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2024 in review: Major wins, lessons, and insights from accounting leaders

2024 has been another innovation-fuelled year in accounting.

From AI and technology, to big moves in private equity, to the pressing challenges of talent.

It’s time to reflect on the year that was.

In this video, an exciting panel of global accounting leaders from diverse backgrounds and growth stages discussed:

  • Their biggest wins, challenges and insights from the year

  • Their views on industry trends, including: talent, technology, client demands, and more

  • Their experiences with private equity and M&A

  • How they’re using AI in their firms

  • Their predictions and resolutions for a successful 2025

Natalie Lennon
Founder, Two Sides Accounting

Natalie Lennon is the founder of Two Sides Accounting, an Australian accounting firm helping business owners work smarter through open communication and automation. Natalie also founded Two Sides Academy earlier this year to empower accountants of tomorrow to show up, challenge old ways of thinking and build the firm of their dreams through mentoring and online courses.

Vimal Bava
Founder, vbCPA

Vimal is a CPA and Fractional CFO at vbCPA, PLLC, specializing in advisory and consulting services for SMBs. Passionate about data, technology, and numbers, he helps businesses leverage these key insights to optimize their profits and cash flow. Alongside his professional career, he is pursuing a doctorate at Florida International University, researching how AI-based technologies affect accountants' psychological wellbeing, emotional health, and job outcomes.

Meryl Johnston
Founder & CEO, Bean Ninjas

Meryl is the founder of Bean Ninjas, and an investor and brand ambassador at TeamUp. Bean Ninjas has a distributed team of 25+ and has clients in the eCommerce niche in Australia, the US, and the UK. In 2024, the Australian arm of Bean Ninjas entered a ‘strategic partnership’ with Air Accounting. In her role at TeamUp, Meryl helps accounting firms hire top talent in the Philippines.

Nayo Carter-Gray
Founder, 1st Step Accounting

‘Making Accounting a Little Less Taxing®’ is Nayo Carter-Gray’s goal as owner and founder of 1st Step Accounting LLC. A self-proclaimed techie, Nayo decided a virtual accounting practice was the best way to travel and still help small business owners all across the US manage their financial systems. Nayo is an Enrolled Agent, a QuickBooks Online Advanced Certified Pro-Advisor, former Intuit Accounting Council member (2018-2019), was named one of the Top 50 Women in Accounting, and currently sits on the Maryland Individual Tax Preparers board.

Ian Vacin
Co-Founder & Chief Partnerships Officer, Karbon

Ian is passionate about helping businesses be as successful as possible in order to positively impact the small businesses they serve. With 25+ years' experience in technology & process improvement and 15+ years of leadership experience in the accounting industry at Karbon, Xero, and Intuit, Ian is a recognized expert, innovator, and teacher.

2024 in review: Major wins, lessons, and insights from accounting leaders | Karbon Magazine