Behind Closed Books

AI is changing accounting, but technology still needs human judgment to get the numbers right.
In this episode of Behind Closed Books, Craig Sheets sits down with Dyron Bush, Senior Tax Consultant at M&A Business Advisors, CEO of Theogeny Financial, tax strategist, accountant, financial consultant, and host of the Mechanics of Money podcast, to discuss how AI is changing accounting and why experienced professionals still matter.
Dyron shares real examples of where technology can help and where it can go wrong, including a scanning error that created an incorrect million-dollar tax refund. He explains why AI should be treated as a useful tool rather than a replacement for professional judgment, and why accountants still play a critical role in reviewing financial information, finding errors, and helping clients make better decisions.
The conversation also explores how clients can make tax preparation easier by sending complete information, naming documents clearly, organizing files properly, and understanding which tax documents their accountant needs.
In this episode you'll learn:
Why AI cannot replace experienced accountants
How technology errors can create major financial mistakes
Where AI can help with reports, research, and efficiency
Why AI-generated work still needs human review
How Dyron uses tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Kling, and Canva
Why clients should send complete tax documents
How properly naming and organizing files saves time
Why tax results can change from one year to the next
How accountants help clients plan beyond tax preparation
Why professional judgment remains important as technology improves
Dyron also shares his journey from studying accounting at Xavier University to building his career in finance, tax, technology, and business, along with his perspective on where AI may take the industry next.
If you're a business owner, accountant, tax professional, entrepreneur, or anyone interested in how AI is changing financial work, this episode offers practical lessons on using technology without losing the value of human expertise.
👍 Like this video if you found it valuable.💬 Share your biggest takeaway in the comments.🔔 Subscribe for more conversations with entrepreneurs, experts, and business leaders.
#ArtificialIntelligence #Accounting #TaxStrategy #TaxPreparation #AI #BusinessFinance #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #FinancialStrategy #BehindClosedBooks

How do you build a SaaS product customers actually want to use?
Andrew Abraham shares his approach to customer adoption, product-market fit, and startup growth.
He explains why founders should identify their customer's desires and value proposition before building a product, how AI can support customer adoption, and why strong teams and solid business foundations are essential for long-term success.
This episode offers practical insights for SaaS founders, entrepreneurs, and business leaders looking to build products around real customer needs and create lasting value.

Why do buyers lose interest during software demos?
Peter Cohan—founder of Great Demo! and bestselling author—shares the proven strategies behind effective software demonstrations that help businesses build trust, shorten buying cycles, and improve conversion rates.
Peter explains why discovery should always come before pitching, how to tailor demonstrations to different stakeholders, why buyers need different levels of proof before purchasing, and how the concept of Buyer Enablement creates a smoother buying experience.
The conversation also explores the famous "Last Thing First" methodology, avoiding the "Harbor Tour" demo, thinking like a doctor instead of a salesperson, and building presentations that focus on customer outcomes rather than product features.
Whether you're a SaaS founder, sales professional, consultant, entrepreneur, or business leader, this episode offers actionable frameworks to improve every customer conversation and every product demonstration.
Topics Covered:
Software demonstrations
Discovery calls
Buyer Enablement
Great Demo methodology
Sales psychology
Customer experience
SaaS sales
Sales leadership
Business communication
Entrepreneurial growth

Medical practices face increasing pressure from insurance companies, rising operating costs, and complex billing systems. In this episode, we explore how physicians and dentists can strengthen their financial foundation through better cash flow management, smarter patient collections, and strategic CFO guidance.
Learn why collecting payments upfront reduces financial risk, how insurance reimbursement delays affect profitability, why some practices are transitioning to cash-pay models, and how AI and operational improvements are reshaping healthcare businesses. You'll also hear why office managers are becoming essential partners in practice growth and financial success.
Whether you're a healthcare provider, practice owner, office manager, or finance professional serving the medical industry, this episode delivers actionable insights to help build a more profitable and sustainable practice.
Topics Covered:
Healthcare finance
Medical practice management
Cash flow optimization
Patient collections
Insurance billing
Cash-pay healthcare practices
CFO strategies
Office management
AI in healthcare operations
Business growth for medical practices
#HealthcareFinance #MedicalPractice #Bookkeeping #Accounting #CFO #CPA #FinancialLeadership #PracticeManagement #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship

Discover how pharmacogenomics (PGX), personalized medicine, healthcare interoperability, and AI are shaping the future of healthcare. Learn why genetic testing, better data sharing, and patient advocacy are essential for improving clinical outcomes and delivering more personalized care.

Construction finance expert Kris Senior joins Behind Closed Books to discuss the financial systems that drive successful construction companies.
 
Learn how Fractional CFOs help contractors improve cash flow, forecasting, WIP reporting, project profitability, and financial visibility while navigating the growing role of software and AI in construction accounting.
 
Perfect for contractors, controllers, accountants, CPAs, CFOs, and construction business owners looking to strengthen their financial operations.

Craig Sheets welcomes Brad Stone, top-performing realtor and military veteran, for a deep discussion on the financial side of real estate investing.
 
Together they explore:• Rental property ownership• LLCs and liability protection• Tax deductions investors often miss• 1031 exchanges• Cost segregation• Appraisal strategies• Commercial leasing structures• Market trends and interest rates• Building long-term wealth through real estate
 
This episode delivers practical insights for investors, homeowners, entrepreneurs, and anyone considering real estate as part of their financial strategy.
 

AI is changing business faster than most owners realize — but where do you actually start?
In this episode of Behind Closed Books, Craig Sheets sits down with AI consultant and automation strategist Annette Merriman to break down how small and midsize businesses can realistically implement AI without overwhelming their teams or losing their human touch.
From AI audits and CRM optimization to conversational bots, voice cloning, automation systems, and the future of AI assistants, this conversation explores what business owners should actually focus on right now.
You’ll learn:
What an AI audit looks like for a business
How automation can save hours every week
Why AI should support people instead of replace them
How CRMs and AI tools work together
The differences between ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot
How AI personas and voice cloning are changing customer communication
What business owners should know about AI safety and guardrails
Why small businesses can now compete at enterprise levels
Whether you’re a CPA, consultant, real estate professional, agency owner, or entrepreneur, this episode will help you understand how AI can improve efficiency, communication, and customer experience without sacrificing authenticity.
#AIForBusiness #SmallBusinessAI #BusinessAutomation #ChatGPT #CRM #ArtificialIntelligence #Entrepreneurship #DigitalTransformation

What does a fractional CFO actually do — and when does your business need one?
In this episode, Diana Marat breaks down the key differences between CFOs, CPAs, and bookkeepers, and explains why forward-looking financial strategy is critical for business growth. From cash flow mistakes to planning for expansion, this conversation helps business owners understand how to make smarter financial decisions before problems arise.
If you’re growing a business and want clarity around your numbers — this episode is for you.
#FractionalCFO #BusinessFinance #CashFlow #Entrepreneurship #Leadership

Most business owners don’t recognize burnout until it’s already affecting their performance, their relationships, and their decision-making.
In this episode of Behind Closed Books, Craig Sheets sits down with licensed therapist Sarah Craft to break down how stress builds, how burnout actually shows up, and why mental health is directly tied to business success.
This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice. It explores the real signals your body and mind send before burnout hits, and how to respond before it becomes a bigger problem.
Sarah shares her journey from growing up in the foster care system to building her own therapy practice, and how that experience shaped her approach to helping clients today.
If you’re a business owner, leader, or professional feeling overwhelmed, this episode will help you understand what’s happening and what to do next.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How to recognize early signs of stress before burnout
The difference between self-care and self-soothing and why it matters
Why brain fog, irritability, and emotional fatigue are warning signals
How therapy can support business performance, not just personal life
What to look for when choosing the right therapist
How to listen to your nervous system before things escalate
This episode is a practical guide to managing stress, understanding burnout, and making better decisions for your health and your business.
If you’ve ever felt like something is “off” but couldn’t explain it, this conversation will give you clarity.