
Berkowitz Pollack Brant founder talks leadership, AI in accounting
Story Highlights Richard Berkowitz built a top accounting firm focused on culture.
Podcast discusses leadership, legacy, and future of advisory services.
AI's impact on accounting and communication skills are addressed.
What happens when you build a firm not just on financials, but on culture, mentorship and meaningful relationships?
In this episode of the Florida Business Minds podcast, Richard Berkowitz, founder and executive chairman of Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs, chats with SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Meléndez about how his solo start in 1980 ultimately led to building one of the Top 60 accounting firms in the nation.
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From surviving a tumultuous merger in the 1980s, to identifying and coaching his CEO successor, Berkowitz opens up about the career lessons that helped shape his leadership, his undying commitment to the firm and philanthropy, and why he's now proud to be the firm's unofficial chief culture officer.
Listen to the podcast where Berkowitz shares his insights on leadership, legacy and the future of advisory services, as well as:
• The ramifications of private equity's "takeover" of the CPA industry.
• How AI is reshaping accounting – and why it's both thrilling and troubling.
• Why young professionals need to ditch the DMs and master face-to-face communication skills if they expect to be successful in business.
Sponsored by TECO Peoples Gas, the Florida Business Minds audio series features candid conversations with business leaders from the South Florida, Tampa Bay, Orlando and Jacksonville regions.
Find more Florida Business Minds podcasts here.
Sign up here for the Business Journal's free morning and afternoon daily newsletters to receive the latest business news impacting the First Coast, and download our free app to get breaking news alerts on your phone.
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Business Journals
27-05-2025
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Berkowitz Pollack Brant founder talks leadership, AI in accounting
Story Highlights Richard Berkowitz built a top accounting firm focused on culture. Podcast discusses leadership, legacy, and future of advisory services. AI's impact on accounting and communication skills are addressed. What happens when you build a firm not just on financials, but on culture, mentorship and meaningful relationships? In this episode of the Florida Business Minds podcast, Richard Berkowitz, founder and executive chairman of Berkowitz Pollack Brant Advisors + CPAs, chats with SFBJ Editor-in-Chief Mel Meléndez about how his solo start in 1980 ultimately led to building one of the Top 60 accounting firms in the nation. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events From surviving a tumultuous merger in the 1980s, to identifying and coaching his CEO successor, Berkowitz opens up about the career lessons that helped shape his leadership, his undying commitment to the firm and philanthropy, and why he's now proud to be the firm's unofficial chief culture officer. Listen to the podcast where Berkowitz shares his insights on leadership, legacy and the future of advisory services, as well as: • The ramifications of private equity's "takeover" of the CPA industry. • How AI is reshaping accounting – and why it's both thrilling and troubling. • Why young professionals need to ditch the DMs and master face-to-face communication skills if they expect to be successful in business. Sponsored by TECO Peoples Gas, the Florida Business Minds audio series features candid conversations with business leaders from the South Florida, Tampa Bay, Orlando and Jacksonville regions. Find more Florida Business Minds podcasts here. Sign up here for the Business Journal's free morning and afternoon daily newsletters to receive the latest business news impacting the First Coast, and download our free app to get breaking news alerts on your phone.


TechCrunch
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- TechCrunch
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