Episode 130

Leveraging Technology for Growth in Accounting Firms

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:

  • How forensic accounting is trying to keep up with fraud with rapid advancement of technology
  • How accounting firms have stepped up in agility, resilience and an advisory mindset in these challenging times
  • Where technology sits on the agenda of board room meetings in professional firms
  • The biggest mistake firm leaders and managing partners make when making the best tech decisions
  • Why a focus on efficiency stops accounting firms being more effective in productivity and performance
  • How automation and technology is going to enhance rather than minimise the value of accounting advisors
  • Whether there is too much expectation of accountants in becoming technologists and geeky in order to serve clients
  • The biggest challenge software and tech companies have in successfully selling their products to accountancy firms
  • What is coming up for accounting firms in the technology world over the next few years and how it will impact services and processes
  • The importance of technology in generating new revenue streams for accounting firms, especially in analytics
  • The outlook for accounting firms who have tech-adverse or change-resistant leadership teams
  • Busting the myth that the older baby boomers are less tech-savvy than the younger millennials
  • The power of the many data points generated by accounting firms and how to leverage it
  • Words of encouragement to accountants who want to elevate technology on the agendas of their firm's senior meetings and strategies
  • Shout out to Data Story by Nancy Duarte and how stories resonate with people and help the numbers come alive.

Jeremy Clopton on the Accounting Influencers podcast with BD Academy founder

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.