Issue #27 - Outsourcing your thinking to AI?
AI, AI & AI + More AI. And a song you’ll hum all week.
Welcome to "Get Work Done," where we discuss the complexities of efficiently running accounting and bookkeeping firms. Brought to you by Financial Cents and delivered to your inbox every 2 weeks.
Small Change, Big Vibe: Your Post-Tax Season Anthem Is Here
Okay, we’re breaking the rules a bit today. Instead of a small workflow tweak or time-saving tip, we’ve got something else that’ll lift your spirits just as much, a post-tax season banger made just for you.
You deserve more than a break because you powered through late nights, endless client questions, and the tax season chaos. You deserve a vibe. So, we created a tax-season-is-over anthem to celebrate your hard work, hustle, and well-earned exhale. It’s catchy and fun.
🎧 Throw it on as you close your laptop, share it with your team, or just dance it out in your office chair.
You’ve earned this.
Community 🫶
Introducing Aligned Accountants by Erica Goode (The 15-Hour Accountant)
Aligned Accountants is a refreshing space for solo firm owners—bookkeepers, CPAs, EAs, and fractional CFOs—intentionally building small, smart, and sustainable practices. This community, founded by Erica Goode, embraces time freedom, values-driven work, and practical tools to help members run efficient, profitable firms without the pressure to scale. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, career shifter, or winding down toward retirement, you’ll find a welcoming, judgment-free space. Members get access to training, templates, a video library, and most importantly, a like-minded network that gets it.
Sign up for the newsletter to learn more.
Introducing She Counts Podcast by Questian Telka, EA, and Nancy McClelland, CPA
She Counts is more than a podcast—it’s a real-talk space for women navigating the accounting, tax, and bookkeeping world. Hosted by seasoned pros Nancy McClelland and Questian Telka, She Counts dives into the unfiltered realities of being a woman in this industry, whether in corporate, firm life, or flying solo. From taboo topics to daily frustrations, this podcast offers a space to be seen, heard, and understood—building a community where women can connect, relate, and grow together.
H🔥t today
Balancing AI & Critical Thinking - a Superpower?
AI is transforming accounting, from faster audits to sharper fraud detection. But there's a growing concern beneath the surface: As firms embrace automation, are they sidelining critical thinking?
A recent Journal of Accountancy piece explores this tension. It highlights how generative AI can confidently generate false information, how bias in training data can distort outcomes, and how overreliance on tools can weaken professional skepticism. Complex algorithms may also be difficult to explain, raising practical and ethical challenges for auditors and finance teams alike.
The takeaway? Technology can supercharge your work, but it is not a substitute for sound judgment.
Read the full article to explore how accountants can strike the right balance between AI efficiency and human insight, before decisions start getting made on autopilot.
What 800+ Accounting Pros Said About Workflow & Automation in 2025
If you’ve felt like managing client work is getting more complex, you’re not alone—and the numbers back it up. The 2025 State of Workflow & Automation Report is here, and it’s packed with real insights from over 800 accountants, bookkeepers, and firm owners navigating today’s workflow chaos.
This year’s report examines the bottlenecks still tripping up firms, like inconsistent processes, messy handoffs, and burnout from manual follow-ups. But it also highlights a big shift: more firms are turning to automation and AI to reclaim their time, streamline work, and scale sustainably.
From the most common workflow pain points to what top-performing firms are doing differently, this report gives you a clear snapshot of where the industry is headed—and how you can stay ahead.
Whether you're just getting started with workflow systems or already experimenting with AI-powered tools, this report is a must-read. You’ll walk away with actionable benchmarks, practical ideas, and fresh inspiration to future-proof your firm.
Get the insights, data, and tools shaping accounting workflows in 2025.
Download the full report →
Swipe this workflow template
Swipe Misty Scott’s Quarterly Accounting Free Workflow Template.
Get more templates from firm owners like you in our community template library.
Meme
Relatable?
Events
📍 Accounting AI & Automation Summit – May 20 (Virtual)
Hosted by Financial Cents, this virtual summit is your front-row seat to the future of accounting. We’re bringing together top minds—Jason Staats, Ryan Lazanis, Chad Davis, Michelle Gordon, Jenna Rodriguez, Kellie Parks, Ed Axe, and Kellie Parks—to unpack how firms are actually using AI and automation today. You’ll learn what’s working, what’s hype, and how to take action now. Whether you're just exploring AI or deep into implementation, this is your chance to get clarity and community.
Save your seat →
📍 AICPA ENGAGE – June 9–12 (Las Vegas, NV)
One of the biggest events in the profession, AICPA ENGAGE is where accounting leaders go to sharpen their skills, explore new technologies, and network with peers. With sessions on everything from tax strategy to practice management to AI, it’s a must-attend for anyone serious about leveling up.
Explore the agenda →
Which event’s going on your calendar?
Noteworthy
Accountants: THIS Is How AI & Automation Will Impact Your Job
AI and automation are transforming the way accounting firms operate, and fast. In this video, we break down exactly what AI can (and can’t) do for your firm. From chatbots to workflow automation, you'll learn how these tools are changing day-to-day work and how Financial Cents is helping firms stay ahead with AI-powered templates, smart automations, and seamless integrations. If you want to work smarter, not harder, this one's for you.
The Leadership Habit That’s Quietly Breaking Team Trust
Based on the Forbes article by Mark Murphy
In the hustle of managing deadlines, meetings, and business growth, many leaders unintentionally develop a habit that slowly erodes team trust: giving vague, non-committal feedback.
In his Forbes article, leadership expert Mark Murphy breaks down how seemingly harmless phrases like “we’ll see,” “maybe,” or “let’s circle back” can undermine your credibility and leave your team confused, anxious, or disengaged. These ambiguous responses often feel like a safe way to delay decisions or avoid conflict—but to employees, they signal uncertainty, lack of direction, or even dishonesty.
Why does this matter for accounting and bookkeeping firm owners? Because your team looks to you not just for strategy, but for stability. When feedback lacks clarity, team members may start second-guessing themselves, lose motivation, or hold back from bringing new ideas forward. Over time, trust fades, communication breaks down, and performance dips—without anyone noticing the root cause.
Murphy offers a powerful reminder: clear is kind. Even when the answer is “no” or “not now,” transparency builds confidence.
Takeaway: The fastest way to build (or rebuild) trust isn’t through grand gestures—it’s through honest, clear communication in everyday moments.
Until Next Time,
