Episode 146

The Benefits of Data Analytics for Accounting Firm Growth

Jeremy Clopton led the Big Data & Analytics and Digital Forensics practices in one of the top accounting firms in the US. He created the SQ Method, a framework designed to help firms overcome challenges and more successfully leverage technology and move firms forward. He is a faculty member for the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and believes in data and technology's potential to transform firm practice management, leadership, and culture. Shownotes:

  • What data analytics actually means for accounting firms
  • How accounting deals with more data from both clients and firms than most other industries
  • How the game of data analytics in accounting has changed over the years
  • Why excel is a data analytics tool, even though it may not be the best one
  • How big data is now so overwhelming for accountants and how they can deal with it
  • The power of asking the right questions before analysing data properly in accountancy firms
  • The power of story-telling for accountants to make data come to life
  • How different stakeholders in the accounting set up need different things from the same data
  • The role technology plays today in analysing huge amounts of data
  • The number one area data analytics can help accounting firms be more profitable and efficient
  • The possibilities for accounting firms of establishing new service lines with data analytics
  • Where accountants should get started in adding data analytics as a service to their clients
  • The importance of measuring progress towards objectives, KPIs, goals and targets using data
  • Who should be playing with the data in an accounting firm - the tech people or the fee earners?
  • The big mistake accountants make in falling short as advisors with the data they produce
  • The trap of over-complicating data analytics and not communicating the key actions
  • Words of encouragement for leaders in accounting firms who want to drive a better data analytics agenda

Jeremy is also passionate about employee engagement and the value brought by each generation in the workforce. An avid reader, he says Patrick Lencioni, Brené Brown, Daniel Pink, and Scott Berkun have influenced his leadership style. Beyond books, he is a fan of TED curated content and cites Shonda Rhimes' TED2016 talk 'My Year Of Saying Yes To Everything' as one of the most influential talks of his career. Outside of work, Jeremy enjoys spending time with his wife, Katie, three innately curious daughters, a lazy golden retriever, and two energetic toy Australian shepherds. He enjoys running, golf, and helping his wife run a non-profit organization. Contact him here:

Website and blog

LinkedIn

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About the Podcast

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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.

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About your host

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Rob Brown

Rob Brown is the founder and host of the Accounting Voices Podcast, the flagship solo show of the Accounting Voices Network. Each episode offers sharp analysis and commentary on the trends, ideas and people shaping the global accounting profession.

Through this Accounting Voices Podcast, Rob helps accounting firm leaders, decision makers and professionals stay relevant and make sense of disruption in areas like AI, automation, M&A, private equity and soft skills beyond the tech. His perspective blends clarity, insight and curiosity, making complex issues relevant and practical for professionals and decision makers across accounting and finance.

He also leads two monthly panel shows, Accounting M&A and Accounting AI, which bring together senior voices to explore consolidation, strategy and the impact of technology on firms and people.

Rob is the author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and a TEDx speaker whose talk The Personal Brand of You has more than 400,000 views. Over his career he has hosted and moderated more than 1,000 conversations with accounting and fintech leaders worldwide.

Based in Nottingham UK, Rob is a stroke survivor living with epilepsy, a black belt in kickboxing, a decent chess player and an average player of four musical instruments.