balancing tech, trust, and innovation.
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accounting influencers
with rob brown
in a recent episode of the “accounting influencers” podcast, jason staats, a content creator and influencer in the accounting industry, shared insights on balancing innovation, mental health, and technology in today’s profession. staats, known for his ability to mix accounting expertise with entrepreneurial thinking, has become a prominent voice in the field.
staats’ mission is to help accountants and firm owners create enjoyable and sustainable ways to manage their practices. through platforms like twitter, linkedin, and youtube, staats encourages his audience to rethink traditional success in accounting.
“sometimes, we mistake working hard for working smart,” staats said. “running into the same wall for the tenth time isn’t progress—it’s a sign to rethink your approach.”
staats’ self-awareness early in his career, recognizing that he excelled more in facilitating teams and technology than tax preparation, led him to carve out a niche focused on innovation and overcoming mental blocks.
discussing the u.s. accounting landscape, staats highlights the strain covid-19 placed on the profession. the pandemic not only exposed vulnerabilities but also presented growth opportunities.
“covid forced accountants into the spotlight,” he says. “we became the go-to advisors for navigating relief programs and regulatory changes. but the intensity showed us where our limits are and why saying ‘no’ is crucial.”
staats addresses the emotional toll on accountants, who are often expected to serve as advisors, therapists, and crisis managers for their clients.
“it’s a product of trust,” he says. “managing those boundaries requires emotional intelligence, which most accountants didn’t anticipate needing when they entered the profession.”
staats’ enthusiasm for technology, particularly artificial intelligence, stands out. he envisions ai revolutionizing accounting by automating routine tasks and providing instant access to critical client information.
“imagine a system that pulls up email history, meeting transcripts, and relevant documents in seconds,” staats says. “ai isn’t something to fear; it’s an asset that allows us to focus on higher-value work.”
staats says accounting professionals are often skeptical and hard to sell to. vendors and coaches must rely on authenticity and social proof to cut through the noise. for staats, community-driven recommendations outweigh traditional sales tactics.
“when i chose a new practice management system, i didn’t rely on sales pitches,” he reveals. “i spoke to over 15 firm owners who shared their real-world experiences. that’s the power of community.”
asked about the future of accounting, staats points to the transformative potential of ai. he believes firms that embrace innovation will thrive, while those resistant to change risk falling behind.
“we’re on the brink of a transformation,” he says. “the firms that embrace ai will gain efficiency and focus on what matters most.”
staats’ journey offers valuable lessons for accountants navigating a rapidly evolving profession. by embracing community, technology, and self-awareness, professionals can thrive in today’s challenges.
key takeaways
- while the pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in the profession, it also highlighted opportunities for growth and adaptability, particularly in addressing overwhelming client demands.
- accountants increasingly face emotional challenges due to the deep trust placed in them by clients, requiring skills they may not have anticipated needing.
- ai has the potential to revolutionize accounting by automating routine tasks, improving client interaction, and making information more accessible, which allows accountants to focus on higher-value work.
- for major decisions like choosing technology, staats advocates for leaning on peer recommendations and community insights rather than relying solely on vendor sales pitches.
- building trust is essential in a profession full of skeptics. authenticity and delivering real value cut through the noise and build long-term credibility.
- firms that embrace innovation and stay ahead of technological changes, such as ai, are more likely to thrive, while those resistant to change risk falling behind.
- investing in self-awareness and innovation within accounting practices not only benefits accountants themselves but also enables better service to clients.
more about jason staats
a former cpa firm owner from oregon, jason is now a full-time content creator on youtube, linkedin, and other social media platforms. his content focuses on starting and running more calm, sustainable accounting firms and garners over a million impressions per month. when he isn’t on camera, he spends time with his wife and three kids.