A Top 20 Accounting Firm's AI Playbook, Without the Hype | Tom DeMayo, PKF

Most accounting firms are jumping into AI headfirst, buying tools, chasing models, and wondering why nothing is sticking.

Thomas DeMayo, AI lead at PKF O'Connor Davies, one of the top 20 accounting firms in the country, has a different approach entirely.

He breaks down why your knowledge layer has to come before any tool decision, what AI can and cannot do in audit, and why the billable hour is already on its way out.

If you're a firm leader trying to build an AI strategy that holds up over time, this one is worth your time.

Connect with us here:

Thomas DeMayo

Kacee Johnson

AI Native Accounting

Digits

PFK O’Connor Davies

(00:00) Trailer

(01:08) Introduction

(03:16) From help desk to cyber security to AI leadership

(05:15) What architecture first means in practice

(08:35) Owning the data layer versus third-party tools

(10:36) The governance council and risk management

(13:23) Mistakes firms make chasing the hype

(15:52) Balancing innovation with technical controls

(17:15) Overcoming fear and resistance to AI adoption

(19:04) Use cases delivering real value

(22:42) AI in audit and regulatory sensitivity

(24:28) Training programs and AI champions

(26:02) How AI might change roles in firms

(28:05) The road map to agentic workflows

(28:54) Fee pressure and value-based billing

(30:17) Advice for smaller firms

(31:44) Lightning round

(34:23) Wrap-up

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