Pulse of the Practice

Thomson Reuters
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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. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 11/11/2025

    From Burnout to Breakthrough: Gary Boomer's Playbook to Rebuild CPA Firms with AI by 2026

    Is the accounting talent shortage your biggest problem—or your biggest opportunity? In this episode of Pulse of the Practice (2025, E19), hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller sit down with L. Gary Boomer—founder, visionary, and strategist at Boomer Consulting—to unpack how AI, advisory services, and a new business model will redefine CPA firms by 2026. Boomer explains why the next five years could deliver a century's worth of technology change, and how firm leaders can turn anxiety and burnout into momentum with mindset, purpose, and process. You'll learn the concrete steps to move from compliance to high‑value advisory, ditch the hour‑based model for results‑driven pricing, and build an Agenic Workforce that scales expertise with AI "agents," staff‑on‑demand, and fractional C‑suite talent. What you'll learn: How to pivot from tax/audit compliance to recurring, scalable Client Advisory Services (CAS) clients actually valueThe business case for value pricing vs. billable hours—and why clients buy outcomes, not timeThe EXO (Exponential Organizations) framework applied to CPA firms: staff‑on‑demand, community, algorithms, and moreBoomer's prediction for 2026: why the "labor shortage" worry will be replaced by super‑workers augmented by AIA practical talent strategy: onboard grads directly into advisory, use coaching (not just mentoring), and implement the 3×3 relationship ruleTech you can use now: AI note‑taking/meeting tools (Fathom/Otter) and Google's NotebookLM for knowledge capture, training, and faster knowledge transferHow to clean data, document processes, and build internal knowledge bases so AI actually worksThe leadership shift: set a massively transformative purpose (MTP), align clients and staff to your vision, and create a cadence of continuous improvement If you're a managing partner, CAS leader, or firm owner ready to modernize your practice, this conversation is your roadmap to healthier margins, happier teams, and stickier client relationships. Subscribe for more practical playbooks on modern firm leadership, AI adoption, CAS growth, and pricing strategy—and share this episode with a partner who's still billing by the hour. Keywords: accounting firm transformation, CPA firm strategy, Client Advisory Services, CAS, AI in accounting, accounting burnout, talent shortage accounting, value pricing for CPAs, Boomer Consulting, Gary Boomer, EXO framework, Agenic Workforce, NotebookLM, meeting AI tools, fractional CFO/COO/CIO, accounting firm processes, shift from compliance to advisory

    38 min

  5. 11/07/2025 · BONUS

    Pulse of the Practice: Behind the scenes at SYNERGY

    Mo and Paul interview Andrew McCracken live on-site at SYNERGY 2025 in Orlando, Florida, to learn what it's like to put a conference of this magnitude together.

    12 min

  6. 11/06/2025 · BONUS

    Inside the Neighborhood: Energy, AI, and Change at Synergy Users Conference

    Step into the vibrant atmosphere of the Synergy Users Conference with this special “Neighborhood Walk Through” episode of Pulse of the Practice. Hosts take you behind the scenes, capturing the energy, candid conversations, and diverse perspectives that make this event unique. From advisor bootcamp reflections to spontaneous chats with attendees and vendors, the episode explores how firms are embracing innovation, leveraging AI, and tackling real-world challenges in tax and advisory workflows. Hear firsthand how peer-to-peer learning, product feedback, and intentional change are shaping the future of the industry. Whether it’s finding the “golden ticket” to new efficiencies, sharing a laugh over conference quirks, or discussing the importance of carving out time for innovation, this episode delivers a lively, insightful look at what happens when professionals come together to recharge, connect, and spark new ideas.

    18 min

  7. 10/28/2025

    Hackers Love Small Tax Firms: Why MFA Is Already Obsolete—and What Could Save You

    Episode description (120–180 words): Cybersecurity is no longer optional for tax and accounting firms. In this episode, hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller are joined by Steve Ferguson (Protection Plus) to break down what really keeps practices safe—and operating—when threats hit. They cover why small firms are prime targets, how phishing and AI‑driven scams fool even savvy teams, and why MFA alone isn't enough as zero trust becomes the new standard. Steve explains must‑have protections, including cyber insurance with breach response, plus the role of a written information security plan (WISP) required by FTC/IRS guidance. You'll hear real‑world stories—from kiosk‑seeded refund diversions to gift‑card cons—and practical steps for training staff, reducing liability, and responding fast to limit damage. If you handle client data, this conversation is your playbook for Cybersecurity Awareness Month and beyond.

    28 min

  8. 10/14/2025

    The Human Edge: Why In‑Person Collaboration Still Matters in a High‑AI World

    On this episode of Pulse of the Practice, hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller get candid about the real trade‑offs between remote, hybrid, and in‑office work—especially inside tax and accounting firms. Fresh off the Oct 15 deadline push, they unpack client "last‑minute" realities, staff learning curves, and why knowledge transfer, mentorship, and relationship building often accelerate when people share the same room. Mo and Paul compare what's truly efficient remotely vs. what benefits from in‑person energy—brainstorming, training juniors, managing tough client conversations, and developing the advisory mindset that AI can't replace. They also discuss how shifting routine work to AI raises the bar on human skills: collaboration, judgment, and leadership. Takeaways: When hybrid beats remote (and why RTO is resurging)Turning deadline chaos into repeatable process improvementsMaking mentorship intentional so juniors level up fasterThe human edge in an AI‑accelerated firmIf you enjoyed this episode, follow/subscribe and share with a colleague. Got a topic you want Mo and Paul to cover? Send it our way. Keywords/tags: accounting firm management, hybrid work accounting, return to office 2025, tax deadline October 15, knowledge transfer accounting, mentorship in firms, staff training CPA firm, client management tax practice, AI in accounting 2025, advisory services development, remote vs in‑office productivity, brainstorming in person, culture in accounting firms, process improvement busy season, workload compression tax, professional development CPAs, leadership in public accounting, talent retention accounting, small firm competitiveness, Detroit accounting conversation, Business by Design firm insights, Pulse of the Practice podcast

    27 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
    142
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Thomson Reuters
  • Show Website
    Pulse of the Practice