Editor-in-Chief
Accounting Today
Daniel Hood has been editor-in-chief of Accounting Today since 2011; he joined Accounting Today as managing editor in 1998. A graduate of Georgetown University, he has also served as a business editor for the New York Daily News, and as a production editor for The Wall Street Journal Europe. He is the author of five novels and a guidebook to New York City.
No one knows better how to grow an accounting firm than those who have done it – and this panel of the 2025 Fastest Growing Firms brings together some of the savviest: Firm leaders who have built thriving practices that are more than standing up to the biggest challenges in accounting. They’ll share their strategies for growth; for keeping clients, staff and partners happy; for managing technology; and much more.
With the accounting profession facing a critical talent shortage, firms must adopt innovative approaches to attract, hire, and retain top talent. This session will explore actionable strategies for expanding the talent pipeline, including leveraging internships, tapping into candidates with nontraditional backgrounds, and fostering an inclusive workplace culture. Attendees will leave this session equipped with best practices to address current hiring challenges, attract a new generation of accountants, and build a workforce ready to meet the demands of the future.
As artificial intelligence becomes a cornerstone of professional workflows, accounting firms are discovering its potential to enhance efficiency, generate insights, and deliver a competitive edge. This panel will explore AI’s transformative impact on the profession, from streamlining operations and reducing errors to empowering staff with AI-driven tools and insights.
In this research-based panel discussion, industry experts will consider the increasing role advisory services are playing as accounting firms continue to expand their offerings.
Private equity investment can be a catalyst for growth and innovation in the accounting profession, enabling firms to scale rapidly and access new opportunities. This panel, featuring leaders from the 2025 Fastest Growing Firms who’ve taken on PE funding, will delve into proven strategies for scaling rapidly, retaining clients, engaging staff and partners, leveraging technology effectively, and more. Gain insights into how these trailblazers are navigating opportunities and challenges to achieve remarkable success.
Accounting Today is out to recognize the firms that are disrupting the profession, and one of the best ways to do that, of course, is through growth. The firms recognized here — which recorded the highest revenue growth in the profession in 2024 — represent the future of accounting.
In an era of rapid innovation and shifting client expectations, accounting firms face unprecedented challenges—and opportunities—for growth. This session will explore strategies and best practices to help firms thrive, from leveraging cutting-edge technology and expanding services to forming strategic partnerships and enhancing client value.
Discover how to define growth on your own terms, balance short-term wins with long-term sustainability, and implement actionable tactics like mergers, acquisitions, and targeted marketing. Join industry leaders to learn how firms are adapting to stay competitive and position themselves for lasting success.
In today’s fast-paced landscape, technology adoption is essential, yet firms often grapple with the ever-evolving influx of tools and the challenge of using them effectively. To thrive, leaders must prioritize investments in technologies that simplify workflows, enhance collaboration, and reduce administrative burdens — empowering employees and enriching client relationships.
This dynamic panel of technology experts will explore actionable best practices and innovative strategies. Attendees will gain insights into how forward-thinking firms are leveraging cutting-edge tools, and discover what steps firms and individual professionals can take to optimize their tech stacks for greater efficiency, collaboration, and career growth.
In our closing session, four well-known experts share their insights on the major issues facing firms, from keeping up with technology and finding the right service mix, to optimizing their client base, finding the talent they need, making the move to advisory services, and much more. Our interactive format encourages attendees to engage directly with our experts through live Q&A. So come prepared with hard-hitting questions and get ready for candid, off-the-cuff answers.