Driving Digital Transformation in Accounting Firms - Jennifer Warawa | Accounting Influencers Podcast - Accounting Voices Podcast

Episode 47

Driving Digital Transformation in Accounting Firms

Published on: 25th December, 2023

Jennifer Warawa is a trailblazer in the accounting world. She's the North American president of a leading firm, a self-made entrepreneur, and even a foster parent. However, her standout achievement isn't just financial—it's a remarkable employee net promoter score (NPS) above 60. Her workplace thrives on purpose, passion, and even a few laughs, like the notorious beanbag chair mishap. Learn how to build a company culture where employees are genuinely happy and engaged.

Dive into the world of digital transformation in accounting firms. Jennifer reflects on a stagnant decade-long conversation. While some firms embrace tech, others lag, widening the gap. Discover why change is crucial for future success and explore the clash between fast-paced tech and the traditional accounting profession. Accountants must offer more value by focusing on higher-level tasks. Discover which firms will thrive and how to attract and retain talent.

Why resist change? Comfort with the status quo or thinking clients are content might be reasons. However, clients may not fully grasp an accountant's value until they experience it elsewhere.

Learn how automation can boost efficiency and allow accountants to focus on high-value tasks.

Jennifer Warawa is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in the accounting field. She successfully operated her firm in Canada for half of her impressive career. In the other half, she took on various high-profile global executive leadership roles at Sage.

Jennifer currently holds the esteemed position of President at QuickFee North America, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. QuickFee specialises in cutting-edge financing, online payment, and e-invoicing solutions, primarily catering to professional service firms, particularly in the accounting and legal sectors.

Jennifer's outstanding accomplishments have garnered her a multitude of prestigious honours. She was consistently among the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Accounting according to the CPA Practice Advisor and the AICPA for an impressive seven-year period from 2013 to 2019. Accounting Today also celebrated her as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People for an impressive nine consecutive years from 2010 to 2018. Furthermore, she stood out as a remarkable talent by being honoured as a member of the "Top 40 Under 40" by CPA Practice Advisor for an impressive six years straight, from 2010 to 2015.

Beyond her illustrious career, Jennifer is renowned as a thought leader. As a keynote speaker, she has graced numerous industry events and business conferences, consistently earning top ratings for her insightful contributions.

On a personal note, Jennifer and her husband, Shane, have been a devoted foster parent since 2014. Their home has been a haven for 11 children, ranging in age from 6 to 18, exemplifying their deep commitment to making a positive impact in the lives of others.

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The Accounting Influencers Podcast drops every Monday to accounting professionals, finance specialists, software vendors, tech providers and influencers across 150 countries in the accountancy, CPA and bookkeeping space. To participate in our international virtual speed networking events for the accounting community, go to https://accountinginfluencers.com/events and book your place at the next gathering. Great to build your personal brand and make valuable industry connections. ◣━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━◢

You can watch this episode and more on our YouTube Channel

https://www.youtube.com/@accountinginfluencers

Join the Accounting Influencers community and get invitations to our international speed networking events to build your personal brand and network in the accounting, finance and tech world: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

For videos of all podcast interviews and bonus video content: https://bit.ly/AI-youtube

Thanks to our sponsors:

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If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

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About the Podcast

Accounting Voices Podcast
Accounting Voices helps people in the accounting world stay relevant visible and vocal. Host Rob Brown interprets trends reshaping the profession and gives listeners insight to build authority influence and a stronger voice in firms and markets.
Accounting Voices, hosted by Rob Brown, helps decision makers and leaders in accounting and finance stay relevant, visible and vocal in a profession being reshaped by technology, private equity, regulation and shifting client expectations. Each episode interprets the trends disrupting accounting and finance such as AI, automation, M&A, talent and the move to advisory and translates them into practical insight that strengthens authority and influence.
Accounting Voices is also a platform for the wider ecosystem of networks, associations, educators, consultants, software vendors and technology experts who serve accountants and finance professionals worldwide. It extends into regular Accounting Voices networking sessions that connect this audience and amplify ideas that move the profession forward. With its international reach and long shelf life the show delivers credibility and commercial value for listeners and sponsors alike. Search for "Accounting Voices" on YouTube for all episodes and connect with Rob Brown on LinkedIn to find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

About your host

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Rob Brown

ob Brown is the creator and host of the Accounting Voices Network, a media platform that includes the flagship solo podcast Accounting Voices and the panel shows Accounting M&A and Accounting Tech. He chairs conferences, panels and virtual events worldwide and is recognised as a leading advocate for the accounting profession.

He is an accomplished speaker and authority on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, succession, executive presence and the forces shaping the future of accounting. Rob is the author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk The Personal Brand of You has been viewed more than 400,000 times.

A former co-founder of the Accounting Influencers Roundtable, Rob now focuses on amplifying the voices of leaders, firms, networks, vendors and influencers across the global accounting ecosystem.

Outside of work he is a stroke survivor, lives with epilepsy, holds a black belt in kickboxing and is based in Nottingham, UK. He plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.