On The Books

It’s graduation season, and in this episode, we explore a groundbreaking university class that is changing how students learn about Client Advisory Services.Recorded live at Utah Valley University, Intuit’s Jaclyn Anku interviews Accounting Professor David Waite, Brittany Brown, CEO of LedgerGurus, and Dan Luthi, Partner and COO at Ignite Spot. They discuss a pioneering new class that integrates real-world case studies and hands-on technology training, with a strong emphasis on soft skills and emotional intelligence.The curriculum includes the 'Game of Urban Edge,' a 4-month case study that simulates real-life accounting scenarios, while emphasizing critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills - essential for building strong client relationships. Learn how Professor Waite developed the class, how Brittany and Dan became involved, and hear stories of students who are now considering Client Advisory Services as their career path after graduation.Don’t miss this inspiring story about the next generation of the accounting industry. For more information and full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

Intuit receives over 15,000 pieces of feedback specifically from accountants every year. What in the world do we do with it all? In this episode of 'On the Books,' Ted Callahan and Jessica McCracken are joined by Karla Uribe, Director of Accountant Product at Intuit,, to delve into the essential role of accountant feedback in product development. Karla shares how her team collects and prioritizes feedback, ranging from strategic insights to specific usability concerns, to guide the product roadmap. The conversation underscores the iterative process of product development and the role of Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) to ensure the product meets the needs of the accounting community. Karla also highlights the importance of deep customer empathy and the strong partnership between Intuit and the accounting community.For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

That sentiment is best expressed by four accounting industry experts who have spent the past two years giving targeted product feedback to Intuit. Meet Matt, Lisa, Korey, and Ben - all members of Intuit Accountant Partner Council, all have spent time with product teams to shape the future of Intuit products that are critical for accountants.Ted and Jessica talk with the group about their time on Council, their experiences in giving tough but necessary feedback, and what encourages them about the future technology in the accounting industry. For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

In this slightly off-the-rails (books?) episode, Ted and Jessica answer your listener-submitted questions. We tackle Intuit’s investment in direct-to-client services, the relationship between QuickBooks Online and AI over the next 5-10 years, how does Inuit really respond to accountant feedback; and we give an update on innovations announced at Intuit Connect 2024. And if Ted and Jessica had to switch jobs with each other for a week, who would crack under pressure first? For full show notes, visit firmofthefuture.com

Solving the accounting talent shortage, industry expertise, restaurant recommendations - we have a little bit of everything. In this episode of On the Books, Ted and Jessica are joined by Chris Macksey, CEO of Prix Fixe Accounting, to talk about the growing importance of client industry expertise, the growth of niche firms, and why knowing more about a client’s macro environment is as important as knowing their books. Chris shares his journey from working in the restaurant industry to leading a specalized accounting practice and details the challenges and opportunities of serving the hospitaling industry. And listen in for the way Prix Fixe is addressing accounting industry talent shortages and their innovative approach to onboarding new employees. Listen to the end of the episodes to hear more about Chris’ most recommended restaurants. For full show notes, check out firmofthefuture.com/podcast

Meet Simon Williams, the new vice president of the Accountant Segment at Intuit. 
 
In this episode of On the Books, Simon shares his experience at Adobe and the BBC (he is originally from Wales, as you will hear), setting up partner groups, and navigating the first wave of AI adoption. Simon talks about his vision for strengthening the partnership between Intuit and accountants, emphasizing a customer-first approach and transparency, especially during times of significant industry transformation.
 
Simon and host Jessica McCracken discuss his view on feedback from the accounting community and repairing reputational damage with transparency.
 
For full show notes, check out firmofthefuture.com 
 

In a special episode of On the Books, guest hosts Nayo Carter-Gray and Tony Proctor welcomed Kevin Smoot and Hope Brown, and Al-Nesha Jones, to discuss their personal and professional journeys in the accounting field as Black accountants. Hear how all got their start in the industry, some of the challenges they face in their business, and the importance of mentorship and intentional networking. The panel also offers advice for young students considering a career in accounting, emphasizing the diverse opportunities and the importance of building a supportive network.Come celebrate the unique experiences and contributions of Black accountants in this fun and poignant episode. For full show notes, check out firmofthefuture.com

Part of an accountant’s work is to know the financial health of their clients. In this episode, we explore the latest Intuit QuickBooks Small Business Index Annual Report, which provides insights into the current state and future prospects of small businesses in the US, Canada, and the UK. 
Ted and Jessica talk with Intuit’s Simon Worsfold and KC Eames of Dark Horse  about the findings which highlights the significant impact of rising interest rates on small business growth, increase in credit card use among small businesses, and findings on digital technology in improving business performance and confidence. 
The group also discusses broader themes from the report, such as the strong recovery in employment in sectors like construction and the higher likelihood of women-owned businesses being highly digitized. Overall, the report underscores the critical role of digital adoption in driving small business success and resilience in the face of economic challenges.For more information and full show notes, check out firmofthefuture.com 

Have you ever thought “Intuit is a confusing place. I’m not sure who I need to talk to about my issues,”? We know it can be hard navigating the inner workings of a tech company to get the solutions you and/or you clients need.
 
In this episode of On the Books, we introduce you to two Intuit leaders trying to solve this problem. Rony Branch and Jorge Olavarrieta lead our Accountant Sales and Partner team and Professional Tax Group respectively and have been working together to create a better experience for accountants as they interact with Intuit. Roney and Jorge talk about the pain points they are working to address, the steps Intuit is taking to move from individual products to a cohesive platform, and what accountants can expect from their Intuit teams this year. 
 
For more information:
On the Books Books-to-Tax episode

Happy New Year! Welcome 2025. Let’s set some goals for your firm.
Kenji Kuramoto, Acuity Founder and CEO, joins us today to talk about all things new year planning. Kenji and Acuity’s firm leaders have implemented a thorough elevation process to look back on the past year and goal-setting standards into the next. Kenji details their process, talks about timing (January?!), and the benefits he's seen in his firm and personal life. Kenji talks about giving yourself grace and why accountants need time to adjust to ways of evaluating their processes. 
Ted and Jessica also share their goals intentions for 2025. For full show notes, check out Firm of the Future https://www.firmofthefuture.com/podcast/on-the-books/x