NEW PODCAST: The Practitioner's Edge, Ep. 5
July 10, 2026
The Practitioner's Edge: Insights for Small Firm Success
The FICPA's The Practitioner’s Edge delivers practical insights for CPAs and professionals in small firms. Each episode explores strategies, trends and real-world solutions to help you run a stronger practice, serve clients better and stay ahead in a changing profession. This month, we're joined by Dan Giddings, Account Executive with Blue J, to explore how AI is transforming tax research for accounting firms. Giddings explains why purpose-built AI tools offer a more secure and reliable alternative to general AI platforms by providing answers backed by IRS guidance, regulations, case law and state-specific resources. He also discusses how firms can use AI to streamline research, draft client communications, analyze tax returns and uncover proactive planning opportunities, all while maintaining data security and client confidentiality. The conversation also highlights how firms of all sizes can empower every team member, from junior staff to partners, with AI tools that reduce research time, improve consistency and create more capacity for higher-value advisory services. Giddings emphasizes that successful firms are not replacing professional judgment with AI. Instead, they are using it to enhance accuracy, improve efficiency and deliver better client outcomes. "AI should help firms create capacity, not replace professional judgment. The goal is to free your team to deliver better advice and better client service." Dan Giddings, Account Executive, Blue J, LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-giddings/ Listen to The Practitioner's Edge wherever you get your podcasts: Apple Podcasts | Podbean | Spotify | YouTube |