Practice Forward with XcelLabs
An AI-curious leader doesn’t treat AI as a threat or a shortcut. They see it as a support tool for better conversations, better judgment, and better client experiences. And they’re comfortable starting small.
It probably isn’t an understatement to say, everywhere you turn someone is saying firms need to be focused on AI. But if we’re being honest, for many it feels like one more thing added to an already full plate. Most firms don’t have the time or appetite to overhaul how they operate just to chase the latest technology trend.
But the reality is AI already is showing up in the work. Clients are asking about it; staff are trying it on their own. Whether we plan for it or not, it’s in the room. And when something is already in the room, the safest move is to turn on the lights and take a close look.
Perhaps the better question isn’t whether we should use AI, but rather how we want to approach it.
The AI-Curious Leader
An AI-curious leader is the person who looks at AI and says, “If this could help our people do better work, I want to understand it.” They don’t treat AI as a threat or a shortcut. They see it as something that can support humans through better conversations, better judgment, and better client experiences. It’s not automation for its own sake.
They’re comfortable starting small and saying, “I don’t know yet, but let’s find out.” They connect experiments back to real issues the firm is already managing: capacity, burnout, developing talent, and rising client expectations.
Most of all, they create an environment where trying something new feels safe. No panic. Just learning together.
The AI-curious leader doesn’t need to become a tech expert or redesign the firm. Their leadership is about making the first steps feel manageable.
Start Small
The good news is that we already know how to introduce new technology in accounting. We pilot. We test. We learn. Then we decide what’s worth scaling. AI doesn’t need a different playbook.
Instead of rolling something out firmwide, think in microexperiments. One team. One workflow. One month. Maybe a small group tests AI to summarize documents or scan data. Maybe a tax manager uses AI to prep for a client conversation.
When you treat incorporation as a pilot instead of a permanent decision, you reduce the stakes for everyone. No one is being asked to change how they work forever. They’re just agreeing to try something, learn from it, and talk about what happened. That’s how momentum builds without creating anxiety.
Build Guardrails, Not Roadblocks
A little structure makes experimenting with AI feel safer and less confusing. That’s why AI-curious leaders won’t ignore AI or try to shut it down. They’ll help people use it in a smart, safe way.
Guardrails don’t have to be complicated. They can be as simple as clear expectations around client data, which tools are approved, and prompt reminders like no full returns, no personal information, no proprietary material. Building basic AI literacy, often referred to as AIQ, will help people know how to review outputs and spot errors.
The messaging of, “Here’s how to use this responsibly,” is much more affirming than, “Don’t use this.”
First Signs of Success
At first, there may be hesitation. Trying something new always brings some uncertainty. But when someone shares a small experiment in a team meeting and nothing breaks, others start leaning in. More questions come up. More people are willing to try it themselves.
Soon the conversations start to sound different. “I tried this with AI and here’s what I learned.” A manager walks into a client conversation more prepared because they practiced their talking points with AI. There’s less quiet experimenting in the shadows and more open sharing.
Over time, you may start to see the impact on the business. Stronger client conversations. Clearer next steps. New advisory opportunities emerging naturally.
AI doesn’t replace the human in the loop. It helps us lead better at scale.
Try It for Yourself
Being AI-curious is taking one small step and learning from it. Pick one team. Pick one use case. Try it for a month. Talk about what you learn, together.
Jody Padar, CPA, also known as “The Radical CPA,” is the co-founder of XcelLabs, a training and technology platform that offers solutions to help accountants use AI to build fluency and strategic thinking. Visit XcelLabs for more information.
Backed by the PICPA, XcelLabs is helping CPAs leverage AI to expand advisory capabilities, strengthen firms, and keep the profession future-ready.
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Statements of fact and opinion are the author's responsibility alone and do not imply an opinion on the part of the PICPA's officers or members. The information contained herein does not constitute accounting, legal, or professional advice. For actionable advice, you must engage or consult with a qualified professional.
