Private Equity, AI & Influence Loss: Rob Brown on What’s Hitting Firm Leaders Hard - Accounting Voices Podcast

Episode 131

The Quiet Crisis Facing Senior Accounting Leaders

Published on: 5th August, 2025

In this episode, Rob Brown tackles the slow decline of influence among top accounting leaders.**

This is episode three in a six-part series on the broken career ladder in accounting. We’ve covered the collapse of entry-level roles and the hollowing out of mid-level staff. Now, we confront what’s happening at the top—where seasoned partners and firm leaders are watching their influence erode.


Rob explores why senior professionals are losing visibility and voice in a fast-moving profession. From AI-driven transformation to younger staff expectations, from private equity shakeups to non-accountants running firms, the rules of leadership are changing. And the old safety net of tenure and equity is no longer enough.


If you're a senior leader wondering why you feel out of the loop—or if you manage one—you need to hear this.



**Key Takeaways:**

➜ 75% of CPAs are retiring or near-retirement age

➜ PE-backed firms demand speed, scale and accountability

➜ Tenure and equity no longer protect underperformance

➜ Clients want commercial insight, not old-school prestige

➜ Younger staff want mentorship, not hierarchy

➜ Relevance has to be earned, even at the top

➜ Leaders must update, reframe and re-engage to stay visible



**Killer Quotes:**

"You’re not retired. You’re just being left out."

"Private equity doesn’t care how long you’ve been at the firm. They care if you’re helping it win."

"The old idea that partner meant untouchable is dead."

"Influence doesn’t disappear. It drifts. You have to go and bring it back."

"Clients want foresight, not a recap of last quarter."

"If you haven’t updated your leadership style in five years, the market already moved past you."

"Your experience is still powerful. It’s just not obvious anymore."


You can find this on youtube here:

https://youtu.be/QIk5QOZuYKg

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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.