Private Equity, AI & Influence Loss: Rob Brown on What’s Hitting Firm Leaders Hard - Accounting Influencers Podcast

Episode 131

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Published on:

5th Aug 2025

The Quiet Crisis Facing Senior Accounting Leaders

In this episode, Rob Brown tackles the slow decline of influence among top accounting leaders.**

This is episode three in a six-part series on the broken career ladder in accounting. We’ve covered the collapse of entry-level roles and the hollowing out of mid-level staff. Now, we confront what’s happening at the top—where seasoned partners and firm leaders are watching their influence erode.


Rob explores why senior professionals are losing visibility and voice in a fast-moving profession. From AI-driven transformation to younger staff expectations, from private equity shakeups to non-accountants running firms, the rules of leadership are changing. And the old safety net of tenure and equity is no longer enough.


If you're a senior leader wondering why you feel out of the loop—or if you manage one—you need to hear this.



**Key Takeaways:**

➜ 75% of CPAs are retiring or near-retirement age

➜ PE-backed firms demand speed, scale and accountability

➜ Tenure and equity no longer protect underperformance

➜ Clients want commercial insight, not old-school prestige

➜ Younger staff want mentorship, not hierarchy

➜ Relevance has to be earned, even at the top

➜ Leaders must update, reframe and re-engage to stay visible



**Killer Quotes:**

"You’re not retired. You’re just being left out."

"Private equity doesn’t care how long you’ve been at the firm. They care if you’re helping it win."

"The old idea that partner meant untouchable is dead."

"Influence doesn’t disappear. It drifts. You have to go and bring it back."

"Clients want foresight, not a recap of last quarter."

"If you haven’t updated your leadership style in five years, the market already moved past you."

"Your experience is still powerful. It’s just not obvious anymore."


You can find this on youtube here:

https://youtu.be/QIk5QOZuYKg

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The Accounting Influencers Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. The show focuses on helping professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes, and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. The content includes solo insights from host Rob Brown as well as interviews or panel discussions with industry leaders. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Influencers YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format.

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

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If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

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About the Podcast

Accounting Influencers Podcast
Host Rob Brown shows accounting professionals and leaders how to be more influential, grow their personal brand and be more authoritative, relevant and high profile in their roles..
The Accounting Influencers Podcast, hosted by Rob Brown, is a must-listen for accounting professionals looking to strengthen their leadership presence, stay informed on disruptive forces in accounting and build credibility within their firms. Geared toward firm leaders, managers, partners and influencers, the show covers key topics like career development, influence, personal branding and interpreting the evolving trends impacting the accounting world. Rob brings his expertise to each episode, offering insights and guidance on how to grow your personal brand and stay strategically important in a rapidly changing profession. Whether you're aiming to influence within your firm or expand your reputation outside of it, this international podcast offers practical advice and forward-thinking insights that will keep you informed and prepared for the future.
Accounting leadership
Executive presence for accountants
Building influence in accounting
Accounting industry trends
Personal branding for accountants
Accounting firm strategy
Accounting business models
Leadership in accounting firms
Talent management in accounting
Authority in accounting profession
Career development for accountants
Accounting firm growth strategies
Influencers in accounting
Accounting firm management
Disruptive forces in accounting
Accounting leadership strategies
Accounting career success
Accounting firm decision-makers
Accounting business trends
Building credibility in accounting
You can also watch the show on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/@accountinginfluencers

About your host

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Rob Brown

Rob Brown hosts the multiple accounting podcast and chair conferences, panels and events globally for the accounting and fintech profession. He is co-founder of Accounting Influencers Roundtable (AIR) which helps vendors, experts and influencers serve the accounting and finance world. He is a dynamic speaker and accomplished expert on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, career development, succession, gen z/generations, employee advocacy and executive presence. Rob is author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk ‘The Personal Brand of You’ has been viewed 400,000 times on YouTube. He is a stroke survivor, has epilepsy, is a committed Christian and has a black belt in kickboxing. He is based in Nottingham UK, home of Robin Hood, plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.