Marcus and Rachel introduce the Automation Idea Generator from Collected by DBA, a free tool designed to help accounting firm teams identify what to automate, assess ROI, and get started without hiring a consultant. The episode walks through a live demo and breaks down a key distinction the whole firm needs to understand: AI designs the process, automation runs it. They also get honest about the real barrier to adoption in most firms, which isn't the technology, it's the team.

Sponsors
Discover.AI - discover.ai

The Automation Idea Generator:
https://collective.cpa/automationprompt

Watch on YouTube
https://youtu.be/zIW4hkn8wYw

Introducing Collective by DBA
https://collective.cpa
https://www.linkedin.com/company/collectivebydba

Learn More About Dillon Business Advisors
https://www.dillonadvisors.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dillonbusinessadvisors

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Download the Earmark CPE App
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728

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• (00:00) - Welcome to Who's Really the Boss
• (01:15) - Episode Tool Teaser
• (01:34) - Family Travel Update
• (05:42) - Why This Free Tool
• (07:07) - AI Vs Automation Basics
• (08:38) - Tech Pace And Firm Context
• (11:25) - Automation Initiative Start
• (12:47) - Credit To Tool Builders
• (14:10) - Temporary Tool Mindset
• (16:31) - Team Training Exercise
• (18:49) - Evaluating Automation ROI
• (21:08) - Real Example Prospect Folder
• (23:06) - Integration Reality Check
• (28:05) - Demo Begins Tool Link
• (31:40) - Software Stack Setup
• (33:16) - File Storage Choices
• (34:06) - Define the Pain Point
• (35:10) - Payroll Email Use Case
• (37:53) - Time Savings and ROI
• (40:01) - Generate the Prompt
• (42:14) - Claude Reviews Automation Ideas
• (45:22) - Risks and Change Management
• (49:17) - Empower the Whole Team
• (52:43) - Wrap Up and Feedback

Sponsors
Discover.AI - discover.ai

Rachel and Marcus pull back the curtain on how DBA rebuilt their accounting firm from the ground up, moving from a structure where everything ran through one person to a three-tiered team model built for scale. They walk through each phase of the transition: defining roles, aligning consistent teams to clients, and building industry specialization that makes advisory conversations sharper and more valuable.

Introducing Collective by DBA
https://collective.cpa
https://www.linkedin.com/company/collectivebydba

Learn More About Dillon Business Advisors
https://www.dillonadvisors.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dillonbusinessadvisors

Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcast
https://earmarkcpe.com

Download the Earmark CPE App
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app

• (00:00) - Welcome to Who's Really the Boss
• (00:39) - Family Updates
• (05:16) - Why Team of Three
• (06:54) - Problems With Silos
• (10:24) - Client Pain Points
• (12:01) - Three Roles Explained
• (15:41) - Model Goals and Benefits
• (21:11) - Phase One Define Roles
• (29:43) - Phase Two Align Teams
• (39:52) - Career Paths and Scaling
• (44:09) - Wrap Up and Listener Challenge

Marcus and Rachel introduce their rally cry for 2026, "lead change, create impact," and share the four Ps framework (Purpose, Picture, Plan, and Part) they've adopted at DBA and Collective to guide their team through rapid change. They get honest about past missteps, from announcing acquisitions without team buy-in to the temptation of initiating change without living through it. Along the way, they also weigh in on AI's impact on accounting firms and why the runway looks very different depending on who your clients are.

Sponsors
Discover.AI - discover.ai

Introducing Collective by DBA
https://collective.cpa
https://www.linkedin.com/company/collectivebydba

Learn More About Dillon Business Advisors
https://www.dillonadvisors.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dillonbusinessadvisors

Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcast
https://earmarkcpe.com

Download the Earmark CPE App
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app

• (00:00) - Welcome to Who's Really the Boss
• (00:53) - Moving to Fort Worth
• (02:19) - Busy Season Chaos
• (04:01) - Move In Surprises
• (06:26) - Leading Change Theme
• (07:11) - Rally Cry for 2026
• (09:15) - Rapid Change Pressures
• (11:53) - AI Job Impact Talk
• (17:18) - Tech Savvy Client Story
• (22:32) - Preparing Team for Change
• (26:25) - Lessons from 2025
• (28:31) - Clarity Beats Resistance
• (29:47) - Early Acquisition Missteps
• (31:13) - Intentional Change Mindset
• (32:16) - Adopting Lencioni Four Ps
• (35:05) - Purpose Align With Values
• (37:52) - Clarity Beats Vagueness
• (44:37) - Picture Define Success
• (47:56) - Optimist Pessimist Exercise
• (53:12) - Plan Roadmap And Owners
• (56:47) - Part Define Everyone Role
• (59:47) - Recap Repeat And Close