Try the Train: New-Year Tech, Hope, and the Power of No

As the accounting profession moves into 2026, Joe Woodard and Heather Satterley return for episode 155 of the Woodard Report Podcast with a wide-ranging conversation that feels both timely and grounded. The discussion touches on new training opportunities, how AI is reshaping the profession, mindset tools worth paying attention to, and a few highlights from across the Woodard community.

New year, new training opportunities with Intuit 

Heather opens the episode by calling attention to a new professional development opportunity for accountants working with Intuit products. Intuit recently released a training course for its Enterprise Suite, a mid-market offering within the QuickBooks ecosystem. The course provides 1.5 hours of CPE credit and walks through both features and pricing.

As Heather puts it, “So if you're looking for another badge and to deepen your knowledge on this kind of newish offering, you're in luck.”

This training is particularly relevant for firms serving businesses in the $3M to $10M revenue range, where mid-market functionality often becomes necessary. Joe notes that Intuit is responding directly to what firms have been asking for, saying, “They're definitely hearing the audience of what companies say north of 5 million, 20 employees and up are really needing out there.”

AI skills as a competitive edge in accounting 

Joe then shifts the conversation to a recent PwC report focused on AI’s growing influence across industries. One of the most striking findings is the financial impact AI proficiency can have on accounting professionals.

“It found that AI proficiencies drive competitive advantage on compensation by 68 percent. Now that's not just getting the job. That's up to 68 percent increase in compensation for Accountant ‘A’ who is proficient in AI versus Accountant ‘B’ who is not proficient in AI,” Joe explains.

The takeaway isn’t that everyone needs to become an AI engineer overnight. Even a working knowledge of tools like ChatGPT or the ability to build simple AI agents can dramatically increase value, both internally and with clients. Joe adds, “If you're a smaller firm and you're the owner, you're bringing the AI value to the entire firm. So, it can actually scale greater than 68 percent.”

The PwC study also points out that professional services are among the most advanced sectors when it comes to AI adoption. Joe encourages accountants to think about this moment the same way they might have thought about early accounting software adoption, saying, “Think of it as if you could teleport back in time into the QuickBooks desktop in Peachtree accounting days - when we were on the bleeding edge of those software solutions, we were highly marketable, highly sought after, highly valuable.”

TV quotes that spark strategic thinking

In our recurring quotes segment, Joe and Heather look at lines from popular media and how they apply to business and leadership. Heather draws from the PBS series Victoria, where Queen Victoria remarks, “It is a mistake to make one's mind up about a thing before one's tried it.”

Heather ties the quote back to curiosity and experimentation, explaining, “Curiosity is something we really need to lean into, especially now. The people that get ahead are the people that stay curious, that try new things, that allow themselves to take calculated risks that will open up opportunities for them and the people around them.”

Joe responds with a quote from the TV series, House of David: “False hope is better than no hope at all.” For him, the quote reinforces the role optimism and belief play in long-term success. He elaborates, “If you see yourself as victorious, then put in the work, you know, and maybe exercise some faith to whatever higher principle you believe in, then you validate the victory by engineering the outcome.”

Books that strengthen professional mindset 

Heather also shares takeaways from Mind Magic by Dr. James R. Doty, a book that explores the neuroscience behind manifestation and intention. She explains, “Your brain doesn't distinguish between real or imagined experiences when it assigns priority and intention to what it's processing. So, if you imagine an outcome and then assign the emotion to it... it actually wires your brain to say this is what's important to our survival.”

Joe adds insights from The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan, particularly around the discipline of saying no. As he points out, “Saying no isn't a personality trait and it isn't a sign that you're failing others. A lot of people just go well that's not me. I'm a person who helps people. Okay well that's identifying with your yeses and noes. Yeses and noes are not a personality trait.”

Community spotlight: FlexKeeper 

Kim Petro joins the episode to spotlight Jodi Plett and the team at FlexKeeper. Since its founding in 2011, FlexKeeper has intentionally built flexibility into its culture, supporting everything from student schedules to family life.

Kim shares that, “Their weekly meetings aren't just about business. They're about the people in the business. They celebrate milestones. They meet family members and especially pets.”

From open office hours to team-branded merchandise, FlexKeeper shows how firms can prioritize both growth and connection. As Kim puts it, “They've created a space where every team member feels seen, heard, and valued. And that's both professionally and personally.”

Woodard Report article of the week 

Heather closes the episode by highlighting a multi-part article series focused on AI education for accounting professionals. The series looks at formal university programs as well as practitioner-led training and certifications. Heather summarizes, “It's all about education in AI. So, we started off with a base article about the competitive advantage of AI training for accounting professionals and why it's important and why we need to actually be investing in education in AI.”

Takeaway 

This episode offers both perspective and practical takeaways. From training updates to bigger-picture conversations around AI, curiosity, and mindset, Joe and Heather explore what it takes to stay relevant, confident, and ready for what’s next.

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Thank you to our show sponsor, CorpNet!

CorpNet is the trusted leader in business formation and compliance services, offering one of the best tools for accountants, CPAs, and tax professionals nationwide — the CorpNet Partner Program. 10X your firms revenue by helping clients form a business, register for payroll taxes, maintain compliance, and more.