Episode 126

How to Have a Stellar Career as an Accounting Professional

Published on: 29th October, 2020

Sam Allred is a qualified CPA and founder of Upstream Academy. He has been regularly recognized as one of the major influencers in the accounting profession and has been listed as one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting and as one of IPA’s Most Recommended Consultants. He is one of the most sought-after speakers in the accounting profession and is viewed as one of their top strategic thinkers. Shownotes:

  • Why the accounting profession is in great shape despite the pandemic
  • The two biggest challenges for accounting firms in these tough times (clue - it's to do with people)
  • The impact of accounting firms realising that they can work remotely
  • The major concern for accounting firms who have a remote workforce
  • The first thing accounting firms must do if they want to maintain a strong culture
  • Why hope is not a strategy for survival, growth and recovery
  • The difference between rockstars and superstars in a professional firm
  • Shout out to Jim Collins and his book Good to Great - get the right people on your team bus
  • What attracting great people to your accounting firm allows you to do
  • What new entrants to accounting need to understand if they want to get excited by their career
  • A major but underestimated benefits of working as an accountant in practice vz industry
  • Why failing to clarify to emerging leaders what it takes to make partner is a sign of poor leadership in accounting firms
  • What high performing professional firms do with their talent and succession that other firms don't
  • The biggest mistake accountants make in carving out a stellar career for themselves
  • How a stellar accounting career is very different to a good career
  • The importance of recognising your strengths and unique abilities to forge a standout career in accountancy
  • The dangers of staying in your comfort zone and what stepping out of it looks like for ambitious accountants
  • The challenge of feedback and why most people don't grow/progress because they won't ask for it
  • What accountants can learn from the Eisenhower Matrix as promoted by Stephen Covey
  • The power of being intentional with your career planning in professional life

Sam and his wife, Marlene, live outside of Park City, Utah. His hobbies include spending time with his family, fly fishing and golf. Sam and Marlene have seven children. Contact him here:

Website and blog

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Accounting Voices Podcast

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

Profile picture for Rob Brown

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.