Pulse of the Practice

Thomson Reuters
  • 4.8 (26)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

We all love free… But tax and accounting firms love it so much that they give their brain away for free! Everything is changing in our profession but the future is bright. Tune in to turn pain points into opportunities. Join Paul Miller and Thomson Reuters Advisory Consultants as they have real and relevant conversations to provide you with inspirational and actionable ideas to move your firm forward. Expect to hear from your peers as well as they share their experiences and discuss relevant topics you're all familiar with; leadership, client relationships, firm culture, staffing, technology, and much more! Learn more about Practice Forward at http://tax.tr.com/practice-forward

  1. May 5

    Beyond Tax Season: Staffing, Standards, and Strategy in a Rapidly Changing Firm

    What really happens inside a firm after April 15? In this episode of Pulse of the Practice, Mo Arbas sits down with Paul Miller of Business by Design for an inside look at what forward-thinking accounting and advisory firms are doing once the tax deadline passes—but before the next one hits. Paul breaks down how his 23-person firm uses the summer months to focus on what truly drives long-term success: training, standardization, staffing strategy, and technology adoption. They explore why tax returns are no longer “the event,” how firms are shifting bandwidth away from pure technical work and toward client experience, and why non-technical advisory support roles are quickly becoming essential. You’ll hear practical insights on: How modern firms structure teams across client success, advisory, and technical tax rolesWhat to look for when hiring non-technical staff—and why curiosity matters more than resumesBuilding a firm-wide “playbook” to replace one-off decision-makingWhy summer is the ideal window for training, internal resets, and process refinementHow firm leaders should think about AI and technology adoption—and why delegating that responsibility can be a costly mistakeThe growing cost of “doing nothing” as the pace of industry change acceleratesIf you’re a small to mid-sized firm owner, partner, or manager who feels busy all year but still wants to build something intentional, this episode is a clear reminder that the work between deadlines may matter most.

    33 min

  2. Apr 21 ·  Bonus

    Pulse of the Practice: Advisory Symposium 2026 Preview from Huntington Beach

    In this episode of Pulse of the Practice, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller are joined by Therese "T on the Street" to preview this year's Advisory Symposium in Huntington Beach, California, happening June 2–4. They share what attendees can expect, including more than 40 breakout sessions covering advisory, AI, new technology, and thought leadership, plus appearances from keynote speakers Tom Hood and John Kriesel. The team also highlights the event's live podcast kickoff, networking, and a Beach Boys-themed party that promises to make this year's symposium both insightful and unforgettable.

    6 min

  3. Mar 26

    Time, Tech, and Tax Season: Why the Future of Prep Is Changing Fast

    n this episode of Pulse of the Practice, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller dig into the real-world pressures of tax season — from the grind of long days and missed spring weather to the growing chaos of client document habits. They explore why multitasking is a myth, how time seems to “collapse” in modern firms, and why protecting your schedule has become essential. But the conversation quickly expands to the bigger shift happening in the profession. Mo and Paul break down how technology, automation, and emerging AI-driven agents are rapidly reshaping tax prep, document handling, staffing needs, and client expectations. They discuss why traditional tax preparation is no longer the “bread and butter,” what firms must standardize to scale, and how the role of the accountant is evolving toward advisory and year‑round financial insight. It’s an honest, forward‑looking conversation about the pressures firms face today — and the opportunities that lie ahead for those willing to rethink their workflows, client relationships, and service models.

    27 min

  4. Mar 10

    From Extensions to Expertise: How Firms Grow by Capturing What They Know

    In this episode of Pulse of the Practice, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller dive deep into the real challenges firms face during the busiest part of tax season—from extensions and deadlines to client expectations and team bandwidth. But the conversation quickly expands into something much bigger: how firms can scale smarter by building systems for knowledge sharing, pattern recognition, and staff development. Mo and Paul explore how recorded meetings, AI tools, and intentional review processes can transform scattered expertise into a firm-wide advantage. They unpack how advisory work follows recognizable patterns, why client interactions often repeat across firms, and how identifying those similarities can dramatically speed up staff training and reduce burnout. They also discuss: Why early, uncomfortable client conversations save time laterHow to use AI recordings to improve—not just document—client meetingsThe difference between memorizing steps and understanding core conceptsHow to build a “client intelligence” library that outlives any single team memberWhy transparency and shared knowledge strengthen firm culture and retentionPacked with insight and practical ideas, this episode connects the dots between workflow efficiency, advisory growth, team development, and long-term scalability.

    28 min

  5. Feb 17

    Building a Tax-Ready Firm: Processes, People, and the Power of Structure

    In this episode of Pulse of the Practice, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller dive deep into what truly keeps an accounting firm running smoothly during tax season—clear processes, intentional workflows, and the right questions asked at the right time. From the realities of client data chaos to the importance of firm-wide standards, Paul breaks down how his multi-team firm handles data intake, “tax-ready” checklists, questionnaires, and internal workflow guardrails. Mo compares this to the challenges solo practitioners face, sparking a conversation about scaling, staff development, knowledge transfer, and why younger team members learn differently today. The duo also discuss evolving technology, AI-powered knowledge bases, and the importance of documenting firm methodologies—one decision tree at a time. Whether you’re a firm leader, a growing practitioner, or someone looking to streamline your processes, this episode offers a practical, behind-the-scenes look at building a more efficient, consistent, and scalable practice.

    36 min

  6. Jan 27

    The Advisory Mindset Shift: AI, FP&A, and the Future of Accounting Firms

    In this episode of Pulse of the Practice, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller sit down with Fady Hawatmeh, founder of Clockwork, to explore what advisory really means in today’s accounting landscape—and what it will take to scale it successfully. Fady shares the origin story behind Clockwork, why he built an AI‑native FP&A platform from the ground up, and how firms can move from rear‑view reporting to forward‑looking insight. The conversation dives into mindset shifts, why most “AI hype” misses the mark, and how agentic AI will soon function as a true financial planning team—not just a tool. If you’re an accounting firm looking to modernize advisory services, improve client experience, and understand where AI truly adds value, this episode is packed with practical insight and honest perspective.

    34 min

  7. 12/23/2025

    Year in Review: Predictions, AI Insights, and the Future of Accounting

    In this final episode of the year, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller take a reflective dive into what shaped the accounting profession in 2025 and what’s next. From the reality that uncertainty is permanent to why advisory isn’t just a service line but a mindset shift, they explore leadership bottlenecks, talent challenges, and the evolving role of technology. The conversation also touches on AI’s growing influence, firm sustainability, and how client expectations are changing. And for a fun twist, Mo shares what ChatGPT had to say about their strengths! If you’re looking for insights, laughs, and a roadmap for the future, this episode delivers.

    30 min

  8. 12/02/2025

    ear-End Planning: Retirement Accounts, Real Estate, and Proactive Advisory

    In this episode of Pulse of the Practice, hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller dive into the realities of year-end planning for firms and their clients. They discuss the evolving nature of tax seasons, the importance of standardizing retirement account advice, and how proactive education can help clients make better financial decisions. The conversation covers prioritizing HSA contributions, navigating health insurance options, and the nuances of retirement plans for business owners—with or without employees. Paul shares insights on balancing client goals, whether it’s maximizing tax deductions through retirement accounts or investing in real estate, and emphasizes the value of anticipating client needs rather than simply answering questions. The episode wraps up with practical tips for closing the loop on planning decisions and highlights the difference between reactive and proactive advisory.

    29 min
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4.8
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

We all love free… But tax and accounting firms love it so much that they give their brain away for free! Everything is changing in our profession but the future is bright. Tune in to turn pain points into opportunities. Join Paul Miller and Thomson Reuters Advisory Consultants as they have real and relevant conversations to provide you with inspirational and actionable ideas to move your firm forward. Expect to hear from your peers as well as they share their experiences and discuss relevant topics you're all familiar with; leadership, client relationships, firm culture, staffing, technology, and much more! Learn more about Practice Forward at http://tax.tr.com/practice-forward

Information

  • Creator
    Thomson Reuters
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    147
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Thomson Reuters
  • Show Website
    Pulse of the Practice

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