AI-Native Accounting

Presented by Digits

Hosted by Kacee Johnson, fintech innovation leader and Principal at Radical, AI-Native Accounting is the podcast at the crossroads of AI and the future of finance. Engage in monthly discussions with firm owners, tech pioneers, and visionary accountants. Explore real-world applications of AI, uncovering how it's streamlining processes and enhancing decision-making. Discover what's working, what's emerging, and what's on the horizon in the world of accounting technology.

Episodes

  1. The AI Advantage Accounting Firms Aren't Seeing Yet

    3D AGO

    The AI Advantage Accounting Firms Aren't Seeing Yet

    We may be overestimating AI adoption today, and underestimating its long-term impact. Kimberly Ellison-Taylor, Founder and CEO of KET Solutions LLC and past Chair of the AICPA, joins Kacee Johnson to explore how leaders are preparing for a more AI enabled profession. She challenges traditional views on ROI by shifting the focus from cost savings to productivity and impact, and explains why AI fluency requires dedicated time to learn rather than just pressure to adopt. Kimberly Ellison-Taylor- https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-n-ellison-taylor-b1a13a2/Kacee Johnson- https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacee-johnson/Digits- https://www.linkedin.com/company/digits-financial/ (00:00) Trailer (01:02) Introduction (02:09) Where is accounting with AI right now? (03:47) AI governance as a board-level issue (04:57) What boards expect from operators on AI (06:53) Signals that management is being thoughtful (09:17) Explainability and accountability in AI (11:30) ROI on AI initiatives (14:41) Innovation isn't a checkbox (17:02) Will AI reduce headcount in the profession? (21:31) Industry investment in upskilling (24:17) AI fluent versus AI fearful workforce (28:51) Lack of imagination as a risk factor (31:07) AI's role in education and learning (34:17) What we're overestimating and underestimating (39:20) Embedded finance and shifting client expectations (40:15) Kimberly's career aha moment (43:00) AI tools she uses personally (43:58) Book recommendations (45:00) Wrap-up and where to learn more

    46 min
  2. PE, M&A, and AI: What Accounting Firms Need to Know Now for 2026

    MAR 4

    PE, M&A, and AI: What Accounting Firms Need to Know Now for 2026

    In accounting, complexity has never been higher, and neither has opportunity. With Top 100 firms growing 8.58% in 2025, Daniel Hood, Editor-in-Chief of Accounting Today, joins Kacee Johnson to unpack why firms between below $1B are outperforming the broader market. They also get into: • How cross-selling improves client retention and increases revenue per client • Why growth is funding technology investments rather than technology driving growth To further discover why 2026 is shaping up to be “the year of the client,” dive in here: https://www.accountingtoday.com/2026-the-top-100-firms-and-regional-leaders Connect with us here:  1. Daniel Hood- https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-hood-3494ab49/  2. Kacee Johnson- https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacee-johnson/  3. Digits- https://www.linkedin.com/company/digits-financial/

    40 min
  3. How MCPs Will Change Accounting in 2026

    FEB 23

    How MCPs Will Change Accounting in 2026

    If you only learn one thing about accounting tech in 2026, it's MCPs. EVP of K2 Enterprises and NMGI’s co-founder & CEO Randy Johnston joins Kacee Johnson for a grounded conversation on what's real and what's noise in AI for accounting right now. They cover: • MCPs replacing APIs and why every platform will have one • The surprising swing back to single-vendor suites • Why large-size firms are loosing clients to mid-size firms • The client migration from big firms to the mid-market First episode under the AI Native Accounting Foundation. Awards nominations open at ainativeaccounting.org. Connect with us here: Randy Johnston: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rpjohnston/ Kacee Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacee-johnson/ Digits: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digits-financial/

    44 min
  4. Why Younger CPAs Are Essential to AI Readiness | Susan Coffey

    JAN 12

    Why Younger CPAs Are Essential to AI Readiness | Susan Coffey

    What does responsible AI look like inside the world’s most trusted profession? Susan S. Coffey, CEO of Public Accounting at the AICPA, joins Kacee Johnson to explore the non-negotiable guardrails for AI in accounting and how the profession can innovate without compromising its standards. They also get into: • why AI in accounting must remain auditable • why reverse mentoring with younger professionals accelerates AI fluency across firms • how CPA education is shifting from knowledge to application Connect with us here:  1. Susan Coffey- https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-s-coffey-cpa-cgma-7b26a68/  2. Kacee Johnson-  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacee-johnson/  3. Digits-  https://www.linkedin.com/company/digits-financial/

    43 min
  5. From Bookkeeping to Advisory: How Top Firms Reposition CAS for Growth

    2025-12-22

    From Bookkeeping to Advisory: How Top Firms Reposition CAS for Growth

    CAS practices are growing 30% annually. But most firms still can't scale past bookkeeping. In this episode, Kane Polakoff, Partner and CAS Practice Leader at CohnReznick, shares how they are approaching AI adoption with discipline, transparency, and professional responsibility. In this episode, we cover: • The AI question clients are already asking firms • How and when to be transparent about AI use • Why CAS growth often slows inside firms • What drives sustainable CAS growth at scale Get this right, and you'll build client trust competitors can't replicate. Connect with us here:  Kane Polakoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kanepolakoff/  CohnReznick:https://www.linkedin.com/company/cohnreznick-/ Kacee Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacee-johnson/  Digits: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digits-financial/

    43 min
  6. The Trifecta: 2030 Playbook for CPAs with Jeff, Dan & Craig

    2025-11-24

    The Trifecta: 2030 Playbook for CPAs with Jeff, Dan & Craig

    Three of the most influential builders in modern accounting software explain the shift every firm will feel as AI reshapes the profession, both in the near term and the decade ahead. In this episode, Dan Wernikoff (Intuit QuickBooks), Craig Walker (Digits), and Jeff Seibert (Digits) sit down with Kacee Johnson to break down what’s actually coming next. You’ll hear them discuss: • How AI goes far beyond the cloud shift accountants lived through • The automation of month-end close expected by 2026 • What 96% AI accuracy actually means for bookkeeping and review • What is expected of accountants as firms go AI-native by 2030 Connect with us here: Dan Wernikoff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwernikoff/Craig Walker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/storminwalker/Jeff Seibert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jseibert/Kacee Johnson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacee-johnson/Digits: https://www.linkedin.com/company/digits-financial/ 00:00 Trailer 01:28 Introduction 02:27 Journey Through Cloud Solutions and AI 06:38 The Future of Accounting: AI and Automation 23:55 The One That Got Away: Unbuilt Features and Missed Opportunities 27:21 The Future of Budgeting: Automating Financial Planning 28:41 Trust and AI: Balancing Innovation with Client Confidence 38:54 Predictions for 2030: The AI Native Firm

    48 min
  7. The Transformation Economy: A CPA’s Guide | Ron Baker

    2025-11-03

    The Transformation Economy: A CPA’s Guide | Ron Baker

    As AI accelerates work automation, how do accounting firms prove their value? Ron Baker, co-founder of Threshold, joins Kacee Johnson to explore ‘outcome focused accounting’. In this episode, they dive into: • designing firms around long term transformations rather than hours. • why trying to be all things to all clients undermines firm effectiveness. • tracking client impact through time saved, time invested, and transformation KPIs. • linking financial guidance to clients’ broader aspirations like health and purpose Connect with us here:  1. Ron Baker- https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronbaker1/  2. Kacee Johnson-  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacee-johnson/  3. Digits-  https://www.linkedin.com/company/digits-financial/ (00:00) Trailer (01:10) Understanding the Transformation Economy (04:34) The Evolution of Economic Value (09:05) Challenges and Opportunities in Professional Services (26:38) AI's Impact on Hourly Billing and Firm Confidence (31:34) Private Equity's Influence on Accounting Firms (38:20) The Future of Accounting: Transformation Economy

    51 min
  8. Low-Code AI: The Future of Accounting? | Joe Woodard

    2025-10-06

    Low-Code AI: The Future of Accounting? | Joe Woodard

    On AI Native Accounting, Kacee Johnson sits down with Joe Woodard, founder & CEO of Woodard Group and trainer of 125,000+ accounting professionals, as they explore ways accountants can move past skepticism and take practical steps to integrate AI into their workflows. • how low-code AI tools replicate a decade of manual efficiency gains • global trends showing which countries and firms will face the sharpest disruption  • why accounting, like the ministerial profession, hinges on connections that no algorithm can replace. Connect with us here:  1. Joe Woodard- https://www.linkedin.com/in/realjoewoodard/  2. Kacee Johnson-  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacee-johnson/  3. Digits-  https://www.linkedin.com/company/digits-financial/ 00:00 Trailer 01:23 AI Skepticism and Adoption in Accounting 06:06 AI Tools and Their Integration in Firms 18:01 Future Skills and Final Mile in Accounting 24:22 The Limits of AI Understanding 25:55 Embracing Humanity in the Age of AI 30:04 The Future of Accountancy and AI 40:23 Practical Steps for Accountants to Leverage AI

    47 min
  9. AI-fying Accounting: What Every CPA & CFO Must Know | BPM

    2025-09-11

    AI-fying Accounting: What Every CPA & CFO Must Know | BPM

    AI is step one. The real win is becoming a tech-agile accounting firm. On AI Native Accounting this week, Kacee Johnson sits down with Lindsay Stevenson, Chief Transformation Officer at BPM (Top 50), to unpack how her teams moved from curiosity to ~80% daily Copilot usage and what broke along the way. • grassroots rollout that beat a formal “AI committee” • how BPM handles duplicated agents, ROI, and a faster intake than the PMO • what late adopters should do this quarter Connect with us here: 1. Lindsay Stevenson- https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsaystevensoncpa/ 2. Kacee Johnson- https://www.linkedin.com/in/kacee-johnson/ 3. Digits- https://www.linkedin.com/company/digits-financial/

    54 min
  10. Episode 002 - Balancing Tech and Human Touch in Accounting with Dan Luthi

    2025-08-04

    Episode 002 - Balancing Tech and Human Touch in Accounting with Dan Luthi

    Join host Kacee Johnson for the second episode of AI-Native Accounting, featuring an engaging conversation with Dan Luthi, Partner at Ignite Spot. Dive into how AI is revolutionizing the accounting profession, from enhancing daily operations to elevating client services. Dan shares his experiences working with diverse businesses and his involvement in advisory boards that shape cutting-edge accounting tools. Discover actionable strategies to modernize your practice, improve efficiency, and boost profitability. This episode is a treasure trove of insights for accountants and firm owners ready to harness the power of AI.

    47 min
  11. Episode 001 - Stay Curious & Stay Ahead with Matt Gardner + Dawn Brolin

    2025-06-30

    Episode 001 - Stay Curious & Stay Ahead with Matt Gardner + Dawn Brolin

    Join host Kacee Johnson for AI-Native Accounting's inaugural episode, recorded live at Scaling New Heights. She sits down with Dawn Brolin, CEO of Powerful Accounting Inc., and Matt Gardner, Co-Founder & CEO of Hiline. Together, they explore the practical impact of AI on firms, discussing real-world applications and benefits they're seeing and using today. Discover how AI is being integrated into everyday tasks and decision-making processes. With valuable insights and advice for accountants + firm owners, this episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to modernize their practice.

    57 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

Hosted by Kacee Johnson, fintech innovation leader and Principal at Radical, AI-Native Accounting is the podcast at the crossroads of AI and the future of finance. Engage in monthly discussions with firm owners, tech pioneers, and visionary accountants. Explore real-world applications of AI, uncovering how it's streamlining processes and enhancing decision-making. Discover what's working, what's emerging, and what's on the horizon in the world of accounting technology.

Information

  • Creator
    Presented by Digits
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    11
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Presented by Digits
  • Show Website
    AI-Native Accounting

You Might Also Like