2025 is upon us, but what does that mean for the accounting profession? From dwindling headcounts to heightened expectations, an expected bullish IPO/M&A market to a new emphasis on utilizing technology in the profession, there's a lot we don't know. On this episode of *Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets*, join Stefan van Duyvendijk, FloQast's Accounting Operations Evangelist and a former financial controller at Skullcandy Inc. and Kodiak Cakes, and Mike Whitmire, FloQast co-founder and CEO, as they unpack the accounting predictions shaping 2025. The profession is facing unprecedented changes—from technology to talent—and the time to adapt is now. With expert insights and practical advice, Stefan and Mike outline what leaders and teams need to do today to remain competitive and resilient tomorrow.

Key Topics
* The talent shortage crisis and actionable ways to bridge the gap
* AI's growing role in building smarter, more strategic accounting teams
* Why financial transformation should be every CFO’s top priority
* Turning compliance from a burden into a strategic advantage for growth

In this special episode, cohosts Mike Whitmire and Stefan van Duyvendijk join forces to delve into their forthcoming book, "Shift Happens: The Rise of the Operational Mindset and How Controllers Can Drive Real Value." Together, they explore the evolving landscape of the accounting profession, the emergence of the operational mindset, and how controllers can become pivotal in driving organizational success.

Join host Mike Whitmire and guest Stefan van Duyvendijk in the concluding episode on the Controller's Guidebook research series. Part Two delves into critical aspects shaping the accounting landscape, including burnout, talent shortage, salary challenges, and the transformative role of technology. Explore why accountants should embrace a more strategic role, unlocking valuable insights for business success and creating more fulfillment in their careers. Get real-world insights on leadership empowerment and uncover practical steps for navigating the ever-evolving accounting landscape based on the Controller's Guidebook series.

In this episode of 'Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets,' host Mike Whitmire and FloQast's Accounting Operations Evangelist Stefan van Duyvendijk take a deep dive into the findings of FloQast's research series into the state of the accounting industry, Controller's Guidebook. Part One unveils critical insights into the current state of the accounting profession, exploring topics such as talent retention, technology trends, burnout, and more. Gain practical perspectives on industry dynamics, setting the stage for a deeper exploration in the next installment.

In the concluding episode of 'Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets,' host Mike Whimtire and special guest Stefan van Duyvendijk, FloQast's Accounting Operations evangelist, provide thoughtful insights into anticipated shifts in the accounting landscape for 2024. In this second part, the discussion focuses on the significant impacts of ESG on accounting practices, the role of generative AI in financial operations, and the critical importance of security measures. Join Mike and Stefan as they navigate the evolving terrain of accounting, offering pragmatic perspectives on ESG, AI, and security in the year ahead.

In the latest episode of "Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets," host Mike Whimtire is joined by special guest Stefan van Duyvendijk, the Accounting Operations evangelist from FloQast, for an insightful discussion on the upcoming trends and predictions shaping the accounting landscape in 2024. In this first part of a two-part series, Mike and Stefan delve into crucial topics such as employee retention strategies, the evolving dynamics of accountant compensation, the impact of automation on traditional accounting practices, and other key forecasts that will influence the world of accounting, finance, and business in the coming year. Don't miss this engaging and informative episode as they explore the future of the industry and provide valuable insights for professionals navigating the ever-changing terrain of finance.

In this second part of our series taking a look back at 10 years of FloQast, co-founders Mike Whitmire and Chris Sluty continue their discussion, sharing the invaluable lessons they've gathered from a decade of leading the company.

Gain unfiltered insights into accounting, entrepreneurship, and leadership as they openly reflect on their experiences. From navigating financial intricacies to the ups and downs of tech company management, this episode offers practical wisdom and insights into what it takes to run a SaaS company.

Gain unfiltered insights into accounting, entrepreneurship, and leadership as they openly reflect on their experiences, from navigating financial intricacies to tech company management. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, finance professional, or simply curious about their journey, this episode provides straightforward takeaways. Tune in to discover what it takes to excel in the world of accounting and tech. Don't miss "A Decade of Accounting Leadership: FloQast Founders' Insights — Pt. 2: Lessons Learned" on the Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets podcast.

Interested in earning CPE? FloQademy, FloQast’s learning portal available to all, provides 24/7 access to a free on-demand CPE/CPD library of engaging content, centralized credit tracking, and a product training catalog for customers. There you'll also be able to listen to Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets episodes while earning CPE credits. Be sure to check out FloQademy today!

In the first episode of our two-part series, FloQast co-founders Mike Whitmire and Chris Sluty discuss the origins of FloQast, from meeting as undergrads to teaming up with CTO Cullen Zandstra, and more.

Listen in as Mike and Chris share the story of how they first crossed paths while majoring in accounting, their separate paths after graduation, and the fateful reunion that took place in Los Angeles. They'll take you through the early days of FloQast's inception, discussing the challenges and triumphs of starting a company from the ground up — as accountants and first-time founders, no less.

If you're fascinated by the origins of successful ventures and the unique dynamics of co-founders, this episode provides a firsthand account of their experiences.

Interested in earning CPE? FloQademy, FloQast’s learning portal available to all, provides 24/7 access to a free on-demand CPE/CPD library of engaging content, centralized credit tracking, and a product training catalog for customers. There you'll also be able to listen to Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets episodes while earning CPE credits. Be sure to check out FloQademy today!

In this episode of "Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets," host FloQast Co-founder and CEO Mike Whitmire chats with FloQast's first business development representative and current Managing Director, EMEA, Adam Zoucha, Managing Director about his incredible journey from audit at Deloitte to becoming a successful account executive, sales manager, and now, a key figure in FloQast's European expansion.

Listen in as Mike and Adam reminisce about FloQast's early days, operating out of the cramped FloQast House in Valley Village, learning how to sell accounting software, trying (and failing) to double as an accountant at FloQast, and ultimately, launching FloQast's office in London, and what that process was like. In three years as General Manager and VP of FloQast, EMEA, Adam has helped scale FloQast's presence in the region while growing the team to over 40 employees in the process.

Join Mike and Adam as they discuss the "roll up your sleeves" mindset that has been crucial in shaping FloQast's success, and how Adam's understanding of the market, empathy for colleagues, and dedication to mentorship have all contributed to making FloQast the company it is today. This candid conversation offers valuable insights into leadership, growth, and the journey of a finance company making its mark in the world. If you're curious about the inner workings of a dynamic leader and the growth of a prominent finance company, this episode is a must-listen.

Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets is available on all major podcast platforms. Subscribe now to gain valuable insights from finance industry leaders.

On this episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, host Mike Whitmire, Co-founder and CEO of FloQast, chats with FloQast super user Jonathan Hardy, Director of Accounting Initiatives at LeadVenture, about his career and how embracing technology got him to where he is today. 

Listen in as Jonathan shares his career journey, highlighting his transition from a focus on day-to-day accounting to the strategic realm of operations.
Gain valuable insights as Jonathan reflects on the challenges he encountered along the way and the pivotal role technology played in transforming his perspective. Discover how embracing innovative approaches and leveraging technology can enhance accounting teams’ processes, creating a harmonious balance between finance and operations.

Throughout the episode, Jonathan and Mike delve into the practical aspects of driving efficiency, collaboration, and growth within accounting departments. By exploring Jonathan’s experiences and perspectives, you’ll gain valuable strategies to improve your own accounting career.

In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, we delve into the journeys of George Azih, founder and CEO of LeaseQuery, and Mike Whitmire: Two tech leaders who started up directly after leaving life as staff accountants. 

Join us as we uncover the individual pivotal moments that led them to venture into the world of technology and how their firsthand experience in the accounting field shaped their innovative solutions. Discover the valuable lessons they've learned along the way and how their unique perspectives are revolutionizing the accounting industry, how their experience as accountants-turned-tech leaders has shaped their approach to management, and the limitless possibilities when passion meets technology.

With 30+ years of experience in senior accounting and finance roles, OnSolve CFO Bruce Duner has seen a lot of change in his time. But despite a wealth of experience, he's not one to revert to an "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," mindset. With an industry-wide talent criss and mounting pressure on the office of the CFO to provide more value than ever before, Bruce is constantly thinking of ways to support his teams, while keeping an eye on how his team can do more. On this episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, Bruce and Mike explore the challenges — and opportunities — facing the office of the CFO in 2023 and beyond.

In this special emergency episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, Mike and Stefan dive into the groundbreaking news shaking the accounting world — the AICPA and NASBA have proposed a radical shift in the 150-hour rule. 

A new "Competency-Based Experience Pathway" could eliminate the need for 30 additional credit hours, offering aspiring CPAs an alternative route through work experience and verified competencies. The guys explore:
- Implications for future CPAs
- How it addresses criticisms of diversity barriers
- What states are already doing to lead the change

Tune in for an in-depth discussion on what this could mean for the profession, and how you can make your voice heard before the December 6 comment deadline.

On the latest episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, guest host Stefan van Duyvendijk chats with Rohit Lalwani, CPA, Controller at marketing tech company Bluecore about his journey to controllership, stepping out of his comfort zone when transitioning from audit to industry, his outlook on the accounting profession in 2023 (and beyond), and his approach to empowering his team ensure they're fully engaged and not at risk of burnout. 

In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, Mike chats with FloQast’s reigning Controller of the Year,  Ashley Griesshammer of e-commerce brand Lovevery about her path from Finance to Accounting, Lovevery’s path to automating as much as possible (and how important automation is for accounting teams in 2023 and beyond), and whether the title “Controller” adequately reflects all the work Controllers really have on their plates.

Shivang Patel was on track to make audit partner when a client poached him to join his team at a rapidly-growing, soon-to-IPO tech company. After learning the books, Shivang was thriving in his role as Accounting Manager, fully overseeing the Month-End Close, when a chance meeting to discuss a software solution designed to streamline the Close change his professional trajectory forever.

Nearing his seventh-anniversary at FloQast, learn how Shivang transitioned from audit to accounting, and from accounting to sales. In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, Mike and Shivang discuss how he got to FloQast, learning to sell, launching FloQast's Sales Engineering organization, and taking on a new role as Senior Director, Growth Markets, and just what that entails.

In times of economic uncertainty, accounting teams need to be nimble enough to pivot should the time com, while consistently delivering accurate financial figures to impact the direction of the business — both in the short and long term. 

On this episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, guest host Stefan van Duyvendijk, a former controller, and FloQast CFO Razzak Jallow discuss what accounting teams should be doing during times of economic uncertainty and recession, based on first-hand experience and best practices observed over the years.

When meetings and billable hours start eating into your sleep schedule and overall wellness on, say, the week of your wedding, something's got to give. And, with fewer students taking an interest in accounting, the time for change was yesterday. Join FloQast CEO Mike Whitmire and Katie Thomas, CPA, founder and owner of Leaders Online LLC – both Ernst & Young veterans – as they sketch out a better, kinder future for the field (universities, take note), and share bright and dark spots from their respective careers. Plus, get to know more about Leaders Online, and the unique skill set Katie and her team can offer your firm.

On this episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, Mike is joined by Zane Navratil, world #1 Pickleball player and former Deloitte auditor. Zane talks about picking up pickleball while working in audit, helping grow the sport, and balancing his career as an athlete with his business and acting as an ambassador for the world's fastest growing sport.

Being a CFO in 2022 is probably a lot different than it was just a few years ago. The demands are greater and deadlines are tighter, resulting in added pressure throughout the office of the CFO. In this conversation, FloQast CFO Razzak Jallow, Co-founder and CEO Mike Whitmire, and Accounting Operations Evangelist Stefan van Duyvendijk discuss the evolution of accounting leadership over the last several years, how to effectively structure an efficient accounting organization (within a rapidly growing tech company), and how they see those expectations changing in a tumultuous economic environment.

On this week's episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, FloQast Accounting Operations Evangelist Stefan van Duyvendijk guest is joined by Dante Giannini, Corporate Controller of Actian Corporation, to discuss the rise of the operational controller and what that role will look like as controllers add more value to their organizations.

Mike is BACK, and this week, he's joined by veteran Corporate Controller and FloQast's new Accounting Operations Evangelist Stefan van Duyvendijk.

On this episode, Mike and Stefan talk about Stefan's experience at Skullcandy and Kodiak Cakes, what led him to leave his controller role for FloQast, and how the accounting profession has changed significantly in the last several years

Mike and Kristen talk memes, audit horror stories, and moving to industry.

In this episode of "Blood Sweat and Balance Sheets," Mike Whitmire interviews Kendall MacLean about her career journey from public accounting to the tech industry. Kendall shares insights into her roles at FloQast, including her start as an Implementation Consultant and her contributions to developing FloQademy, an educational platform providing free CPE credits to accountants. The discussion covers the integration of accountants into customer success roles, emphasizing the importance of continuous professional education and the role of technology in evolving accounting practices.

Mike is joined by early FloQast investor and advisor Rob Meinhardt to look back at how FloQast got to where it is today, a unicorn company in a boom LA tech community.

Breaking down the Series D funding that officially made FloQast's accounting software platform a $1.2B brand.

In this episode, Mike Whitmire, CEO & Co-Founder of FloQast, chats with Rob Meinhardt,  an entrepreneur and board member of FloQast, and Troy Patipanavat, a  product support  team member at FloQast.

In this episode, Mike Whitmire, CEO & Co-Founder of FloQast, chats with , David Lyford-Smith, Technical Manager at ICAEW.

In this episode, Mike Whitmire, CEO & Co-Founder of FloQast, chats with Amy Vetter, CEO & Keynote Speaker of The B3 Method Institute. 

In this episode, Mike Whitmire, CEO & Co-Founder of FloQast, chats with Rock Felder, Co-Founder & CFO of Squadcast.

In this episode, Mike Whitmire, CEO & Co-Founder of FloQast, chats with, Adrian L. Mayse, Ph.D., CPA, Author of When I Grow Up I Want To Be... An Accountant and  Department Chair at Howard University.

In this episode, Mike Whitmire, CEO & Co-Founder of FloQast, chats with Gaurav Bhattacharya, Co-Founder & CEO of involve.ai

In this episode, Mike Whitmire, CEO & Co-Founder of FloQast, chats with Cooper Harris, 
Founder & CEO of Klickly.

In this episode, (Part 2 of 2), Mike chats with Allan Solomon, Co-Founder of Isle Capri Casinos and Principal/Chairman at Foundation Gaming Group, about getting his CPA, working with Supreme Court Justices, his involvement in the Reagan Administration, going head to head with Trump for a Casino property, and much more.

In this episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, guest host Stefan van Duyvendijk, Accounting Operations Evangelist at FloQast, sits down with Chris Hennesey, AWS Enterprise Strategist at Amazon Web Services and former Technology CFO at Capital One, along with FloQast CFO Razzak Jallow. They explore the findings of FloQast’s latest survey, Embracing Financial Transformation: What It Is, Why Organizations Should Want It, and How to Achieve It. The discussion highlights the critical role of accountants in driving transformation, the gap in understanding between CFOs and accounting teams, and the new frameworks that can guide organizations toward lasting change. 

They also dive into the growing influence of AI in finance, exploring how both CFOs and accountants view its impact on their roles and why AI is set to be a permanent fixture in the transformation landscape.

Key Takeaways:

• Accountants are pivotal in leading financial transformation efforts within organizations, yet many teams lack a cohesive vision.
• CFOs are more familiar with financial transformation than accountants, highlighting a need for greater awareness and collaboration.
• AI is recognized by both CFOs and accountants as a key driver of productivity and transformation, and it’s here to stay.
• AI's role in finance is growing, with both CFOs and accountants optimistic about its potential to increase productivity and enhance transformation initiatives.
• New frameworks developed by FloQast can guide accounting teams in achieving effective and impactful transformation.

For the full study, visit: Embracing Financial Transformation https://get.floqast.com/asset-embracing-financial-transformation

In this episode, (part 1 of 2), Mike chats with Allan Solomon, Co-Founder of Isle Capri Casinos and Principal/Chairman at Foundation Gaming Group, about getting his CPA, working with Supreme Court Justices, his involvement in the Reagan Administration, going head to head with Trump for a Casino property, and much more.

In this episode, Mike Whitmire, CEO & Co-Founder of FloQast, chats with Chris Sluty, Chief Product Officer of FloQast.

In this episode, Mike Whitmire, CEO & Co-Founder of FloQast, chats with Nick Leopard, 
Chief Executive Officer & Founder at Accordion.

In this episode, Mike Whitmire, CEO & Co-Founder of FloQast, chats with Gary Klintworth, CPA & Co-Founder and Managing Director of ARC Consulting LLC. 

In this episode, Mike Whitmire, CEO & Co-Founder of FloQast, chats with Sean Jacobsohn, VC & Partner at Norwest Venture Partners.

In this episode, Mike Whitmire sits down with a man who's had A LOT of experience in his time - Bob Kavner. This episode is filled with many great stories about success and failure in the finance world, and had a rocket ship of a career auditing at 21 years old in New York City with clients like AT&T and Pam Am Airways.

In this episode, Mike Whitmire, CEO & Co-Founder of FloQast, chats with Michelle Murray, Founder and Managing Director of Segue Partners.

 Interview with Gary Swart, Working with the founders of Netflix and beyond.

In this episode, Mike Whitmire, CEO & Co-Founder of FloQast, chats with Ryan Polk, Chief Product Officer of Insight Partners. 

In this episode, Mike Whitmire, CEO & Co-Founder of FloQast, chats with John Hussey, NFL Referee, and CEO/ Founder of the animal-focused start-up CUDDLY.

In the latest episode of Blood, Sweat & Balance Sheets, Mike sits down with Josh Glover, President and Chief Revenue Officer at FloQast. Josh, a decorated veteran, shares his riveting journey from serving four combat tours as a Marine and, later, special operations team commander with MARSOC’s 2d Marine Raider Battalion, to becoming a key leader in the tech industry, first with nCino, and now, with FloQast.
Josh discusses his transition into the corporate world, starting at nCino as an individual contributor and helping grow the company into a global, NASDAQ-listed organization. He also delves into his decision to join FloQast, his vision for the future of the company, and why he believes accountants are so key for business success.

Key Takeaways:
- Josh's experience in the Marines, including four combat tours
- Medically retiring from the military due to wounds received during his last deployment
- Transitioning into tech and joining nCino as the 23rd employee
- Contributing to nCino's growth into a global, NASDAQ-listed organization
- Reasons for joining FloQast and his goals for the company
- Insights on leadership and empowering employees
- Strategies for driving growth and innovation at FloQast
- Personal reflections on challenges faced and lessons learned
- How military experience has influenced his leadership style
- Future outlook for FloQast under Josh's leadership

Mike Whitmire CEO & Co-Founder of FloQast talks entrepreneurship with Rob Meinhardt, Co-founder of the venture production studio, Furious Collective, and the former Co-founder and CEO of KACE, which was acquired by Dell.

Hi everyone, Thank you for listening to From CPA to CFO. We are still going to be diving into accounting and career growth in the financial world, but also expanding into topics around entrepreneurship, the start up world and what it takes to be successful. With that we are changing our name to Blood Sweat & Balance Sheets. We are looking forward to some amazing episodes and big things. Thanks for being part of the journey.

In this episode FloQast CEO/Co-founder Mike Whitmire sits down with Jerry Raphael, CFO at Stack Overflow.
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CPA to CFO Podcast is dedicated to teaching young CPAs the steps they need to take to climb the ladder to CFO. Hosted by FloQast Co-founder & CEO Mike Whitmire, these are conversations with financial thought-leaders about their rise to success.

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In this episode, we are pivoting from the CFO role to chat with Daniel Hood, Editor-in-Chief of Accounting Today - one of the most prominent publications for the accounting and finance industry. In the many conversations and research Daniel has conducted for Accounting Today, he's learned a great deal about what it takes to be a great accountant and what it means to perform the job in a modern sense. This was a great talk, listen in!