Answers
Every question, with the answer the group gave.
Every real question asked on a Lab call, with the answer the group actually gave, linked to the moment it happened. Searchable, so Wednesday keeps working for you all week.
449 answers · 16 sessions indexed · new every Wednesday
108 questions are still open. See what the Lab is working on.
Saw it online instead of hearing it on a call? Signal or Noise is the other half of this desk: the Lab's verdict on what members see in the wild.
- Automation & MCP
What backend tech stack is being used to build an internal AI-powered practice management tool (chat, transcripts, client data)?
The system uses Supabase as the full database, storing everything including QuickBooksrelated data and call transcripts.
Jul 8 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
What is being used for data storage in a custom-built internal accounting tool, and how is it managed?
Ben confirmed Supabase is used as the cloudbased data storage backend (not a physical server).
Jul 8 call Members-only - Practice mgmt
What inspired building a centralized platform to replace multiple disconnected software tools, and how has the team responded?
Ben said team buyin has been mostly positive, though there was some hesitation from staff who were previously employed by BotKeeper, since that company heavily…
Jul 8 call Members-only - Bookkeeping
Why use QuickBooks Online bank connections instead of Plaid for pulling client bank data?
The main reason was concern about connecting bank accounts to Plaid as a thirdparty user — some banks (the example given was Chase) require the actual account…
Jul 8 call Members-only - Security & compliance
Does recreating a bank statement from transaction data (instead of using the actual scanned statement) reduce PII/privacy concerns when feeding it into AI tools?
The point was raised that when a bank statement is recreated from transaction data rather than using the original document, it typically lacks account numbers…
Jul 8 call Members-only - Practice mgmt
When building an internal platform with many features, is it better to build features separately and combine them later, or start with one unified platform and keep adding features?
Ben said he started with a few standalone tools and combined them into one internal platform pretty early on because he needed a single place to house…
Jul 8 call Members-only - Practice mgmt
Is an internally-built client portal designed to be mobile-friendly?
Ben said probably not his internal team tool was never designed with mobile use in mind since the team works at computers.
Jul 8 call Members-only - Practice mgmt
How much does building an internal tool (vs. paying for tools like Uncat) actually save in time and money, or is it more about housing information internally?
Ben's tech stack is very cheap: Supabase for the back end, Vercel for the front end, and low API call costs.
Jul 8 call Members-only - Bookkeeping
How can we build our own QBO month-end close review tool instead of relying on Zenit?
One firm built a custom QBO monthclose review tool after running into issues with Zenit, particularly around unreconciled bank accounts — Zenit required…
1:50Jul 8 call Members-only - Getting started
If we want to build a smaller version of an internal AI/automation system, where should we start?
Start with basic infrastructure: Vercel, GitHub, and Supabase, which the speaker found userfriendly and sufficient to get going.
1:00Jul 8 call Members-only - Bookkeeping
How can I build a custom QBO month-end close review tool that flags unreconciled accounts, uncategorized entries, and other close issues, instead of relying on a third-party tool like Keeper/Zenit?
Ben built an internal tool (a QBO 'month and close' reviewer) after having issues with a thirdparty tool (referred to as Zenit), particularly around…
Jul 8 call Members-only - Bookkeeping
How do you set up automatic bank feed rules in QuickBooks Online so nothing is left sitting in the bank feed?
Bank feed data comes directly from QBO rather than Plaid.
Jul 8 call Members-only - Bookkeeping Open question
Can bank statement-style output (with beginning/ending balances) be generated from data pulled through Plaid or QuickBooks rather than obtaining actual client bank statements?
One approach discussed was building a system where a client logs in once through Plaid to grant token access, after which Plaid pulls the exact transaction…
Jul 8 call Members-only - Automation & MCP Open question
When building an AI chat assistant that searches across all client transcripts/data, how do you handle the assistant taking in too much information when queried broadly instead of per-client?
Ben indicated that vector layers had to be added on top of the transcripts because there was too much text for the system to search effectively otherwise.
Jul 8 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How do you make an AI assistant search through large volumes of client call transcripts and task data?
The team found that with large amounts of transcript text, a simple search wasn't enough — they had to add vector layers on top of the transcripts so the…
Jul 8 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
Is there a better way to get Fireflies call transcripts into a system besides downloading them one by one?
Ben explained that transcripts are pushed directly into a database (Supabase) via an automated action, some of which run through GitHub daily actions.
Jul 8 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
What problems led a bookkeeping firm to start building custom internal tools instead of relying on Karbon and other off-the-shelf apps?
Ben runs Keystone Bookkeepers, a mostly bookkeeping/CAS firm heavily niched in shortterm rental property management (95% of business), using VR Trust (outside…
Jul 8 call Members-only - Advisory
How can we use Claude/AI to build client-facing benchmarking and analytics dashboards from QuickBooks data?
Ben described connecting all clients' QuickBooks files (clients are concentrated in one niche) into their system and mapping each client's chart of accounts,…
Jul 8 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
What is this internal 'Arch' tool that combines bank feeds, client tools, and bookkeeping workflows?
The tool (called ARCH) is an internal platform built to unify a firm's backoffice operations for a propertymanagement bookkeeping practice.
Jul 8 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How can our firm build an internal system to store and query all our call transcripts using AI?
One firm built a system where call transcripts (from Fireflies) are pushed directly into a Supabase database via GitHub actions.
Jul 8 call Members-only - Bookkeeping
Has building custom internal tools actually reduced close time (e.g., a 5-day close) or shown measurable time savings for the team?
Ben said he hasn't noticed overall time savings yet, in part because the tools he shared aren't fully rolled out to the team he's still personally testing and…
Jul 8 call Members-only - Practice mgmt
How do you get your team interested in and engaged with using AI tools like Claude?
Ben's approach was to create an internal AI group with team members who had been with the firm for a few years, and require them to use the tools.
Jul 8 call Members-only - Bookkeeping Open question
When automating bank statement recreation from transaction data (e.g., via QuickBooks or Plaid), is it possible to also pull actual check images?
A member asked whether an automated bank statement/transaction pull could also retrieve check images rather than just recreating the transaction list.
Jul 8 call Members-only - Practice mgmt
Is the internal client portal structured per client, and can the internal team see all clients in one place?
Ben explained that on the clientfacing side, clients only see their own properties (or, in cases where one owner has multiple properties, all of those).
Jul 8 call Members-only - Automation & MCP Open question
Where does a custom-built practice management/client portal tool actually get hosted, and what's involved in maintaining it long-term?
The custom client portal tool currently runs on Supabase and Vercel, with the underlying hosting managed by the contractor building it; the firm owner wasn't…
Jul 8 call Members-only - Automation & MCP Open question
What does it mean to run AI 'locally' or 'offline,' and is anyone using this to annotate financials and map them to Drake tax software?
A distinction was drawn between two different meanings of 'local': (1) working with files stored on your local machine while still using Claude in the cloud…
57:01Jul 1 call Members-only - Getting started
What is a 'handoff skill' and how do I use it when a Claude conversation gets too long?
A handoff skill lets you continue a conversation in a new chat once you're approaching the context window limit, by activating a skill (e.g., typing a slash…
33:09Jul 1 call Members-only - Getting started
How can I get Claude to pull together everything it has previously taught me or discussed on a specific topic across multiple chats?
You can ask Claude to pull up all chats related to a specific topic and summarize what's been covered — for example, asking it to review all chats where you've…
39:42Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
Is it better to use Claude Projects with CLAUDE.md files for a specific project, housing project-specific skills within an overall CLAUDE.md, rather than re-teaching context every time?
One approach shared: use a project and draganddrop relevant files into it rather than reexplaining context each time, since even with memory features Claude…
39:00Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
What are the two types of MCP connectors in Claude, and how do I set up a custom one?
There are Claudepromoted (builtin) connectors and custom connectors.
10:21Jul 1 call Members-only - Getting started
How should someone who doesn't know what they're doing get started using Claude for a project?
The suggested approach is to work through it with Claude directly: tell it you don't know exactly what you're doing but have a goal, and don't want it to make…
29:50Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How can I use Claude Projects to capture ongoing frustrations/ideas and turn them into automation opportunities?
Create a project in Claude Chat and set the project instructions to something like: "I'm going to dump in all the ideas and frustrations I encounter in my…
46:55Jul 1 call Members-only - Getting started
How do I consolidate and store outputs (markdown files, chat content) across different Claude conversations so I can pick a project back up later?
One practice is exporting outputs into a desktop folder for projects you expect to revisit, then pushing that folder to Dropbox or Google Drive so Claude can…
31:09Jul 1 call Members-only - Getting started
I feel completely lost with AI as a CPA — where do I even start?
Start simply: open Claude (even the free version) and literally tell it "I feel like a deer in the headlights.
43:40Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
If we all end up living inside one 'super app' like Claude, are we still able to access all our other tools and data?
Yes.
20:38Jul 1 call Members-only - Getting started
How do you use voice/speech instead of typing when working with Claude?
You can press and hold the microphone button and speak your request out loud (e.g., "hey, I want to build this") rather than typing.
36:29Jul 1 call Members-only - Getting started
Is it okay to ask Claude very basic or 'dumb' questions, and how does that help improve workflows?
There's no such thing as a dumb question to ask Claude.
35:35Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How would you get started using Claude/MCPs to consolidate information scattered across tools like email, Slack, and Notion to see where things stand with a client, without altering any data?
This is described as a good use case for MCPs: connect all the relevant MCPs (email, Slack, Notion, etc.) into Claude, then build a "skill" — a repeatable…
27:34Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How can I use Claude to build an automated client/user status dashboard from emails and other data sources?
One approach shared: connect data sources (like a user signup list) and email into Claude, then ask it to check email history to see if you've already talked…
29:02Jul 1 call Members-only - Getting started
Which AI model should I be using right now (Claude vs Codex)?
The latest recommended model is Sonnet 4.5 (referred to on the call as 'Sonnet 5'), released the day before this call, which 'should be your goto now.' There…
16:28Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
Can Claude be used to build or redesign a firm website, including for a specific niche?
Yes.
15:08Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How can Claude be used to draft client memos (e.g., an 83(b) election memo) using firm formatting and writing style?
By connecting an MCP (such as one for a practice management/accounting platform), Claude can draft a memo—for example, an 83(b) election memo—because it…
14:05Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
What's the difference between an MCP and an API, and when should you use one versus the other?
MCP is used when you want to live and operate within an existing assistant environment like Claude or Codex — it lets that environment connect to and use…
21:36Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
Can you create your own MCP to connect to a third-party company's software even if that company doesn't offer one?
No.
23:13Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
What is MCP and how is it different from an API?
MCP (Model Context Protocol) was described as being developed by Anthropic as a way for AI agents to talk directly to other applications, letting you do work…
7:49Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
What's the difference between Claude chat, Claude Code, and Cowork?
Claude Code used to be terminalbased but now runs directly in the application, so you don't need to go to a terminal anymore.
13:12Jul 1 call Members-only - Security & compliance Open question
Is there a resource showing exactly what security settings to turn on when getting started with AI tools?
Yes — the group indicated there is something on the site covering this, and suggested it's a good topic to dig into further as its own conversation.
46:27Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
Can you build lightweight custom software plus your own MCP to hook it into Claude/ChatGPT for your own workflows?
Yes — an example given was someone who bought a firm with an old CRM she didn't like, so she used Claude Code to build her own custom CRM, then created an MCP…
25:09Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How hard is it to actually build a custom tool with a working back end (not just a front end) and an MCP on top of it?
Getting a nicelooking front end built can be fast — often within 30 minutes to a weekend.
26:48Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
What's the difference between APIs and MCPs?
APIs are the legacy approach for connecting to a service, useful when you want to build a custom application.
9:24Jul 1 call Members-only - Security & compliance Open question
Which AI tax prep tool should I use, and does it require 7216 disclosure to clients?
There are many different tools available for tax prep, including Cowork if you have Claude Enterprise (which now offers Cowork with data protection features,…
17:09Jul 1 call Members-only - Getting started
Is it worth paying for a Claude course for accountants?
The advice given was not to buy a paid Claude course for accountants (referencing courses priced around $1,500–$2,000), and instead to spend that money on…
18:37Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How can I have an AI tool interact with websites or software that doesn't have an official API?
One approach discussed was using the Claude in Chrome extension, which lets Claude browse and click through websites much like a human would, just a bit slower.
49:56Jul 1 call Members-only - Getting started
What prompting techniques help when using Claude to create and execute a research or project plan?
One approach is to turn the model's thinking/effort level up to at least "high" when generating a plan, then explicitly tell it to run deep research so it…
19:01Jul 1 call Members-only - Automation & MCP Open question
Can a fully offline/local AI workflow that maps financials to Drake tax lines be integrated directly with Drake's import process?
A member described a workflow that runs fully offline with local models on local folders (no cloud) to take financials and annotate next to each line where…
59:00Jul 1 call Members-only - Getting started
Do you ever ask Claude what information it's missing in order to accomplish a task?
Yes — a common practice is to explicitly ask Claude followup questions like "what is my blind spot here?" or "what do you need from me?" before starting a task…
40:39Jul 1 call Members-only - Practice mgmt
What's the best way for members of this AI accounting group to work together and support each other?
One suggested model, based on running a weekly session with accounting cofounders: hold a targeted weekly meeting where members do homework beforehand (e.g.,…
41:56Jul 1 call Members-only - Getting started
How do I know when to move from a regular Claude chat to something like Claude Code or another Claude surface, and how do I avoid wasting tokens as a beginner?
The suggested approach is to simply tell Claude your constraints as part of the prompt: e.g., "I have no background in AI, I don't want to use up tokens…
48:03Jul 1 call Members-only - Getting started
Should I put instructions like 'explain things to me as a beginner' into my organization/global custom instructions so they apply every time?
Yes — general preferences about your experience level, how you want things explained, and how you want the AI to guide you between tools can be placed in…
53:33Jul 1 call Members-only - Getting started Open question
When should I use a plain chat versus setting up a Claude Project?
Projects are useful when you want to silo a specific initiative with its own context so it doesn't bleed into other conversations — for example, creating a…
37:27Jul 1 call Members-only - Bookkeeping
How can you use Claude connected to your accounting data to interactively analyze finances (e.g., largest cost categories, recurring payments)?
Using a private MCP connection to the accounting platform (set up without needing separate approval from Claude), a user can chat directly with their financial…
56:04Jun 25 call Members-only - Security & compliance
When building your own AI-powered software product handling client financial data, how do you ensure data privacy and security?
The approach included bringing on a group of trusted contractors with software/data backgrounds once commercialization was planned, rather than doing all…
39:01Jun 25 call Members-only - Bookkeeping
How can AI help record and reconcile activity that happens outside a client's own bank account, like property manager net proceeds?
Some property managers operate out of their own bank account, collecting rent and paying expenses like pest control and lawn maintenance, then netting proceeds…
18:07Jun 25 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How much does it cost to build custom accounting/property management software using AI-assisted development versus traditional development?
Building this without AI was estimated at $500,000–$750,000 or more in spend.
9:01Jun 25 call Members-only - Bookkeeping Open question
Can you pull bank statements or commercial loan data automatically through Plaid or QBO?
No — most banks do not push commercial loan data through Plaid, and Plaid also does not provide bank statements or check images.
35:01Jun 25 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
What's the difference between using a proprietary AI assistant (like Kestrel's built-in agent) versus connecting Claude directly via MCP?
Both the inapp Kestrel AI agent and the Claude connector use the exact same underlying instruction set via the same MCP server, so the underlying data returned…
53:22Jun 25 call Members-only - Bookkeeping
Can multiple people (e.g., passive investors) share access to the same real estate bookkeeping data/account?
Yes.
20:41Jun 25 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
What has the experience been like building on Plaid directly, including costs and data quirks?
Someone with fintech background (previously paying Plaid bills of roughly $100k/month at a startup with far more connections) asked about the experience of…
35:54Jun 25 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How did using AI allow someone to build a full software product to solve their own real estate accounting problem instead of hiring a traditional engineering team?
Building the product this way meant effectively moving into a new career (software company founder), which required managing an evolving code base and…
40:49Jun 25 call Members-only - Bookkeeping
Can AI reconcile and audit third-party property management reports against your own accounting records?
Yes a property management audit feature was demonstrated where the AI audits a property management report and checks it against everything already in the…
57:57Jun 25 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How can you build an automated system to track commercial loan amortization and match it exactly to bank-calculated balances?
Because matching a bank's actual/360daycount amortization schedule automatically is virtually impossible, the solution was to build a custom amortization…
46:44Jun 25 call Members-only - Bookkeeping
Who is this property/real estate accounting tool built for, and could accounting firms use it in-house to replace QuickBooks for multi-property clients?
Yes — the tool was confirmed to be adaptable for accounting firms to purchase and use inhouse across several clients.
14:54Jun 25 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How do you divide responsibilities between yourself and an engineering team when building AI-powered software as a non-technical founder?
The founder handles all of the business logic and subject matter expertise — things like amortization tables, transaction splitting, how a lease flows through…
11:12Jun 25 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How can you use AI to automate reading property management reports and posting bookkeeping entries, without exposing all activity outside a bank account?
A tool was demonstrated that lets you record activity occurring outside the bank account (so it isn't invisible to the books) by dropping property management…
19:00Jun 25 call Members-only - Security & compliance Open question
What practical steps can be taken to avoid exposing sensitive financial/PII data when using LLMs for tasks like loan modeling?
Two main strategies were described.
44:13Jun 25 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
Where does the data live when you build a custom real estate portfolio reporting tool like this?
The underlying data lives in Supabase, described as a secure, fullstack database platform with a lot of builtin functionality and security.
31:37Jun 25 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How do you prevent AI hallucinations or math errors when using AI to generate financial reports like P&L or NOI?
The approach described is to never ask the AI to perform math itself.
26:36Jun 25 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How do you build guardrails so an AI assistant can only take specific, allowed actions on a database?
The Kestrel AI assistant runs through an API and is given very limited, proactivepermission access to only the firm's own data and only the specific actions…
51:24Jun 25 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How can AI be used to extract structured data from lease documents?
The team built a lease scraper: you drop a new lease into the system, and it scrapes the document against a defined data schema of 16 fields.
49:10Jun 25 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How can AI be used to extract structured data from commercial leases into a usable schema?
A lease scraper was built as an early AI learning exercise: to make lease data usable, it first had to be scraped into a defined data schema and stored in a…
49:06Jun 25 call Members-only - Security & compliance
When building a financial data tool yourself, how do you ensure data privacy and security are handled properly?
The presenter said they no longer do the engineering themselves, focusing instead on the realestatespecific logic (amortization tables, loans, splits, etc.),…
38:59Jun 25 call Members-only - Security & compliance Open question
Is there a meaningful difference between using a generic AI tool (Claude, ChatGPT) versus a tax-specific AI tool (like Blue J) in terms of client data risk?
The question of generic vs.
58:16Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance Open question
What framework can be used to decide whether a given AI use case requires 7216 client consent?
One member shared a flowchart approach for thinking through this.
37:27Jun 24 call Members-only - Client comms
How should firms handle clients who are strongly against AI use in their accounting services?
One approach is transparency: be upfront with clients about how AI is being used to better serve them, that it's not being blindly fed all their information,…
29:37Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance Open question
What's blocking members from moving forward with AI adoption in their firms?
A member said the recurring blocker is unresolved clarity on security and IRC §7216 disclosure/consent requirements.
1:00:16Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance
How long is a 7216 consent valid before it needs to be renewed?
The consent can only be valid for up to a year, so it has to be renewed annually.
53:29Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance Open question
Should firms talk to their insurance providers about AI use and 7216, and does this affect cyber coverage?
It was raised as an open question whether anyone had spoken with an insurance provider about how AI use and 7216 consent interacts with their coverage…
56:52Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance
What level of specificity does a 7216 consent need regarding AI tool usage and data disclosure?
The 7216 consent has to be fairly explicit about the purpose of use — it can't just say something generic like 'to prepare your taxes.' It needs to name the…
52:47Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance Open question
If a client voluntarily uploads their own tax documents into a client-facing AI tool (like Stanford Tax), does that count as the firm's 7216 disclosure, or does the firm still need separate consent?
A member raised this as an open question: when clients are invited to upload documents into a portal/binder tool that uses AI (using Stanford Tax as an…
46:09Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance Open question
Do we still need a separate Section 7216 consent/engagement letter when using AI tools like Claude for tax work?
Views differed.
23:29Jun 24 call Members-only - Practice mgmt Open question
Will increased AI efficiency push firms away from hourly billing toward fixed-fee pricing?
Multiple members expect this shift to accelerate.
25:08Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance Open question
Is a 7216 consent required for AI tools like Claude or ChatGPT the same way it's not required for practice management software?
The group had no settled answer.
34:16Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance
How can I use system instructions or a CLAUDE.md file to prevent AI from crossing the line into giving advice or making determinations?
One approach discussed is to explicitly instruct the AI in system instructions not to give advice—stating clearly that it should not provide any kind of advice.
41:28Jun 24 call Members-only - Practice mgmt
How is one firm handling AI disclosure and use in engagement letters, and does billing come into play if AI use isn't charged separately?
One member described their firm's approach: they added a disclosure in their engagement letter last tax season stating that AI is used in their processes,…
44:03Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance Open question
Does the new OPR guidance say which AI models/tools are safe for practitioners to use?
The guidance didn't explicitly define a 'safe' model, but it did specify that practitioners should use secure, enterpriseapproved AI.
19:12Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance
What did the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) say today about AI use by practitioners?
The OPR (a body within the IRS focused on practitioner standards, not the IRS itself) released guidance on AI centered on Circular 230.
14:46Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance Open question
Is it worth the hassle of getting clients to sign a separate 7216 AI consent, or is the pushback just about avoiding client friction?
One view raised is that firms resist doing this mainly because it's a hassle and they fear it will generate a flood of client questions and calls, not because…
50:49Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance Open question
What does the recent guidance on AI use in practice say about which AI models are considered safe, and does it address Section 7216?
The guidance did not spell out a specific list of approved models, but it did state that practitioners should use 'secure enterprise approved AI.' This…
19:00Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance Open question
How could a redaction tool let firms use client data with AI while staying compliant?
The idea discussed: build a redaction tool so client data can be anonymized before being used with AI, but it has to be 100% solid, since even sending data…
1:00:57Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance
Does a 7216 consent need to be signed separately from the engagement letter, and does this apply to both 1040s and business returns?
Consent under 7216 must be voluntary and cannot simply be buried inside the general engagement letter.
49:02Jun 24 call Members-only - Tax Open question
Can an AI tool review a completed tax return PDF against source documents to catch missed items or errors, like an AI reviewer?
One member described a tool (primarily marketed for tax research) that, when asked directly, confirmed it can accept an uploaded source document and an…
59:01Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance
Can a 7216 consent be bundled into a general engagement letter, or does it need to be separate and voluntary, especially for 1040s?
The group recalled that 7216 regulations require consent to be voluntary and, for 1040 returns specifically, the consent must be separate from the engagement…
49:13Jun 24 call Members-only - Automation & MCP Open question
Can Blue J be used to upload full source documents and tax returns for an AI-driven review, not just tax research?
One member reported doing a demo with Blue J where the vendor stated that, despite the company's publicfacing focus on tax research, the tool can also accept…
58:53Jun 24 call Members-only - Security & compliance Open question
Does using AI to help make tax determinations for a client (e.g., whether something is deductible or taxable) trigger IRC 7216 consent requirements, versus just using AI as a supporting tool?
One member's view is that it largely depends on how AI is being used.
39:00Jun 24 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
If a monthly journal entry requires data from a system not yet integrated (like Square), what's the workflow today for getting that data into Stack?
For a monthly export not yet natively integrated, options today are: bring the file to your desktop and, when the checklist task/agent runs each month and…
45:42Jun 18 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How does Ramp handle duplicate transaction postings when also connected to QBO, and should I disconnect QBO eventually?
Ramp refreshes its duplicatedetection every time you access the relevant screen, which should eliminate the possibility of duplicate postings on the Ramp side.
49:00Jun 18 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
When using an AI accounting agent tool, do users need to write highly detailed, engineered prompts, or can they start from a blank screen with a simple instruction?
The presenter explained that about six months ago, 'prompt engineering' put the burden on the user to craft a very precise prompt to get the desired AI output,…
29:01Jun 18 call Members-only - Practice mgmt
How can accounting firms visualize the real-world impact of implementing an automation tool like Ramp's Stack on their team's day-to-day workflow?
One suggestion was that firms unfamiliar with AI would benefit from a concrete 'then and now' comparison — showing a current org chart and what staff currently…
52:30Jun 18 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
Does Ramp/Stack connect to platforms like Square for income/transaction reports, and what's the current roadmap for integrations beyond QuickBooks?
Not yet, but it's planned.
45:15Jun 18 call Members-only - Practice mgmt Open question
At what point does a tool like Ramp's Stack replace QuickBooks or Xero as the actual ledger, rather than just automating on top of it?
One participant raised the recurring question of when these automation layers on top of the ledger actually become the ledger itself, noting the presenter had…
58:53Jun 18 call Members-only - Bookkeeping
How does Ramp handle bank transaction coding and matching compared to QuickBooks bank feeds/rules?
Ramp offers bank transaction functionality similar to QBO's bank feeds, but aims to be more automated.
41:21Jun 18 call Members-only - Automation & MCP Open question
How is Stack (Ramp's AI accounting platform) priced, and is it a per-token or per-client-seat cost?
Pricing is not yet finalized.
25:47Jun 18 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
How often are the underlying AI models used by Ramp's Stack platform updated, and is output consistency part of the selection criteria?
The team is constantly evaluating models and updating benchmarking.
24:16Jun 18 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
Is there a client-facing version of Ramp's Stack product, or is it only for the accounting firm's internal use?
If an end customer's environment is connected to an accounting partner through Ramp's advisor console, the client currently does not have visibility into Stack…
49:52Jun 18 call Members-only - Bookkeeping
Are bank posting rules maintained in Ramp or in QuickBooks?
Rules are not maintained within Ramp itself — Ramp only uses your existing QuickBooks rules as a starting point so the AI can learn from them.
44:12Jun 18 call Members-only - Getting started
How do you turn on Ramp Stack for an existing Ramp client versus a brand-new client, and is there a trial period?
For an existing client already using Ramp, you can turn on Stack easily by hitting 'start using Stack' from the advisor console.
15:08Jun 18 call Members-only - Security & compliance
How does Ramp Stack keep a human in the loop and maintain audit visibility over what its agents do?
A core design goal of the rollout is that Stack is secure, auditable, and keeps a human in control.
10:22Jun 18 call Members-only - Bookkeeping
Can you eventually stop using QuickBooks and do everything in Ramp/Stack?
Yes, that's the stated vision.
43:49Jun 18 call Members-only - Automation & MCP Open question
Can the Stack chat agent take direct actions in the platform, like changing the status of a to-do list item or writing to the database, or does it only produce outputs like files and drafts?
Not today.
27:32Jun 18 call Members-only - Automation & MCP
What are 'skills' in the Stack AI tool and how do they help customize the agent's behavior for different clients?
Skills are described as large standard operating procedure documents that give Stack an understanding of how a firm or user likes to work.
38:00Jun 18 call Members-only
Read all 449 answers
Membership is free. Apply, and you're in the next live session with the full library.
Apply to join