Attending the BDO Southeast Super Regional Meeting in Miami last week was a powerful reminder of just how much – and how fast – the accounting profession is changing.
The energy in the room was urgent, but optimistic. Every session, hallway conversation, and breakout group echoed a similar theme: The profession isn’t waiting for change. It’s already in motion. And while there’s some uncertainty (especially from smaller firms), the tone overall was one of curiosity, forward momentum, and a shared drive to modernize how firms operate and serve clients.
Here are a few themes that stood out:
AI adoption is moving from curiosity to necessity
Across the board, firms aren’t asking if they’ll adopt AI, they’re asking how. There’s broad recognition that AI is now table stakes. Several firms shared real success stories: increased realization rates, faster onboarding, better client experiences. At the same time, many are still struggling with where to start.
One unexpected takeaway: a few firms said they wouldn’t even entertain conversations with vendors who aren’t thinking about AI. AI has shifted from a differentiator to a requirement.
Value-based services are becoming the new standard
At the BDO Super Regional, firms emphasized that advisory services are no longer a nice-to-have and they’re actually becoming core to growth strategies. In particular, tax and CAS leaders discussed the need to move beyond check-the-box outputs (like delivering 1040s) and build structured offerings that can scale. That includes pricing models that reflect value, not time; staffing models that build internal expertise; and technology that supports ongoing advisory conversations versus one-time deliverables.
This shift is also being driven by client expectations. Many firms noted that their clients are now comparing them not just to other CPA firms, but to financial planners, tech companies, and even consumer brands. To stay relevant, firms need to build client experiences that feel consultative, tech-enabled, and forward-looking.
CAS is no longer vague and becoming a growth engine
Sessions on Client Advisory Services (CAS) focused on turning what’s often been an ambiguous offering into a structured, scalable service line. The firms leading in CAS are defining clear delivery models, pricing frameworks, and staffing plans that align with their long-term business strategy.
For many, CAS is no longer a vague concept. It’s a core part of building a world-class firm and an opportunity to drive growth.
Operational excellence is the foundation
From audit to tax to advisory, firms are laser-focused on improving quality and efficiency. That includes streamlining workflows, automating client data collection, and better utilizing the tools they already have. Firms understand that to deliver a better client experience, they first need to improve the processes behind the scenes.
At the BDO event, conversations made it clear: The firms making real progress are the ones who view technology as an enabler of operational excellence, not just a bolt-on. That’s exactly the philosophy behind Aiwyn. Our modern solutions are designed to simplify how work gets done behind the scenes so that the front-of-house experience, what clients actually feel, is smarter, faster, and more personalized.
Leadership, independence, and the private equity crossroads
Underneath many of the conversations at the event was a deeper, strategic question: What kind of firm do we want to be five years from now?
Firms are evaluating more than just their tech stacks. They’re actively weighing whether to remain independent, seek private equity investment, or explore mergers and acquisitions. Each path comes with different implications for leadership, ownership, and future growth.
Across the board, one thing is clear: technology alone won’t drive transformation. It takes bold leadership, a clear long-term vision, and a commitment to changing how the firm operates. There are even new roles emerging like tech + ops leadership that are starting to impact how firms think about the relationship between technology and both short and long-term transformation.
Change starts with conversations like these
It was inspiring to be on site and hear directly from firms about what’s working and what’s still challenging. The conversations were honest, strategic, and forward-looking.
And while no one has it all figured out yet, it’s clear that the firms willing to lean into change, especially with the right partners, are the ones most likely to come out ahead.
If you’re part of the BDO Alliance and looking to keep the conversation going, feel free to connect with me directly. I’d love to share more about what I heard and hear what you’re seeing in your own firm.
And if you’d like to learn more about Aiwyn, schedule a personalized demo today!
