How CPAs can lead the drive to digital transformation

The drive towards digital transformation is creating new opportunities, new business models, and emerging leadership positions for CPAs who are up for the challenge.In this episode, we hear from two CPAs who are driving this shift towards digital.  First up is Josh Zwieg, co-founder and CEO of Live CA, Canada's first and largest online accounting firm. Josh says his customers are looking for more advanced reporting and more advanced analysis and to stay competitive, he needs, “technology to stay at the forefront because that's in fact what our customers are asking for." However, Josh also says the biggest challenge to successful digital transformation is not technology per se, but people.  “Technology isn't the solution. It is part of the solution. And what we need to do is really understand the needs of the other person on the other side, to really understand their goals and to be conscious of them when doing an implementation. This is fundamentally important to a successful transformation.”David’s next guest agrees. Nat D'Ercole is a partner at Deloitte where he's the data transformation leader for Deloitte Canada's artificial intelligence practice.  He tells David, the human aspects of being a leader are critical, “Leading with empathy, understanding what’s important to the leaders participating in your transformation, what are they looking to get out of the initiative in terms of their own personal growth? So having that connection with your leaders and helping them to be successful on their own personal journeys is a very important human aspect of leading transformation.”Nat encourages CPAs to develop a mindset that spots the opportunity that comes with perpetual change,“The new normal is that there is no normal and having a mindset that there isn't a beginning and an end to a particular transformation or a particular project or program. There'll continue to be change thrown at you and the need to continue to absorb that, understand that and push forward to embed improvements in processes,” says Nat.Highlights:2:05 Josh Zweig talks about the lack of a formal business plan in the early days of LiveCA4:28 The market gap LiveCA fills5:36 How today, LiveCA is both an accounting services firm and a technology services firm10:30 Josh Zweig on how the human element is the most common obstacle companies face as they implement digital transformation.14:50 Nat D'Ercole on whether or not CPAs have the skills needed to drive digital transformation16:00 How CPAs can insert themselves in leadership roles in digital transformation19:15 The mindset that drives successful digital transformation Foresight: The CPA PodcastCPA's Foresight InitiativeDevenir CPACPA EnglishCPA FrenchDisclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guest and do not necessarily reflect that of CPA Canada.Avertissement : Les opinions et les points de vue exprimés dans cette série de balados sont ceux de l’invité et ne représentent pas nécessairement ceux de CPA Canada.