ATL265

ATL265: Scaling New Heights 2026 - "Strange New World"

Promotion Packet Overview

Episode title: ATL265 Scaling New Heights 2026 - "Strange New World"

Podcast: Accounting Technology Lab

Hosts: Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley

Episode Description

In this episode of the Accounting Technology Lab, Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley discuss Scaling New Heights 2026 from Orlando and unpack why this year’s theme, "Strange New World," feels especially relevant for accountants. Randy shares observations from the conference floor, including strong attendance, a large exhibitor presence, sessions on AI, data cleanup, SOPs written with AI, and main stage presentations featuring technology, magic, and thought leadership.

The conversation moves from conference recap to practical implications for the profession. Randy and Brian explore how AI is changing advisory services, why clean data remains essential, and why accountants need to understand the difference between deterministic accounting systems and probabilistic AI systems. They also discuss AI governance, privacy policies, EULAs, subprocessors, Microsoft’s compliance posture, and why professional standards require accountants to be more careful with client data than many other business functions.

This episode is ideal for accounting professionals who want a grounded perspective on AI’s role in the profession, what was being discussed at one of the year’s major accounting technology conferences, and how firm leaders should think about education, governance, and responsible adoption.

Suggested Headlines

• Scaling New Heights 2026: Accounting Enters a Strange New AI World
• AI, Governance, and the Future of Accounting from Scaling New Heights 2026
• What Accountants Need to Know from Scaling New Heights 2026
• The Strange New World of Accounting Technology
• From AI-Powered Ledgers to Data Governance: Lessons from Scaling New Heights 2026

Key Talking Points

• Scaling New Heights 2026 used the theme "Strange New World," reflecting the rapid and sometimes unsettling changes created by AI.
• Randy reported solid attendance of about 2,000 attendees and approximately 133 exhibitors.
• AI-powered general ledgers and AI-enabled accounting workflows were prominent conference topics.
• Clean data remains a prerequisite for useful AI output.
• Sessions emphasized practical AI use, including advisory services, growth strategies, and SOP development.
• Daniel Susskind’s main stage presentation explored work, professions, education, AI, and artificial general intelligence.
• Education and change management are becoming central to AI adoption in accounting firms.
• AI governance is becoming more important than a simple AI policy.
• Privacy policies, EULAs, subprocessors, and data use for model training require careful review.
• Microsoft’s compliance and governance approach was discussed as especially relevant for the accounting profession.
• Accountants must understand that traditional accounting systems are deterministic, while many AI systems are probabilistic.
• Brian used the vending machine vs. slot machine analogy to explain why AI outputs require review and professional judgment.

Pull Quotes

• "There’s just a lot of things that are strange with AI." - Randy Johnston

• "You can’t make filet mignon out of hamburger." - Brian Tankersley

• "Education is the response to AI." - Randy Johnston, discussing themes from Daniel Susskind’s presentation

• "It is very ish." - Brian Tankersley, on the probabilistic nature of AI

• "We have to be grown-ups all the time." - Brian Tankersley, on professional obligations around private client data

• "Last year we said you always start with a policy, but now you’ve got to restrict things with governance." - Randy Johnston

SEO Metadata

Suggested SEO title: Scaling New Heights 2026: AI, Governance, and Accounting Technology

Suggested slug: atl265-scaling-new-heights-2026-strange-new-world

Meta description: Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley recap Scaling New Heights 2026 and discuss AI-powered ledgers, data cleanup, AI governance, privacy, Microsoft Copilot, and probabilistic AI in accounting.

Keywords:

• Scaling New Heights 2026
• Accounting Technology Lab
• Randy Johnston
• Brian Tankersley
• accounting technology
• AI in accounting
• AI governance
• Microsoft Copilot
• accounting firm AI policy
• data cleanup
• AI-powered general ledgers
• CAS technology
• accounting workflow
• advisory services
• privacy policies
• EULAs
• subprocessors
• probabilistic AI
• deterministic accounting systems

Suggested Tags

• Accounting Technology
• Artificial Intelligence
• AI Governance
• Scaling New Heights
• Practice Management
• CAS
• Microsoft Copilot
• Data Quality
• Privacy
• Advisory Services

Guest and Organization Mentions to Verify

These names and organizations are mentioned in the transcript or appear to be referenced by the speakers. Verify spelling before public posting.

• Scaling New Heights
• CPA Practice Advisor
• Marriott World Center, Orlando
• Joe Woodard
• Microsoft
• Puzzle
• Sasha Orloff
• Expensify
• David Barrett
• Daniel Susskind
• The Future of the Professions
• McKinsey
• Khan Academy
• Cleveland Clinic
• Ron Baker
• Meta Ray-Ban glasses
• Apple
• Google
• Nvidia
• Claude
• ChatGPT
• Thomson Reuters
• Wolters Kluwer
• Canopy

Suggested Show Notes

• Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley discuss Scaling New Heights 2026 from Orlando.
• The conference theme, "Strange New World," reflects the rapidly changing AI landscape.
• Randy reports strong attendance and significant vendor participation.
• The hosts discuss sessions focused on AI, data cleanup, SOPs, and advisory services.
• Main stage presentations included technology-focused magic and discussions about AI’s role in the profession.
• Daniel Susskind’s presentation prompted discussion about automation, professional work, education, and AGI.
• The hosts discuss why firmwide AI education and change management are becoming essential.
• AI governance, privacy policies, EULAs, subprocessors, and client data risk are major concerns.
• Microsoft Copilot’s compliance posture is discussed as important for accounting firms.
• The hosts explain why accountants must understand the difference between deterministic systems and probabilistic AI outputs.

Suggested Episode Intro for Host Read

In this episode of the Accounting Technology Lab, Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley take us inside Scaling New Heights 2026 in Orlando. The conference theme was "Strange New World," and that phrase fits the profession’s current AI moment. Randy and Brian discuss AI-powered ledgers, clean data, advisory services, AI governance, privacy concerns, Microsoft Copilot, and why accountants need to understand the probabilistic nature of many AI systems.

Suggested Episode Outro for Host Read

Thanks for listening to this episode of the Accounting Technology Lab. If your firm is working through AI adoption, governance, privacy, or technology selection, share this episode with your team and continue the conversation about how accounting professionals can use AI responsibly while protecting client data and maintaining professional judgment.

Internal Production Notes

• Verify all speaker, vendor, and company names before final publication.
• Consider whether to include a disclaimer that the episode was recorded onsite during Scaling New Heights 2026.
• If publishing quotes, compare against the final edited audio before release.
• The transcript includes discussion of emerging AI products and technology partnerships; verify any claims that may have changed before publication.
• This packet avoids making independent factual claims beyond the transcript and frames potentially uncertain details as transcript-based discussion points.

One-Sentence Promo

Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley recap Scaling New Heights 2026 and explain why AI, governance, clean data, privacy, and probabilistic systems are reshaping accounting technology.

Three-Sentence Promo

Scaling New Heights 2026 carried the theme "Strange New World," and the Accounting Technology Lab team found that phrase especially fitting for the profession’s AI moment. Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley discuss conference highlights, AI-powered ledgers, data cleanup, advisory services, AI governance, privacy issues, Microsoft Copilot, and the risks of treating probabilistic AI like deterministic accounting software. This episode is a practical listen for accounting professionals evaluating AI tools and responsible adoption strategies.

Medium Promo Paragraph

In ATL265 of the Accounting Technology Lab, Randy Johnston and Brian Tankersley report from Scaling New Heights 2026 and explore the accounting profession’s "Strange New World" of AI. They discuss the conference atmosphere, AI-powered accounting tools, data quality, advisory opportunities, SOPs written with AI, major conference presentations, and the increasing importance of governance and privacy review. The conversation also highlights why accountants must understand the difference between deterministic accounting systems and probabilistic AI outputs before incorporating these tools into client service workflows.

Recommended Calls to Action

• Listen to ATL265 if your firm is evaluating AI adoption or governance.
• Share this episode with colleagues responsible for firm technology strategy.
• Use the discussion as a starting point for reviewing AI policies, EULAs, privacy practices, and subprocessors.
• Revisit your firm’s data cleanup strategy before expanding AI use.
• Train staff on the difference between deterministic accounting systems and probabilistic AI tools.