Episode 156 - From Tax Filing to "Ask Luca": Guardrails for AI and Client Boundaries - The Woodard Report Podcast

On this episode of the Woodard Report podcast, Joe and Heather speak about major January updates in the accounting space, including the IRS's Free File program and why Joe prefers a subsidized third-party prep model over direct IRS filing. They also dig into how large firms like RSM are rolling out tightly governed generative AI tools (like "Ask Luca"), and what that teaches smaller firms about AI quality being driven by both model capability and data control.

Current events —

• IRS got rid of Direct File and is promoting Free File
• RSM lauched its own Generative AI Tool caled AskLuca

TV/Movie quote of the week —

• Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
• Your Honor

Excellent things we learned —

• In the Room Where It Happens: Generative AI Policy Creation in Higher Education
• The JOLT Effect: How High Performers Overcome Customer Indecision

Member spotlight —

• Jennifer Scott of HireEffect

The Woodard Report article of the week —

• The Competitive Advantage of AI Training for Accounting Professionals

Thank you to our show sponsor, Canopy! Unclunk your firm with Canopy, the fully integrated practice management that helps accountants build the firm they always wanted. The suite includes client and document management, workflow, time and billing, engagements and proposals, and more. Check out getcanopy.com.

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