Podcast
Jason On Firms Podcast
Hosted by Jason Staats · EN
I'm Jason Staats, and on this podcast we talk through practical tips to run more profitable, calm accounting firms
140episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
618 Accounting Firms: Stop Taking New Clients. Watch This First. [How to know when you’re digging yourself a deeper hole]
2d ago00:53:47Tap to summarize🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! jason@jasononfirms.comIn this episode, I break down the six biggest traps accounting firm owners fall into when trying to build a higher-quality, more profitable client list. I explain why concentration risk is often overblown, why firms struggle to commit to a niche, how big-money clients can distract you from your ideal business, and why regularly curating your client list is one of the most important jobs of a firm owner. I also answer questions about firing clients through pricing increases, whether prompt libraries still matter in the AI era, partnering with specialists for services like sales tax and payroll, and what I think about Claude’s QuickBooks Online integration and the future of AI-powered accounting workflows.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Canopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoFinancial Cents: Book a demo here: https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats// Chapters:00:00 - The Client List Asset01:27 - The Dirty Dozen Returns02:23 - Trap #1: Concentration Risk Fear06:38 - Trap #2: The Commitment Gap09:10 - Trap #3: Big Money Clients10:28 - Trap #4: Curation Hesitation13:09 - Trap #5: Big Fish vs Minnows18:17 - Trap #6: The Machine Problem22:24 - Protecting The Client List23:18 - Mailbag23:44 - Raising Prices to Lose Bad Clients26:54 - Are Prompt Libraries Still Worth It?30:17 - Goals vs Prompts in AI32:07 - Strongest AI Use Cases Today36:14 - Process Improvement Career Paths38:14 - Sales Tax Apps for Ecommerce43:18 - Claude + QuickBooks Integration52:35 - Tour Wrap-Up & Community Thanks🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa
Transcribe →617 5 More AI Use Cases for Accounting Firms [Number three is incredible]
5d ago01:00:08Tap to summarize🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! jason@jasononfirms.comIn this episode, I share five real AI workflows that accounting firms are already using in production, from reading handwritten checks and verifying tax transcripts to automating audit checklists, preparing spreadsheet workpapers, and building AI-powered email dashboards. I explain how firms should think about moving from AI assistants to AI-driven workflows and why documentation, goals, and process design matter more than prompts. Then I review an accounting firm built by a non-accountant, discuss pricing and niche strategy, and answer questions.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Canopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoFinancial Cents: Book a demo here: https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats// Chapters:00:00 - Five AI Workflows Firms Use Today18:01 - AI-Powered Email Dashboards20:24 - Roast a Firm31:30 - Mailbag35:20 - Buying Legacy Firms in the AI Era49:45 - Mailbag 259:45 - Closing thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa
Transcribe →616 Your Accounting Firm Pricing Is Broken (Here’s how to fix it)
1w ago01:12:50Tap to summarize🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! jason@jasononfirms.comIn this episode, I break down the six biggest pricing traps holding accounting firms back and explain practical ways to fix them. We talk about moving beyond hourly billing, improving proposal design, avoiding underpricing, and building pricing systems that actually support profitability. I also share my reaction to the latest AI developments, including why new models like Fable have me questioning just how quickly the landscape is changing. We discuss what AI means for accounting firms today, where it creates leverage, and why pricing becomes even more important as AI reduces the relationship between effort and value.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Canopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoFinancial Cents: Book a demo here: https://hubs.li/Q03PYVrp0 and use code Jason10 to receive 10% off the Team or Scale annual plan for firms with 2+ users.MakersHub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaats// Chapters:00:00 - Pricing Traps Holding Firms Back19:00 - Fixing Your Pricing Strategy39:14 - Mailbag53:30 - Closing Thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa
Transcribe →615 The First $1B Accounting Firm Rollup [What this means for small accounting firms]
2w ago00:58:11Tap to summarize🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! jason@jasononfirms.comIn this episode, I break down Thrive Holdings’ $1B accounting firm rollup, why OpenAI has a stake in it, and what this could mean for small firms. I explain why traditional rollups often fail, why AI may change the economics, and why client relationships still matter most. Then I walk through how an accounting firm could build a niche around indie authors, including choke points, live events, software vendors, and influencers. I also answer questions on moving clients from owner to staff, AI tax prep disappointments, whether I’m paid by Claude, MCPs for practice management, speech-to-text tools, CPA value, and AI disclosure to clients.📹 Here’s that video to help build your service library https://youtu.be/T8rQzr3ogkM?si=aCzmb_rfp0FmNGvb🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - The $1B AI accounting bet22:41 - Nerd Corner35:34 - Mailbag begins35:53 - Getting clients to trust your team38:22 - Why AI tax prep disappointed46:37 - MCPs and the future of firm tech55:00 - Do clients need AI disclosure?🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa
Transcribe →614 The Three Types of Accounting Firm AI [And where to deploy each in your accounting firm]
2w ago01:07:14Tap to summarize🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! jason@jasononfirms.comIn this episode, I break down the three most likely AI futures for accounting firms, general-purpose AI assistants like Claude, AI assistants connected to software through MCPs, and AI embedded directly inside accounting software. I explain the pros, risks, and strategic implications of each approach, especially around security, software buying decisions, and vendor lock-in. I also share real-world AI use cases from firms around the country, answer questions about hiring AI specialists, security best practices, offshore staffing compliance, and helping teams navigate AI-related job fears. 📹 Here’s that video to help build your service library https://youtu.be/T8rQzr3ogkM?si=aCzmb_rfp0FmNGvb🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - Three AI Futures for Accounting Firms09:04 - MCPs and the Future of Software24:25 - AI Built Into Accounting Software34:11 - Which AI Future Is Most Likely?35:54 - Nerd Corner44:31 - Mailbag44:31 - Escaping the Capacity and Hiring Cycle52:05 - Offshore Hiring and Cloud Accountant Staffing59:26 - AI Hiring, Security, and Team Concerns🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa
Transcribe →613 Stop Writing SOPs for Your Accounting Firm. Do This Instead [The NEW way to build your SOPs]
3w ago01:03:25Tap to summarize🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! jason@jasononfirms.comIn this episode, I argue that AI has fundamentally changed how accounting firms should think about SOPs, documentation, and standardization. I walk through six common documentation traps and explain why many traditional best practices are already becoming obsolete as AI agents can create, maintain, improve, and even execute processes themselves. Then I answer questions on CRMs vs practice management systems, building a niche advisory service, creating culture in remote teams, QuickBooks Desktop vs modern AI workflows, software being replaced by Claude, AI security for small firms, and whether QuickBooks Desktop might oddly become relevant again in an AI-first world.📹 Here’s that video to help build your service library https://youtu.be/T8rQzr3ogkM?si=aCzmb_rfp0FmNGvb🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - AI and the Future of SOPs05:25 - Six Documentation Traps17:11 - AI Agents and Process Management30:32 - Mailbag30:56 - Do Accounting Firms Need a CRM?37:18 - Finding Clients for a New Niche41:10 - Building Culture on Remote Teams43:24 - QuickBooks Desktop vs Enterprise Suite45:44 - How to Niche Your Accounting Firm47:28 - Software Being Replaced by AI51:24 - AI Security for Small Firms56:06 - Which AI Models Should Firms Use?57:48 - Is QuickBooks Desktop the Future?🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa
Transcribe →612 The Accountant Desk Setup: A Guide [10 tips to dial in your battle station]
3w ago00:33:33Tap to summarize🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! jason@jasononfirms.comIn this episode, I break down the 10 commandments of an accountant’s desk setup and why your office environment directly affects productivity. I cover monitor limits, desk wheels, underside mounting, monitor arms, eye level, cable management, keyboards, team hardware standardization, chairs, lighting, and CO2 levels. Then I play Hot or Not with office trends like standing desks, gaming chairs, glass desktops, L-shaped desks, and keyboard trays.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 The accountant desk setup problem01:02 Why office setup affects productivity02:00 Commandment 1: know your limits05:23 Commandments 2–3: wheels + underside mounting08:55 Sponsors: hiring + tax workflow10:53 Commandments 4–8: monitors, cables, keyboards, hardware18:57 Sponsors: Canopy + Verito21:14 Commandments 9–10: chairs, lighting, and CO225:17 Hot or Not: office trends33:01 Final desk setup advice🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa
Transcribe →611 The Most Important Software in your Accounting Firm [And the cost of getting it wrong]
4w ago00:54:57Tap to summarize🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! jason@jasononfirms.comIn this episode, I break down why practice management systems become such a nightmare for accounting firms and the six biggest traps firms fall into when selecting, migrating, and rolling out a PM platform. I explain why there’s no perfect system, why demos are misleading, how firms overload their teams with change, and why client portals fail adoption. Then I speedrun listener questions on AI pricing, niching risk, automating client back offices, workflow bottlenecks, and whether AI threatens accounting firms. I also debut a new segment.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - Practice management systems are high-stakes01:21 - Dirty Dozen+ PM headaches02:01 - The 6 biggest PM traps14:17 - PM setup, migration, and adoption mistakes24:07 - Roast My Podcast Reviews31:24 - Mailbag32:02 - Human vs AI accounting work41:13 - Is AI replacing accounting firms?43:49 - Does AI make niching riskier?48:56 - AI automation opportunities in client workflows51:15 - Why more accountants are starting firms54:19 - Closing thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa
Transcribe →610 Most Accounting Firms Are Using Claude Wrong [5 Steps To Automate Agentic Work]
May 2200:58:00Tap to summarize🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! jason@jasononfirms.comIn this episode, I break down how firms can move from live Claude conversations to AI workflows that run in the background. I walk through five levels of AI autonomy, from simple chats and scheduled tasks to hosted routines and managed agents. Then I roast a $700K bookkeeping/CFO firm dealing with operational heaviness, SOP sprawl, niche opportunities, and scaling pains. I also answer questions on custom AI tools, Claude for Small Business, referral partnerships, where to build agents first, email triage, and whether old-school firms are worth buying.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Verito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demo// Chapters:00:00 - AI in the walls02:12 - Five levels of AI autonomy06:17 - Claude Code routines + webhooks14:18 - Managed agents explained18:20 - Roast a $700K bookkeeping firm27:45 - SOPs, systems, and standardization33:07 - Local vs national niche strategy35:28 - Mailbag35:45 - Custom AI tools vs software46:03 - Where to build AI agents first48:25 - AI email management52:58 - Buying old-school firms56:09 - Closing thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa
Transcribe →609 6 Blockers to Adopting AI In Accounting Firms [And how to build an AI native accounting firm]
May 1900:54:25Tap to summarize🚀 Get smarter faster by learning with other firm owners: https://www.rlz.io/📩 Want a simple way to keep up with accounting firm and AI? I break it down every week in my newsletter: https://www.jasononfirms.com/newsletter☎️ Leave me a voicemail at (1)516-980-4968!📧 Email me! jason@jasononfirms.comIn this episode, I break down the six biggest blockers keeping accounting firms from becoming AI native. I explain why Claude is the best starting point right now, why AI adoption needs daily team habits, and why incentives matter more than training. I also cover pricing fears, staff anxiety, AI replacing task-based work, and how firm owners should think about their responsibility to help teams adapt.🎤 I’m going live! Grab your tickets here: https://www.jasononfirms.com/events🔥 Here’s that Roast-My-Firm intake form: https://airtable.com/appZ7dtNz3oaTWWZT/shrybn5166E9t12ag📚 A curated list of the apps I actually use and recommend: https://www.jasononfirms.com/apps💰 Today's SponsorsCloud Accounting Staffing: https://portal.cloudaccountantstaffing.com/candidatesSoraban: https://www.soraban.com/Makershub: https://makershub.com/get-started?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=jasonstaatsCanopy: getcanopy.com/jason Schedule a demo to see for yourself, and receive a $75 gift card after your demoVerito: https://verito.com/jason?utm_campaign=42071442-Jason&utm_source=Podcast&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_content=show-notesMissive: https://missiveapp.com/jason// Chapters:00:00 - Why firms are struggling with AI02:54 - The 6 blockers to becoming AI native10:02 - Why teams resist AI adoption17:30 - AI pricing fears + job replacement29:23 - Mailbag44:15 - Will AI kill accounting work?49:31 - Content strategy + scaling content53:36 - Closing thoughts🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa
Transcribe →