Why It’s Truly the Most Exciting Time to Work in Accounting - Accounting Voices Podcast

Episode 29

Why It’s Truly the Most Exciting Time to Work in Accounting

Published on: 19th December, 2018

Jennifer Warawa serves as the Executive Vice President of Partners, Accountants and Alliances at Sage, a global technology company operating in 23 countries around the world, with a customer base of over 3 million and a partner, accountant and bookkeeper ecosystem of over 140,000.

In her role, Jennifer is responsible for the strategy and execution of Sage’s partner program worldwide to drive success and generate revenue for the partner network. By working in close collaboration with regional partner leaders, Jennifer creates and develops strategic alliances and relationships, fosters new business development opportunities, recruits new partners and acts as an advocate of Sage within the partner community and an advocate of the partner community within Sage. Jennifer is based in Atlanta, GA and has been with Sage since 2008.Shownotes:

  • Sage leads the way in most of the 3 countries they’re in, including the UK
  • Research from Sage reveals the big factor in what separates good accounting firms from great ones is agility – the ability to change
  • There has never been a more disrupted, changeable time in the accounting world than RIGHT NOW
  • Larger accounting firms have more resources to invest in technology adoption
  • Many accountants are still transactional, focusing on the past, uncomfortable looking into the future
  • Accountants are trying to wrap their minds around emerging technologies and what it means for your clients
  • Trying to convince one person to change is often harder than changing a firm where you have the data to convince
  • Specialisation and focus on a vertical is where the opportunities lie for accounting firms
  • The overwhelm for accountants comes from thinking they have to know everything when it comes to technology
  • Local or regional ‘word of mouth’ used to play a big role in winning work, but now the game has changed
  • Many clients of accounting firms don’t know all the services their accountant provides
  • How accounting firms can really differentiate themselves
  • The war for accounting talent is a myth – what is YOUR firm doing to attract the world’s biggest workforce – millennials?
  • The reasons 75% of millennials are currently looking for another job
  • Most accounting firms and tech companies are ran by old white males – the diversity has not permeated through
  • The one quality that makes a stand out performer in the accounting world
  • What’s coming up for progressive accounting firms over the next few years with regards to technology
  • The role of Sage in serving the accounting industry
  • How equipped are Sage to withstand the competitive approach from Xero and Intuit?
  • Wise advice for leaders in accounting firms who have to drive change
  • High performance habits are what will dictate your future success
  • Why it’s a really exciting time to be in the accounting profession (disruption PLUS opportunity

In addition to being a regular keynote and session speaker at industry conferences, Jennifer made the Accounting Today Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting consecutively for the last eight years, was on CPA Practice Advisor’s Top 40 Under 40 list for six consecutive years, and has been named one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Accounting for the last five years running, as recognized by CPA Practice Advisor. To contact Jennifer:

 LinkedIn or on Twitter or  Liked your Top 100 Club Podcast Interview with Rob Brown" target="_blank">email her directly>>

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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.