The Accounting Technology Lab

Brian Tankersley & Randy Johnston
  • 5.0 (3)
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In-depth, honest accounting software and technology reviews capturing the real-life experiences of using particular products and solutions - presented by CPA Practice Advisor and technology experts Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley, CPA.

  1. 6d ago

    AI is the Ultimate Accounting Assistant, Part Two (with Guest Sasha Orloff)

    ATL267 – AI Is the Ultimate Accounting Assistant, Part Two Guest: Sasha Orloff, Co-founder and CEO of PuzzleHosts: Randy Johnston and Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMAProgram: Accounting Technology Lab, presented by CPA Practice AdvisorEpisode length: Approximately 10 minutes Episode Summary In part two of the conversation with Puzzle co-founder and CEO Sasha Orloff, the Accounting Technology Lab examines how accounting professionals can begin adopting artificial intelligence without abandoning their existing knowledge, systems, or professional judgment.Orloff recommends starting with a difficult but low-risk problem rather than using AI only for trivial experiments. Accountants should remove client-identifying information, use personal or anonymized data, and practice explaining a task as clearly as they would to a highly capable new employee who lacks accounting experience. A prompt, in this context, becomes much like a detailed checklist: it defines the expected steps, safeguards, and outcome.The discussion also distinguishes helpful AI assistance from uncontrolled automation. Puzzle’s approach allows agents to prepare work while requiring human approval before anything is posted to the ledger. Randy Johnston emphasizes that the profession does not need technology that eliminates accountants; it needs technology that makes accountants more effective.Orloff argues that firms creating a safe culture of experimentation will improve productivity, profitability, and client service. Brian Tankersley closes with a challenge to accounting leaders: become sufficiently familiar with AI to evaluate solutions intelligently, guide employees, and lead clients through change. The central message is simple—AI adoption does not require reckless transformation, but it does require action. Key Episode Themes Begin with meaningful work. Testing AI on an authentic, complicated problem reveals more than asking it to perform a novelty task.Use low-risk information. Remove client names, confidential information, personally identifiable information, and other sensitive data before experimenting.Treat prompts as process documentation. AI performs better when instructions describe each step, decision, constraint, and expected output.Keep accountants in control. AI can draft transactions, reconciliations, analyses, and journal entries, but accountable professionals should review and approve the results.Create a culture of experimentation. Firm leaders should give employees permission and guardrails to explore AI safely.Leadership requires firsthand knowledge. Accountants do not have to adopt every AI product, but they need enough experience to distinguish practical capabilities from marketing claims.Suggested Episode Highlights Sasha Orloff explains why accountants should test AI on difficult, meaningful tasks.Detailed prompts function like checklists for accounting processes.Firms should experiment only with anonymized, nonconfidential information.Puzzle’s agents require approval before posting changes to the ledger.AI should enhance accountants rather than remove them from the process.Accountants retain responsibility for judgment, review, and accountability.Firm leaders must establish guardrails that make safe experimentation acceptable.Practical AI productivity in accounting is beginning to move beyond novelty.Professionals who learn now may gain improvements in margins, capacity, and service.Accounting leaders must develop enough firsthand knowledge to evaluate AI vendors critically. CPAFirmClientAccountingServicesCASMonthEndCloseProfessionalJudgmentResponsibleAIHumanInTheLoopDigitalTransformationPracticeManagementPromptEngineeringAccountingPodcastPuzzleProducts, Services, and Companies Mentioned Product, service, or companyContext in the episodeXFacebookLinkedInInstagramPuzzle | AI-native accounting platform and ledger discussed by Sasha Orloff; supports agent-assisted workflows with approval controls | @puzzlefin | No official account identified | Puzzle | No official account identifiedChatGPT | General-purpose AI assistant suggested for testing anonymized transactions and charts of accounts | @OpenAI | OpenAI | OpenAI | @openaiOpenAI | Developer and publisher of ChatGPT | @OpenAI | OpenAI | OpenAI | @openaiGemini | Google AI assistant suggested for controlled accounting experiments | @GoogleGemini | Google | Google | @googlegeminiGoogle | Developer and publisher of Gemini | @Google | Google | Google | @googleClaude | Anthropic AI assistant suggested for controlled accounting experiments | Anthropic | No official product-specific account identified | Anthropic | No official product-specific account identifiedAnthropic | Developer and publisher of Claude | @AnthropicAI | No official account identified | Anthropic | No official account identifiedX, formerly Twitter | Social platform referenced as a source of AI news and discussion | @X | Not applicable | X | @xCPA Practice Advisor | Presenter and sponsor of the Accounting Technology Lab | @CPAPracAdvisor | CPA Practice Advisor | CPA Practice Advisor | @cpapracticeadvisor Verification note: Social-media availability and account names can change. Puzzle’s website links directly to its LinkedIn and X accounts.

  2. Jul 17

    AI is the Ultimate Accounting Assistant, with guest Sasha Orloff

    Title: ATL266 — AI Is the Ultimate Accounting AssistantWiki: ATL266 - CPA Tech Wiki Guest: Sasha Orloff, CEO of Puzzle Hosts: Randy Johnston and Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP, CGMA Publisher/Sponsor: CPA Practice Advisor AI Is the Ultimate Accounting Assistant—But the Accountant Is Still Accountable In ATL266, hosts Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley speak with Sasha Orloff, CEO of Puzzle, about why artificial intelligence should be viewed as an accounting assistant rather than an autonomous replacement for accountants. Orloff argues that accounting is fundamentally an accountability profession: AI can prepare work, identify anomalies, execute firm-defined rules, and accelerate close processes, but a qualified human must review, approve, and remain responsible for the books. The conversation contrasts probabilistic generative AI with deterministic accounting workflows. Puzzle’s approach lets firms describe policies in natural language, confirm the system’s interpretation, and preserve those instructions as repeatable agents. Examples include automatically preparing depreciation for computer purchases and recognizing annual prepaid rent according to a fixed schedule. These agents preserve firm knowledge, create audit trails, and reduce repetitive clicking without silently changing records. The speakers also explore accuracy, trust, staffing shortages, and the limitations of legacy accounting platforms. Orloff says firms adopting governed automation can close faster, improve accuracy, scale without proportional hiring, and potentially give staff significant time back each month. The central message is optimistic but disciplined: firms that combine AI speed with human judgment, transparent controls, and explicit sign-off can deliver better client service, higher margins, and more rewarding accounting work. Key Themes ·       AI as an assistant and amplifier of professional judgment ·       Accountability, review, approval, and auditability ·       Deterministic agents versus probabilistic AI ·       Preserving firm procedures and client-specific knowledge ·       Faster monthly closes and improved consistency ·       Staffing leverage, higher margins, and better work-life balance ·       Gradual, opt-in adoption of AI-powered workflows Catchy Quotes and Video Locations 00:33 — Sasha Orloff: “AI is going to be one of the biggest booms for accounting, and accountants are going to make more money because of AI than ever before.” 06:49 — Sasha Orloff: “The difference is an AI is going to sound really confident when it guesses the wrong way.” 09:09 — Sasha Orloff: “Our customer is the accounting firm, and what does that mean? It means we defer to them as the experts.” 16:01 — Sasha Orloff: “An agent is a piece of software that executes a very specific task.” 21:31 — Sasha Orloff: “This can be designed…not to replace you, but to make you the best version.” 22:13 — Sasha Orloff: “You define your month close process as a set of agents…and just let it prepare and help you become your best version.” 24:14 — Sasha Orloff: “The accountant is the expert. You just need too many clicks to get that expertise implemented.” 30:41 — Sasha Orloff: “Could you imagine having a week of vacation every month and making the same amount of money?”

  3. Jul 10

    ATL265 - Scaling New Heights 2026- "Strange New World"

    In this episode of the Accounting Technology Lab, Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley discuss Scaling New Heights 2026 from Orlando and unpack why this year’s theme, "Strange New World," feels especially relevant for accountants. Randy shares observations from the conference floor, including strong attendance, a large exhibitor presence, sessions on AI, data cleanup, SOPs written with AI, and main stage presentations featuring technology, magic, and thought leadership. The conversation moves from conference recap to practical implications for the profession. Randy and Brian explore how AI is changing advisory services, why clean data remains essential, and why accountants need to understand the difference between deterministic accounting systems and probabilistic AI systems. They also discuss AI governance, privacy policies, EULAs, subprocessors, Microsoft’s compliance posture, and why professional standards require accountants to be more careful with client data than many other business functions. This episode is ideal for accounting professionals who want a grounded perspective on AI’s role in the profession, what was being discussed at one of the year’s major accounting technology conferences, and how firm leaders should think about education, governance, and responsible adoption. Show Notes: Scaling New Heights 2026 used the theme "Strange New World," reflecting the rapid and sometimes unsettling changes created by AI.Randy reported solid attendance of about 2,000 attendees and approximately 133 exhibitors.AI-powered general ledgers and AI-enabled accounting workflows were prominent conference topics.Clean data remains a prerequisite for useful AI output.Sessions emphasized practical AI use, including advisory services, growth strategies, and SOP development.Daniel Susskind’s main stage presentation explored work, professions, education, AI, and artificial general intelligence.Education and change management are becoming central to AI adoption in accounting firms.AI governance is becoming more important than a simple AI policy.Privacy policies, EULAs, subprocessors, and data use for model training require careful review.Microsoft’s compliance and governance approach was discussed as especially relevant for the accounting profession.Accountants must understand that traditional accounting systems are deterministic, while many AI systems are probabilistic.Brian used the vending machine vs. slot machine analogy to explain why AI outputs require review and professional judgment.Pull Quotes "There’s just a lot of things that are strange with AI." - Randy Johnston"You can’t make filet mignon out of hamburger." - Brian Tankersley"Education is the response to AI." - Randy Johnston, discussing themes from Daniel Susskind’s presentation"It is very ish." - Brian Tankersley, on the probabilistic nature of AI"We have to be grown-ups all the time." - Brian Tankersley, on professional obligations around private client data"Last year we said you always start with a policy, but now you’ve got to restrict things with governance." - Randy Johnston

    ATL265 - Scaling New Heights 2026- "Strange New World"

  4. Jul 3

    AICPA ENGAGE 2026 and CPAPA Thought Leader / 40 Under 40 Mashup

    Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley record on-site in Orlando to debrief a packed week around AICPA ENGAGE 2026 and the annual Thought Leader/40 Under 40 mashup. They open with the Rise 2040 vision project, highlighting mega-trends like the profession’s “great identity shift,” AI as a strategic force multiplier, globalization, and the emerging “trust paradox” created by artificial intelligence. The hosts describe intense roundtable discussions among young tech-enabled CPAs and seasoned thought leaders on associations, evolving business models, and how state societies must reimagine member engagement in a digital, AI-driven world. The conversation then tackles AI and private equity—“AIPE”—and how late-career partners, unfunded buyouts, and underinvestment in technology are driving firms toward PE ownership and forced modernization. They explore return-to-office realities, cybersecurity and AI-powered threats, including federal actions around advanced AI models, and the profession’s persistent self-confidence gap with technology. Randy shares ENGAGE highlights, including his 40th year speaking, a standing-room-only Tech Update and AI prompting session, and a 200-vendor exhibit hall featuring every major publisher and cloud platform. They close with reflections on AI’s ubiquity at ENGAGE, main-stage guests like Ryan Reynolds, and why networking at these events still moves the profession forward.

    AICPA ENGAGE 2026 and CPAPA Thought Leader / 40 Under 40 Mashup

  5. Jun 19

    ATL263: Why General AI Is Unsuitable For Tax Research

    In this episode of the Accounting Technology Lab, Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley welcome Kashif Ali, founder of TaxGPT, for a discussion on why general-purpose AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are not sufficient for professional tax research and advisory work. Kashif shares his unconventional journey from journalism to software development and entrepreneurship, ultimately leading to the creation of TaxGPT after experiencing firsthand the difficulty of finding reliable tax information. The conversation explores the evolution of AI in tax research, beginning with source-cited answers and progressing toward autonomous agent-based workflows. Kashif explains how TaxGPT differs from consumer AI tools by focusing exclusively on tax and accounting use cases, implementing hallucination controls, maintaining vetted tax knowledge bases, and emphasizing security and professional trust. The discussion also covers agent orchestration, AI operating systems, workflow automation, and the future of accounting firms. Kashif argues that AI should eliminate repetitive compliance work while elevating the value of professional judgment. The panel examines the growing productivity gap between professionals who effectively leverage AI and those who do not. Looking ahead, Kashif predicts firms will increasingly deploy specialized AI agents, reduce reliance on outsourcing, shift toward advisory services, and potentially move away from billable hours toward outcome-based pricing. Key Quotes Quote #1 "The general purpose AI, OpenAI, Claude, and Gemini, those tools are created like social media. They want your attention. They want to keep you engaged. They are not made for accountants and tax work." Timestamp: Approximately 19:45 Quote #2 "Trust but verify." Timestamp: Approximately 06:45 Quote #3 "We're creating the super app for accounting, tax, and advisory firms." Timestamp: Approximately 12:20 Quote #4 "AI matches the capability of who is using it." Timestamp: Approximately 21:25 Quote #5 "The future of work is that all the manual and repetitive redundant work is gone." Timestamp: Approximately 25:55 Quote #6 "We don't want your attention. We want to help you get your work done effectively." Timestamp: Approximately 20:35 Quote #7 "A professional tool should be able to tell you when you're wrong." Timestamp: Approximately 20:15 (paraphrased) Episode Highlights Topics Covered Why general AI models struggle with tax researchHallucinations and trust in AI-generated answersTaxGPT's specialized tax knowledge architectureAgent orchestration and workflow automationAI governance and security considerationsModel Context Protocols (MCPs)AI operating systems for accounting firmsFuture of tax preparation and review workflowsOne-person million-dollar firmsOutcome-based pricing versus billable hoursMajor Takeaways General-purpose AI is optimized for engagement, not professional tax accuracy.Specialized tax AI requires curated knowledge, citations, and hallucination controls.Agent-based workflows are beginning to automate entire tax processes.Human judgment remains critical despite increasing automation.Firms that embrace AI are widening the productivity gap over competitors.AI will increasingly shift accountants from compliance toward advisory services.

    ATL263: Why General AI Is Unsuitable For Tax Research

  6. Jun 14

    ATL262: 2026 Black Ore AI Tax Summit

    In this episode of the Accounting Technology Lab, Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley provide an in-depth recap of the 2026 Black Ore AI Tax Summit held at Nasdaq Tower in New York City. The event brought together many of the accounting profession’s most influential leaders, technology innovators, managing partners, and AI experts to discuss the rapidly evolving future of AI-powered tax preparation and advisory services. The hosts review Black Ore's launch of Tax Autopilot and discuss industry predictions that fully autonomous individual tax preparation may arrive by 2027, with autonomous entity tax preparation following shortly thereafter. They explore the profession’s growing labor shortage, the role of AI in addressing staffing challenges, and the importance of high-quality, structured data as the foundation for successful AI implementations. The episode also highlights presentations from leaders at Ramp, EisnerAmper, Deloitte, KPMG, PwC, BDO, and other major firms. Key themes included AI-native accounting firms, the transition from compliance work to advisory services, enterprise AI adoption, data governance, process redesign, and the growing influence of private equity in the accounting profession. Ultimately, the discussion paints a picture of a profession entering a transformational era where AI will automate routine work and create new opportunities for firms to deliver higher-value advisory services. Key Takeaways AI-powered tax preparation is rapidly maturing.Black Ore predicts fully autonomous tax preparation by 2027.Labor shortages are accelerating adoption of AI solutions.Data quality remains the largest barrier to successful AI implementation.Firms are increasingly shifting talent from compliance work toward advisory services.AI-native accounting platforms may require a complete redesign of accounting workflows.Private equity continues to reshape the accounting profession.Notable Quotes TimestampQuote02:28 | "By the end of 2027 we would have fully autonomous tax prep."03:07 | "They wanted to produce a 100% optimal AI with 99% accuracy."08:24 | "ROI should not matter at first."08:39 | "You have to let chaos reign, and then rein in the chaos."13:20 | "Getting the data quality up was the most significant impediment to their use of AI."15:51 | "I'm not sure we're not going to have to have another level of revolution in the accounting space."19:34 | "If we have the less mundane compliance work done for us automatically, can we use our talent to turn it over to advisory?"21:22 | "Advisory requires us to become more comfortable with managing risk and not eliminating it."27:05 | "It was probably the best event that I've been to in 10 or 15 years."27:28 | "It was kind of like the accounting and tax equivalent of the Met Gala."

    ATL262: 2026 Black Ore AI Tax Summit

  7. Jun 5

    Keyveve ATL261

    The accounting profession continues to struggle with fragmented systems. Documents arrive through email, text messages, portals, and cloud storage systems, while workflow management, client communication, and document storage often exist in separate applications.  In this episode (ATL261), Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley review Keyveve (https://www.keyveve.com), a platform designed to solve that problem by combining multiple operational functions into a single environment.  The hosts discuss how Keyveve serves as a secure engagement hub where firms can manage documents, workflows, communications, and AI-assisted processes. Rather than requiring separate systems for each function, the platform seeks to create a unified source of truth for both staff and clients.  A major theme of the discussion is document management modernization. Keyveve includes AI-powered classification and naming capabilities that automatically organize documents based on their contents. This reduces manual indexing, metadata entry, and filing errors while improving retrieval and searchability.  The conversation also explores workflow automation. Firms can create engagement templates, assign responsibilities, monitor deadlines, and track work progress throughout the engagement lifecycle. The hosts note that workflow, documents, and communications remain connected instead of being managed in isolated systems.  Another important capability is centralized communication. The platform helps firms consolidate interactions that traditionally occur through multiple channels, including email, client portals, and other digital communication methods.  The hosts further discuss the growing role of AI in accounting operations. Keyveve uses AI for document analysis, search, classification, summaries, and contextual intelligence. As firms increasingly adopt AI tools, having access to structured engagement data becomes a significant advantage.  Finally, the episode considers firms evaluating alternatives to legacy document management systems. The hosts suggest that newer platforms such as Keyveve deserve consideration because they provide integrated capabilities that extend beyond traditional document storage.  For firms seeking greater efficiency, visibility, and collaboration, this episode offers a practical look at a platform designed around modern accounting workflows. Key Discussion Points • Unified document management, workflow, portal, and communications platform • AI-powered document classification and naming • Advanced document search capabilities • Centralized engagement management • Workflow automation and task tracking • Client collaboration tools • Custom engagement templates • Support for tax, CAS, audit, and advisory workflows • Potential alternative to legacy document management systems • Future role of AI-driven engagement intelligence

    Keyveve ATL261

  8. Jun 2 ·  Bonus

    ATL260A Next Generation Document Management (UPDATED)

    (Note - a previous version of this episode had a gap in the audio, so we re-rendered the audio and have reposted the episode.) The accounting profession is on the verge of a major transformation in document management. In this episode of the Accounting Technology Lab, Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way firms capture, organize, search, and process documents.  Traditional document management systems have long relied on manual naming conventions, rigid folder structures, OCR limitations, and labor-intensive filing processes. The hosts explain why these legacy approaches are becoming inadequate as firms seek greater efficiency, mobility, and automation. The discussion highlights how modern AI-powered document management platforms can automatically identify document types, extract data from invoices and forms, create meaningful file names, classify records, and route documents through workflows with minimal human intervention. Microsoft 365 technologies—including Teams, SharePoint, OneDrive, Power Automate, and Copilot—are emerging as foundational components of these next-generation solutions. The episode also explores the convergence of document management, workflow automation, portals, e-signatures, and practice management into unified ecosystems designed to reduce administrative burden and improve client service. For accounting professionals evaluating technology strategy, this episode provides a timely look at the future of document management and offers a compelling case for moving beyond traditional filing systems toward intelligent, AI-driven platforms. Key Quotes from the Episode TimeQuote1:20 | "If an accountant is keying data, you've got a broken process."2:53 | "You can't really put enough AI in the legacy platforms to make them do what they need to do."5:18 | "If you can dream it, you can build it today."6:08 | "Done is better than perfect."10:28 | "What if the file knew how to name itself?"11:04 | "This is the most radical shift that I've seen in 30 years."13:02 | "If you could search everything, not just the titles..."17:30 | "Many of us are still cranking Model Ts. That's what a lot of our document management systems are." Key Topics Covered  AI-powered document management  Automated document classification  Intelligent document naming  OCR and content extraction  Workflow automation  Client portals  Microsoft Teams  Microsoft SharePoint  OneDrive synchronization  Microsoft Copilot  Power Automate  E-signature integration  Practice management integration  Legacy system replacement  Future technology trends in accounting firms

    ATL260A Next Generation Document Management (UPDATED)
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About

In-depth, honest accounting software and technology reviews capturing the real-life experiences of using particular products and solutions - presented by CPA Practice Advisor and technology experts Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley, CPA.

Information

  • Creator
    Brian Tankersley & Randy Johnston
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (c) 2026 CPA Practice Advisor
  • Show Website
    The Accounting Technology Lab