What does it even mean to be an accountant in 2024? In this episode, Doug and Emily sit down with Dan Hood—Editor-in-Chief of Accounting Today—to explore how the definition of an accountant has changed and where the profession is headed.
They revisit Dan’s recent article, Accountants by Any Other Name, and talk through the evolution from Accountant 1.0 (classic audit and tax) to Accountant 3.0 (tech-savvy, multidisciplinary, and strategy-driven).
Dan shares how firms are expanding into new areas like ESG reporting, HR services, and even executive search. The profession has changed—and it’s not slowing down.
If you’re rethinking your own firm’s identity, service offerings, or hiring strategy, this conversation is a must-listen. It’s also a solid continuation of the “who are we now?” thread from Episode 1.
Listen to learn more about:
- (00:00) – Welcome to the Unofficial Sage Intacct Podcast
- (00:33) – Meet Dan Hood: Editor in Chief of Accounting Today
- (01:47) – The Evolution of the Accounting Profession
- (08:11) – Accountant 1.0: The Traditional Accountant
- (14:55) – Technological Shifts in Accounting
- (18:25) – Accountant 2.0: The Modern Accountant
- (22:30) – The Future of Accounting Technology
- (28:38) – Challenges in Accounting Education
- (28:57) – The Talent Shortage in Accounting
- (29:15) – Accounting Education and the Pipeline Problem
- (30:21) – Impact of Technology and Finance on Accounting
- (35:44) – Accountant 3.0
- (40:59) – The Role of ESG in Accounting
- (46:34) – Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Related Industries
- Public Accounting
- Consulting
- ESG & Sustainability
- Professional Services
Speakers
Doug Lewis
Host | Accounting Tech Leader
LinkedIn
Emily Madere
Host | CAS Practice Lead
LinkedIn
Dan Hood
Guest | Editor-in-Chief, Accounting Today
LinkedIn
Sponsors
Related Resources
FAQ: What Did That Mean?
What is Accounting 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0?
1.0 = traditional audit/tax. 2.0 = firms started adding consulting and advisory. 3.0 = today’s flexible, tech-enabled, multidisciplinary accounting firm.
What’s ESG?
Environmental, Social, and Governance reporting. It’s a growing area of compliance and advisory work—and it’s pulling accounting firms into brand-new territory.
Why is Dan Hood everywhere?
He’s been covering the profession for 25+ years, runs Accounting Today, and moderates major industry events. Basically, if something’s happening in accounting, he’s nearby.
Doug and Emily are joined by Karen Penhallegon to break down Sage Intacct’s latest quarterly release, and this one comes with some big updates. Whether you’re deep into multi-entity accounting or just tired of manual AP work, there’s something in here that will make your team’s life easier.