Accounting and Advisory Firms Need a Transformation Champion - Lindsay Stevenson
Release Date: 12/03/2023
Digital CPA by CPA.com
In this episode of the Digital CPA Podcast, we take you inside the 2025 AICPA and CPA.com Startup Accelerator—a powerful launchpad for the next generation of accounting tech. Kacee Johnson and Kalil Merhib reflect on this year's convening days in NYC and discuss the six standout startups: Filed, Avise, Truewind, Tabs, Keeper, and Remitian. From agentic AI to automated tax remittance, these companies are tackling the profession's most persistent pain points—freeing up firm capacity, boosting accuracy, and enabling deeper advisory services. You'll hear how these founders are thinking...
info_outlineDigital CPA by CPA.com
Trusted Business Advisor with Bill Reeb The accounting profession is undergoing a seismic transformation. Firms that have traditionally thrived on compliance services—tax preparation, audit, and financial reporting—are finding that their clients expect more. Today’s business owners don’t just need accountants; they need trusted advisors who can guide them through complex financial landscapes, strategic decisions, and future growth. In this episode of the Digital CPA Podcast, we sit down with an industry thought leader, former chair of the AICPA, and co-founder of the , to explore how...
info_outlineDigital CPA by CPA.com
In this episode of the Digital CPA Podcast, host Kalil Merhib is joined by Kim Blascoe from CPA.com and Beth Allen from GreerWalker to discuss the 2024 CAS Benchmark Survey findings. They dive deep into the evolving landscape of Client Advisory Services (CAS), highlighting trends in growth, pricing strategies, profitability, and technology adoption. The conversation explores how firms are leveraging efficiency, industry specialization, and dedicated CAS staff to drive success. Whether you're just starting your CAS practice or looking to refine your strategy, this episode is packed with...
info_outlineDigital CPA by CPA.com
In this episode of The Digital CPA Podcast, Jen Wood from The Bonadio Group shares her key insights from chairing the 2024 Digital CPA Conference. We explore how firms are leveraging AI to tackle capacity challenges, the rapid growth of CAS practices, and the transformative impact of cloud-based audit tools. Jen also discusses innovative strategies for firm leaders to evolve their business models, retain top talent, and embrace technology to drive success in 2025 and beyond. Don’t miss this conversation packed with actionable takeaways for firm transformation! For more episodes and...
info_outlineDigital CPA by CPA.com
Join host Kacee Johnson on the Digital CPA Podcast as she dives into the world of AI-powered solutions with Jeff Seibert, Founder and CEO of Digits. Discover how Jeff’s entrepreneurial journey, from co-founding Crashlytics to his work at Twitter, shaped his approach to innovation in accounting technology. Learn about achieving 100% AI accuracy, balancing responsible AI regulation with innovation, and overcoming barriers to tech adoption in public accounting. Jeff also shares his philosophy on dynamic user interfaces and his vision for the future of AI in the accounting profession. For more...
info_outlineDigital CPA by CPA.com
In this episode of the Digital CPA Podcast, hosts Kacee Johnson and Kalil Merhib sit down with Allan Koltin, CEO of Koltin Consulting Group and one of the accounting profession’s most influential voices. Together, they explore the growing impact of private equity in accounting firms, from operational changes and cultural shifts to regulatory considerations and long-term implications for the industry. Allan also shares his expertise on mergers and acquisitions, providing insights into current trends, challenges, and strategies for firms of all sizes to thrive in an era of rapid...
info_outlineDigital CPA by CPA.com
Podcast Description: In this episode, we’re joined by Lisa Simpson, VP of Firm Services at the AICPA, to explore the critical topic of business model transformation for CPA firms. Lisa shares insights on what business model transformation means, why it’s becoming essential, and the driving forces behind this shift. We’ll discuss the challenges firms face, the opportunities transformation presents, and practical advice for getting started. Lisa also sheds light on future trends shaping the industry and the role of leadership in fostering successful change. Don’t miss this conversation...
info_outlineDigital CPA by CPA.com
In this episode of the *Digital CPA Podcast*, host Kalil Merhib, EVP of Growth & Professional Services at CPA.com, is joined by two industry leaders to dive into the transformative role of AI in auditing and the CPA profession. Our guests are Kevin Merlini, co-founder and CEO of Materia AI, and Jen Burns, Chief Auditor at the AICPA. We’ll explore how AI is reshaping the landscape of audit and financial reporting. Kevin shares his insights on using AI to unlock internal knowledge, reduce complexity, and drive efficiency in firms, while Jen provides an AICPA perspective on maintaining...
info_outlineDigital CPA by CPA.com
Welcome to the *Digital CPA Podcast*, where we explore how technology is transforming the accounting profession. We're joined today with Dan Hood, Editor-in-Chief of *Accounting Today*, as we dive into insights from the recent AICPA and CPA.com Executive Roundtable in New York City. This year’s roundtable focused on emerging trends impacting the profession, with topics ranging from responsible AI and its ethical implications to the growing influence of private equity in accounting firms. Dan and I discuss how AI is reshaping both traditional tasks and strategic advisory roles,...
info_outlineDigital CPA by CPA.com
In this episode of the Digital CPA Podcast, hosts Kacee Johnson and Kalil Merhib sit down with Lisa Griffith, Head of Partnerships + Strategy for Accounting at Laurel, an AI Time Automation company. Together, they explore the evolving concept of time tracking in public accounting and how it's shifting from traditional billing methods to more productivity-focused, value-based approaches. Lisa shares her insights on the challenges firms face as they pivot away from billing by the hour, the role of AI in transforming time management, and the exciting trends in accounting technology for the...
info_outline"Holy Cats" it's exciting to be launching the Digital CPA Podcast with Lindsay Stevenson, Chair of the Advisory Board for the DCPA conference and Chief Transformation Officer for BPM LLP, '...not the biggest and not the smallest accounting and advisory firm in the world.'
During this fast paced and upbeat discussion between Kalil, Kacee and Lindsay discuss:
-
Why firms of all sizes need someone focused on what's next and championing continual transformation in today's environment
-
How to be strategic about the innovative ideas your firm selects to pursue, and intentional about the choices you makes
-
What a successful transformation really looks like in reality within a firm and as a journey
-
How to make transformation, calculated risk taking and failures part of your culture
-
Using the ADKAR framework to guide change management in accounting and advisory firms
-
Why focusing on adoption and acceptance from the majority moves the change management needle more than anything else
-
What makes the Digital CPA community unique in the accounting and advisory services profession and why it is important for the community to address the intersectionality of human creativity and digital transformation
-
How the annual Digital CPA conference seeks to bring more forward-thinking and innovative accounting professionals and firms together to discuss the topics and issues that don't get discussed elsewhere
-
Be a part of the DCPA community by signing up for reports, research, newsletters, white papers, webinars and more at Research Innovation | CPA.com
A little about Lindsay Stevenson
As BPM's Chief Transformation Officer, Lindsay Stevenson drives innovation at the Firm. A Certified Public Accountant, she has spent the last 15+ years serving as a change agent in the accounting profession. As a consultant, she has overseen diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, cultural alignment frameworks, coaching programs, and organizational alignment plans. Her past projects range from developing and executing implicit bias discovery and transformation programs, leading teams through business combination strategies and procedures, and overseeing enterprise software selection and implementation processes. Her passion is discovering organizational purpose and developing strategies to transform today's firm into the Firm of the Future. Before joining BPM, Lindsay served as Vice President of Finance and Tax for 1st Financial Bank of USA, and was Founder and CEO of consulting firm Origin Evolution. Interesting Tidbit, Lindsay is a huge Gonzaga Bulldogs basketball fan and has been known to yell at the TV during games even though she knows full well (as her husband reminds her) that the team cannot hear her. She is also an avid reader of mystery novels and a total fan-girl of Simon Sinek.
The Digital CPA podcast is a production of CPA.com. All rights reserved.
Listen and find out more at digitalcpa.com/podcast.