In Part 2 of this conversation, Basis AI co-founder Matt Harpe gets tactical about how accounting firms can successfully navigate the AI transformation. Wiss CEO Paul Peterson and Matt discuss the practical roadmap for adoption, the critical role of trust, and why some firms will lead while others fall behind.
In This Episode:
The three mindsets firms adopt when facing AI: defensive, private equity, and venture capital—and why only one unlocks breakthrough opportunities:
- How to build trust with AI agents (hint: it’s just like building trust with coworkers)
- Why top-down leadership commitment is essential for successful AI adoption
- The critical difference between AI and traditional accounting software
- Lessons from Khosla Ventures: “The company you build is the team you build”
- How to evaluate AI partners and what makes a successful implementation
- Real talk about the gap between firms saying “we use AI” and accountants actually using it
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 – Introduction & Recap
2:15 – How Firms Should Embrace AI Training
8:30 – The Three Mindsets: Defensive, PE, and VC
15:45 – Why Individual Accountants Matter Most
22:10 – Building Trust with AI Agents
28:30 – AI vs Traditional Software
35:20 – Competition & Impediments to Growth
42:15 – The “Same As Last Year” Problem
48:00 – VC Partnership & Investor Lessons
55:30 – Building for the Long Term
1:02:00 – Closing Thoughts
💬 What’s your firm’s AI mindset? Defensive, Private Equity, or Venture Capital? Share in the comments below.
About the Guest:
Matt Harpe is the co-founder of Basis AI, serving many of the top 100 accounting firms in the country. Basis is backed by leading investors including Khosla Ventures, with board members from OpenAI and involvement from AI leaders at Google DeepMind and Meta.
About the Host:
Paul Peterson is the CEO of Wiss, an accounting, tax, and business advisory firm at the forefront of AI adoption in the profession. Through strategic partnerships with companies like Basis AI, Wiss is pioneering new ways of delivering accounting services.
About the Series:
The Accounting Disruptors Podcast features conversations with innovators who are reshaping accounting through technology, strategy, and vision.
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