Why High Performers Are Being Ignored in Firms and What to Do About It - Accounting Voices Podcast

Episode 132

Silent Firing & Morale Erosion Comes to Accounting

Published on: 12th August, 2025

n this episode, Rob Brown exposes a subtle but widespread issue in accounting firms: silent firing.**

You haven’t been let go. But you’re no longer invited to meetings. Projects go to others. Nobody is talking about your future. You feel sidelined. Not officially, not publicly, but unmistakably.


This is silent firing. And it's happening across the profession.


This is episode four in a six-part series on the broken career ladder in accounting. Rob Brown explains how good people are being quietly pushed out without the firm ever saying a word. And more importantly, he shares what professionals can do when their career stalls without warning.


*Key Takeaways:*

➜ Silent firing is career drift by design

➜ It affects high performers who stop being visible

➜ AI, private equity and leadership churn increase the risk

➜ Being left out of projects is a warning sign

➜ Visibility and value must be actively managed

➜ You must self-advocate or risk fading away


*Killer Quotes:*

"You’re not in trouble. You’re invisible."

"Silent firing is when nobody tells you to leave, but nobody asks you to stay either."

"Being ignored is not neutral. It’s negative."

"You can’t wait for recognition. You have to reassert your relevance."

"If your job is shrinking quietly, that is a signal."

"This is not about performance. It’s about presence."

"You’re not broken. You’re unclaimed. That can be fixed."


The Accounting Influencers Podcast (AIP) is aimed at accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally.


You can find this on youtube here:

https://youtu.be/a-pfvBt8RBU

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The Accounting Influencers Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. The show focuses on helping professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes, and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. The content includes solo insights from host Rob Brown as well as interviews or panel discussions with industry leaders. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Influencers YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format.

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

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.

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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.