Future Forecast Panel: Navigating the Outlook for Accounting Trends - Accounting Voices Podcast

Episode 62

Global Panel: Discussing the Future for Accounting

Published on: 8th April, 2024

This engaging panel discussion explored the rapidly evolving landscape of the accounting profession, addressing the challenges, opportunities, and pivotal factors shaping its future. The panelists delved into topics such as technological disruption, changing workforce dynamics, the erosion of public trust, and the critical skills and mindsets required for accountants to stay relevant and indispensable in an era of unprecedented change.

The conversation highlighted the shared responsibility among various stakeholders, including individuals, firms, professional bodies, and technology providers, to drive the profession forward and maintain its ethical integrity. The panelists emphasized the importance of continuous learning, specialization, problem-solving, agility, and client-centricity as key competencies for accountants to cultivate in this transformative period.

Important Takeaways:

  • Continuous learning, specialization, and the ability to adapt to rapid change are essential for accounting professionals to stay relevant and competitive.
  • Fostering a culture of generosity, humility, and curiosity within firms is crucial for driving innovation and empowering the next generation of accountants.
  • Technology, particularly AI and automation, will profoundly impact the accounting profession, necessitating a mindset shift and a willingness to embrace these advancements.
  • Accountants and professional bodies must collaborate to uphold the ethical standards and financial integrity of the profession, regaining public trust through transparency and accountability.
  • Remote work and globalized teams present both opportunities and challenges, requiring a balanced approach that prioritizes talent development, mentorship, and fostering a sense of connection and belonging.

"Innovate or perish. Because honestly, at the end of the day, the reality is we're all consultants, and what's our mindset? How do we adapt to this changing world? We either innovate or we retire." - David Cieslak

"Time is going to become so much less relevant. The minute they offshored and outsourced and didn't put people's time into their time system for that work, pricing on time is ridiculous." - Jennifer Wilson

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The Accounting Influencers Podcast, hosted by Rob Brown, is one of the world's leading shows for accounting leaders, professionals, finance specialists, software vendors, tech providers and influencers. To participate in our international virtual speed networking events for the accounting community, book your place at the next gathering. Great for building your personal brand and making valuable industry connections in return for a small donation to charity: https://accountinginfluencers.com/events

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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

You can also check out all shows on the Accounting Influencers YouTube Channel

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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.