Jason On Firms Podcast

Jason Staats
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated daily

I'm Jason Staats, and on this podcast we talk through practical tips to run more profitable, calm accounting firms

  1. 2 days ago

    621 The 9 Most Asked Questions About Accounting Firm AI [AI for accounting firms]

    🚀 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.com In this episode, I answer the nine AI questions I hear most often from accounting firms, covering how to securely use AI with client data, why I recommend Claude over ChatGPT and Copilot, where firms should start with AI, and practical workflows for QuickBooks, spreadsheets, email, and tax software. I also share my thoughts on the latest IRS AI guidance and why I disagree that AI savings should automatically lower client fees, then wrap up with a Mailbag on bank statement automation, QuickBooks MCPs, IT security, work papers, value pricing, and why I believe AI will make human expertise even more valuable. 🔥 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 SponsorsFinancial 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.Soraban: 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 demo // Chapters:00:00 - The 9 Biggest AI Questions01:43 - AI & Client Data Security06:22 - Why Claude Beats Copilot08:04 - Should You Switch from ChatGPT?08:17 - Where Should You Start with AI?10:50 - Building Your First AI Agent14:49 - Best Beginner AI Use Cases17:00 - AI & QuickBooks Automation20:56 - Can AI Automate Tax Software?23:20 - Should Clients Know You Use AI?25:37 - IRS Says AI Should Lower Fees?32:23 - Mailbag32:48 - How Do I Automatically Fetch Bank Statements?38:09 - Secure Client Credentials Without Sharing Passwords40:44 - Are Traditional Work Papers Still Worth It?44:05 - How Do You Handle AI Discount Requests?47:22 - Can Claude Post Journal Entries to QuickBooks?52:04 - Is Thomson Reuters Falling Behind on AI?54:06 - IT Security for a New Fractional CFO Firm56:20 - Does AI Kill Creativity and Advisory?01:02:00 - Closing thoughts 🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

    1hr 2min

  2. 6 days ago

    620 The Real Reason Clients and Staff Resist Change [Here’s what to do about it]

    🚀 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.com In this episode, I break down five change management traps inside accounting firms, from overwhelming the team with too much change to letting C and D clients block the firm you actually want to build. I also talk about niche opportunities in soccer and space accounting, recurring AI workflows, Intuit’s stock drop, simplifying client onboarding, rolling out Claude to a team, trial balance workflows, and how large a solo AI-powered firm could become. 🎤 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 - Getting Everyone Aligned01:19 - The Dirty Dozen Returns02:12 - Change Management Traps02:18 - Trap #1: Change Overload06:10 - Trap #2: Incentives Gap09:00 - Trap #3: Quiet Skeptics15:17 - Trap #4: Carve-Out Clients18:17 - Trap #5: Adoption Letdown21:49 - Change Management Recap22:27 - Accountants Power The World Cup22:39 - Niche Of The Week24:33 - Passion-Driven Firm Niches27:47 - Space Accounting Returns30:58 - Mailbag Begins31:29 - Building Recurring AI Workflows34:23 - Should I Sell Intuit Stock?38:07 - Simplifying Client Onboarding42:13 - Rolling Out Claude To A Team44:42 - Trial Balance After Engagement Manager49:27 - Fear Of AI Tool Switching51:05 - How Big Can A Solo AI Firm Get? 🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

    55 min

  3. 23 Jun

    619 The NEW AI Agent Approach for Accounting Firms [An entirely new AI agent platform for firms]

    🚀 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.com In this episode, I explore the sudden rise of AI agent platforms built specifically for accounting firms and ask whether Claude will remain the long-term home for firm-built agents. I compare launches from Ramp, Digits, Pilot, Puzzle, Mercury, Canopy, and Double, then answer a listener question about what firm owners should focus on during the summer months. In the mailbag, I cover software firms should avoid,  practice management system selection, and what to do when Claude makes mistakes in bookkeeping 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 ⚒️ Tools I mentioned-Ramp Stack https://ramp.com/lp2/stack-Digits Agentic Close https://digits.com/blog/agentic-close/-Pilot Meridian https://meridian.pilot.com/-Puzzle AI Close https://puzzle.io/ai-close-Canopy Coworker https://www.getcanopy.com/coworker/-Mercury Command https://mercury.com/command-Double https://doublehq.com/ // Chapters:00:00 - The AI Agent Gold Rush07:58 - Where Agents Actually Live12:11 - The Future Of Firm Automation15:31 - Summer Priorities For Firms18:36 - Take A Break This Summer20:17 - Make Big Tech Changes22:04 - Building Better Systems26:51 - Planning For Growth30:57 - Hiring Before Busy Season31:53 - Strategic Thinking Time33:32 - Mailbag33:43 - Any Software To Completely Avoid?36:22 - AI Influencers & Phantom Products40:50 - Should Firms Try Instead?42:18 - What Happened To SmartVault?46:11 - Which Practice Management System Should I Choose?49:30 - What If Claude Makes Mistakes?54:01 - From How-To To What-To-Do55:00 - The Future Of Space Accounting 🗣️ Continue the discussion on social!X https://twitter.com/jasononfirmsLinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@jasoncpa

    57 min

  4. 19 Jun

    618 Accounting Firms: Stop Taking New Clients. Watch This First. [How to know when you’re digging yourself a deeper hole]

    🚀 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.com In 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

    54 min

  5. 16 Jun

    617 5 More AI Use Cases for Accounting Firms [Number three is incredible]

    🚀 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.com In 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

    1 hr

  6. 12 Jun

    616 Your Accounting Firm Pricing Is Broken (Here’s how to fix it)

    🚀 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.com In 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

    1hr 13min

  7. 9 Jun

    615 The First $1B Accounting Firm Rollup [What this means for small accounting firms]

    🚀 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.com In 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

    58 min

  8. 5 Jun

    614 The Three Types of Accounting Firm AI [And where to deploy each in your accounting firm]

    🚀 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.com In 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

    1hr 7min
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About

I'm Jason Staats, and on this podcast we talk through practical tips to run more profitable, calm accounting firms

Information

  • Creator
    Jason Staats
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    621
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mesa Media LLC
  • Show Website
    Jason On Firms Podcast

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