Totally normal question from an almost-26-year-old.

So, I told her to send me her bank statements. Her response?

“Like… from my jobs?”

No, babe… from your BANK. HELLO? CHASE?!

My entire accounting career flashed before my eyes, and NOT just because I was terrified and confused she’s made it this far living like this. (I mean, come on. How do you not know what a bank statement is? How is that even possible?)

But the longer I sat with it, the more I realized this wasn’t just about her — it was about how differently this generation experiences money, and what that means for how we show up as advisors.

A Completely Different Financial World

My daughter lives in a world where money moves instantly. Why would she know?

She’s never had to balance a checkbook, never had to wait for a check to clear, never had to sit down at the end of the month to reconcile what came in and went out. Her entire financial life happens instantly, invisibly, without friction.

She uses Apple Pay. She Venmos her friends. Money moves in real time, and then it disappears into the background of her life without requiring any deliberate interaction or reflection.

There’s no moment she has to check her bank account in the way we were trained to, no system that requires her to engage with the mechanics of money just to function. The closest she comes is opening a banking app on her phone to see all her transactions in real-time.

So when I asked for a bank statement, I was asking her to step into a system she’s never actually needed to understand.

Money is No Longer Learned Through Friction

Most of us didn’t learn financial literacy because someone sat us down and explained it. We learned it because we had to.

We tracked balances so we didn’t overdraft. We paid attention to timing because transactions didn’t clear instantly. We built habits around checking and reconciling because there were consequences if we didn’t.

That friction created awareness, but that system doesn’t exist anymore.

When you remove friction, you also remove the moments where people naturally learn how money actually works.

If I’m being honest, I’m part of the problem too. I’ve always taken care of it for her. I’ve handled the details, answered the questions, made sure everything was fine without ever really pulling back the curtain and showing her how it all works.

If she was my client, it would’ve been different. I would’ve spent more time making sure she actually understood her financial world.

This Is A Shift The Profession Can’t Ignore

The next generation of clients doesn’t experience money the way we do, which means they’re not going to intuitively understand the frameworks we’ve relied on for decades.

If we keep expecting people to understand money the way we were taught, without adjusting how we teach, structure, and communicate it now, we’re going to keep running into the same confusion — not because clients aren’t capable, but because the system we’re asking them to use doesn’t match the way they actually live.

This Is Where Better Advisory Begins

It’s not about explaining what a bank statement is. It’s about recognizing that your clients need someone who can translate their real-life behavior into a system that actually makes sense to them.

That might mean walking them through how their money flows, simplifying what you ask for, or changing how you ask for it. It might mean building processes that don’t rely on them knowing things they were never taught.

We have to slow down enough to meet our clients where they are, instead of expecting them to catch up.

We were mostly talking about how to survive tax season without losing our sanity. The biggest technology debate (for what felt like forever) was about whether firms should move their bookkeeping software off desktop computers and into the cloud.

AI wasn’t on the radar. And honestly, neither was aging. What young professional is ever thinking that much about menopause?

The idea that one day, your experience might make you feel out of place in a fast-moving industry simply doesn’t cross your mind until you’re my age.

I didn’t expect AI to become part of my leadership story, and I definitely didn’t expect menopause to be a part of it. But somehow, both of these forces — one technological, one deeply human — ended up reshaping how I think about leadership, experience and the strange moment we’re living through in the industry right now.

The Career Pivot I Didn’t See Coming

A few years ago, I sold the accounting firm I had spent decades building. Like most founders who finally reach that moment, I assumed it meant I had closed an important chapter of my career. I thought I would take what I had learned and step into something new with a little more control and a little less chaos.

Instead, I walked straight into the most disruptive leadership transition of my life.

I joined two high-velocity tech startups, led by founders young enough to be my kids and operating inside a culture that moves fast.

Suddenly, the rules were completely different. Speed was everything, hustle was currency and wisdom was negotiable.

The Part No One Talks About

At the same time all of this was happening professionally, my body was going through its own transformation. My role was changing, my industry was changing, my energy was changing. And sometimes, usually late at night, I wondered if I was becoming irrelevant.

Which when you think about it, is kind of ironic. I can probably hustle harder now than I ever could before. My kids are grown. My network is expansive. After decades of building businesses, making mistakes, recovering and building again, I have a level of clarity I never could’ve had when I was younger.

I know exactly what not to waste time on. That kind of clarity is its own form of speed, but the startup world doesn’t always see it that way.

A Conversation with AI

Then, one night, something unexpected happened.

I found myself talking ChatGPT, not asking questions so much as thinking out loud, trying to make sense of the patterns I was seeing and the tension I was feeling between experience and speed.

And something clicked.

The thing I had quietly worried might make me obsolete was actually the most valuable thing I had. Because in an AI-driven world, the real advantage isn’t speed. Machines already win that game.

The real advantage is judgement.

It’s pattern recognition built over decades. It’s knowing when something looks innovative but is actually the same problem wearing new clothes. It’s understanding when technology might be accelerating the wrong decision simply because it can.

That realization changed how I think about leadership.

It’s also why I care so deeply about the work we’re doing with Navi. AI doesn’t just need engineers. It needs leaders who understand context, consequence and human decision-making. Leaders who have seen cycles repeat and know that the fastest answer isn’t always the right one.

Experience is the Real Advantage

It’s National Women’s Month, and the theme this year is “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future.”

But real change doesn’t always come from moving the fastest. Sometimes it comes from the leader who can pause and say, “I’ve seen this before.”

Because in an AI-driven world, experience isn’t outdated. It’s a strategic advantage.

This is the moment when guessing becomes dangerous.

Too often, when legislation moves quickly, the profession splits into two camps:

• Those who rush to interpret every line before the dust settles

• Those who freeze, hoping for perfect clarity that may not arrive in time

Neither approach serves clients well. What your firm need right now isn’t speculation or sensationalism. You need context, judgment and a clear way to navigate the gray.

That’s exactly why I’m participating in the ADP Accountant Connect Summit on January 14. This virtual event is designed specifically for accountants to get ahead of what matters this season.

This Summit isn’t about reacting to headlines or chasing trends. It’s about slowing down just enough to understand what’s actually changing, where authorities like the IRS have provided clarity and where professional judgment still matters most. This tax season is all about helping clients make informed decisions in a shifting landscape.

During the Summit, I’ll be part of a candid conversation with Kelly Phillips-Erb (TaxGirl®), Dan Hood of Accounting Today and Amy Miller from ADP, focused on what the One Big Beautiful Bill really means in practice and how it will impact this year’s tax season. We’ll talk through where guidance is solid, where it’s still evolving and how to approach the gray. Because leadership during moments like this doesn’t come from having every answer, it comes from guiding decisions responsibly when certainty is still emerging.

But the Summit reaches beyond tax mechanics.

It opens with a look at the 2026 economy from noted economists, helping you understand the broader context your clients are operating in. Later sessions explore how AI is transforming accounting from a compliance-driven function to one that delivers predictive insights and deeper advisory value.

And, yes, Shaquille O’Neal joins as a special guest, bringing perspective on thinking big and leading in times of disruption. It should be a refreshing and energizing counterpoint to the technical sessions.

That combination matters. Tax doesn’t live in a vacuum anymore, and neither does firm leadership. The most resilient firms right now are the ones connecting policy, technology and advisory judgment into a coherent story for their clients.

Best of all, the ADP Accountant Connect Summit is free and offers up to 4 hours of CPE. That makes it easy to step out of reactive mode and into a more thoughtful, strategic posture for the season ahead.

If your New Year’s resolution is to stop guessing and start leading your clients with clarity and confidence, this is where that work begins.

👉 Register here: https://info.adp.com/ADP-Accountant-Connect-Summit-2026?partnerref=speaker

But I never really had a way to support that. I couldn’t measure empathy. It’s hard to explain what makes some conversations feel productive and full of clarity, while others feel muddled and confusing.

This year, something shifted — in the industry, and in me.

AI kept evolving faster than ever. (Like technology always does!) But instead of feeling threatened by it, I did what I always do. I leaned in. I started paying attention to what it was revealing in my own life and my own business pursuits.

It wasn’t replacing my expertise. It showed me where I was guessing, where I was relying on instinct. It showed me the disconnects I couldn’t catch on my own, the reasons why certain conversations weren’t landing the way I thought they were.

At the same time, my own understanding of what it means to really serve a client (not just inform them but guide them forward) started to sharpen.

The more I communicated with AI chatbots, the more I realized that what I was really looking for was a tool that could help me see the invisible parts of leadership.

The soft skills! The relationship dynamics! As I built my AI assistants around my interests, all that stuff I used to assume was just my own intuition as a professional businesswoman (who’s been in this space for decades now) became something tangible, something that could actually be defined.

That’s where Navi, our AI-powered communication tool for financial advisors, came from. Not as a reaction to AI, but as a response to something deeper: the need for tools that support the human side of advisory with the same rigor we bring to the technical side.

Navi is still evolving, and in 2026, we’re excited to keep growing it into something that supports real conversations, better decisions and more human advisory work at scale

This is where the real work is now. It’s about communicating better, not about knowing more information. Navi is a tool that can help advisors train, grow and lead with the kinds of skills we’ve all known were important but never had the language or systems to improve.

As we refined Navi, I started to see more clearly what’s changing around us and what’s staying the same.

They reflect the patterns I’ve watched play out over time and the pressure points that became undeniable this year. From how we define a “good” meeting to how we train for emotional intelligence and how effective leadership will be measured going forward.

These aren’t predictions, they’re the new standards that I believe will shape advisory in 2026 and beyond.

1. Experience Doesn’t Equal Impact

Time in the profession doesn’t guarantee clarity in the room. Without reflection, even seasoned advisors can plateau. In 2026, growth won’t come from years — it’ll come from feedback.

2. Long Conversations Aren’t Always Better Ones

Some meetings feel full of connection but still lead nowhere. Clients aren’t asking for more time. They’re asking for more alignment. Clarity, not airtime, is what moves things forward.

3. Soft Skills Can’t Stay Untouched

Empathy, listening, presence… We’ve called them “intangibles” for too long. In reality, they’re coachable. In 2026, these aren’t extras. They’re the foundation.

4. Confidence Has Been Hiding Confusion

We’ve all left a meeting thinking it went well, only to find out later that it didn’t land. We can’t rely on vibes anymore. If the client is still unclear, the job isn’t done.

5. Instinct Isn’t a Strategy

Yes, gut feel can be powerful, but it’s inconsistent, unscalable and hard to teach. What gets us to the next level is intentionality: knowing why something worked, and how to repeat it.

6. Knowing the Answer Isn’t the Same as Communicating It

Technical knowledge is expected. What matters now is how clearly you deliver it in a way clients can hear, understand, and act on. That’s your real value.

7. Advisory Should Feel Like a Conversation, Not a Performance

Too often, we treat meetings like stages. We deliver insights, hope they land and then we move on. Real advisory is collaborative. It’s about listening as much as you’re speaking, adjusting your message on the fly and building a trusting relationship with your clients over time.

8. Understanding Has to Be Mutual, Not Assumed

True alignment shows up when both sides can articulate the same next step with confidence. The future of advisory needs confirmation, clear next steps and confidence that everyone is walking away with the same understanding.

9. The AI Question Has Evolved

It’s no longer “Should we use it?” It’s “What are the actual issues my business is facing, and how can AI help solve them?” The real work is naming what’s unclear, what’s inconsistent, what’s not working, then finding and implementing the right tools to make it better.

10. The Best Tools Make You More Human

We don’t need automation that speaks for us. We need tools that help us show up with presence, clarity and confidence. The future isn’t about being replaced. It’s about being refined. The future is about deepening empathy, strengthening connection and making the human side of advisory our greatest asset.

And honestly? I love it.

Because where most people see chaos, I see opportunity. Big opportunity.
Especially around something firms talk about constantly but rarely operationalize: client experience.

On December 9, I’m teaming up with CPA.com, Jitasa and Progress ShareFile for a panel conversation about turning client experience into a real, sustainable growth strategy without losing the human touch that makes advisory work matter.

Here’s what I’ll be digging into.

CX Isn’t Email Volume or Portal Design

Client experience is not more emails, prettier portals or a longer checklist of things clients “have to” do. Client experience is connection. It’s how easy you make it for clients to work with you. It’s how supported they feel in every interaction. It’s how much certainty and clarity they walk away with.

And when you get that right, something powerful happens:

• Clients stay longer

• Clients buy more

• Clients refer more

Not because you asked them to. Because the experience made it obvious that you’re the partner they want beside them. That is the growth strategy most firms are missing.

The Shift No One Is Talking About

Our teams are stretched. Our clients are more demanding. And technology is rewriting the rules faster than anyone can document them.

But this isn’t a threat. It’s a gift.

If you know how to design human-centered experiences that are powered — not replaced — by tech, you can scale trust, streamline delivery and create consistency without burning out your team.

FinTech can support that. But FinTech can’t replace the human connection that makes your advice valuable.

CX is where the robots end and the humans win.

Where Firms Accidentally Create Friction

It’s not that firms don’t care. Problems stem from the fact that they’ve built processes from the firm’s perspective, not the client’s.

During the panel, we’re diving into:

• The micro-moments where you introduce friction without realizing it

• Why “we’ve always done it this way” is the biggest CX red flag of all

• How your tech stack can amplify the human experience

• What clients actually expect today (hint: not what most firms think)

And we’ll talk real examples, real tactics and real talk.

If You Want a Firm Clients Love…

Show them, through your actions, that working with you is easy, clear and supportive. That’s what creates loyalty, drives advisory and builds a modern firm.

And when your team feels proud of the experience they deliver? That’s when culture clicks into place.

Join Us December 9

This conversation is going to hit the things every firm is wrestling with right now from expectations to efficiency to how the profession is evolving in real time. If you’re ready to build a firm that clients love and one your team is excited to be part of, you’re going to want to be in this discussion.

Let’s go build the future of our profession together.

Register here 👉 https://bit.ly/4oghiHp

A year ago, everything seemed stable. Business was fine. Life was moving along. Then, everything shifted…

• A business partnership ended.

• My body started changing. (Hello, menopause!)

And I was left rethinking who I was and how I wanted to work.

In the middle of that change, I needed something to help me hold it all together. So I built what I call my AI BBF (Business Best Friend).

I thought I was building a tool to help me stay organized, but in the process, I found myself thinking more deeply about leadership, care and how we show up in our work.

What Started as a Practical Project

Practical turned into something more meaningful. I didn’t just build with AI, I built through it! I created systems that helped me process what I was feeling, not just what I was working on. I designed it to pause with me, to reflect, to remind me what mattered.

The system is now a working prototype leadership tool designed for people who have A LOT going on. It’s not about automation for the sake of efficiency, it’s about creating space to lead with more clarity, more calm and more care.

Turns out, emotional intelligence is a kind of architecture too. When I started designing for my own emotional clarity line by line, I realized I was also creating something others could use to feel more grounded in their leadership, too. It wasn’t just about solving problems. It was about making space for the real, human parts of leading.

Technology Can’t Replace Leaders

But tech might finally teach us how to be better ones. (I’m still learning too!) It can support us. It can hold a mirror to our strengths. It can give us room to breathe and lead with intention.

I didn’t lose myself in the process. I just met a more grounded version of her. The one who can lead through uncertainty, who trusts herself just a little bit more. That feels like something to be thankful for.

So, this Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for what I learned in the process. For the people who supported me. For the reminder that leadership doesn’t have to look a certain way. It can grow out of everyday changes, quiet resilience and a willingness to try something new.

And if you’re navigating your own season of change — big or small — I hope you give yourself credit for how you’re leading through it. Sometimes, the most meaningful growth doesn’t come from bold moves, but from the quiet adjustments we make to keep going.

Thank You Radical Community

I also want to express my heartfelt appreciation for my sponsors. Without them, I would not be able to bring you these articles and ideas to help you build the firm of the future. I encourage you to check them out:

• ADP - A complete platform for payroll, tax, HR and data-driven insights

• Blue J - A tax research tool that uses generative AI to provide fast, verifiable answers to tax questions

• Laurel - Automate timesheets and use AI to grow profits, reveal patterns and increase the leverage of every hour you spend

• Melio - Empower your firm with stronger efficiency and cash flow management tools; revolutionize bill pay with a solution built for clients of every size

• Staffing Global - Connecting accountants to the talented bookkeepers needed to transform your staffing strategy

• SysCloud - Backup and recovery solutions for various SaaS applications, such as QuickBooks Online, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace and more

I’m so grateful to have the support of the best of the best. A sincere thank you goes to each of them.

And thank you. I wish you a joyful Thanksgiving and send my sincere appreciation for being part of The Radical CPA community.

-Jody

Nearly every day, I walk along the gravel roads near my house in Wisconsin and feel comforted by the fact there’s almost no way for anyone to reach me.

There’s just something satisfying about telling anyone who calls that they might lose me at any moment because I’m literally standing in a corn field. (Especially when that person is my adult daughter calling from the car dealership with her 28th question about credit scores and loan terms.)

In a world where I can accomplish practically anything just by typing the right commands on my keyboard, it feels refreshing to go out and stand in the field. It makes me think differently.

What makes a CPA outstanding in the field?

(Do you get it yet? I’m a CPA out standing in the field… Wearing my ADP hat… Anyone..?)

To be truly outstanding in your field, you need to be able to hear the quiet. You need to feel the sun on your face. You need to remember what it means to be a real person with real thoughts that take time to generate and are inherently connected to feelings in your chest, not scrubbed from every corner of the internet and instantly populated.

It isn’t the perfectly programmed AI bot. It’s not the accounting software that makes the tax returns you sell. It’s not even a cup of coffee (with cream) and a standing desk with a walking pad.

I’m not giving up any of those things. But being outstanding in your field takes more than that. You have to tap into that part of you that doesn’t require internet connection.

It’s the instinct to serve, to listen, to solve, to care. It’s your love for the profession, yes, but more than that, it’s your commitment to the people behind the numbers. It takes the kind of curiosity that leans in when a client can’t find the words, the kind that leads to better questions, smarter ideas and solutions rooted in empathy, not automation.

You’re not just a CPA.

You’re a financial first responder. A calm voice in the wild. A steady presence. The person someone calls when their financial world feels too big, too confusing, too overwhelming to face alone.

That part of you — the calm, the clarity, the empathy — doesn’t come from an app. It comes from years of experience. From heart. From time spent standing still, literally or metaphorically, and remembering why you chose this profession in the first place.

So yes, I’ll keep talking about technology. I’ll keep building the future. But I’ll also keep walking through the cornfields. Because that’s where I think best. That’s where I remember that being a great CPA isn’t just about being fast or efficient. It’s about being human.

And the funny thing? That’s exactly what our clients (and yes, our adult children) are looking for. Not perfection, not speed, just someone who’ll pick up the phone and walk them through the numbers, even if the signal’s a little spotty.

Join Me at the ADP AI Forum

This event is your roadmap to building a smarter, more human firm. We’ll talk about how to use AI without losing your humanity, how to turn data into next-level client conversations and how to lead the change instead of constantly playing catch-up.

Running a business (or just living life) means you’re constantly making decisions, solving mysteries and occasionally lying awake at 3 a.m. convinced something is gasping outside your window (or the husband is on an epic snoring jag).

Enter AI, the BBF you never knew you needed — ready to help with everything from strategic planning to wildlife identification and emotional co-regulation. It might also save your partner from a good solid punch in the middle of the night when you’ve reached your limit with his assumed “snoring.”

How AI became my BBF

Most people think of AI as a tool for automating tasks or writing emails. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The real magic happens when you treat AI like a friend: someone you can bounce ideas off, vent to or ask the most random questions. It’s not about replacing your team (or your therapist); it’s about having an unbiased, always-on third-party sounding board.

I started small. Instead of asking, “How can AI change my entire company?” I asked, “How can this help me right now?” That’s when things clicked. AI became my go-to for:

• Stress-testing decisions before I hit “send” on a big email

• Brainstorming when I was stuck in a creative rut

• Reality checks when my brain was spiraling at 2 a.m.

• Clarifying the weirdest life mysteries. And yes, that includes animal noises in the night.

AI solves my 3 a.m. mystery

Here’s where things get a little wild (literally). One night, at exactly 3:07 AM, I was jolted awake by a sharp, gasping sound right outside my window. Not thunder. Not a dream. Just…a sound. Like someone exhaling panic from deep in their lungs.

Was it actually my husband? Snoring like a tranquilized bear…as per usual?

When I realized it wasn’t, I was instantly wide awake and convinced there was either a ghost, a prowler or a woodland drama happening right outside. So, what did I do? I turned to my AI BBF, entering a few prompts to get me on the road to solving my late-night mystery: “What animals in Wisconsin make a gasping sound at night?” “Could it be a bird or a mammal if it sounded like a human gasp?”

Within three minutes (and zero judgment), AI calmly explained: “That’s a red fox. Likely a vixen. Possibly annoyed. Definitely dramatic.”

Apparently, red foxes are notorious for gasp-like yelps, raspy barks and even screams that sound eerily human, especially during mating season or territory disputes. They’re most vocal right around 3 a.m. Mystery solved! It was just a fox having an existential crisis in the woods outside my lakeside window. Full disclosure: I’m now kind of obsessed.

The power of your AI BBF

This story isn’t just about foxes (though, honestly, they deserve their own Netflix special). It’s about how AI can be your go-to for all the little (and big) mysteries of life and business.

Here’s how I use my AI BBF every day:

• Stress-testing: Before making a big decision, I run scenarios with AI to spot blind spots I might miss.

• Real-time problem-solving: When something weird happens, I get instant clarity…no doom-scrolling or panic-Googling required.

• Clarifying complexity: AI helps me break down ambiguous situations and focus on what actually matters.

• Emotional regulation: When I’m spiraling, AI helps me reframe, reset and breathe again. No judgment, just perspective.

The prompts that got me there

For anyone who wants to try this at home, here are the exact prompts I used in my late-night fox saga:

• “What animals in Wisconsin make a gasping sound at night?”

• “Could it be a bird or a mammal if it sounded like a human gasp?”

• “Does a fox make weird noises at 3 a.m. near Lake Michigan?”

• “What does a red fox sound like when it’s calling at night?”

• “Is it common to hear foxes near Lake Michigan in the spring?”

Each of these nudged AI to get more specific, and within minutes, I had my answer (and my peace of mind).

Start with foxes, but stay for the clarity

AI isn’t just for crunching numbers or drafting business plans. It’s your late-night detective, your brainstorming buddy, your emotional support system, and yes, your wildlife expert.

Whether you’re solving a woodland mystery or navigating a tough leadership challenge, treat AI like your BBF. Start with foxes. Stay for the clarity, confidence. and the occasional existential pep talk.

Trust me… once you try it, you’ll wonder how you ever led (or slept) without it.

I don’t usually ask you to stop what you’re doing and go fill out a form, but this one’s different. ADP is wrapping up submissions TODAY for its Grit & Wisdom campaign, and I want your voice in it.

What is Grit & Wisdom?

It’s a curated collection of real advice from real accountants — like you — on how we’re navigating firm strategy, leadership, personal growth, client change and the future of the profession. Think of it as a time capsule of what matters right now in accounting.

I’ve already submitted mine. You should, too.

Because our profession is changing fast. And no one understands that change better than the people living it. Your experiences and hard-won lessons could help someone else lead smarter, faster, and better. That’s the power of peer insight.

Today’s your last chance to participate.

Here’s the link: https://info.adp.com/accountant-grit-and-wisdom

You don’t have to overthink it. Just share one thing you wish someone had told you earlier in your career. One mindset shift. One leadership lesson. One truth you’ve learned the hard way.

Let’s flood this thing with radical insights. Let’s make sure Grit & Wisdom reflects the future we’re trying to build.

So here’s what’s going down at the ARIA next week. If you're going to be at ENGAGE, I want you to be part of it.

The XcelLabs Launch Party: It’s Time to Duck In

Yes, it’s happening. Katie Tolin and I are officially launching XcelLabs and the AI-X movement poolside! And we’ve entered into an agreement to bring the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs (PICPA) in as a strategic partner and investor.

You’ve seen me tease it on social, now come see what it’s all about. AI-X is about building better accountants through advisory, leadership and AI-powered insight.

We’ve got mystery. We’ve got ducks. We’ve got a vibe.

Tuesday, June 10 | 2:30-6:00 PM PT | Palm Pool Cabana at the ARIA
No RSVP required, but we do want you to register if you can.

Come float with us →

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/duck-u-xcellabs-launch-party-tickets-1395279772359?aff=oddtdtcreator

Show up curious. Leave ducked.

Featured Session: CX Is Your New Competitive Advantage

Presented by Progress ShareFile

It’s time to stop thinking of Client Experience (CX) as a “nice to have.” In 2025, it’s your biggest differentiator. And it touches everything — your pricing, your processes and your people.

In this session, I’ll break down how to build an experience clients want to buy and teams want to deliver. It’s not about being nice. It’s about being intentional with your packages, your pricing and how you show up consistently.

Tuesday, June 10 | 7:00–7:50 AM PT
Yes, it’s early. But I’ll bring the energy — and the strategy.

You’ll learn:

• Why productizing your services and using upfront pricing makes buying easier for clients (and better for your margins)

• How automation creates consistency and trust

• How to align your team’s experience (EX) with your client experience (CX) to create real, scalable growth

• How smart pricing and process design attract better-fit clients and top talent

Want to build a firm clients love and your team is proud to work for? This is where you start.

Shout-Out to Our Awesome Sponsors

It takes a community to move a profession, and these innovators are helping lead the way:

• ADP – Catch them poolside at the networking cabana party on Tuesday! They’re bringing the snacks, the shade and the insights.

• Blue J – Stop by their booth to see how tax research gets smarter with AI. Seriously impressive stuff.

• Progress ShareFile – Not only are they sponsoring my session, they’re showing up big on how firms can automate and collaborate better. Don’t miss their booth.

• Laurel – Stop by and visit them to learn how they’re helping firms deliver better data experiences.

Let’s Connect IRL

Whether it’s at a session, by the pool or over a coffee (or cocktail?), I’d love to see you. We’re building a new movement. We’re rethinking how firms lead. And it starts with showing up — for yourself, your team and the future of the profession.

So don’t wait. Come say hi. And if you find a duck in the conference center, but sure to take a pic and tag #XcelLabsDuck!

See you in Vegas!

While many of you are deep in tax season, I’m here with a quick reminder: pause and reflect. What’s working? What’s not? Write it down now, so you don’t forget when the chaos subsides. Too often, we wait too long to make changes.

And speaking of change… I’ve been pausing to think about what’s next—because something BIG is launching soon. Stay tuned!

Let’s talk about Bench. Their rise, fall and acquisition has sparked all the conversations — from CPAs throwing shade to tech folks calling them trailblazers. Love them or hate them, Bench paved the way for what it means to be an online firm, and their story holds some big lessons for all of us.

So, here’s the deal:

• Have a contingency plan, folks. No excuses.

• Clients need to know where their data is and take responsibility for it.

• It’s time to rethink how accounting and fintech can work together to give small businesses the proactive, tech-driven advisory services they deserve.

Let’s take these lessons, move forward and make 2025 the year accounting really levels up!

As we kick off the new year, let’s talk fintech meets accounting—and what’s next for 2025 and beyond.

The Bench saga has stirred up a lot of conversation. Was it bad management? Too much VC cash? A market disruptor gone wrong? No matter where you stand, one thing’s clear: Bench paved the way for online firms. And before we throw stones, let’s remember that plenty of CPA firms shut down suddenly without contingency plans, leaving clients stranded.

So, what’s the real takeaway?

• Have a plan.

• Help clients own their data.

• Think bigger about how fintech & accounting evolve together.

The future is about meeting small biz owners where they are, giving them advisory services they want, with tech that actually works for them. Let’s stop reacting and start building the next generation of accounting.

It’s been a wild ride, packed with growth, challenges and rediscovering what it means to own the Radical CPA brand. The past year had been all about reclaiming the word “radical” in every sense. It’s not just a pricing strategy, AI technology or leadership philosophy. It’s an energy. A vibe. A movement.

The launch of my Radical Pricing book was a huge moment. To me, it’s all about value. Not just value for clients, but for ourselves. It’s about stepping up and saying, “We’re worth it!” Pricing isn’t a trend; it’s a revolution. And the best part? It works!

But pricing is just one piece of this wild puzzle. This year was also about creating new ways to share and connect. Launching the Radical New Vision Substack was a leap of faith, but wow, it’s been amazing! It’s raw. It’s real. It’s where I can let loose and say what everyone’s thinking (but maybe too afraid to say).

Here are a few of the top posts this year:

1. What is a New Firm?
   Let’s be real: the old-school, traditional accounting firm is dead. This piece dives into how forward-thinking firms are ditching outdated practices and fully embracing tech, innovation and modern workflows. It’s not just about surviving — it’s about thriving in a fast-paced, tech-driven world.

2. Branding for Impact
   Branding isn’t just about logos or websites. It’s about owning your value and showing the world why you’re worth every penny. This article breaks down how to align your brand with your pricing strategy by focusing on outcomes, showcasing your niche expertise and delivering killer content that attracts clients who get it. The right brand makes it easier to charge what you’re worth and boost profitability.

3. I Hate Timesheets! (And So Should You)
   Timesheets are the WORST. They’re inaccurate, demoralizing and totally irrelevant in today’s accounting world. This article takes aim at the toxic culture they create and shows why it’s time to leave them behind. Want a better business model? Start valuing efficiency, outcomes and client relationships over broken metrics.

But here’s the real story of 2024. It was the year of partnerships. The year of finding people who get it and are ready to build the future together. This was the year I realized that being radical doesn’t mean going it alone. It’s about collaboration. It’s about aligning with people who bring the same energy, vision and passion to the table.

And honestly? That collaboration taught me a lot about myself. This year, I’ve grown in ways I didn’t even know I needed to. I’ve learned to listen more, to embrace perspectives that challenge me and to balance my energy with more strategy. I’ve always been bold, but this year I learned the power of refining that boldness. Sometimes it’s not just about charging ahead; it’s about thinking bigger, smarter and more intentionally.

And now…2025 is almost here!!!

This isn’t just going to be another year. It’s going to be THE year. Big moves are coming. Bold ideas. New ways of thinking. Let’s just say, what’s dropping in 2025 will make waves. No, scratch that — it’s going to blow the roof off the accounting profession!

If you’ve been following along, you’ve seen the hints. This isn’t just evolution — it’s revolution. Get ready. The Radical CPA is back in full force. And the best part? We’re just getting started!

Clear your calendar for January 15, 2025, from 12 to 4 p.m. ET because this virtual event is where it’s all happening. You’ll hear from the people shaping our profession like economists, innovators, and yes, yours truly. Here’s the scoop:

A Lineup That’s as Radical as It Gets

1. Economic Outlook: What’s Next for 2025?

Starting at 12 p.m. ET, ADP’s executive VP for North America and chief of operations Joe DeSilva will kick things off, followed by a jam-packed discussion with Nela Richardson and Karin Kimbrough (ADP’s and LinkedIn’s chief economists). They’re breaking down the big trends shaping our economy and what it means for your clients. Because let’s face it, guidance in uncertain times is how you become indispensable.

2. Tax and HR Compliance Updates: No Surprises, Just Solutions

At 1 p.m. ET, join me as I talk with Kelly Phillips Erb (Taxgirl®), Amy Miller, CPA, ADP’s senior director of government affairs, and Ron Ulrich, ADP’s retirement services executive. We’re tackling the year’s hottest tax and HR compliance changes. Trust me, staying ahead of this stuff isn’t optional if you want to protect your clients and grow your practice.

3. AI in Accounting: Ready or Not, Here It Comes

What’s next at 2 p.m. ET? The AI revolution! ADP’s Roberto Masiero and Hector Garcia, CPA, CEO of REFRAME ACCOUNTING, are taking you inside how artificial intelligence is changing the game — and how you can leverage it right now. Think smarter workflows, actionable insights and less time spent on the grunt work.

4. Simone Biles: Lessons in Resilience and Greatness

Then it’s time for the grand finale. At 3 p.m. ET, the event is closing things out with Simone Biles, the GOAT herself. Her story of perseverance, reinvention and focus is going to leave you fired up and ready to tackle your own challenges — whether they’re in the office or beyond.

Who’s This For?

Honestly, if you’re in accounting, you should be there. But here’s the breakdown:

• Firm leaders who want to future-proof their practices

• In-house CPAs juggling compliance and strategy

• Tech-savvy innovators ready to lean into AI

• Professionals hungry for growth (and maybe some free CPE credits)

5 Reasons You Need to Be There

1. Stay ahead of trends. Economic, tech, regulatory — it’s all covered.

2. Learn from the best. This isn’t your average speaker list.

3. Walk away with real strategies. Stuff you can put into action immediately.

4. Earn 4 free CPE credits. Because learning should always pay off.

5. Have some fun. Virtual Pavilions, demos, prizes — it’s not all serious business.

Let’s Make 2025 Radical

The ADP Accountant Connect Summit 2025 isn’t just another event. It’s a chance to rethink your approach to accounting and client service while connecting with the people and ideas that will define the future.

Ready to shake things up? Register now and let’s make 2025 your most radical year yet.

Register Here

So, what’s Rho all about? Sure, it’s a banking app, but it’s so much more. This is where accounting meets real-time financial management. With Rho, you’re not just advising clients; you’re actively helping them manage banking, payables and cash flow. It’s a single portal where you can connect with your clients, access their bank accounts, oversee payments and even fine-tune team permissions for internal controls. All while delivering the CAS experience your clients didn’t even know they needed.

And the cherry on top? Rho offers 24/7 support. That’s right — no more “banking hours” nonsense. Whether it’s you or your client, help is always available.

This isn’t just a tool; it’s a mindset shift. It’s about stepping into the fintech-driven future of accounting and rethinking how we add value to our clients. Ready to see what’s possible? Watch the video and discover why Rho is the next big thing for accountants like you. Let’s keep pushing boundaries together!

https://lnkd.in/eau-ZjPw

#CPAfirm #accountingandaccountants #firmmanagement #newfirm #PE #MandA #firmgovernance

I put this out there because this article mentions navigation, including wind velocity on Lake Michigan. And I want to be clear from the start that I did not use #AI to write it. It’s all me. It’s JUST JODY! 😉

I actually talk quite a bit about living on a #lake. It’s what I know, where I live, and what I love. And it makes for some pretty solid metaphors. Now, to some, I talk about it so much that it may eventually get annoying (especially with all of my sunset boat ride pics). That’s, of course, not my intent. It’s because my family and I are transplants to this stretch of rural, waterfront heaven, and I’m still amazed every day by the feeling of calm and tranquility it offers. I ♥️ small town living!

However, life on the water also comes with storms. We occasionally have powerful gale force winds and torrential downpours. This weekend, I was reminded of just how unpredictable #lakelife can be.

We went to bed on Sunday evening to the gentle tapping of a light(ish) rain storm. However, during the night, our Pontoon boat had been pushed away from the pier due to high winds and rough waters. This is really unusual…at least to us transplants.

While this was upsetting, any time I complain about things like rough waters, mayflies or spiders, I am quickly told by one or more locals: “You live on a lake! What did you expect?” This tends to slap me back into reality. Living on a lake means I need to accept the unforeseen. I’m sure I’ll get used to it one day: With beauty comes the unpredictable.

All this to say that this has become my mantra: “You live on a lake!” It reminds me to go with the flow and adapt and adjust as needed. Surprises (good, bad or ugly) show up all the time in life. As a leader, it’s how you handle them that matters. 

How many times would we be better off in business if we accepted the reality of given situations? If we adjusted our attitudes and expectations to better work through tough, unpredictable times? It’s something to think about. It’s something to take in and make your own.

So, the next time your boat (AKA: YOU…another great metaphor at work) becomes unhinged from the pier, just remember the mantra: “You live on a lake!” Take a deep breath, adjust your expectations, and work to resolve the situation.

Attitude is everything!

#leadership #radicalcpa #lakelife #accountingandaccountants #cpafirm #cpa

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Stay radical!

❤️ Jody

#accountingandaccountants
#radicalcpa
#ai
#cpafirm

Why social is important.

Writing has always been a way for me to bring clarity to my “crazy” ideas and expose the connections that I see clearly…and that others may not.

🙋‍♀️ As a woman, it leveled the playing field. As we know, often women aren’t invited into social spaces where business happens or traditional networking takes place — especially if you’re a working mom with other responsibilities. But social business happens 24/7 and everyone is invited. Yahoo!

There was a lot less noise then, and I was often mocked for “wasting time” on social. Well, look at me now.

Social business became a powerful tool for community building. As someone pushing the boundaries in accounting, I needed to find a community that wasn't a traditional conference or state society. Social media provided that space where I could connect with tax experts, niche software enthusiasts, and even give referrals.

It transformed from a personal exploration into a significant part of my professional identity, helping me grow my advisory practice and connect on a deeper level with the accounting community.

😈 There is also that dark side to the web where I’ve had nasty trolls nipping at my heals. I also had a follower show up unannounced at my office to meet me. The CPA had driven 10 hours. Although flattered, it was a bit creepy.

Connecting with people is truly at the heart of what makes social business so powerful, especially in professional fields It's all about building those relationships and learning from each other in real time. It's like having a continuous, dynamic conference at your fingertips.

I’m sharing this because, recently, a few folks have asked how I got started and built my audience. Simply: It’s taken me years and has truly been a labor of love. And it’s a labor of love because I truly ❤️ all my followers!

What's been your most memorable interaction or learning experience through
your connections?

#radicalcpa
#socialbusiness
#socialmedia
#accountingandaccountants
#cpafirm
#tax