discover how nontraditional professionals leverage their skills to bring innovation and growth to the accounting profession.
accounting arc
with donny shimamoto.
center for accounting transformation
the accounting profession is experiencing a wave of disruption, and nontraditional professionals are leading the charge.
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in a recent episode of accounting arc, host donny shimamoto, cpa.citp, cgma, sits down with rachel bashore, the director of operations at herbein, to discuss her journey from attorney to accounting professional and the valuable perspective she brings to her firm.
“accounting is ripe for change, and that’s what excites me,” bashore says, reflecting on how her varied career—from it consulting to trial law—helped prepare her for the challenges of modern accounting. bashore has a unique path into the industry. after years working with ibm, she transitioned into law, specializing in litigation before moving into banking and fintech.
bashore’s background exemplifies adaptability. she explains how her role at ibm involved solving technical conflicts, which led her to study law and become a trial lawyer. eventually, she shifted into operations, helping companies grow and manage risk. her entry into accounting came through herbein, where she saw opportunities to bring fresh perspectives to an industry on the verge of transformation.
“accounting is becoming more about advisory services and helping clients succeed beyond just tax returns and audits,” she remarks. “i’ve done that with software, law, and banking. now, i get to help a firm expand into new areas.”
at herbein, bashore is responsible for scaling operations, ensuring the firm’s rapid growth is met efficiently and clearly. “my focus is on breaking down silos, automating processes, and creating consistency across departments,” she explains. despite her non-accountant background, bashore’s skill in operational leadership has been instrumental in the firm’s success.
shimamoto, the founder and managing director of intraprisetechknowlogies llc and founder and inspiration architect for the center for accounting transformation, notes how bashore’s transition from client-facing roles in it and law to an internal leadership role in accounting demonstrates the power of diverse experiences. “i’ve always found myself drawn to industries that are undergoing change,” she says. her experience in managing conflict resolution in law and technology projects has made her a valuable asset to herbein as it navigates its own transformation.
bashore encourages others in nontraditional professions to explore opportunities in accounting. “there’s no one path anymore. the stereotype of the accountant who crunches numbers in isolation is fading. accounting needs innovators and disruptors,” she emphasizes.
this sentiment resonates with shimamoto’s mission for the accounting arc podcast, which seeks to highlight the evolving roles within the profession and how diverse skills can enhance its future. “we need new perspectives in accounting, and rachel’s story proves how impactful they can be.”
with accounting firms increasingly focusing on advisory services, leaders like bashore are helping drive the profession forward, demonstrating that a nontraditional background can be an asset in a world of change.
10 key takeaways
- accounting is undergoing rapid transformation, shifting from transactional to advisory services.
- nontraditional professionals, like attorneys and it consultants, bring fresh perspectives to the industry.
- the ability to manage change is a valuable asset in accounting firms.
- internal roles can be just as important as client-facing roles in supporting firm growth.
- breaking down silos within a firm leads to greater operational efficiency.
- professionals can contribute their unique skills to create more innovative solutions in accounting.
- there is no “one path” to success in accounting; diverse backgrounds are highly valuable.
- automation and process consistency are key to scaling accounting firms.
- the accounting profession needs to embrace disruption to thrive in the future.
- nontraditional accountants are reshaping the future of the profession by introducing new ways of thinking.