078 - AI, Accounting & CEO Confidence: The New Era of Smart Financial Decisions

In this insightful episode of The Wellthy CEO Podcast, Shae Invidiata sits down with Staci Millard, founder of Thrive Accounting, to explore what it truly means to be financially empowered as an entrepreneur.

Staci shares her evolution from traditional accounting into building a purpose-driven firm that helps business owners not only understand their numbers but use them to grow with confidence. Together, Shae and Staci break down the key financial metrics every entrepreneur should track, how to choose the right financial partner, and why fractional CFO services are changing the game for small business owners seeking expert guidance.

They also discuss how AI is transforming financial insights, helping entrepreneurs make smarter, faster decisions — and why women in business must embrace financial literacy as a core leadership skill.

Key Takeaways:

• Entrepreneurs need more than tax help — they need empowerment.
  
  
• Understanding your numbers is the foundation for business growth.
  
  
• Take action on insights, not just information.
  
  
• The right financial partner should align with your values.
  
  
• Fractional CFOs make expert advice accessible to all.
  
  
• Consistent communication with your accountant prevents financial stress.
  
  
• Regular reporting leads to proactive, confident decisions.
  
  
• AI can unlock deeper business insights.
  
  
• Women entrepreneurs should step boldly into financial confidence.

 

About Staci Millard:
Staci Millard is the founder of Thrive Accounting and host of Small Business School, where she simplifies strategy for entrepreneurs. Her mission is to empower business owners to create companies that work for them — not the other way around.

Listen to this episode of The Wellthy CEO as Shae and Staci discuss Financial Empowerment for Entrepreneurs

 

Connect with Staci Millard

 

Website: https://www.thriveaccounting.co

IG: http://instagram.com/staci.millard

 

Chapters

 

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:55 The Shift from Traditional Accounting to Empowerment

05:59 Understanding Key Financial Numbers

09:22 The Importance of Actions Following Insights

11:52 Choosing the Right Financial Help

14:45 The Role of Fractional CFO Services

18:10 Finding Alignment with Financial Advisors

24:34 Understanding Audit Protection Fees

25:39 The Importance of Proper Tax Filing

28:02 Differential Services in Accounting

30:36 The Value of Ongoing Communication

31:53 Navigating Financial Conversations

34:09 Empowering Women in Business

38:18 Creating a 90-Day Financial Plan

41:37 Utilizing AI for Business Growth

ABOUT SHAE INVIDIATA

Luxury Realtor. International Investor. Wellth Strategist & Activator. TEDx Speaker. Award-Winning Human Rights Advocate.

Based between Toronto and Costa Rica, Shae Invidiata is an impact-driven entrepreneur dedicated to building wealth with purpose. 

 

With over 15 years in luxury real estate, Shae helped scale The Invidiata Team—one of Canada’s top-performing real estate teams—to over $6 billion in career sales. From managing operations and business development to selling and representing some of the country's most elite listings ranging from $2M to $65M, Shae’s business acumen and leadership have been integral to the brand’s national and global success, achieving the #1 team worldwide two times.

 

In 2010, Shae founded Free-Them, a federally recognized not-for-profit and a national leader in the fight against human trafficking. Her advocacy as a Stakeholder has influenced changing legislation, earned her many awards including, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, and positioned her as a sought-after speaker on stages like TEDx.

 

Now Shae brings her decades of experience to create a Société of Financially Empowered Wellthy Women Founding The Wellthy CEO, Shae is redefining what it means to build and create wealth…and that a wildly wealthy life is av