Best Rightworks Podcasts (2026)

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Raise your Rates with Courage: Practical Advice to Confidently Reprice Legacy Clients 49:46

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4M ago49:46

49:46

What if you could work fewer hours, serve better clients, and double your revenue just by changing how you price your services? In this episode of The Modern Firm Podcast, business coach and pricing strategist Loren Fogelman joins us to tackle one of the toughest challenges firm owners face: raising rates and shifting away from the hourly model. Lo…

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An Inside Look at The 2025 Modern Firm Report with Ryan Lazanis 45:50

5M ago45:50

45:50

High-performing accounting firms charge premium fees—often double the industry average—and their owners are working fewer than 40 hours a week. In this episode of The Modern Firm Podcast, Ryan Lazanis (founder of Future Firm) shares insights from his 2025 Modern Firm Report on how smarter pricing translates to less stress and more freedom. Discover…

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Cyber Threats, Agentic AI, and the PE Effect in Accounting 47:57

5M ago47:57

47:57

In this episode of The Modern Firm Podcast, TJ sits down with Roman Kepczyk, Director of Firm Technology Strategy at Rightworks and one of the profession’s most respected tech consultants. Together, they explore what’s top of mind for firms at the midpoint of 2025—from the accelerating adoption of AI and the emergence of agentic workflows, to the e…

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Backstage with Gary Vee: A conversation on Marketing, AI, and the Future of Accounting 37:19

6M ago37:19

37:19

In this special on-site episode from the RightNOW 2025 conference in Nashville, Gary Vaynerchuk joins us for a candid, fast-paced conversation right after his keynote. We cover everything from creating effective content with minimal effort, to why firms are struggling to hire, to the real implications of AI. Gary shares the personal story behind hi…

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Backstage with Josh Linkner: A conversation on everyday innovation, AI, and unlocking creative potential 29:21

7M ago29:21

29:21

In this episode recorded live at the RightNOW Conference in Nashville, innovation expert and bestselling author Josh Linkner joins us to talk about what it really means to innovate in the modern accounting firm. Josh shares how everyday creativity—not billion-dollar breakthroughs—is the key to progress, how to cultivate a culture of innovation by r…

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Escaping Hustle Culture: $10K Hours, 4-Week Vacations & the 25-Hour Workweek 42:57

7M ago42:57

42:57

What if you could swap $10 tasks for $10k impact? Host TJ Lewis talks with Dr. Sabrina Starling—“The Business Psychologist,” bestselling author of How to Hire the Best and The 4 Week Vacation®—about escaping hustle culture in modern accounting firms. Citing research on 700+ entrepreneurs, Dr. Sabrina reveals that 90% are burning out and explains ho…

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Automating out the mundane: Transforming accounting with AI 42:56

8M ago42:56

42:56

"If you gave people a third of their time back to do high-value-add strategic stuff, think about the ripple effect on clients, their businesses, and their lives." In this episode of the RightNOW podcast, host Derek Distin welcomes Davis Bell, CEO of Canopy, for an insightful discussion about how AI is transforming the accounting profession while ad…

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Knowledge democratized: How technology is transforming accounting 29:22

8M ago29:22

29:22

"The AI you're using today is the dumbest AI you will ever use in the future." This powerful insight frames an essential conversation about how technology is transforming the accounting profession at unprecedented speed. In this episode of the RightNOW podcast, host Derek Distin welcomes Robbie Randall, National Sales Leader at Intuit, for a candid…

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The curated experience: How RightNOW makes space for what matters 22:16

8M ago22:16

22:16

"Anxiety is the future, regret is the past. Right now is the only thing we actually have." This inspiring episode of the RightNOW podcast features guest host Rob Brown exploring how accounting professionals can find clarity amid industry transformation with thought leaders John Mitchell and Shannon Hay. John Mitchell, drawing from his unique backgr…

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Why RightNOW25 matters: The event accounting pros can’t miss 25:41

8M ago25:41

25:41

RightNOW25 isn’t just another conference—it’s a must-attend experience for accounting and tax professionals at every level. In this special episode of The RightNOW Podcast, Rob Brown—CEO of Accounting Influencers—sits down with some of the Rightworks team behind the scenes of the event: Derek Distin, Lindsay Malcolm, TJ Lewis, and Molly Gallaher Bo…

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From manual to meaningful: The automation advantage in accounting 14:50

8M ago14:50

14:50

“I don’t want to be a typewriter anymore.” That mindset shift is driving a new era in accounting—one where AI and automation clear out the minute work so firms can focus on what matters. In this episode of the RightNOW Podcast, host Derek Distin sits down with Allen Stahl from Thomson Reuters to talk about scaling smarter. Together, they dig into h…

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Redefining the modern accountant: Leading with empathy and innovation in the age of AI 1:02:25

8M ago1:02:25

1:02:25

What if the future of accounting isn't about being faster or smarter—but more human? In this episode of The Modern Firm Podcast, host TJ Lewis sits down with Hector Garcia, CPA, YouTuber, and AI thought leader, to explore what it means to be an AI-enhanced accountant. They unpack the shift from traditional number crunching to a more human-centered,…

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Beyond the firm mindset: Building scalable accounting practices 14:49

9M ago14:49

14:49

CPA firms who embrace automation and AI will thrive, but the rest would really struggle to be relevant to the market. In this engaging episode of the RightNOW podcast, host Derek Distin explores the evolution of accounting practices with Divakar Vijayasarathy, founder and CEO of DVS Advisory Group, examining how firms can transition from traditiona…

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From burnout to breakthrough: The power of the pause in building resilient firms 38:20

9M ago38:20

38:20

In this episode of The Modern Firm Podcast, host TJ Lewis welcomes back Amy Vetter—CPA, yogi, keynote speaker, and CEO of the B3 Method Institute—for a powerful conversation about one of the most underrated tools in a leader’s toolkit: the pause. As firms navigate the intensity of busy season and beyond, Amy challenges the grind mindset and makes t…

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Elevating the profession: Inside the vision for RightNOW25 14:50

9M ago14:50

14:50

In an industry where community matters as much as technology, the future of accounting will be built not through isolation but through meaningful connections that transcend a single event. In this special episode of the RightNOW podcast, guest host Rob Brown interviews the leadership team behind the upcoming RightNOW25 conference. Joel Hughes, Moni…

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From talent crisis to tech opportunity: Accounting’s evolution 29:47

9M ago29:47

29:47

"If you are hoping to sustain and thrive in the next 10 years, the hope would be you're further along the tech curve than you might be." In the latest episode of the RightNOW podcast, host Derek Distin sits down with Richard Corn, Director of Product Management at BILL, for a thought-provoking conversation about the technological revolution sweepin…

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Engaging the talent on your team to drive innovation in your firm 54:44

9M ago54:44

54:44

Could engaging your team differently unlock the innovation and change your firm needs to thrive? In this episode of The Modern Firm Podcast, TJ Lewis and Jen Wilson, partner and co-founder of ConvergenceCoaching, LLC, discuss strategies for engaging talent, fostering innovation, and driving meaningful change in accounting firms. They explore how fi…

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AI in accounting: Solution or hype? 37:27

9M ago37:27

37:27

With 75% of CPAs nearing retirement age, could AI-powered digital workers solve the accounting profession's talent crisis? This episode of the RightNOW podcast delves into the technological revolution reshaping the profession and offers a roadmap for navigating the complex challenges firms face in 2025. Derek Distin, VP of Community at Rightworks, …

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Elevating the accounting profession at RightNOW 19:39

10M ago19:39

19:39

The RightNOW Podcast is back with an exciting new season, hosted by Derek Distin, VP of Community at Rightworks. As we count down to the highly anticipated RightNOW event in Nashville this May, Derek leads thought-provoking conversations with industry leaders and innovators, delivering expert insights and actionable strategies for accounting profes…

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Leading change: Key insights and practical strategies with Will Hill 48:21

10M ago48:21

48:21

Is your firm equipped to lead purposeful change and foster innovation in today’s fast-moving world? In this episode of the Modern Firm Podcast, we dive into the critical elements of leading purposeful change and fostering an innovative mindset within accounting firms. Our guest, Will Hill, shares over 20 years of expertise in helping firms adapt an…

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A new season, a new vision: Re-establishing what it means to be a Modern Firm (Episode 31) 19:09

10M ago19:09

19:09

What does it really mean to be a modern firm in today’s constantly evolving landscape? In this episode of The Modern Firm® podcast, host TJ Lewis sets the stage for the new season. With a focus on innovation and evolution, TJ redefines what it means to be a modern accounting firm—not as a fixed destination, but as an ongoing journey rooted in a gro…

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Accounting's Path to Strategic Advising 22:56

10M ago22:56

22:56

Welcome to the RightNOW podcast, hosted by Derek Distin, Sr. Director of Customer Experience for Rightworks. In this episode of the RightNOW Podcast, Derek is joined by special guests Adam Orlowski, Sr. Vice President & Chief Technical Officer for Tax and Accounting in North America at Wolters Kluwer, and John Barnes, Vice President for Firm Manage…

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When knowledge walks out the door: AI is the solution (Ep. 30) 31:39

12M ago31:39

31:39

Is your firm prepared to retain critical knowledge when long-term employees leave? Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, moderated by John Mitchell, who is joined by Ted McRae, Director of Demand at Makers Hub and a 30-year veteran of the accounting technology industry. In this episode, John and Ted tackle the pressing issue of knowledge retention i…

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New Year predictions: Get ready for 2025 (Ep. 29) 28:32

12M ago28:32

28:32

What will transform the accounting profession in 2025? Join John Mitchell and Darren Root as they share their bold predictions and insights for the coming year. From Apple’s AI integration to quantum computing breakthroughs, discover how emerging technologies will reshape client service and workplace dynamics. Learn why strategic technology adoptio…

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AI gadgets and goodies for the holidays: Darren and John top picks (Ep. 28) 25:12

1y ago25:12

25:12

How will AI transform your everyday experiences? Join John Mitchell and Darren Root as they explore the latest tech innovations and discuss how AI is becoming more personal than ever. From Apple’s newest AI features to essential work-from-home gadgets, discover how these tools are reshaping our daily routines. Learn practical tips for leveraging te…

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Securing all entrances: Cybersecurity layers for your firm (Ep. 27) 30:02

1y ago30:02

30:02

Does your firm have a false sense of security? Did you know that 94% of small businesses have experienced a cybersecurity event? In this episode of The Modern Firm podcast, Mike Ellerhorst, CEO of NTM Advisory, explains why accounting firms are prime targets and shares practical strategies for protecting your business. You’ll learn about the three …

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Succession planning: Important aspects of a successful accounting practice sale (Ep.26) 31:02

1y ago31:02

31:02

Are you leaving money on the table when it comes to your firm’s value? This episode serves up a fresh take on succession planning with industry leaders Todd Steinberg and Chris Tabb. These experts shed light on why most accounting firms are caught off guard when planning for the future. They share insider knowledge on everything from location to cl…

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The psychology of tech purchases: Revealing common barriers and how to move forward, faster (Ep. 25) 38:00

1y ago38:00

38:00

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, with guest moderator Dr. Kristy Short, Senior Director of Content Strategy for Rightworks, who is joined by Roman Kepczyk, Director of Firm Technology Strategy for Rightworks. In this episode, Kristy and Roman navigate the psychology behind technology purchasing decisions in accounting firms and the common barri…

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Do you know your firm’s security risk level? (Ep. 24) 28:44

1y ago28:44

28:44

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, hosted by guest moderator Dr. Kristy Short, Senior Director of Content Strategy for Rightworks, who is joined by Dr. Molly Boddy, Director of Product Marketing at Rightworks. In this episode, Kristy and Molly tackle the vital topic of security in the accounting profession. Molly, an expert in security and compli…

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Connected leadership: How to cultivate a fulfilling work life for staff (Ep. 23) 25:08

1+ y ago25:08

25:08

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, hosted by Darren Root, Growth Strategist for Rightworks, founder of Rootworks (now Rightworks Academy) and an accounting firm owner for over 30 years, and John Mitchell, Culture and Workforce Advisor for Rightworks. In this episode, Darren and John host a captivating conversation with Amy Vetter, CPA, CEO of The…

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Unpacking NPAG’s Accounting Talent Strategy Report (Ep. 22) 31:20

1+ y ago31:20

31:20

In this episode of The Modern Firm® podcast, join moderator Dr. Kristy Short as she interviews Jennifer Wilson, co-founder and partner of ConvergenceCoaching, to discuss the National Pipeline Advisory Group's groundbreaking efforts in solving the talent pipeline challenges in the accounting profession. They discuss the need to make the academic exp…

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Getting radical with Jody Padar on pricing, process and people (Ep. 21) 35:06

1+ y ago35:06

35:06

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, hosted by Darren Root, Chief Strategist for Rightworks, founder of Rootworks (now Rightworks Academy) and an accounting firm owner for over 30 years, and John Mitchell, Culture and Workforce Advisor for Rightworks. In this episode, guest moderator Kristy Short, Senior Director of Content Strategy for Rightworks,…

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Combating the pipeline shortage with offshore staffing (Ep. 20) 34:05

1+ y ago34:05

34:05

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, hosted by Darren Root, Growth Strategist for Rightworks, founder of Rootworks (now Rightworks Academy) and an accounting firm owner for over 30 years, and John Mitchell, Culture and Workforce Advisor for Rightworks.  In this episode, Darren and John are joined by two special guests from GKM, Viji Sudhakar and To…

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Retention Revolution: Crafting exceptional staff experiences (Ep. 19) 39:19

1+ y ago39:19

39:19

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast. In the latest episode, host John Mitchell, Culture and Workforce Advisor for Rightworks, interviews Tiffany Caponigro, Rightworks Academy coach, about the "retention revolution" and its impact on firm culture and staff retention. Tiffany highlights the significance of moving from a reactive to a proactive approa…

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Remotely great: Building a firm culture to support hybrid work (Ep. 18) 23:02

1+ y ago23:02

23:02

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, hosted by Darren Root, Chief Strategist for Rightworks, founder of Rootworks (now Rightworks Academy) and an accounting firm owner for over 30 years, and John Mitchell, Culture and Workforce Advisor for Rightworks. In this episode, John and Darren explore the challenges and strategies for adapting to a post-pand…

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Target the right clients: Why ICP matters (Ep. 17) 19:03

1+ y ago19:03

19:03

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, hosted by Darren Root, Chief Strategist for Rightworks, founder of Rootworks (now Rightworks Academy) and an accounting firm owner for over 30 years, and John Mitchell, Culture and Workforce Advisor for Rightworks. In this episode, Darren and John discuss the fact that accounting firm owners say that less than 6…

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Advisory doesn't stand alone (Ep. 16) 21:31

1+ y ago21:31

21:31

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, hosted by Darren Root, Chief Strategist for Rightworks, founder of Rootworks (now Rightworks Academy) and an accounting firm owner for over 30 years, and John Mitchell, Culture and Workforce Advisor for Rightworks.  In this episode, Darren and John discuss what everyone in the accounting profession has been talk…

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Going deeper with your ideal clients (Ep. 15) 27:34

1+ y ago27:34

27:34

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, hosted by Darren Root, Chief Strategist for Rightworks, founder of Rootworks (now Rightworks Academy) and an accounting firm owner for over 30 years, and John Mitchell, Culture and Workforce Advisor for Rightworks. In this episode, Darren and John welcome Terry Offenberger, CPA and Managing Shareholder of Hammer…

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From Shortages to Solutions: How to Adapt in the New Accounting Industry (Ep. 7) 17:08

1+ y ago17:08

17:08

Welcome to the RightNOW podcast, hosted by Derek Distin, Sr. Director of Customer Experience for Rightworks. In this episode, Derek welcomes Justin Cabinet from Intuit, to discuss the current state of the accounting profession. They dive into staff shortage strategies, automation and what defining goals could mean to your accounting firm. Justin al…

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The Modern Firm® Maturity Continuum: A deeper dive into levels and where you rank (Ep. 14) 22:08

1+ y ago22:08

22:08

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, hosted by Darren Root, Chief Strategist for Rightworks, founder of Rootworks (now Rightworks Academy) and an accounting firm owner for over 30 years, and John Mitchell, Culture and Workforce Advisor for Rightworks. In this episode, Darren and John take a deep dive into The Modern Firm Maturity Continuum and walk…

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Navigating Accounting’s Future: Strategies for Success (Ep. 6) 18:18

1+ y ago18:18

18:18

In this episode of the RightNOW Podcast, Derek Distin is joined by Nancy Hawkins, VP of Product Management at Thomson Reuters. Together, Derek and Nancy discuss the technological challenges, talent upscaling and agency modernization currently impacting the accounting profession. Nancy shares her thoughts on how remote work is a great way to attract…

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Breaking Through Barriers: AI, KPIs and Seamless Experiences (Ep. 5) 17:43

1+ y ago17:43

17:43

Welcome to the RightNOW podcast, hosted by Derek Distin, Sr. Director of Customer Experience for Rightworks. In Episode 5, Derek talks with SafeSend Co-founder and Chief Growth Officer, Andrew Hatfield. The two talk about the virtues of a frictionless experience, barriers to industry growth, AI and KPIs and how accounting firms can use automation a…

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Revolutionizing Accounting: Can Generative AI Lead the Way? (Ep. 4) 22:45

1+ y ago22:45

22:45

In this episode, renowned guest, Dr. Radhika Dirks, CEO and Co-Founder of XLABS and RIBO joins Derek Distin to go in-depth about the role generative AI will play in the next evolution of the accounting profession. We discuss the impact, accuracy, and hesitancy behind AI and how accounting firms can positively implement this revolutionary tool.…

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From Outsourcing to AI: How to Solve Your Firm’s Labor Shortage (Ep. 3) 18:11

1+ y ago18:11

18:11

In episode 3 of the RightNOW podcast, Miles Talent Hub CEO, Varun Jain joins host Derek Distin, Sr. Director of Customer Experience for Rightworks, to shed light on the labor shortage affecting the accounting profession. They also explore how technology, outsourcing and the STEM model can attract a wider talent pool and help reverse the crisis. Lea…

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The Modern Firm® Maturity Continuum: Where do you rank? (Ep. 13) 30:33

1+ y ago30:33

30:33

In this episode of The Modern Firm® podcast, Darren Root welcomes Joel Hughes, Chief Executive Officer of Rightworks. Darren and Joel review some results from the 2024 Rightworks Accounting Firm Technology Survey and offer insights into the tech firms are—and aren’t—taking advantage of. They also introduce The Modern Firm Maturity Continuum, where …

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Integration and Transformation: Is Your Firm Prepared to Move Forward (Ep. 2) 20:33

1+ y ago20:33

20:33

Welcome to the RightNOW podcast, hosted by Derek Distin, Sr. Director of Customer Experience for Rightworks. In this episode of the RightNOW Podcast, Derek is joined by special guest Heidi Rogers, Account Manager for CPA Charge. Derek and Heidi dive into how evolving technology can help accounting firms overcome industry-wide challenges and the str…

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Accounting For Tomorrow: Trends and Transformations (Ep. 1) 19:23

1+ y ago19:23

19:23

Welcome to the RightNOW podcast, hosted by Derek Distin, Sr. Director of Customer Experience for Rightworks. In this episode of the RightNOW Podcast, Derek is joined by special guest and CEO of Canopy, Davis Bell to examine the evolution of accounting and how modernization will impact accounting firms, their clients and employees. Plus, they discus…

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You asked; we’re answering: Top questions on “Why the intelligent cloud?” (Ep. 12) 29:02

1+ y ago29:02

29:02

How do accounting firms use the cloud and other tech to smooth the points of friction in their collaboration processes? In this episode of The Modern Firm® podcast, Darren Root and John Mitchell reflect on the surprising results of a new Rightworks survey that answers that question (hint: most firms don’t). But Darren and John are ready with some s…

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AI now: It's not just the future (Ep. 11) 32:22

2y ago32:22

32:22

In this episode of The Modern Firm® podcast, Darren Root and John Mitchell welcome TJ Lewis, Innovation Strategist for Rightworks and one of the creators of Spark—Rightworks’ new AI tool built for accountants. Darren, John and TJ discuss the advantages of using a separate, more secure AI like Spark, why you should identify an AI champion for the fi…

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The intelligent cloud and The Modern Firm® (Ep. 10) 25:51

2y ago25:51

25:51

In this episode of The Modern Firm® podcast, Darren Root and John Mitchell explore the intelligent cloud platform. Why is the “intelligent” cloud better than the “regular” cloud everyone’s raved about for so long? Can it really help change—for the better—the way you organize and operate your firm? Join Darren and John for the answers to these quest…