Episode 15

Selling to Accountants: Hard or Easy? Jason Staats

Rob Brown interviews Jason Staats, who creates content on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube to help people run accounting firms in a more fun and sustainable way. Staats discusses how he got into accounting and why he had to find a creative way to contribute because he needed to be a better tax preparer. He also touches on mental blockers that keep accountants from being more intentional versions of themselves and falling into the trap of working hard and thinking they've done their best.

Staats discusses the current state of the accounting industry, noting that it was challenging before COVID-19 and even more so after. He says there is a massive opportunity in the industry, but people need to get out of their way and not try to be everything for everybody at their own expense. He also talks about accountants' emotional connection with their clients and how it's hard to say no to them because of that connection.

Finally, Staats discusses the difficulty in reaching accountants and selling to them, noting that some companies do it well and understand how to speak the accountant's vernacular. He mentions that accountants carry the stresses of their clients and that it's the most challenging aspect of what they do. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights for accountants looking to grow their firms in a sustainable and fulfilling way.

Jason Staats is an accomplished entrepreneur and thought leader in accounting. He founded a $5M accounting firm, which he has run for 18 months. In addition, he has built a SAAS to $30k MRR, sold a startup, built a creatorpreneur business to $10k MRR, and produced commercials for brands like LinkedIn and Zapier.

Today, Jason helps people in three key areas. Firstly, he produces content to help accounting leaders develop more sustainable firms. Secondly, he provides thought leadership on adopting automation and AI to support public accounting. Thirdly, he helps software companies to better partner with the accountant channel and leverage AI in their products.

Jason is a prolific content creator and regularly shares his insights and ideas through his weekly newsletter, which is essential for accountants looking to stay up-to-date on industry trends. Jason is an invaluable resource for software companies looking to better engage with accountants. He has helped some of the most successful brands in the industry develop more meaningful products.

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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.

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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

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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

About the Podcast

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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.

About your host

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Rob Brown

Rob Brown is the founder and host of the Accounting Voices Podcast, the flagship solo show of the Accounting Voices Network. Each episode offers sharp analysis and commentary on the trends, ideas and people shaping the global accounting profession.

Through this Accounting Voices Podcast, Rob helps accounting firm leaders, decision makers and professionals stay relevant and make sense of disruption in areas like AI, automation, M&A, private equity and soft skills beyond the tech. His perspective blends clarity, insight and curiosity, making complex issues relevant and practical for professionals and decision makers across accounting and finance.

He also leads two monthly panel shows, Accounting M&A and Accounting AI, which bring together senior voices to explore consolidation, strategy and the impact of technology on firms and people.

Rob is the author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and a TEDx speaker whose talk The Personal Brand of You has more than 400,000 views. Over his career he has hosted and moderated more than 1,000 conversations with accounting and fintech leaders worldwide.

Based in Nottingham UK, Rob is a stroke survivor living with epilepsy, a black belt in kickboxing, a decent chess player and an average player of four musical instruments.