Accounting Industry Insights with Mark Holton + Matt Feehan

Mark and Matt are joined by Trent McLaren, co-founder of Vinyl, for a practical look at what AI is actually changing inside accounting firms. Using findings from the latest Crunch Benchmarking Report as well as what Trent is seeing in firms, they dig into why higher performing firms are generating more per hour without necessarily working more, why AI adoption is still being slowed by security and change management, and where firms may be missing opportunities sitting inside everyday client conversations. Pricing, client responsiveness, the future shape of accounting teams and how AI can support advisory work without replacing the human judgement and relationships clients still need are also discussed.   Contact Trent and find out more about Vinyl here. If you would like to put your firm's numbers into the Crunch, or get a copy of the general report here.  Click here to find out more about the Fearless Leadership Program on 29 and 30 October at QT Gold Coast. 

The top-performing firms are not necessarily serving more clients; they are generating more value from the clients they already have. Three years of data from The Crunch shows the top-performing accounting firms are making more from each client, writing off less, earning more from advisory and specialist services, and freeing partners from some of the traditional billable work. Julia Thomson from Benchmarking Data and Research joins Mark and Matt to look at what sits behind those numbers and what firms can learn from them. They also get into some of the bigger questions facing the profession. If nearly everyone is now using AI, where does the advantage come from? Are firms still measuring productivity in the right way? How do you build experienced accountants if AI starts removing the work juniors traditionally learned on? And has the accountant shortage simply become something firms now need to design around? For firm owners and leaders, there is plenty here to challenge how you think about clients, productivity, people and where future growth will come from.   If you would like to put your firm's numbers into the Crunch, or get a copy of the general report visit: wwww.benchmarking.com.au/accounting-industry-report Click here to find out more about the Fearless Leadership Program on 29 and 30 October at QT Gold Coast. Early bird pricing ends 26 September.

Mark sits down with Paul Dunn, co-founder of B1G1, four-time TEDx speaker, and one of the most influential voices in the global accounting profession, for a conversation that challenges everything firms think they know about purpose, relevance and what it actually means to serve clients well. Paul unpacks why most firms are stuck in a sea of sameness, why impact is now a measurable strategic advantage, and what the shift from the experience economy to the transformation economy means for accountants as they navigate AI and an uncertain future. If you've ever wondered what separates firms that truly thrive from those just surviving, this one's worth your full attention. Paul Dunn: LinkedIn B1G1 website: www.b1g1.com

In this episode, Mark catches up with Kylie Denton, founding director of Performance Advisory Group, bestselling author, and one of Australia's most respected thought leaders in leadership and sales within financial services. With over 30 years in the industry (her words, not ours!), Kylie pulls no punches on one of the accounting profession's most persistent blind spots: promoting technically brilliant people into leadership roles and then leaving them to figure it out on their own. In this conversation, they cover: Why the skills that make a great accountant can actually work against you as a leader The 25 core competencies leaders need, and why most firms aren't developing any of them Delegation: why "I can do it better myself" is costing your firm more than you think Leading multigenerational teams, and why it's less about generational conflict and more about opportunity What younger professionals actually want, and why ignoring it is a talent strategy with a short shelf life Kylie's practical, no-nonsense approach makes this one genuinely useful for partners, managers, and anyone navigating the shift from doing great work to leading people who do great work. You can contact Kylie via her website: www.performanceadvisorygroup.com.au And also connect via LinkedIn  

Mark sits down with Matt Feehan from Three Rivers Group and M2 Academy to unpack two of the most talked-about reports in the accounting industry right now -  the Smithink Partner Crunch Report 2025 and the Benchmarking Data & Research Accounting Industry Report 2025. From revenue per partner and staff productivity through to profitability, lockup days, write-offs, and the compliance-versus-advisory debate, Mark and Matt cut through the numbers and share what they actually mean for firm owners on the ground. Practical, honest, and at times a little confronting, this one's worth a listen whether your firm is flying or you're quietly wondering if the benchmarks are trying to tell you something. How to Register for The Crunch 2026 Register before 31 March 2026, and you'll receive 50% off the standard price, bringing it to $247.50. You submit your practice data through a secure questionnaire, typically in 30 to 45 minutes, using information you already have in your practice management systems. From there, your data is quality-checked, anonymised, and aggregated, and you receive a comprehensive benchmark report showing exactly where your firm sits and what the top performers are doing differently. It becomes a strategic tool you can use throughout the year, for pricing reviews, partner discussions, investment decisions, and performance monitoring. Register for The Crunch 2026 here.

In this episode, Mark chats with Dr Craig West, founder and chairman of Succession Plus and creator of Capitaliz, about how employee share ownership plans can transform succession planning. Craig explains why ESOPs are so powerful for retaining key people, giving younger leaders a genuine path to ownership and lifting business valuation over time, and how accountants can use valuation insights to support advisory work and value based pricing. Contact Craig: Capitaliz: www.capitaliz.com Succession Plus: www.succession.plus

Paul Miller has spent more than four decades helping family businesses grow, transition and thrive. As the author of Building a Legacy, he shares how structure, planning and communication shape the future of every business, not just those run by families. In conversation with Mark Holton, Paul reflects on what advisors can learn from family enterprises, why listening matters more than talking, and how accountants can turn numbers into stories that guide clients toward lasting success. You can connect with Paul on LinkedIn here. Find out more about Paul's book here. And download the three templates Paul refers to here.  

In this episode, Mark talks with Ignition's Ethan Cooney, Accountants Daily's Tech Innovator of the Year. They explore how firms are navigating TASA's new disclosure rules, updating engagement letters, and addressing the risks of scope creep.  Ethan shares how successful practices are rescoping agreements, running annual renewals, packaging services with add-ons, and confidently adjusting fees. The discussion also highlights how firms can de-risk cashflow by securing payments upfront. It's a practical look at what leading firms are doing right now to stay compliant, strengthen margins, and deliver a better client experience. Ethan's contact details: Ethan Cooney  |  Senior Partnerships Manager practiceignition.com LinkedIn

Mark chats with Trent McLaren, co-founder of Vinyl and a recognised leader in accounting technology. They discuss how Vinyl grew from the frustrations of day-to-day firm meetings into a tool that helps accountants save time and strengthen client relationships. Topics include: - Where client meetings typically lose time, and what can be automated - Guardrails for security, privacy, and accuracy - How firms can pilot new tools without disrupting workflow - Lessons from early users and what's next on the roadmap A practical conversation about the future of meetings, trust, and technology in accounting. Contact Trent: Trent McLaren Founder and Director Journey www.usevinyl.com LinkedIn

Mark catches up with Matt Feehan to kick off the advisory conversation with a myth-buster: software isn't the first step. They explore Step One of the Enabler™ Seven Steps to Success: Prepare Your Firm, covering: Why the demand for advisory is rising Why starting with software fails What you need in place first: people, capacity, infrastructure How to pick your advisory champion Setting realistic targets If you're thinking about advisory, this episode gives you a clear place to start without the overwhelm. Connect with Matt on LinkedIn.