2026 is not a reset year for accounting firms.It is a sorting year.

In this episode of Accounting Voices, Rob Brown explains why the accounting profession is splitting and why firms will be forced to choose a direction.

Four fault lines are reshaping the profession:

1. How firms adopt AI

2. How client expectations are changing

3. Whether the next generation wants ownership

4. Which business models survive consolidation

Some firms will gain clarity, margin and confidence. Others will stay busy and quietly fall behind. This episode is not about tools. It is about direction.

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/240ZreNQrT4

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

In this episode, Rob Brown reflects on the significant changes and challenges faced in the accounting and finance sectors over the past year. He discusses the impact of private equity, AI, and shifting workplace dynamics on professionals' mental health and job satisfaction. Rob emphasizes the importance of recognizing these changes, reassessing career paths, and building personal brands to ensure stability and relevance in the evolving job market. He encourages listeners to reflect on their experiences and consider what they want to carry forward into the next year.

Takeaways

This year has brought unprecedented change in the workplace.

Mental health and job satisfaction are crucial for professionals.

Many are questioning if their current career aligns with their expectations.

Stability comes from personal skills and relationships, not just employers.

Silence in the workplace can lead to irrelevance.

It's acceptable to seek more from your career without being ungrateful.

Accounting offers diverse career paths and opportunities.

Not every workplace deserves your best efforts.

Clarity and context are essential for career success.

Reflecting on the past year can guide future career decisions.

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/_Q-K-1vW5TU

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

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The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.

In the final part of this mini series Rob Brown explains how professionals and leaders should act when firm change is officially announced. From mergers to ownership shifts this episode shows why coping with uncertainty is now a career defining skill.

Key takeaways

1. Change tests behaviour
2. Clarity builds trust
3. Visibility creates security
4. Adaptation wins careers

You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/YnwCVRqWdO0

Come and join our Accounting Voices Collective on Linkedin to find out more about our shows and virtual networking events: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-voices

◣━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━◢

The Accounting Voices Podcast serves accounting firm leaders, managers and partners looking to build their executive presence, influence and credibility both internally and externally. Host Rob Brown delivers insights to help professionals strengthen their personal brand, stay informed about industry changes and navigate disruptive forces affecting accounting business models and trends. Check out the show on your preferred podcast app or platform, or go to the Accounting Voices YouTube channel for all of the episodes in video format. https://www.youtube.com/@accountingvoices

Rob works with consultants/experts in the accounting space via personal interviews to create video snippets and thought leadership pieces. If you have success stories, valued expertise or a brand that needs amplifying, but lack the time to create thought leadership or video content, chat with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

If you'd like to sponsor the show and elevate your brand with our audience, reach out to show host Rob Brown on LinkedIn and his team will reach out to fix up a chat to explore.