In episode 149 of The Woodard Report Podcast, Joe Woodard and Heather Satterley return fresh from the Woodard Summit, energized by the planning, collaboration, and community their members brought into the room. As they recapped the event and dove into breaking industry news, the conversation turned into a wider reflection on how accountants are navigating change, particularly around Intuit’s newest announcements, AI education, and the future of firm operations.
Joe opened with one of the most interesting but surprisingly quiet announcements surrounding Intuit: the expansion of its physical presence across the United States. Intuit plans to operate more than 600 on-premises locations, including TurboTax Live offices and a new concept, 20 TurboTax Storefronts modeled loosely after the Apple Store experience.
While some practitioners express concern about overlap with traditional tax services, Joe noted that Intuit is positioning this expansion primarily against national tax preparation chains, not against firms.
As he explained, “They’re not coming at you, they’re coming after H&R Block and some of the other national franchises.”
The takeaway for firm owners is clear. Elevate your client base. Complex bookkeeping, advisory, multi-state returns, partnerships, and high-revenue companies fall far outside the scope of high-volume retail tax operations and represent the safest path forward for firms.
Heather shared the second major development: Intuit’s rollout of the new Intuit Accountant Suite, a complete redesign and eventual replacement for QuickBooks Online Accountant (QBOA).
The tool will be available via opt-in and will roll out fully over the next year. While the early version feels like a refreshed QBOA, it’s structured to become a broader, more integrated operating platform for firms. Many new capabilities are planned, including features developed for QuickBooks Live.
Firms can currently test-drive the new platform and switch back easily. However, the shift signals Intuit’s long-term intention to create a single environment for accounting firms to operate in, one that extends beyond just bookkeeping and tax.
Joe shared a surprising philosophical moment from an unexpected source: the intro narrative of It: Chapter Two.
"Memory, it's a funny thing. People want to believe they are what they choose to remember. The good stuff, the moments, the places, the people we all hold on to. But sometimes, sometimes we are what we wish we could forget."
He reflected on the dual truth that our past should inform, not define, who we are, whether it’s our successes or our regrets.
Heather highlighted a moment of insight from the live-action 2025 remake of How to Train Your Dragon.
Astrid warned Hiccup, "In case you forgot, our parents' war is about to become ours. Figure out what side you're on" and Hiccup challenged the assumption behind it by asking, “What if our parents were wrong?”
This was a reminder that inherited wisdom, even in accounting, must be reevaluated in the light of current realities. As Heather noted, the younger generation is questioning long-held norms around work, AI, and career development, and their perspectives deserve attention.
Joe learned about Notion, a hybrid between OneNote and a relational database, after a member used it to build out their Summit planning exercises. He described it as one of the most robust low-code relational tools out there, ideal for mapping vision, strategy, and operational processes.
Heather discovered that universities, including the University of Rhode Island, are now offering full bachelor’s degrees in AI. More than a dozen institutions nationwide offer AI-focused undergraduate, certificate, and graduate programs built not for coders but for strategists and business leaders.
Her takeaway was that firms should be preparing now to recruit graduates with AI expertise or pursue modern learning pathways themselves.
Heather and Joe attempted to stump each other, this time on daylight saving time and famous company founders. Heather successfully stumped Joe by debunking a common myth: daylight saving time was not created for farmers but for energy conservation during World War I.
Heather highlighted Kristin and Nick from Auburndale Bookkeeping, who are undertaking the monumental task of reshaping a 5,000-client firm they acquired. They’ve already offboarded 20 percent of non-ideal clients and have remained profitable while doing it.
“They’re moving a very big ship,” Heather said, “They are so dedicated to this and I am so proud of them.”
Heather spotlighted “Setting Up a Business for Spouses: Steps to Take” by Nellie Akalp, CEO of CorpNet. Practical, clear, and packed with entity planning insights, the article is ideal for practitioners advising married partners who want to launch a business together.
This episode of The Woodard Report Podcast shares timely updates and practical insights for accounting professionals. From Intuit’s recent moves to generational perspectives on change, Joe and Heather offer useful takeaways for firms planning their next steps. It’s a reminder that thoughtful adaptation, not just reaction, is key to staying relevant in a changing profession.
🎧 Listen to the full episode at woodard.com/podcast.
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This article was written with the assistance of AI and edited by a human.