Shows
Tax Section OdysseyUnlocking the future of tax research with AIIn this episode, Benjamin Alarie, CEO and co-founder of Blue J, and Ashley Francis, CPA/PFS, owner of The Francis Group, PLLC, discuss the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in tax research. They sift through the best practices for using AI tools, the importance of asking the right questions and the future of AI in the tax profession. The conversation also touches on the potential risks and cautions associated with using AI, emphasizing the need for professional judgment and client confidentiality. What you’ll learn from this episode: How to integrate AI tools into your tax rese...
2025-08-2136 minTax Section OdysseyUnlocking the future of tax research with AIIn this episode, Benjamin Alarie, CEO and co-founder of Blue J, and Ashley Francis, CPA/PFS, owner of The Francis Group, PLLC, discuss the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in tax research. They sift through the best practices for using AI tools, the importance of asking the right questions and the future of AI in the tax profession. The conversation also touches on the potential risks and cautions associated with using AI, emphasizing the need for professional judgment and client confidentiality. What you’ll learn from this episode: How to integrate AI tools into your tax rese...
2025-08-2136 min
She CountsDon’t Call Me Darlin’Nicole Davis, Forbes Top 200 CPA and CEO of Conscious Accounting, shares her journey from being called "darling" in client meetings to becoming a force who dominates every room she enters. She candidly offers advice on how to feel like you own a room… that wasn’t “built” with you in mind. She reveals how true power isn't about titles or corner offices, it's about owning your story and making others accept who you are on your terms. Nicole discusses why women are uniquely positioned to lead the AI revolution in accounting, the critical difference between mentorship and sponsorship, and how show...
2025-07-301h 09
She CountsDo It AnywayNancy and Questian dive deep into the difference between fearlessness and courage, sharing vulnerable stories: about becoming a dancer at age 40, speaking to a room of hundreds of people, and starting their own businesses. They explore why saying "don't be afraid" misses the point—true courage isn't the absence of fear, but choosing to act despite it. From imposter syndrome to asking for money, they discuss the specific fears women in accounting face and offer practical tools, such as: affirmations; breaking down scary tasks; remembering your “why”; and borrowing confidence from mentors.SponsorsForwardly - http...
2025-07-021h 06
CPA Trendlines PodcastsRandy Crabtree: Live at the Intersection of Passion and Skill | The DisruptorsAbandon rigid roles and redefine success on your own terms.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrRandy Crabtree believes the biggest shift accounting needs isn’t in technology or tax law—it’s in mindset. For decades, the profession has prized consistency and predictability. But in a time of demographic disruption and rapid innovation, Crabtree argues that clinging to “Same As Last Year” thinking is holding the profession back. “We have to embrace change,” he says. “This is a massive opportunity to start thinking differently.”
CPA TRENDLINES CELEBRATES: The 100th Episode...
2025-06-1753 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsMcClelland and Telka: Women Ready to Rewrite the Rules of Accounting | The DisruptorsRepresentation isn't symbolic. It’s essential for the profession’s future.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrAccounting pros Nancy McClelland, CPA, and Questian Telka, EA, are pulling back the curtain on what it really means to be a woman in the accounting world—with all the messy, maddening, and motivating moments that come with it.Their new podcast, She Counts, is more than just a talk show—it’s a movement. Aimed at ending the isolation so many women in accounting face, the show tackles taboo topi...
2025-06-101h 04CPA Trendlines PodcastsCelebrating 100 Episodes of The Disruptors: Paul Dunn - From Standard to Stand Out to Stand For | The DisruptorsThis milestone episode proves that accountants can change lives—and legacies—every single day.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrIn its milestone 100th episode, The Disruptors podcast pulls out all the stops with a powerful conversation featuring Paul Dunn, a four-time TEDx speaker, accounting innovator, and co-founder of the global giving platform B1G1. A true visionary, Dunn has spent decades redefining what it means to be an accountant—and his message to the profession is as bold and inspiring as ever.
MORE PODCAS...
2025-06-031h 18CPA Trendlines PodcastsJacob Schroeder: AI Won’t Replace Accountants—But It Will Reveal Who’s Replaceable | The DisruptorsUse AI to work smarter and connect deeper.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrJacob Schroeder, founder of Ascend Consulting, is clear-eyed about artificial intelligence. He doesn’t see it as a silver bullet or a threat. Instead, he sees it as a catalyst that helps accountants get back to what matters most: being human.“AI is not the solution. It's a tool,” Schroeder says. “If you're trying to make AI the solution, you're going about it wrong.”
MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Ditching Corporate America: T...
2025-05-2759 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsDitching Corporate America: The Bold Story Behind PBS Accounting’s Rapid Rise | The DisruptorsAfter years in corporate roles, Samantha Hallburn created a firm where people come before profits—and business thrives because of it.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrSamantha Hallburn, founder of PBS Accounting and Tax, didn’t set out to be an accountant. After a progression through sales, marketing, HR, PR, and a stint as ops manager for a telecom company, she was working in banking. Her business owner clients needed loans, but when she asked for financials, “they had no idea what I was even talking about,” she recalls.
MORE PODC...
2025-05-2054 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsJean Zick: Happy Team Members Lead to Happy Clients | The DisruptorsFlexible schedules, remote culture, and ‘durable skills’ are reshaping the accounting profession.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrThe traditional accounting firm model is under pressure—and The Disruptors podcast is highlighting the pioneers who are rewriting the rules. In this episode, host Liz Farr talks with Jean Zick, CEO and co-founder of Juna Financial, about how she’s building a different kind of accounting firm: remote, people-first, and future-ready.
MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Breslin & Greathead: Be a Client Advocate | Dominic Piscopo: Clear Pay=Bargaining Power | Debbie Kilsheimer: Stop Thi...
2025-05-1348 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsBeyond the Numbers: Be Your Client's Advocate | The DisruptorsProvide clients with actionable information they can use to move their businesses forward. The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrBack in 2013, before CAS became part of the accounting vernacular, Penny Breslin and Damien Greathead taught a roomful of accountants how to do what Breslin called bookkeeping and back office support, or BOS. “We had 200 accountants sitting in the room wanting to know how to grow this part of their business,” Greathead recalls. Cloud-based accounting tools like Xero and QuickBooks Online were just entering the U.S. market, and the two recognized an op...
2025-05-061h 21CPA Trendlines PodcastsDominic Piscopo: Use Salary Transparency for Bargaining Power | The Disruptors"If you can’t afford fair salaries, it’s time to fix your machine—not squeeze your people."The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrLike many accountants, Dominic Piscopo, the founder of Big4Transparency.com, was frustrated by the lack of transparency in salary data. “I’d found it really, really frustrating trying to get good quality data on what to expect, looking ahead for my salary,” Piscopo explains. Before creating the platform, Piscopo discovered his firm offered the lowest starting salaries in his city. By gathering compensation data from peers and pr...
2025-04-291h 01CPA Trendlines PodcastsDebbie Kilsheimer: Stop Thinking Small | The Disruptors"Too often, we're stepping over dollars to pick up pennies."The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrBy age 25, Debbie Kilsheimer was already disrupting the traditional accounting mindset. At her first job, she questioned why clients were billed by the hour when speed and efficiency weren’t rewarded.“The smarter I get, the more efficient I become, the less you make,” she told her boss. “I don’t understand that. Plus, the clients don’t know what anything will cost—so they’re afraid to call.”MORE PODCAS...
2025-04-221h 24CPA Trendlines PodcastsDave Kersting: Collaborate with Co-Firming | The DisruptorsExpand capabilities, boost client satisfaction, and build thriving businesses—without sacrificing independence.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrDave Kersting, founder and CEO of Capovario, is disrupting the status quo firm structure by introducing co-firming. While he and Tanya Schulte, owner of The Profit Constructors, started on the co-firming path in a contractor-subcontractor relationship, they quickly realized they wanted more. “...we want to win together, and we want to lose together,” Kersting recalls.
MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Ashley Francis: AI's a Partner, Not a Replacement | Richard Roppa-Roberts: Collaboration Over C...
2025-04-1548 minCPA Trendlines PodcastsLiz Scott: Why Bookkeepers May Beat CPAs in the Race to Advisory Work | The DisruptorsThe real value of accounting isn’t in the numbers but in the conversations we’re not having.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrLiz Scott, like many other Disruptors, prefers keeping her firm small. “I did try and grow my firm to this million-dollar firm. And I found myself in a spot where I was managing 10 team members, and that's all that I had time for,” she recalls. “So I wasn't able to do the thing that I actually really love, which is the tech development. I love that piece.”M...
2025-04-081h 04CPA Trendlines PodcastsAshley Francis: AI's a Partner, Not a Replacement: The DisruptorsDon't be a vending machine for tax compliance.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrAshley Francis wants accountants to value their time and expertise. “I want accountants to stop thinking of themselves as just vending machines for tax knowledge and vending machines for tax compliance,” she says. “I'm not the default. You put a quarter in me, and I'm going to spit out an answer.” MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Richard Roppa-Roberts: Collaboration Over Competition | Ira Rosenbloom: M&A Numbers Are Easy - Culture Fit Is Ha...
2025-04-011h 03
Accounting High239 Growing From Accountant to Entrepreneur [Part 2] (feat. Scott Scarano, EA)Episode 239
FACULTY: Scott Scarano, EA and Matt Kid, CPA
CLASS: #Shoperations
In this episode, our substitute teacher, Matt Kidd, continues his interview with Scott Scarano, EA where Scott shares the story of how he grew his accounting firm to $1.3 million with $400,000 in annual cash flow, and became completely removed from daily operations. Scott provides insights into the importance of a strong team, unique hiring methods, and embracing technology and innovation in the firm. He also touches on his passion for rapping, his struggle with growth versus letting off the reins, and his future...
2024-12-1843 minAccounting High230 AI Guide to Be Your Best Accounting Self (feat. Ashley Francis, CPA)Episode 230
FACULTY: Ashley Francis, CPA
CLASS: #TheGuide
In this episode, Scotty and Ashley Francis, CPA explore personal development strategies, including habit formation, overcoming people-pleasing, managing self-doubt and anxiety, especially in high-pressure situations like public speaking and even how ChatGPT could be your goto therapist.
📣 Shout Outs: Mike Sylvester, ChatGPT, Xero
⬇️Episodes Referenced ⬇️
187 AI Horror Stories: Shining a Light on the Dark Side of AI
(https://open.spotify.com/episode/2wAVjhBGQvgiydiOp2sPOj?si=y9Fn92lESam5N8QaftjFyQ)
Chapters:
00:00 Teaser
02:29 The Human E...
2024-10-2030 minAccounting High229 Carving out a Niche for Trust Taxes (feat. Ashley Francis, CPA)Episode 229
FACULTY: Ashley Francis, CPA
CLASS: #Shoperations
In this episode, Scotty and Ashley Francis, CPA discuss her journey in becoming a CPA, building her niche practice focused on high-net-worth individuals, and exploring educational opportunities. Ashley shares her passion for accounting, spurred by early childhood experiences, and her growth from working in large accounting firms to running her own practice. She talks about her unique experience with trust and estate taxes, homeschooling her son, and the challenges and rewards of balancing a practice with educational endeavors.
Ashley and Scott do NOT discuss...
2024-10-1332 minTax Section OdysseyHarnessing Technology: The Future of Tax AdvisoryIn this episode David Snider, Founder and CEO — Harness Wealth, discusses the transformative role of technology in tax practices, exploring how tools like practice management software can enhance client relationships and streamline operations. David shares insights on what he sees as three phases of technology adoption in the tax industry and offers practical advice for firms looking to advance their tech capabilities. Tune in to learn how embracing technology can lead to a more efficient, client-focused tax practice. What you’ll learn from this episode: What David thinks are the three phases of a firm’s techno...
2024-09-1924 minTax Section OdysseyHarnessing Technology: The Future of Tax AdvisoryIn this episode David Snider, Founder and CEO — Harness Wealth, discusses the transformative role of technology in tax practices, exploring how tools like practice management software can enhance client relationships and streamline operations. David shares insights on what he sees as three phases of technology adoption in the tax industry and offers practical advice for firms looking to advance their tech capabilities. Tune in to learn how embracing technology can lead to a more efficient, client-focused tax practice. What you’ll learn from this episode: What David thinks are the three phases of a firm’s techno...
2024-09-1924 min
Future-Proof214. Kitchen-table A.I. automations, with Ashley FrancisThis week, we're diving back into the world of AI to uncover some practical ways this technology can take over tasks that are consuming too much of your time. At a recent MACPA Town Hall, 64% of accounting professionals admitted they haven't tried generative AI tools. Many might think they're not using AI at all, but the reality is they're likely interacting with it daily through virtual assistants, shopping recommendations, music playlists, facial recognition, and more.To help us embrace AI more actively, we speak with Ashley Francis, a seasoned CPA, Microsoft MVP, featured speaker, and passionate AI...
2024-06-2452 min
Wealth and LawArtificial Intelligence and Its Many Business Uses
Brent chats with Ashley Francis about artificial intelligence and how it can be used to improve your business. They talk about its efficiencies, its limitations (so far), and how it can help take emotion out of difficult tasks. Ashley provides use cases and explains the current environment of AI.
Ashley Francis is the owner of the Francis Group, PLLC, a CPA firm that offers sophisticated, personalized tax and accounting services tailored to your needs. Its team of highly qualified experts will guide you on an individualized journey toward preserving your assets for future generations. Whether your goal...
2024-01-1841 minAccounting High187 AI Horror Stories: Shining a Light on the Dark Side of AI (feat. Ashley Francis, CPA, Byron Patrick, CPA, Korey Cournoyer, Keila Hill-Trawick, CPA)Episode 187
FACULTY: Ashley Francis, Byron Patrick, Korey Cournoyer, Keila Hill-Trawick
CLASS: #TechTime
TITLE: AI Horror Stories: Shining a Light on the Dark Side of AI
In this podcast episode, Scotty hosts a panel featuring Ashley Francis, Byron Patrick, Korey Cournoyer, and Keila Hill-Trawick. They discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the accounting industry. The conversation touches on various facets of AI implementation, its impact on different firms, practical applications, concerns regarding security, as well as the question of whether AI will replace human accountants.
Introduction
...
2023-12-1752 min
Western CPE Podcast NetworkEP. 9: Do You Believe in Magic?This TaxSnax Episode features Ashley Francis, CPA, Founder of Francis Group, PLLC.
Wave goodbye to the illusion of magical trusts on TikTok! We joined Ashley Francis, CPA in Seattle, WA. In this episode, Ashley tackles the trending "TikTok Trusts" phenomenon head-on, debunking the myth of a 'magic trust' that can solve all your tax troubles. We’re discussing those viral videos to show you what’s fact and what’s fantasy. Ideal for the TikTok aficionado who also values real-world financial wisdom.
Is there this magical way out of paying income tax? Join us as we begin the journey to the fi...
2023-11-1416 min
Microsoft Innovation PodcastReimagining Efficiency and Innovation with Taiki Yoshida: A Conversation on AI and Co-PilotFULL SHOW NOTES https://podcast.nz365guy.com/489 Embrace the ingenious world of artificial intelligence with our esteemed guest, Taiki, a Principal Program Manager at Microsoft. Unravel the transformative power of Microsoft’s Co-Pilot and its synergistic application in Power Platform. Taiki will share some heartening instances of career revolution catalyzed by AI capabilities, like that of Miyu Takai, who turned her mundane data entry job into an automated process using Co-Pilot. The discussion doesn't stop at career transformation. Brace yourself for riveting stories about the astounding impact of Co-Pilot and Generative AI on citi...
2023-10-0934 minTax Section OdysseyDisrupting your technology with Jason Staats In this episode Jason Staats, CPA, MBA, Firm Runner and Content Creator — Realize, joins April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Lead Manager — Tax Practice & Ethics, AICPA & CIMA, live from ENGAGE 2023 to highlight the fast-paced world of transformational technology and its prominent impact on the accounting profession. He explores how emerging technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) are not only changing the way things are done but also redefining the rules of the game. What you’ll learn in this episode Getting started with cutting-edge technology (1:30) Tips from a practice management standpoint (3:17) Ways firms can incorporate AI such as ChatGPT (5:26) Tips f...
2023-06-1515 minTax Section OdysseyDisrupting your technology with Jason Staats In this episode Jason Staats, CPA, MBA, Firm Runner and Content Creator — Realize, joins April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Lead Manager — Tax Practice & Ethics, AICPA & CIMA, live from ENGAGE 2023 to highlight the fast-paced world of transformational technology and its prominent impact on the accounting profession. He explores how emerging technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) are not only changing the way things are done but also redefining the rules of the game. What you’ll learn in this episode Getting started with cutting-edge technology (1:30) Tips from a practice management standpoint (3:17) Ways firms can incorporate AI such as ChatGPT (5:26) Tips f...
2023-06-1515 min
The Accounting PodcastThe AI Coming to Microsoft Products for Accountants with Ashley Francis, CPAWe're joined by Ashley the CPA (@seattle_tax) to talk about artificial intelligence coming soon to Microsoft products plus all the news you can use at the intersection of accounting and technology.SponsorsShareFile - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo/sharefileTech Guru - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo/techguruHelcim - https://cloudaccountingpodcast.promo/helcimChapters(00:00) - ChatGPT is only the beginning
(01:23) - Introduction and welcome Ashley to the show
(03:12) - Microsoft Copilot updates
(09:08) - A new Microsoft Teams is coming
(11:11) - Report from Microsoft says meetings are the #1 productivity killer
(16:26...
2023-05-311h 08Wealth and LawHow ChatGPT Can Change Your Business
Brent chats with Ashley Francis about the emergence of ChatGPT and how it can improve your business. They discuss the technology, how to use ChatGPT, where they foresee it going, and whether it will replace professional service providers. They also offer practical tips on how to start integrating it into your business now.
Ashley Francis is the owner of the Francis Group, PLLC, a CPA firm that offers sophisticated, personalized tax and accounting services tailored to your needs. Its team of highly qualified experts will guide you on an individualized journey toward preserving your assets for future...
2023-05-1134 minTax Section OdysseyThe digital download — ChatGPT, AI and data security Artificial intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence by machines, and the applications for use are rapidly increasing each day. Chatbots such as ChatGPT and BingAI are at the forefront of this movement, but Ashley Francis, CPA, Owner — The Francis Group, PLLC, notes that more than 1,500 similar AI were released in the past week. Listen in as Ashley shares more insights with April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Lead Manager — Tax Practice & Ethics, AICPA & CIMA, including how AI is positioned to transform the future of tax compliance. What you’ll learn in this episode Why the ti...
2023-05-0332 minTax Section OdysseyThe digital download — ChatGPT, AI and data security Artificial intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human intelligence by machines, and the applications for use are rapidly increasing each day. Chatbots such as ChatGPT and BingAI are at the forefront of this movement, but Ashley Francis, CPA, Owner — The Francis Group, PLLC, notes that more than 1,500 similar AI were released in the past week. Listen in as Ashley shares more insights with April Walker, CPA, CGMA, Lead Manager — Tax Practice & Ethics, AICPA & CIMA, including how AI is positioned to transform the future of tax compliance. What you’ll learn in this episode Why the ti...
2023-05-0332 min