Thriving Through Change: What You Can Do to Stay Future-Ready
- Arianna Campbell, Shareholder
- Oct 13
- 3 min read
If you’ve been in public accounting for more than a minute, you know change isn’t slowing down; it’s speeding up. Technology, client expectations and workforce models evolve faster than most firms can update their org charts. In fact, today is the slowest rate of change we will ever experience.
That may sound intimidating, but future readiness means you can thrive through any change. And that starts with what you do personally.
Learn to spot early signals
Big change rarely shows up overnight. It starts as whispers, like a client asking different questions, a new tool appearing in your tech stack or a colleague experimenting with AI prompts.
Build your “change radar” by paying attention to these small signals. You don’t need a formal role to start noticing patterns. Ask yourself, “What am I seeing that’s different from six months ago?” The sooner you notice, the sooner you can adapt.
For example, one firm noticed clients asking for dashboards instead of reports long before others caught on. They shifted resources toward data visualization early and positioned themselves as innovators.
Focus on what you can (and can’t) control
Uncertainty breeds resistance. When software, leadership and rules start shifting, it helps to clarify where you actually have influence.
Break it down:
Fixed: regulatory deadlines, firm strategy and client commitments
Flexible: workflow design, communication methods and timing
Yours to influence: your attitude, skills and daily choices
This clarity builds confidence. You can’t stop tax laws from changing, but you can decide how prepared you’ll be when they do.
Audit your default habits
Change initiatives don’t fail because of bad strategy. They fail because of old habits.
We all have “this is how we’ve always done it” reflexes. Maybe you cling to a spreadsheet that could be automated or rely on email when your team has better collaboration tools.
Take inventory of routines that hold you back.
Try this exercise: pick one recurring task and ask, “If we were starting fresh today, would we still do it this way?” The answer can be revealing.
Build comfort before it gets critical
The best time to experiment is when the stakes are low.
Start strengthening your adaptability muscle now. Test a new workflow in a slow week. Learn a feature in a tool you already use. Try leading a meeting differently. Small experiments build confidence before a big change hits.
Think of it as fire-drill training for your professional growth. Practice now so you’re calm when it counts.
Practice disagreement without drama
Change requires tension. That’s not a bad thing; it’s what sparks better ideas.
The goal isn’t to avoid conflict, but to disagree productively. Encourage open dialogue on your team. Ask questions instead of making assumptions. When you disagree, focus on shared outcomes rather than personal opinions.
One small but extremely effective change is to replace “You’re wrong” with “Help me understand how you see it.” Future-ready professionals know how to challenge ideas without creating chaos.
Reflect after every change
After the dust settles, don’t move on too fast. Take time to debrief.
Ask:
What worked well?
What did we miss?
What do we want to carry into the next change?
Teams that skip reflection tend to repeat mistakes, while teams that debrief get sharper every time. Even a 15-minute conversation can make the next change easier.
Define yourself by adaptability, not tenure
Skills need to evolve quickly right now, and adaptability is the new credential. Become known for flexibility and curiosity to keep yourself relevant, no matter your title or years of experience.
That means being open to learning, willing to try and quick to pivot when something isn’t working.
When people around you say, “They can handle whatever comes next,” you’ve earned a reputation that never goes out of style.
AI is reshaping workflows, hybrid teams are redefining communication and clients expect strategic insights faster than ever. Change is here to stay. You don’t need to have all the answers, but you do need to remain curious, reflective and adaptable. Every time you spot a trend, question old habits or try something new, you build your change readiness muscle.
Are you ready to upskill your team and transform your firm?
The Boomer Learning & Development Circle is a peer group of learning and development professionals in the accounting profession who share tools and resources to properly support their firms’ learning and development goals. Apply now to ensure you’re focusing on the right skills, engaging learners and demonstrating value to other firm leaders.
Arianna Campbell is the Chief Operating Officer at Boomer Consulting, Inc., where she helps CPA firms
lead transformative change by aligning people, process, and leadership. A nationally recognized speaker and one of Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential People, she facilitates peer communities that
shape the future of firm leadership and operations. When she’s not guiding change, Arianna is beach-
hopping or volunteering with local nonprofits.