Doug, Emily, and Matt reflect on the state of the accounting industry after a whirlwind 2024. From the sharp rise in M&A activity to the practical role AI is beginning to play, this episode blends personal reflections with big-picture industry insight.
They talk through Sage’s rebranding of its flagship conference from “Transform” to “Future,” what it signals about the direction of the ecosystem, and how firms can prepare for what’s next. Along the way, they also share how 2024 shaped them personally and professionally—including Emily’s big anniversary and Matt’s lessons from a year of integration.
There’s commentary on compensation, staffing challenges, cultural shifts, and what firm valuations are telling us. Plus, a few dad jokes, of course.
Listen to learn more about:
- 00:00 – Welcome to The Unofficial Sage Intacct Podcast
- 01:11 – Reflecting on 2024: A Transformative Year
- 03:44 – Personal and Professional Growth
- 06:58 – Generational Perspectives and Personal Anecdotes
- 09:04 – Sage Transform to Sage Future: What’s Changing?
- 13:42 – Industry Trends and M&A Strategies
- 19:45 – Industry-Wide Staffing Challenges
- 21:18 – Navigating Economic Cycles
- 22:23 – Maintaining Company Culture
- 23:27 – Sales Pipeline Insights
- 24:20 – M&A Trends and Firm Valuations
- 28:31 – The Role of AI in Accounting
- 36:48 – Upcoming Events and Podcast Goals
- 39:54 – Closing Remarks and Dad Jokes
Related Industries
- Public Accounting
- SaaS
- Advisory Firms
- Finance & Strategy
Speakers
Doug Lewis
Host | Accounting Tech Leader
LinkedIn
Emily Madere
Host | CAS Practice Lead
LinkedIn
Matt Lescault
Host | CEO, Lescault & Walderman
LinkedIn
Sponsors
Related Resources
FAQ: What Did That Mean?
Why did Sage rename its conference?
The annual Sage conference was rebranded from “Transform” to “Future” in 2024. The hosts explore how this shift signals Sage’s broader vision for where its ecosystem—and its clients—are heading.
What’s the link between M&A and firm valuations?
Matt shares insights from the acquisition space, especially how private equity and strategic buyers are valuing firms based on pipeline, leadership strength, and recurring revenue.
Is AI really impacting accounting yet?
Yes—though not in the headline-hype way. The team discusses where AI is quietly adding value (like automation) and where it still falls short of replacing human judgment.
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.