Microsoft Teams17:54 - Meeting Recorders19:04 - Scheduling Tools23:28 - 🔥 Roast a Firm24:54 - Why Specific Niches Work25:43 - Building a Side Website26:09 - Website Messaging28:38 - Capturing Visitor Emails30:23 - Adding Social Proof30:48 - Rethinking Website Pricing36:28 - Selling the Opportunity38:43 - 📞 Accountant Support38:58 - Cutting Lower-Paying Clients40:08 - How Many Clients to Cut44:02 - QuickBooks + Claude Outside the US48:12 - PC vs. Mac for AI50:32 - Trial Balance Software51:02 - Accounting Software Mount Rushmore53:02 - 10-Key ATB vs. Tallyfor54:47 - Is Software Too Expensive?57:02 - Should AI Replace CCH?01:00:22 - Starting an Accounting Firm01:05:26 - Realize🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I rank 20 different client acquisition strategies, then I walk through exactly how I would build an accounting firm from scratch today. I cover two versions: what I’d do with the network I have now, and what I’d do if I were starting with no connections at all. Then in the 📫 Mailbag, I tackle keeping premium clients after their original pain disappears, automating phone and messaging workflows, AI’s impact on bookkeeping, preventing AI hallucinations, and whether the future of accounting really means everyone has to become an advisor.🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesFinancial Cents: Book a demo https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesKarbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsMakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: Go to https://www.getcanopy.com/jason and schedule a demo to see for yourself, and Canopy will send you a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - Finding New Clients01:15 - Ranking 20 Acquisition Strategies02:15 - Accounting Software Directories03:40 - Paid Ads06:50 - Cold Email09:00 - TikTok10:50 - Google Ads11:40 - Virtual Events13:40 - Hiring Industry Insiders14:30 - Webinars18:00 - Direct Mail18:55 - Google Business Profile19:55 - LinkedIn21:05 - Physical Signage22:20 - Online Communities23:25 - Industry Software Directories24:40 - YouTube26:40 - Industry Partnerships28:35 - Industry Authorities30:55 - Brand Partnerships32:25 - Industry Gates35:40 - In-Person Events38:01 - 🔥 Roast A Firm39:00 - Starting With Jason’s Network44:15 - The First Five Steps45:20 - Starting With No Network52:20 - Building a Lead Magnet54:48 - 📫 Mailbag55:15 - Keeping Premium Clients58:15 - Automating Phone & SMS1:01:10 - Is AI Crushing Bookkeeping?1:03:45 - Preventing AI Hallucinations1:06:25 - Does Everyone Need Advisory?1:09:45 - Realize🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down what an accounting firm could look like if AI eventually handles most of the actual production work. Using Satya Nadella’s framing of human capital and token capital, I explore why firm-specific knowledge, meeting transcripts, client conversations, and feedback loops could become some of the most valuable intellectual property inside an accounting firm. I also walk through three practical AI loops firms can start building today, dig into why accountants increasingly want MCP access instead of separate AI assistants inside every app, and answer listener questions in the 📞 Accountant Support section.🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesFinancial Cents: Book a demo https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesKarbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsMakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: Go to https://www.getcanopy.com/jason and schedule a demo to see for yourself, and Canopy will send you a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - Four types of accounting firms01:40 - Compliance-only firms03:15 - Finding a compliance niche05:19 - Compliance pros and cons07:53 - Tax firms doing bookkeeping09:08 - The hardest firm to niche10:33 - The fastest-growing firm model11:27 - Selling the back office13:13 - Books-first firm advantages15:12 - Beyond traditional bookkeeping18:51 - Accounting firm partnerships20:30 - Bookkeeping-only firms23:24 - Comparing all four models24:29 - The opportunity in seasonal tax24:44 - The Swear Jar27:58 - 🤓 Nerd Corner: AI agents31:15 - Grokbot and computer automation34:39 - Where to draw the AI line36:44 - Making AI agents safer39:13 - 📞 Accountant Support39:39 - AI fetching bank statements42:38 - Spotting cheap clients43:33 - Positioning around valuable problems44:08 - Three-tier pricing45:53 - Staff vs. senior accountants46:13 - CRM vs. practice management51:07 - Getting staff to adopt AI54:52 - Tax Season Simulator56:17 - Avoiding bottomless habits56:57 - The second stomach debate59:26 - Closing thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down what an accounting firm could look like if AI eventually handles most of the actual production work. Using Satya Nadella’s framing of human capital and token capital, I explore why firm-specific knowledge, meeting transcripts, client conversations, and feedback loops could become some of the most valuable intellectual property inside an accounting firm. I also walk through three practical AI loops firms can start building today, dig into why accountants increasingly want MCP access instead of separate AI assistants inside every app, and answer listener questions in the 📫 Mailbag section.📄 That article from Satya https://snscratchpad.com/posts/frontier-ecosystem/🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesFinancial Cents: Book a demo https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesKarbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsMakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: Go to https://www.getcanopy.com/jason and schedule a demo to see for yourself, and Canopy will send you a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - The AI-Native Accounting Firm01:35 - What Happens When AI Does the Work?03:05 - Software’s AI Disruption06:00 - What Becomes Your Firm’s Moat?07:15 - Human Capital + Token Capital09:45 - Meeting Transcripts as Firm IP12:15 - Building Valuable Accounting IP15:59 - Human Judgment Still Matters16:50 - Building AI Learning Loops19:15 - Three Practical AI Loops20:05 - AI Month-End Workpapers24:35 - AI Tax Transcript Verification26:55 - Automating Meeting Follow-Up27:55 - Building Feedback Into AI29:10 - Automating AI Workflows31:50 - The Future Firm as AI Loops34:15 - 🤓 Nerd Corner34:30 - MCPs vs Built-In AI36:35 - Will Claude Replace Tax Software?39:05 - Why Firms Want Better MCPs41:55 - Helping Your Client’s AI44:25 - 📞 Accountant Support44:45 - Replacing QBO With Claude49:50 - Building Your Own Software54:55 - AI-Powered Bank Rules56:15 - Cloud Practice Management Security57:55 - Losing Three Staff in a Month59:45 - Pricing Through a Capacity Crisis1:00:44 - Closing Thoughts1:00:59 - Realize Community🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down eight hard truths about pricing that most accounting firms need to hear, from why pricing should feel uncomfortable to why delivery matters more than technical quality. I then roast a real listener’s proposal and explain how to structure three-tier proposals that command higher fees without adding more work. We also dive into how AI is changing proposals, bookkeeping software, and custom apps built by firms, before wrapping up with questions about QuickBooks, MCPs, AI-led accounting, and why I think the golden age of accounting is still ahead.🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesFinancial Cents: Book a demo https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesKarbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsMakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: Go to https://www.getcanopy.com/jason and schedule a demo to see for yourself, and Canopy will send you a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - Why Most Firms Underprice Themselves01:15 - Truth #1: Pricing Should Feel Uncomfortable03:45 - Truth #2: Clients Decide Your Value05:59 - Truth #3: Premium Pricing Isn’t Evil07:39 - Truth #4: Attract Better Clients, Don’t Sell More09:13 - Truth #5: Stop Listening to C & D Clients11:54 - Truth #6: Delivery Beats Technical Quality17:19 - Truth #7: You Get What You Pay For19:14 - Truth #8: Don’t Lock In Day One Pricing22:40 - 🔥 Roast a Listener’s Proposal31:47 - Building Better Three-Tier Proposals38:23 - 🗄️ Tales from the Vault: Getting Real Online42:03 - 📬 Mailbag42:16 - Should You Leave QuickBooks Desktop?45:43 - AI Is Replacing Software Subscriptions48:00 - Will AI Change Three-Tier Proposals?51:09 - Claude, MCPs & QuickBooks52:52 - Should Your Firm Sell Software?57:31 - The Golden Age of Accounting59:37 - Realize🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down the three identities accounting firms can adopt once they grow beyond roughly six employees and approach $1 million in revenue: the one-face firm, the two-face firm, and the no-face firm. I explain who each model suits, how each one scales, and why choosing intentionally can prevent you from building a firm you no longer want to run. I also review an LOI offering 1.5 times revenue for a virtual bookkeeping practice, share five ways to use AI to classify QuickBooks Online transactions, explain how Claude can send emails through custom connections, and answer questions about CPA credentials, tax workflow training, cloud hosting, and building a consulting practice around IRS controversy expertise.🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesFinancial Cents: Book a demo https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Karbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes// Chapters:00:00 - The Firm Identity Tipping Point01:20 - Why Firms Hit the $1M Wall02:46 - #1 The One-Face Firm05:02 - Becoming the Industry Expert06:24 - Scaling Beyond One-to-One Work08:03 - Who the One-Face Model Fits09:31 - #2 The Two-Face Firm10:43 - The Traditional Partner Problem13:28 - Who the Two-Face Model Fits14:20 - #3 The No-Face Firm15:20 - Building a Repeatable Machine16:27 - The Outcome Must Be Consistent17:01 - Finding the Golden Problem19:00 - Who the No-Face Model Fits20:08 - Choose Your Firm’s Identity21:29 - 🏹 Firm Hunters21:40 I- s 1.5x Revenue a Good Deal?23:10 - Is a 30% Margin Too Low?26:37 - What Makes This Acquisition Work?29:09 - Accounting Firm Valuation Benchmarks30:00 - Should the Owner Sell?31:17 - ☎️ Accountant Support31:32 - Five Ways AI Can Classify QBO Transactions31:53 - #1 AI Browser Use32:36 - #2 AI Computer Use33:12 - #3 Build a Chrome Extension33:46 - #4 Automate QBO Bank Rules34:48 - #5 Use a Dedicated App37:33 - Is the CPA Still Worth It?38:54 - Can Claude Send Emails?41:21 - Are Tax Workflow Programs Worth It?42:51 - Complex Property Classifications43:03 - How Much Is Claude Paying Me?44:15 - Best Cloud Hosting Providers45:38 - Building an IRS Controversy Firm49:00 - Closing Thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down six mindset shifts I consistently see behind the most successful accounting firms. We cover why client relationships should not automatically be treated as permanent, how high-agency firm owners deliberately shape their client base, why delaying difficult decisions makes running a firm harder, and why leaders should hire to protect their own time first. I introduce 🗄️ Tales From the Vault, where we revisit one of my earliest YouTube videos, its 300 views, painfully slow delivery, and an economically disastrous fanny pack referral program. Then, in 🔥 Unsolicited Takedowns, I question whether AI usage statistics and productivity flexes actually reflect meaningful work. I also dig into whether Claude can automate old-school accounting applications, the continued importance of time tracking, how to promote a side firm, where accountants should post online, and how new firms should approach pricing.🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesFinancial Cents: Book a demo https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Karbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes// Chapters:00:00 - Six Mindset Shifts for Firm Owners00:54 - Why Mindset Still Matters02:13 - #1 Stop Expecting Forever Clients05:00 - #2 Build a High-Agency Firm07:25 - #3 Do the Painful Thing09:40 - #4 Protect Your Own Time12:06 - The First Four Mindset Shifts15:21 - #5 Stop Figuring It Out Alone16:16 - #6 Build Around Your Passions21:05 - Why I Care About Accounting Firms24:13 - 🗄️ Tales From the Vault24:23 - My Cringey Early YouTube Video25:28 - The Reality of Starting With No Audience29:02 - Why I Kept Going29:41 - The $35 Fanny Pack Giveaway31:28 - 🔥 Unsolicited Takedowns31:28 - The Whisper Flow Productivity Flex34:00 - AI Usage Is Not Productivity38:17 - 📬 Mailbag38:29 - Can Claude Use Judy’s TenKey?42:50 - Should Firms Still Track Time?46:02 - Building a Side Firm Publicly50:05 - X or Instagram for Accountants?53:06 - Pricing a Brand-New Firm57:34 - Closing Thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down why client information gathering is still the biggest bottleneck in most accounting firms and how the best firms use portals, automation, admins, and better processes to eliminate unnecessary project touches. I also introduce 🏖️ Accounting Firms Gone Wild, where I review unusual accounting firms currently for sale, and answer listener questions in 📬 Mailbag.🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesFinancial Cents: Book a demo https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Karbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes// Chapters:00:00 - The Biggest Workflow Bottleneck01:24 - Why Most Firms Stay Inefficient03:06 - Good Portal vs. Bad Portal08:03 - Better Client Request Systems15:23 - Portal Workflows That Actually Scale23:37 - 🏖️ Accounting Firms Gone Wild34:35 - 📬 Mailbag35:06 - Is Acupuncture Too Small a Niche?38:08 - Mercury vs. Relay41:33 - EA vs. CPA for Firm Owners43:27 - Growing a Bookkeeping Firm Faster45:56 - Handling Bad Google Reviews47:28 - Should I Leave My Firm?49:21 - AI and Citizen Developers51:20 - Leaving a $200K Job to Start a Firm💼 Links to those accounting firm listings:Peer Review Practice https://accountingpracticesales.com/united-states/west/utah/20901-Utah-Based+CPA+Peer+Review+Practice/Cupertino Firm https://www.bizbuysell.com/business-opportunity/rapid-growth-cpa-wants-another-cpa-25-49/2441221/NW Montana Firm https://accountingpracticesales.com/united-states/west/montana/20849-Northwest+Montana+CPA+Practice/🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down exclusive data from more some of the most progressive accounting firms to reveal which tech stacks firms actually use at every stage of growth. I also roast a listener’s proposed tech stack, share practical AI and marketing recommendations, answer questions about KPIs, niching, Google Business Profiles, accounting careers in the AI era, and explain how I create content for YouTube.🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesFinancial Cents: Book a demo https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Karbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes// Chapters:00:00 - Biggest Tech Stack Survey Yet01:01 - Practice Management by Firm Size06:05 - Most-Loved Accounting Apps08:49 - Marketing That Actually Works11:20 - Delegate Your Inbox Smarter13:13 - AI’s Hidden Data Advantage16:15 - 🔥 Roast My Tech Stack18:53 - Workflow vs Practice Management20:47 - Bookkeeping or Tax First?22:35 - AI Accounting Stack Picks24:05 - Build a Smarter Tech Stack30:53 - AI Video Editing with Claude34:13 - 📬 Mailbag34:34 - Best KPIs for Firm Owners38:34 - Finding the Right Niche43:08 - Do You Need Google Reviews?45:04 - Growing Beyond $750K48:36 - AI Skills for New Accountants51:00 - Behind My YouTube Workflow53:14 - Realize Community🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I explain why admins are the most underleveraged people inside accounting firms and share 13 practical ways to use them to increase capacity, improve client service, and free up your professional staff. I also count down my top 10 accounting conferences still happening in 2026, then wrap up with a rapid-fire “This or That” Mailbag covering firm growth, tech, AI, conferences, and practice management decisions.🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accountant Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesFinancial Cents: Book a demo https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Karbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes// Chapters:00:00 - Why Admins Matter More Than Ever01:28 - The Power of Deskilling Work05:45 - #1 Information Gathering08:27 - #2 Client Tech Support09:52 - #3 Phone Triage & Client Service14:16 - Detail Review & Offshore Admins17:22 - Admins as Project Managers18:42 - Build Pods Around Admins20:42 - Let Admins Run Your Inbox22:29 - Grow Admins Into Accountants26:53 - 🤓 Nerd Corner — Top 10 Accounting Conferences37:14 - Mailbag🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I make the case that your personal brand may become your greatest career insurance policy in an AI-first world. I explain why most accountants remain professionally invisible, how the internet has fundamentally changed the way opportunities are created, and why becoming known for something incredibly specific can unlock a level of leverage that wasn’t possible a decade ago. I also roast a real accounting firm that’s grown through acquisitions, share my thoughts on seasonal tax firms, niche positioning, and staffing, and answer Mailbag questions about building AI apps, AI security, accounting firm acquisitions, practice management software, automation, and what the future looks like if AI can do the accounting work for us.🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoVerito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes// Chapters:00:00 - Why Personal Branding Matters More Than Ever01:37 - Welcome to the Podcast02:03 - Stop Being Professionally Invisible04:12 - The Real Meaning of Personal Branding06:01 - Why Visibility Creates Opportunity07:44 - Finding a Game You Can Win10:02 - Why Specificity Beats Reach12:09 - Finding Your Unique Voice13:06 - Turning Content Into Opportunity17:09 - Will AI Make Personal Brands More Valuable?20:00 - Escaping the Hour-for-Dollar Trap22:04 - The Easiest Way to Stand Out23:56 - Roast a Firm24:42 - The Story Behind This Firm29:49 - The Challenge of Buying Other Firms' Leftovers35:08 - Choosing Between Seasonal and Year-Round Work36:03 - Finding Seasonal Tax Talent39:08 - Going Deeper Into Your Niche41:59 - Mailbag42:34 - Building AI Apps Inside Your Firm48:00 - Buying an Accounting Firm50:20 - Replacing Sage Intacct52:03 - Building Your Own AI Reconciliation Tool53:22 - Is Claude Cowork Secure?54:42 - Can Instead Replace Traditional Tax Software?57:14 - Specialized AI Agents vs Claude1:00:00 - Do You Really Need More Automation?1:01:54 - Choosing Between Canopy and TaxDome1:04:20 - What Happens When AI Can Do Everything?1:05:56 - Closing Thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I share the journey that took me from struggling to land $100/month bookkeeping clients to signing my firm’s first million-dollar engagement. I explain what actually separates firms that command premium fees from those stuck competing on bookkeeping, why the biggest opportunity is becoming an outsourced accounting department instead of selling accounting tasks, and how entrepreneurs think differently about value than accountants do. I also dive into the opportunities and risks of using AI to automate desktop and cloud applications, discuss where AI agents fit into accounting firms today, and answer Mailbag questions about capturing institutional knowledge, practice management, AI adoption, offshore teams, tax return reviews, and building a successful accounting career in the age of AI.🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsFinancial Cents: Book a demo here: https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Soraban: https://www.soraban.com/MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoKarbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsVerito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes// Chapters:00:00 - From $100 Clients to $1M Engagements01:37 - Welcome to the Podcast03:03 - Why Businesses Pay $40K/Month04:50 - The Mindset Shift That Changed Everything10:03 - Becoming an Outsourced Accounting Department17:54 - Why Specialization Wins23:57 - Nerd Corner: AI Computer Use24:09 - OpenAI's Computer Use Models25:23 - The Risks of AI Agents27:20 - Claude vs. ChatGPT Computer Use28:28 - Deploying AI Agents Safely29:54 - Will AI Replace Automation Tools?32:11 - Browser vs. Desktop Automation41:29 - Let's Make a Hire43:35 - Mailbag43:53 - Capturing Institutional Knowledge46:13 - Getting Your Team to Adopt AI50:47 - Introducing AI to Offshore Teams51:40 - AI vs. Hiring More Staff53:06 - My Biggest Practice Management Mistake57:21 - Why I Built Realize59:56 - Coaching vs. Finding the Right Peer Group1:00:54 - Helping Staff Learn a Client Faster1:01:50 - AI for Checklists & Tax Reviews1:03:56 - Building Repeatable AI Workflows1:05:17 - Advice for New Accounting Graduates1:09:52 - Closing Thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down what firms are actually creating, from custom integrations and reporting tools to trial balance workflows, and give my red-light/green-light take on what’s worth building. I also speedrun the latest AI releases, talk through whether small firms really need a practice management system, and answer questions about AI costs, offshoring, browser automation, and preparing your team for an AI-first accounting firm.🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsFinancial Cents: Book a demo here: https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Soraban: https://www.soraban.com/MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoKarbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsVerito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes// Chapters:00:00 - Building Your Own Firm Software02:07 - How Firms Are Building Software04:08 - What Accounting Firms Are Building10:17 - What Should You Actually Build?18:13 - What Custom AI Apps Look Like25:26 - Nerd Corner: AI Updates26:00 - ChatGPT Work26:52 - Claude Combines Chat and Cowork29:17 - Grok Challenges Claude31:04 - GPT Live and Voice AI37:30 - OpenAI’s New AI Models45:29 - Mailbag45:53 - Getting AI Past Bot Restrictions49:03 - Do You Need a Practice Management System?54:42 - Building Referral Relationships57:32 - The Rising Cost of AI1:00:08 - Finding Time to Implement AI1:03:00 - What Happened When Clients Learned We Offshored1:07:48 - Automating Home Depot Receipts1:09:58 - Training Teams for an AI-First Firm1:15:16 - The Future of Accounting Firms🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I wrap up the Dirty Dozen series by tackling one of the highest-leverage areas in any accounting firm: client onboarding. I break down the four biggest onboarding mistakes, explain how the first 90 days shape the entire client relationship, and share ways to standardize the process without losing the human touch. Then I switch to hiring and career growth, how firms can attract ambitious people, how employees know when it’s time to leave, and why AI won’t replace great talent. Finally, I answer questions on pricing, AI tools, tax workflow automation, practice management software, IT providers, starting a firm, camera setups, and much more.🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsFinancial Cents: Book a demo here: https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Soraban: https://www.soraban.com/MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoKarbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsVerito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes// Chapters:00:00 0 Client onboarding matters most01:55 - Dirty Dozen finale03:20 - Trap #1: Bad client filtering06:10 - Trap #2: Wrong onboarding owner11:20 - Trap #3: Chasing client documents16:40 - Trap #4: Standardize before automating21:05 - Hiring firms people won’t leave22:15 - When should you leave your firm?38:00 - Mailbag begins38:40 - Pricing and close rates41:50 - AI tax workflow & Filed47:10 - Starting your own bookkeeping firm50:15 - Most surprising AI use cases52:30 - Jason’s T-shirt recommendation54:20 - Self-hosting AI models55:45 - “Accounting department in a box”57:35 - Copilot vs Claude01:00:35 - Replacing Thomson Reuters File Cabinet01:02:50 - Camera, lighting & microphone setup01:05:25 - Closing thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I explore why Anthropic embedding Claude directly into Slack may be one of the biggest AI shifts we’ve seen yet—and why it makes me both excited and uncomfortable. I explain how goals, MCP connections, and Slack integration could eventually make AI the operating layer of an entire company. I also share three creative AI workflows accounting firms are already using, discuss whether QuickBooks and Xero are losing their grip on the market, answer questions about Claude, onboarding bookkeeping clients, hiring with AI, and explain why firms should rethink their workflow statuses for the AI era.🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsFinancial Cents: Book a demo here: https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Soraban: https://www.soraban.com/MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoKarbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsVerito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes📚 Here’s that service library resource: https://youtu.be/T8rQzr3ogkM?si=DRjYWbe-2LobQcuS📕The Alex Hormozi book I mentioned: https://www.amazon.com/100M-Offers-People-Stupid-Saying-ebook/dp/B099QVG1H8// Chapters:00:00 - Claude’s Trojan Horse?01:32 - Goals Change Everything05:29 - Claude Inside Slack10:34 - Is AI Running the Firm?15:31 - Why Software Developers Matter17:35 - Why MCP Wins19:48 - 3 Wild AI Use Cases20:23 - AI Proposal Generator24:55 - AI Client Reporting28:57 - AI Trial Balance Builder36:30 - Mailbag Begins38:13 - Will QuickBooks & Xero Lose?41:18 - Claude Chat vs Cowork46:58 - Best Alex Hormozi Book48:16 - Claude Projects Best Practices50:05 - Is ChatGPT Dead?51:48 - Pricing Cleanup Work56:27 - AI Resume Screening59:38 - Rebuilding Workflow Statuses for AI🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I explain why I think advisory is often positioned the wrong way inside accounting firms and share five common traps that stop firms from building higher value services. I also cover Claude Fable returning to Claude, what its new pricing means, how I’d build a bookkeeping practice from scratch today, AI powered bookkeeping and review workflows, choosing practice management software, meeting transcript tools, Copilot versus Claude, training the next generation of accountants, and whether Intuit is falling behind.🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsFinancial Cents: Book a demo here: https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Soraban: https://www.soraban.com/MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoKarbon: https://karbonhq.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_campaign=jason-staatsVerito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notes// Chapters:00:00 - Is Advisory Really the Future?01:43 - The Advisory Hype Problem04:05 - Trap #1: Imposter Syndrome09:31 - Trap #2: Giving Premium Work Away16:10 - Trap #3: Death by Deadlines19:07 - Trap #4: Selling Favors Instead of Products22:25 - Trap #5: Sell Outcomes, Not Coaching28:43 - Claude Fable Is Back38:31 - Mailbag38:58 - Best AI Meeting Transcript Tools41:44 - Which Accounting Ledger Would I Choose Today?44:10 - How Do You Avoid Buying the Wrong Software?49:58 - Do You Actually Use All These AI Tools?52:08 - Should Firms Standardize on Microsoft Copilot?53:43 - How Good Is AI at Reviewing Tax Returns?55:03 - Do File Naming Conventions Really Matter?56:39 - Will AI Create an Accounting Knowledge Gap?01:00:20 - Can Claude Help When Intuit Breaks?🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I answer the nine AI questions I hear most often from accounting firms, covering how to securely use AI with client data, why I recommend Claude over ChatGPT and Copilot, where firms should start with AI, and practical workflows for QuickBooks, spreadsheets, email, and tax software. I also share my thoughts on the latest IRS AI guidance and why I disagree that AI savings should automatically lower client fees, then wrap up with a Mailbag on bank statement automation, QuickBooks MCPs, IT security, work papers, value pricing, and why I believe AI will make human expertise even more valuable.🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsFinancial Cents: Book a demo here: https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Soraban: https://www.soraban.com/MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - The 9 Biggest AI Questions01:43 - AI & Client Data Security06:22 - Why Claude Beats Copilot08:04 - Should You Switch from ChatGPT?08:17 - Where Should You Start with AI?10:50 - Building Your First AI Agent14:49 - Best Beginner AI Use Cases17:00 - AI & QuickBooks Automation20:56 - Can AI Automate Tax Software?23:20 - Should Clients Know You Use AI?25:37 - IRS Says AI Should Lower Fees?32:23 - Mailbag32:48 - How Do I Automatically Fetch Bank Statements?38:09 - Secure Client Credentials Without Sharing Passwords40:44 - Are Traditional Work Papers Still Worth It?44:05 - How Do You Handle AI Discount Requests?47:22 - Can Claude Post Journal Entries to QuickBooks?52:04 - Is Thomson Reuters Falling Behind on AI?54:06 - IT Security for a New Fractional CFO Firm56:20 - Does AI Kill Creativity and Advisory?01:02:00 - Closing thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down five change management traps inside accounting firms, from overwhelming the team with too much change to letting C and D clients block the firm you actually want to build. I also talk about niche opportunities in soccer and space accounting, recurring AI workflows, Intuit’s stock drop, simplifying client onboarding, rolling out Claude to a team, trial balance workflows, and how large a solo AI-powered firm could become.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Canopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoFinancial Cents: Book a demo here: https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats// Chapters:00:00 - Getting Everyone Aligned01:19 - The Dirty Dozen Returns02:12 - Change Management Traps02:18 - Trap #1: Change Overload06:10 - Trap #2: Incentives Gap09:00 - Trap #3: Quiet Skeptics15:17 - Trap #4: Carve-Out Clients18:17 - Trap #5: Adoption Letdown21:49 - Change Management Recap22:27 - Accountants Power The World Cup22:39 - Niche Of The Week24:33 - Passion-Driven Firm Niches27:47 - Space Accounting Returns30:58 - Mailbag Begins31:29 - Building Recurring AI Workflows34:23 - Should I Sell Intuit Stock?38:07 - Simplifying Client Onboarding42:13 - Rolling Out Claude To A Team44:42 - Trial Balance After Engagement Manager49:27 - Fear Of AI Tool Switching51:05 - How Big Can A Solo AI Firm Get?🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I explore the sudden rise of AI agent platforms built specifically for accounting firms and ask whether Claude will remain the long-term home for firm-built agents. I compare launches from Ramp, Digits, Pilot, Puzzle, Mercury, Canopy, and Double, then answer a listener question about what firm owners should focus on during the summer months. In the mailbag, I cover software firms should avoid,  practice management system selection, and what to do when Claude makes mistakes in bookkeeping workflows.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Canopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoFinancial Cents: Book a demo here: https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats⚒️ Tools I mentioned-Ramp Stack https://ramp.com/lp2/stack-Digits Agentic Close https://digits.com/blog/agentic-close/-Pilot Meridian https://meridian.pilot.com/-Puzzle AI Close https://puzzle.io/ai-close-Canopy Coworker https://www.getcanopy.com/coworker/-Mercury Command https://mercury.com/command-Double https://doublehq.com/// Chapters:00:00 - The AI Agent Gold Rush07:58 - Where Agents Actually Live12:11 - The Future Of Firm Automation15:31 - Summer Priorities For Firms18:36 - Take A Break This Summer20:17 - Make Big Tech Changes22:04 - Building Better Systems26:51 - Planning For Growth30:57 - Hiring Before Busy Season31:53 - Strategic Thinking Time33:32 - Mailbag33:43 - Any Software To Completely Avoid?36:22 - AI Influencers & Phantom Products40:50 - Should Firms Try Instead?42:18 - What Happened To SmartVault?46:11 - Which Practice Management System Should I Choose?49:30 - What If Claude Makes Mistakes?54:01 - From How-To To What-To-Do55:00 - The Future Of Space Accounting🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down the six biggest traps accounting firm owners fall into when trying to build a higher-quality, more profitable client list. I explain why concentration risk is often overblown, why firms struggle to commit to a niche, how big-money clients can distract you from your ideal business, and why regularly curating your client list is one of the most important jobs of a firm owner. I also answer questions about firing clients through pricing increases, whether prompt libraries still matter in the AI era, partnering with specialists for services like sales tax and payroll, and what I think about Claude’s QuickBooks Online integration and the future of AI-powered accounting workflows.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Canopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoFinancial Cents: Book a demo here: https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats// Chapters:00:00 - The Client List Asset01:27 - The Dirty Dozen Returns02:23 - Trap #1: Concentration Risk Fear06:38 - Trap #2: The Commitment Gap09:10 - Trap #3: Big Money Clients10:28 - Trap #4: Curation Hesitation13:09 - Trap #5: Big Fish vs Minnows18:17 - Trap #6: The Machine Problem22:24 - Protecting The Client List23:18 - Mailbag23:44 - Raising Prices to Lose Bad Clients26:54 - Are Prompt Libraries Still Worth It?30:17 - Goals vs Prompts in AI32:07 - Strongest AI Use Cases Today36:14 - Process Improvement Career Paths38:14 - Sales Tax Apps for Ecommerce43:18 - Claude + QuickBooks Integration52:35 - Tour Wrap-Up & Community Thanks🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I share five real AI workflows that accounting firms are already using in production, from reading handwritten checks and verifying tax transcripts to automating audit checklists, preparing spreadsheet workpapers, and building AI-powered email dashboards. I explain how firms should think about moving from AI assistants to AI-driven workflows and why documentation, goals, and process design matter more than prompts. Then I review an accounting firm built by a non-accountant, discuss pricing and niche strategy, and answer questions.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Canopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoFinancial Cents: Book a demo here: https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats// Chapters:00:00 - Five AI Workflows Firms Use Today18:01 - AI-Powered Email Dashboards20:24 - Roast a Firm31:30 - Mailbag35:20 - Buying Legacy Firms in the AI Era49:45 - Mailbag 259:45 - Closing thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down the six biggest pricing traps holding accounting firms back and explain practical ways to fix them. We talk about moving beyond hourly billing, improving proposal design, avoiding underpricing, and building pricing systems that actually support profitability. I also share my reaction to the latest AI developments, including why new models like Fable have me questioning just how quickly the landscape is changing. We discuss what AI means for accounting firms today, where it creates leverage, and why pricing becomes even more important as AI reduces the relationship between effort and value.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Canopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoFinancial Cents: Book a demo here: https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats// Chapters:00:00 - Pricing Traps Holding Firms Back19:00 - Fixing Your Pricing Strategy39:14 - Mailbag53:30 - Closing Thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down Thrive Holdings’ $1B accounting firm rollup, why OpenAI has a stake in it, and what this could mean for small firms. I explain why traditional rollups often fail, why AI may change the economics, and why client relationships still matter most. Then I walk through how an accounting firm could build a niche around indie authors, including choke points, live events, software vendors, and influencers. I also answer questions on moving clients from owner to staff, AI tax prep disappointments, whether I’m paid by Claude, MCPs for practice management, speech-to-text tools, CPA value, and AI disclosure to clients.📹 Here’s that video to help build your service library https://youtu.be/T8rQzr3ogkM?si=aCzmb_rfp0FmNGvb🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - The $1B AI accounting bet22:41 - Nerd Corner35:34 - Mailbag begins35:53 - Getting clients to trust your team38:22 - Why AI tax prep disappointed46:37 - MCPs and the future of firm tech55:00 - Do clients need AI disclosure?🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down the three most likely AI futures for accounting firms, general-purpose AI assistants like Claude, AI assistants connected to software through MCPs, and AI embedded directly inside accounting software. I explain the pros, risks, and strategic implications of each approach, especially around security, software buying decisions, and vendor lock-in. I also share real-world AI use cases from firms around the country, answer questions about hiring AI specialists, security best practices, offshore staffing compliance, and helping teams navigate AI-related job fears. 📹 Here’s that video to help build your service library https://youtu.be/T8rQzr3ogkM?si=aCzmb_rfp0FmNGvb🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - Three AI Futures for Accounting Firms09:04 - MCPs and the Future of Software24:25 - AI Built Into Accounting Software34:11 - Which AI Future Is Most Likely?35:54 - Nerd Corner44:31 - Mailbag44:31 - Escaping the Capacity and Hiring Cycle52:05 - Offshore Hiring and Cloud Accountant Staffing59:26 - AI Hiring, Security, and Team Concerns🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I argue that AI has fundamentally changed how accounting firms should think about SOPs, documentation, and standardization. I walk through six common documentation traps and explain why many traditional best practices are already becoming obsolete as AI agents can create, maintain, improve, and even execute processes themselves. Then I answer questions on CRMs vs practice management systems, building a niche advisory service, creating culture in remote teams, QuickBooks Desktop vs modern AI workflows, software being replaced by Claude, AI security for small firms, and whether QuickBooks Desktop might oddly become relevant again in an AI-first world.📹 Here’s that video to help build your service library https://youtu.be/T8rQzr3ogkM?si=aCzmb_rfp0FmNGvb🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - AI and the Future of SOPs05:25 - Six Documentation Traps17:11 - AI Agents and Process Management30:32 - Mailbag30:56 - Do Accounting Firms Need a CRM?37:18 - Finding Clients for a New Niche41:10 - Building Culture on Remote Teams43:24 - QuickBooks Desktop vs Enterprise Suite45:44 - How to Niche Your Accounting Firm47:28 - Software Being Replaced by AI51:24 - AI Security for Small Firms56:06 - Which AI Models Should Firms Use?57:48 - Is QuickBooks Desktop the Future?🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down the 10 commandments of an accountant’s desk setup and why your office environment directly affects productivity. I cover monitor limits, desk wheels, underside mounting, monitor arms, eye level, cable management, keyboards, team hardware standardization, chairs, lighting, and CO2 levels. Then I play Hot or Not with office trends like standing desks, gaming chairs, glass desktops, L-shaped desks, and keyboard trays.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 The accountant desk setup problem01:02 Why office setup affects productivity02:00 Commandment 1: know your limits05:23 Commandments 2–3: wheels + underside mounting08:55 Sponsors: hiring + tax workflow10:53 Commandments 4–8: monitors, cables, keyboards, hardware18:57 Sponsors: Canopy + Verito21:14 Commandments 9–10: chairs, lighting, and CO225:17 Hot or Not: office trends33:01 Final desk setup advice🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down why practice management systems become such a nightmare for accounting firms and the six biggest traps firms fall into when selecting, migrating, and rolling out a PM platform. I explain why there’s no perfect system, why demos are misleading, how firms overload their teams with change, and why client portals fail adoption. Then I speedrun listener questions on AI pricing, niching risk, automating client back offices, workflow bottlenecks, and whether AI threatens accounting firms. I also debut a new segment.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - Practice management systems are high-stakes01:21 - Dirty Dozen+ PM headaches02:01 - The 6 biggest PM traps14:17 - PM setup, migration, and adoption mistakes24:07 - Roast My Podcast Reviews31:24 - Mailbag32:02 - Human vs AI accounting work41:13 - Is AI replacing accounting firms?43:49 - Does AI make niching riskier?48:56 - AI automation opportunities in client workflows51:15 - Why more accountants are starting firms54:19 - Closing thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down how firms can move from live Claude conversations to AI workflows that run in the background. I walk through five levels of AI autonomy, from simple chats and scheduled tasks to hosted routines and managed agents. Then I roast a $700K bookkeeping/CFO firm dealing with operational heaviness, SOP sprawl, niche opportunities, and scaling pains. I also answer questions on custom AI tools, Claude for Small Business, referral partnerships, where to build agents first, email triage, and whether old-school firms are worth buying.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - AI in the walls02:12 - Five levels of AI autonomy06:17 - Claude Code routines + webhooks14:18 - Managed agents explained18:20 - Roast a $700K bookkeeping firm27:45 - SOPs, systems, and standardization33:07 - Local vs national niche strategy35:28 - Mailbag35:45 - Custom AI tools vs software46:03 - Where to build AI agents first48:25 - AI email management52:58 - Buying old-school firms56:09 - Closing thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down the six biggest blockers keeping accounting firms from becoming AI native. I explain why Claude is the best starting point right now, why AI adoption needs daily team habits, and why incentives matter more than training. I also cover pricing fears, staff anxiety, AI replacing task-based work, and how firm owners should think about their responsibility to help teams adapt.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Makershub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoVerito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesMissive: https://missiveapp.com/jason// Chapters:00:00 - Why firms are struggling with AI02:54 - The 6 blockers to becoming AI native10:02 - Why teams resist AI adoption17:30 - AI pricing fears + job replacement29:23 - Mailbag44:15 - Will AI kill accounting work?49:31 - Content strategy + scaling content53:36 - Closing thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down six real AI use cases accounting firms are actively using right now, from Claude creating SOPs from screen recordings and consolidating multi-entity financials, to tax checklist automation, document renaming, crypto dashboards, and AI-powered prospecting. I also explain where AI agents still break down, especially around month-end close document collection and browser automation. Then I answer questions on pricing confidence, niching, fast growth vs profitability, hallucinations, personal finance workflows, and whether firms should master app-specific AI or focus on cross-platform AI agents like Claude Cowork.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Makershub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoVerito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesMissive: https://missiveapp.com/jason// Chapters:00:00 - Six real AI use cases for firms07:40 - AI checklists + hallucination risks17:24 - AI prospecting + newsletter CTA21:14 - Nerd Corner: month-end close chaos35:34 - Mailbag35:55 - Pricing confidence + charging more42:28 - Fast growth vs profitability49:16 - Personal finance + Claude vs Digits54:18 - AI hallucinations explained59:42 - Learn Claude or app-specific AI01:01:17 - Closing thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down why accounting firms don’t just need more clients, they need better clients. I explain why referrals, low pricing, weak niche positioning, and poor proposal design can keep firms stuck with too much work and not enough profit. I also cover how to raise prices, cut bad-fit clients, build visibility with the right audience, and structure three-tier proposals around both scope and client access.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Makershub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoVerito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesMissive: https://missiveapp.com/jason// Chapters:00:00 - Why firms need better clients01:57 - The Dirty Dozen: client quality03:17 - Better clients fix capacity05:08 - Cut low-margin clients08:18 - Word-of-mouth has limits16:20 - Why niching feels scary22:47 - Visibility creates better clients29:14 - Three-tier proposal problems35:45 - Mailbag40:46 - Should you discount pricing?44:59 - Catching scope creep49:16 - Better clients solve everything🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I unpack whether AI is a real reason to sell your accounting firm right now. I walk through both sides: why AI creates more risk than ever, but also why accountants may become more valuable as human advisors and integrators. Then I break down how accounting firm websites should shift from faceless service pages to founder-led expertise, especially for niche advisory firms. In the mailbag, I cover AI for cash flow and budgeting, practice management mistakes, accounting firm margins, career moves, CFO services, and tax workflow tools.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Makershub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoVerito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesMissive: https://missiveapp.com/jason// Chapters:00:00 - Should you sell before AI changes accounting?01:31 - AI risk + firm value03:00 - Are you selling what AI replaces?06:44 - The case for selling now07:28 - Accountants as human integrators10:59 - The real asset is you16:39 - Founder-led accounting websites27:48 - Mailbag28:07 - AI for cash flow and budgets32:04 - No practice management software37:56 - Accounting firm margins explained39:55 - Career path into a better firm44:30 - CFO advisory vs bookkeeping46:29 - Tax workflow tools🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down why most accounting firm workflow problems are actually capacity problems. I walk through six common capacity bottlenecks—from not knowing your real bandwidth and busy season overload to owner burnout, hiring paralysis, and the client communication death spiral. The core issue usually isn’t workflow software—it’s pricing, bad-fit clients, and trying to serve too many people without enough margin. Then I shift into a rapid-fire “this or that” segment comparing accounting firm tools like Financial Cents vs TaxDome, Digits vs Double, MakersHub vs Ramp, offshore vs onshore hiring, firm acquisition vs building a sales team, and more. The big takeaway: better firms come from better clients, not just better workflows.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Makershub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsMissive: https://missiveapp.com/jasonCanopy: g[etcanopy.com/jason](http://getcanopy.com/jason) Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - Workflow problems are really capacity problems01:30 - Dirty Dozen + six capacity bottlenecks20:00 Hire vs workflow + firing clients23:20 Client responsiveness + service quality30:30 This or That begins (tech + firm decisions)46:40 Staffing: offshore vs onshore52:20 Buy a firm or build a sales team58:40 AI, hiring, and the future of accounting01:01:00 Events + final CTA🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/ 📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter ☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968! 📧 Email me! [email protected] In this episode, I break down two major Claude updates for accounting firms: Live Artifacts and Claude Design. I explain how Live Artifacts can become a personal dashboard across email, calendar, practice management, and month-end tools, and why AI agents working across apps may matter more than AI built inside one app. I also walk through how Claude could generate financial reports, slide decks, landing pages, and even workpaper documentation. Then I answer questions on going national with a niche firm, replacing SafeSend, building referral partnerships, changing tech stacks, using AI safely, and when to hire for a nonprofit accounting firm. 🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events 🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps 💰 Today's Sponsors Cloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidates Soraban: https://www.soraban.com/ Makershub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats Missive: https://missiveapp.com/jason Canopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demo // Chapters: 00:00 - Claude updates + nationwide growth 01:25 - Claude Live Artifacts explained 04:02 - Building a personal AI dashboard 10:16 - Should PM systems be worried? 17:31 - AI accounting ledger experiment 22:20 - Claude Design + client deliverables 37:54 - Mailbag begins 38:15 - Scaling beyond local clients 44:09 - Replacing SafeSend 47:08 - White label bookkeeping partnerships 50:18 - Changing tech when the team is tired 57:30 - Safe AI agents + OpenClaw 01:04:28 - Nonprofit CFO firm question 01:07:21 - AI workpaper automation experiment 🗣️ Continue the discussion on social! X https://twitter.com/jasononfirms LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/ 📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter ☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968! 📧 Email me! [email protected] In this episode, I break down a real accounting firm doing over $400K in revenue while the owner works about 30 hours a week most of the year and takes eight weeks off. I walk through the firm’s revenue mix, team structure, seasonal workflow, pricing model, billing approach, tech stack, and why the owner is still the main bottleneck. Then I explain the six most common owner bottlenecks in accounting firms, from review and knowledge transfer to structure, delegation, escalation, and pricing. 🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events 🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps 💰 Today's Sponsors TeamUp: https://www.hireteamup.com/jason Soraban: https://www.soraban.com/ Makershub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats Missive: https://missiveapp.com/jason Canopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demo Cloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidates // Chapters: 00:00 - A $400K calm firm 01:31 - Firm snapshot + revenue mix 05:36 - Seasonal workflow + vacation 08:51 - Three-tier pricing model 16:10 - Upfront billing strategy 20:21 - Marketing + tech stack 22:53 - Main pain: owner bottleneck 26:50 - The Dirty Dozen + events 30:23 - Six bottleneck causes 34:50 - Knowledge bottleneck 37:50 - Structural bottleneck 40:17 - Meddling bottleneck 43:02 - Escalation bottleneck 48:24 - Pricing bottleneck 54:55 - Community + referral network CTA 🗣️ Continue the discussion on social! X https://twitter.com/jasononfirms LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

Here’s that Delphi app we discussed in Nerd corner https://www.delphi.ai/And a link to my own Delphi assistant https://www.delphi.ai/jasonstaats/chat🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down how AI agents are changing the way accounting firms should think about their tech stack. We’re in the middle of tech selection season, but AI is moving so fast that traditional buying decisions don’t really make sense anymore. I walk through eight major shifts, from why you shouldn’t lock into long term software contracts. I also explain how switching tools is getting easier, why audit logs suddenly matter, and how AI is changing hiring and outsourcing decisions.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsTeamUp: https://www.hireteamup.com/jasonSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Makershub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsMissive: https://missiveapp.com/jasonCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidates// Chapters:00:00 - AI agents are changing tech decisions02:11 - Why 2026 is the year of AI agents03:13 - How software buying is changing11:16 - Why audit logs matter now15:33 - All-in-one vs best-of-breed19:53 - AI changes hiring and outsourcing24:04 - Client agents and firm agents26:37 - Nerd Corner: client-facing AI assistants35:05 - Building proprietary AI context40:30 - Knowledge automation is coming41:40 - Mailbag begins42:10 - Double vs Financial Sense44:17 - Sending 12-month proposals now47:06 - Three-tier pricing mistake49:29 - Perplexity’s personal computer AI55:14 - Building AI models vs using wrappers01:01:44 - Marketing a newly acquired firm🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down why hiring feels impossible for accounting firms and why that’s usually not true. I walk through the nine most common hiring bottlenecks I’m seeing across firms right now, from first hire paralysis and offshore vs onshore decisions to training challenges and being the bottleneck as an owner. I also share why most firms aren’t doing enough to attract talent, and how small changes in positioning, pricing, and structure can unlock hiring. Then I cover AI updates from OpenAI and Claude, plus answer questions on tools, hiring strategy, and whether simple tax firms are at risk.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsTeamUp: https://www.hireteamup.com/jasonSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Makershub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoMissive: https://missiveapp.com/jasonCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidates// Chapters:00:00 Why hiring feels impossible01:28 The Dirty Dozen: hiring data08:17 First hire paralysis12:04 Onshore vs offshore hiring18:46 What kind of admin should you hire?23:32 Why great hires aren’t finding you27:30 Capacity, pricing, and hiring32:08 Succession and client transition38:22 The owner is the bottleneck40:16 The lighthouse strategy for hiring42:26 Mailbag43:08 OpenAI vs Claude59:02 Double vs Aider01:04:23 Will AI kill simple tax firms?🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I share a simple framework for deciding whether to keep hiring or intentionally contract, centered on tightening your client revenue band, narrowing your services so they are easier to systematize, and building distribution so you can specialize. I apply it to a real bookkeeping firm that feels overstaffed and stuck on pricing, and I close with mailbag answers on buying a book of business, letting go of legacy clients, charging for consults, finding first clients, and positioning a niche before you have ideal case studies.🎤 I’m going live! We’ll announce new dates and cities. Stay tuned for the presale🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/TeamUp: https://www.hireteamup.com/Verito: https://verito.com/Financial Cents: https://hubs.li/Q03mLr_x0Use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down how I transitioned from running a 40-person firm to helping other accounting firms, and why there’s a massive opportunity right now for accountants to step into education, AI, and advisory roles. I share a practical framework for starting, including how to stay independent, build an audience, and structure your value ladder. Then I walk through a teardown of a $50M accounting firm, highlighting pricing, tech stack, and org structure issues. We close with a mailbag covering acquisitions, scaling CFO services, proposals, client pruning, delegation, and tools.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsTeamUp: https://www.hireteamup.com/jasonMakershub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Financial Cents: https://hubs.li/Q03mLr_x0 Use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Canopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoMissive: https://missiveapp.com/jason// Chapters:00:00 - Why accountants should help accountants02:00 - From firm owner to educator09:30 - Building an accounting education business15:40 - Email lists, niche, and positioning22:00 - $50M firm teardown (pricing, tech, structure)36:00 - Org structure beyond partner model41:30 - Mailbag: scaling, clients, and pricing57:00 - Tools and final takeaways🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down how accounting firms should actually think about communication, from whether phones still matter to how to structure client expectations and response times. I walk through why most firms get overwhelmed by making the wrong people too accessible, and how to design a communication system that protects focus while still delivering a high-touch client experience. I dig into what happens when someone replaces their CPA with an AI agent, what that signals about where things are heading, and how firms should respond. I also cover how to prepare your systems for AI, what actually makes software “agent-ready,” and how AI may or may not change when you should start your own firm.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps☎️ VOIP Phone Options:Dialpad https://www.dialpad.com/Quo https://www.quo.com/Allo https://www.withallo.com/Nextiva https://nextiva.com/Ooma https://www.ooma.com/💰 Today's SponsorsTeamUp: https://www.hireteamup.com/jasonMakershub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsFinancial Cents: https://hubs.li/Q03mLr_x0 Use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Soraban: https://www.soraban.com/Canopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoCloud Accountant Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidates// Chapters:00:00 - Why communication breaks firms03:20 - Who should talk to clients07:30 - Designing a scalable communication system16:00 - Why accessibility is the real problem20:30 - What happens when AI replaces your CPA25:00 - AI agents vs assistants30:40 - Why APIs matter more than tools37:20 - Sponsor break41:20 - Where current systems fail46:30 - Where AI is actually going49:40 - Closing thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down why review is still the biggest bottleneck in most accounting firms and how to actually fix it. I walk through five practical ways to reduce the load, including separating detail vs technical review, using difficulty levels, and systematizing work so you rely less on scarce senior talent. Then I shift into AI, covering leaked Co-Work features, what’s coming next with agents, and how to think about security, email, and automation without getting ahead of what’s actually safe to deploy.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsTeamUp: https://www.hireteamup.com/jasonCanopy: g[etcanopy.com/jason](http://getcanopy.com/jason) Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/Makershub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsFinancial Cents: https://hubs.li/Q03mLr_x0 Use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Cloud Accountant Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidates// Chapters:00:00 - Why review is the biggest bottleneck02:30 - How firms structure review today04:50 - How to fix review (structure + delegation)07:20 - Using difficulty levels to scale11:00 - Systemizing review so it scales15:00 - Hiring vs restructuring review teams18:45 - What’s actually happening with AI agents25:00 - AI agents vs assistants explained31:30 - AI risks and security reality check33:00 - Practice management + system gaps41:20 - Where current tools break down46:30 - Where AI is actually going (agents vs tools)🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down real data from 700+ accounting firms on how they’re actually choosing and switching practice management systems, and what most firms get wrong in that process. I share key lessons around sales demos, implementation mistakes, and why peer insights matter more than vendor promises. Then I zoom out to how AI could reshape compliance and what that means for the future role of accounting firms. We close with a mailbag on niching, pricing confidence, side hustles, and how to think about your firm as you grow.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps📌 If you’ve never used my PM recommendation tool: https://www.jasononfirms.com/pmrec💿 Grab my IRS hold music here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1oyQ8y9-3WkGk3FggMQiADvVO1aY40P4S?usp=drive_link💰 Today's SponsorsTeamUp: https://www.hireteamup.com/jasonSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/Makershub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsFinancial Cents: https://hubs.li/Q03mLr_x0 Use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Cloud Accountant Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidates// Chapters:00:00 - Choosing practice management the wrong way02:30 - What data from 700+ firms actually shows06:30 - How to evaluate and pick the right tool09:00 - Why implementation matters more than the software11:30 - Where general tools break for accounting firms14:30 - Community and peer insights vs vendor messaging20:30 - AI and the future of compliance work28:30 - How AI changes the role of accountants40:30 - How to choose a niche that actually works44:30 - Outgrowing your clients as your firm scales48:30 - Side hustle vs committing to a firm🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down how to actually set a minimum price in your firm without anchoring your entire client base to it. I share mistakes I made running my own firm, why minimums should be internal not external, and how focusing on higher value clients drives better margins and growth. I also walk through recent updates to my app recommendations and answer questions on AI, niching, and building a better firm.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps📌 Check out our practice management system recommendations here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/pm-rec-1💰 Today's SponsorsTeamUp: https://www.hireteamup.com/jasonSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/Makershub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsFinancial Cents: https://hubs.li/Q03mLr_x0 Use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Cloud Accountant Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidates🖥️ All apps I mentioned in the episode:1. Delphi AI - https://www.delphi.ai/2. Claude Cowork - https://claude.com/product/cowork3. OpenClaw - https://openclaw.ai/4. Double (formerly Keeper) - https://doublehq.com/5. AutoAccru - https://www.autoaccru.com/6. ScopeKeeper - https://scopekeeper.com/7. TaxDome - https://taxdome.com/8. Socket - https://www.usesocket.com/9. Translucent - https://www.translucent.io/10. Filed - https://www.filed.com/11. Luminary - https://www.withluminary.com/11. Karbon - https://karbonhq.com/11. Canopy - https://www.getcanopy.com/11. Financial Cents - https://financial-cents.com/11. Truss - https://gettruss.io/11. Hazel - https://hazel.ai/12. BlueJ - https://www.bluej.com/13. Marble - https://marble.ai/14. TaxFigure - https://taxfigure.com/15. Accrual - https://accrual.com/16. SegStream - https://www.segstream.com/ // Chapters:00:00 - Minimum pricing and common mistakes02:00 - My firm background and pricing challenges06:00 - Price increases and why clients don’t leave11:00 - Why minimum pricing backfires14:00 - Identity, growth, and saying no to clients18:00 - Offshore hiring and leverage23:00 - How to position pricing and A clients27:00 - Profit math and better clients31:00 - Why minimums should stay internal33:00 - App recommendations and updates41:00 - Practice management tools and selection44:00 - New apps and AI tools overview52:00 - Mailbag and listener questions57:00 - AI assistants for client use01:01:00 - Niching and specialization strategy01:06:00 - Coaching vs community vs content01:08:00 - Local AI vs cloud AI01:11:00 - Future of accounting ledgers🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! [email protected] this episode, I break down the latest AI agent updates and why tools like Claude Cowork are getting dangerously close to doing real production work inside accounting firms. I walk through what’s actually possible today, where the security risks still are, and why firms need to start learning this now even if they can’t fully trust it yet. I also share details on my upcoming workshop tour and answer practical questions on pricing, websites, and using AI in real firm scenarios.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Cloud Accountant Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesFinancial Cents: https://hubs.li/Q03mLr_x0 Use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.Verito: https://verito.com/TeamUp: https://www.hireteamup.com/jason// Chapters:00:00 - Intro and AI agent overview02:00 - What AI agents can do today and security risks10:50 - Claude Cowork vs ChatGPT17:00 - Real AI use cases and feature updates22:20 - Workshop tour and event details32:49 - Mailbag intro37:20 - Mailbag: marketing, pricing, and firm decisions52:10 - Mailbag: AI tools and operations🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/ 📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter ☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968! 📧 Email me! [email protected] In this episode, I share a practical framework to fix productivity in accounting firms, from planning your day and reducing distractions to structuring your team for better output. I walk through a real bookkeeping firm doing $800K and break down why they’re hitting a ceiling and how to restructure using pods and incentive pay. I also cover where AI actually fits in running a firm today, why most firms are focusing on the wrong things, and how to balance AI curiosity with building a profitable business. 🎤 I’m going live! We’ll announce new dates and cities. Stay tuned for the presale 🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps 💰 Today's Sponsors Soraban: https://www.soraban.com/ TeamUp: https://www.hireteamup.com/jason Financial Cents: Book a demo at https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 or sign up at https://hubs.li/Q03mLr_x0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users. Verito: https://verito.com/ MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats // Chapters: 00:00 Intro and productivity framework setup 02:04 Why most accountants feel unproductive 02:25 Building a daily plan 03:50 Prioritizing your own work vs email 05:00 Structuring your day for energy levels 06:10 Managing distractions and focus 09:16 Maker vs manager schedules 12:56 Structuring meetings for productivity 16:57 Health, sleep, and performance basics 18:57 Starting hard tasks effectively 20:31 Firm culture and productivity 21:00 Roast a Firm: bookkeeping firm breakdown 24:37 Identifying the growth ceiling 26:07 Moving to pod structure 27:10 Contractors vs full-time employees28:50 Incentive-based compensation 31:05 Workflow and scaling challenges 34:00 Business model reflections 36:55 Mailbag: AI agents and software 41:00 Security and real-world AI limitations 44:40 AI vs running a firm 46:12 Business fundamentals vs AI focus 51:00 ChatGPT vs Claude discussion 55:00 Future of AI in accounting 57:30 Closing thoughts 🗣️ Continue the discussion on social! X https://twitter.com/jasononfirms LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/ YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa