The podcast for accounting firms and finance teams

AI-Native Accounting^® Podcast

How firms and finance teams are actually adopting AI: what’s working, what’s breaking, and what responsible transformation really looks like behind the scenes.

Hosted by Kacee Johnson · 20 episodes · Presented by Digits

Latest episode

EPISODE 020

Why the Future of Accounting Is Human

Kacee Johnson with Jen Leary, CEO, CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen) CEO Jen Leary on the firm’s AI collaboration with Digits, what CLA got wrong building the largest CAS practice in the profession, and why her word for the next decade is human.

Oct 19, 2026

· 25 min

About the podcast

The AI-Native Accounting® Podcast is a show for accounting firm leaders, CPAs and finance teams about how the profession is adopting AI in practice. Host Kacee Johnson talks with firm leaders, regulators and technologists about what is working, what is breaking and what responsible adoption looks like.

Guests have included former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel, former AICPA CEO Barry Melancon, Accounting Today Editor-in-Chief Daniel Hood and Allan Koltin of Koltin Consulting Group.

The podcast is produced by the AI Native Accounting® Foundation and presented by Digits. New episodes are released on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube.

Your host

Kacee Johnson

Executive Director, AI Native Accounting® Foundation · Principal, be radical

A longtime advisor to associations and technology companies, Kacee’s work focuses on the future of work, innovation and guiding organizations through periods of transformation.

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All episodes

Newest first

AI Pricing for Accounting Firms: Why Faster Work Shouldn’t Mean Lower Fees

Jin Chang, Fieldguide, and Danny Manimbo, Schellman

If AI lets an engagement that once took 80 hours get done in 40, should the client pay half as much? Jin and Danny explain why AI pricing for accounting firms should reflect value, not hours.

AI in Tax Is Moving Fast. Are We Ignoring the Risks?

Danny Werfel, Former IRS Commissioner

Danny Werfel joins Kacee Johnson on why AI’s rapid advance in tax requires an equally serious approach to risk, governance, and human oversight, from accuracy and auditability to how the next generation will learn to supervise increasingly capable systems.

The Longest-Serving AICPA CEO on What Comes Next

Barry Melancon, Former CEO, AICPA

The biggest challenge facing firms isn’t learning AI. It’s helping junior accountants build six years of business acumen in a fraction of the time. Barry Melancon on AI-powered audits, changing business models, and why assurance will become even more valuable.

SPECIAL EPISODE

One Year of AINA

Kacee Johnson, Host

What is AI actually doing inside accounting firms? A look back at a full year of unfiltered answers from the people closest to the work, and thanks to the guests and listeners who came along for the conversation.

Adopt AI Deliberately, Not Recklessly

Barry Brown, Founder, EBITDA Advisors, with Bebe Kim

Barry Brown joins Kacee Johnson and Bebe Kim to explain why the future belongs to firms that adopt AI deliberately, and why AI adoption and AI results are turning out to be two very different things.

Why AI Hits Cognitive Work First

Pascal Finette, Co-Founder and Chief Heretic, radical

Pascal Finette explores why AI is impacting cognitive work faster than routine work, why employees still hesitate to trust AI systems, and why the ability to outlearn competitors may matter more than the technology itself.

Culture Creates Growth

Carla McCall, Managing Partner, AAFCPAs

The former Chair of the AICPA shares why firms need to rethink management habits, communication structures, and even how young professionals are trained in an AI-enabled world.

Architecture First

Thomas DeMayo, Partner, PKF O'Connor Davies

Most firms are jumping into AI head first, buying tools and chasing models. Thomas DeMayo explains how PKF deployed AI to 1,800 people without cutting staff, by starting with architecture.

The Value Shift in Accounting

Allan Koltin, CEO, Koltin Consulting Group

Allan Koltin joins Kacee Johnson to explore how accounting firms must evolve from service providers to value creators in a rapidly changing landscape.