In this episode, Rob Brown sits down with Matt Tait, a recovering attorney turned entrepreneur who has built and scaled multiple companies, including Decimal. Matt shares how he accidentally became an accounting influencer, why honesty and transparency outperform perfection, and why leading through change matters now more than ever as accounting experiences its biggest transformation since the shift away from paper ledgers.

Matt discusses the realities of entrepreneurship, the shift from startup mode to company-building mode, and the accounting industry's resistance to change. Matt explains why adopting AI isn't optional anymore, sharing his belief that "if you think change is hard, try not changing." He also opens up about identity, authenticity, and building your voice online, even if you're an introvert or an employee, reminding listeners that "building trust and credibility is the one thing AI will never replace."

From the future of accounting firms to personal branding, this episode is packed with practical insights and no-nonsense truth about leading through change.

Key Topics Covered

• Matt's journey from attorney to multi-company founder
• Why vulnerability builds trust more than pretending to know everything
• AI adoption and what happens to firms that ignore it
• "Choose your hard" – a philosophy for leadership and growth
• Building a personal brand authentically as an introvert

Who This Episode Is For

This episode is for accounting firm owners navigating transformation, young leaders in accounting and finance, professionals looking to grow their personal brand, entrepreneurs dealing with scaling challenges, and anyone curious about AI's real impact on the profession.

About Leaders of the Ledger
Leaders of the Ledger is an ongoing podcast series spotlighting the innovators, firm leaders, and rising stars shaping the future of accounting with practical insights and proven strategies.

This podcast is produced and owned by CPA Practice Advisor. You can learn more about the podcast, episode recaps, and more at https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/podcasts/.

Follow CPA Practice Advisor on Social:

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In this episode, Rob Brown sits down with Arna Erazo, a rising leader in Client Accounting Services. She built a thriving outsourced accounting practice at GHJ from scratch while working remotely from Oklahoma.

Arna shares her journey from Big Four audit to industry to advisory. She opens up about balancing motherhood and leadership. She discusses scaling her practice from four clients to over 100. Her team grew from one to 12 members across the country.

This conversation covers people-first leadership, building culture in remote teams, and why CAS is accounting's fastest-growing service line. Arna breaks down what CAS 3.0 looks like. She explains how firms can leverage AI and technology to elevate the profession.

She also discusses personal branding, writing thought leadership, and how both introverts and extroverts can become influential in their own ways.

Key Topics Covered:

• Scaling a remote outsourced accounting practice from the ground up
• Building firm culture and connection across distributed teams
• Balancing motherhood with demanding leadership roles
• People-first approach to team building and client relationships
• Why CAS is the fastest-growing accounting service line
• Leveraging AI and technology for accounting's future
• Writing and personal branding done intentionally
• Mentorship, coaching, and supporting the next generation

This episode is packed with practical wisdom for anyone building teams, leading remotely, or shaping the future of accounting.

Leaders of the Ledger is an ongoing podcast series spotlighting the innovators, firm leaders, and rising stars shaping the future of accounting with practical insights and proven strategies.

Follow CPA Practice Advisor on Social:

Twitter: https://x.com/cpapracadvisor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpapracticeadvisor

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3927201/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CPAPracticeAdvisor

Leaders of the Ledger is produced and owned by CPA Practice Advisor. You can learn more about the podcast, episode recaps, and more at https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/podcasts/.

Rob Brown sits down with Tailor Hartman, founder of Celerity, to unpack his journey from burnout and rigid corporate structures to becoming one of the most authentic voices in accounting. Tailor shares how he built a thriving CAS firm, why vulnerability online works, and what accountants must do to stay relevant in an AI-driven world.

Tailor opens up about his leap from BDO and private accounting to starting Celerity, where he earned $200K in his first year working just 20 hours a week. He discusses why authenticity beats polished, AI-written posts, and how loneliness and mental health challenges shaped his early founder journey. Community connections became his lifeline and referral pipeline.

Key topics covered:

• The power of niches: specializing in QuickBooks Online and NetSuite for sustainable growth
• Why accountants must post online even when engagement feels low
• How AI is making soft skills and personal brand the number one differentiator
• Practical advice for leaving your job to start a firm on your own terms

This episode offers powerful insights for accountants, creators, and firm owners who want to grow their influence and build a business while staying true to themselves.

Follow CPA Practice Advisor on Social:
Twitter: https://x.com/cpapracadvisor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cpapracticeadvisor
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/3927201/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CPAPracticeAdvisor

This is an ongoing podcast series spotlighting the innovators, firm leaders, and rising stars shaping the future of accounting with practical insights and proven strategies.

Leaders of the Ledger is produced and owned by CPA Practice Advisor. You can learn more about the podcast, episode recaps, and more at https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/podcasts/.