Ed Kless: Accounting Must Innovate Beyond Technology | Accounting Influencers

CPA Trendlines Podcasts

In an era when traditional models fail, accountants should rethink relevance, client experience, and the power of language.

Accounting Influencers

with Rob Brown

Accounting visionary Ed Kless challenges the profession to move beyond the traditional billable hour and embrace a proactive, subscription-based model. In this episode of Accounting Influencers, Kless, known for his strong stance on abolishing hourly billing, offers actionable insights into how accountants can redefine their services and stay relevant in an evolving landscape.

Full Show Notes Here | More Accounting Influencers with Rob Brown here

Kless wastes no time challenging one of the industry’s longest-standing practices: billing by the hour. "It’s an absolutely dead model, and it’s a problem not only for accountants but also for their customers,” he argues. By emphasizing efficiency over effectiveness, Kless says hourly billing creates a barrier to innovation and true client satisfaction. "Think about it—if you had a brain tumor, would you want an efficient surgeon or an effective one?” he asks, underscoring the need for quality service over rigid time-tracking.