Accounting is no longer just about compliance. In this episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm, host Roger Knecht and guest Jodi Paydar, the "Radical CPA" and co-founder of Excel Labs, explore how accounting professionals can stay relevant as AI takes over the technical work in accounting. They discuss trust, communication, leadership, and why human relationships will define the future of the accounting firm.

00:00 Introduction and Why Humans Stay Relevant
05:00 Building Trust Through Better Communication
08:36 Change, Fight-Flight-Freeze, and Leadership
11:55 Competition, Firm Futures, and Sponsor Message
17:02 AI Agents and the Human Sign-Off
22:12 Upskilling and Deepening Client Relationships
25:54 Competing on Empathy and Training Teams
28:41 Better Questions and Excitement About the Future
31:51 Efficiency, Training the Next Generation
38:12 Listener Resources and Event Invitations
41:16 Closing Thoughts and Sign-Off

• Separate the conversation from the compliance deliverable so clients see the value of your advice.

• Build stronger communication skills to deepen trust with every client, not just your top four.

• Upskill your team in advisory conversations, because tax preparation is becoming automated.

• Ask better questions to uncover client needs and create better financial futures.

• Choose whether to fight, freeze, or flee the change, and lead with intention before 2030.

• "AI is going to do the accounting work for us. It truly is. It already is." -Jodi Paydar

• "Our competition today is a fintech or a venture funded, VC backed brand new company." -Jodi Paydar

• "Accounting has never been a technology problem, it's a value problem." -Roger Knecht

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Access our QAS Self-Study Courses here: https://www.earmark.app/channels/0384dbbe-df08-4ae3-ba82-621a7a465e95

Conclusion:

Thank you for joining us for another episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm with Roger Knecht. For more information on how you can establish your own accounting firm and take control of your time and income, call 435-344-2060 or schedule an appointment to connect with Roger's team here.

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