Mark Hickman, Managing Director of North America at Sage, returns to break down what's driving Sage's fastest-growing region — from the company's AI strategy built around trust, transparency, and human control, to the upcoming Sage Future 2026 conference in San Francisco. The conversation covers what finance leaders are actually saying about AI adoption, what's coming in the keynotes and super sessions, and why Hickman argues that "70% right" might be fine for an essay but will never fly in accounting.

• (00:00) - Welcome to the Unofficial Sage Intacct Podcast
• (00:41) - Hosts Life Updates
• (02:32) - Welcome Back Mark Hickman
• (03:33) - Sage North America Scale
• (05:22) - Life on the Road
• (09:16) - Sage Future Tease
• (09:31) - AI You Can Trust
• (13:10) - Finance Leader Feedback
• (15:12) - AI First Competitors
• (17:15) - Beyond AI Initiatives
• (20:46) - Adoption Reality Check
• (22:58) - AI Adoption Takes Time
• (23:22) - AI Hype and Rebrands
• (24:00) - Dotcom Comparisons
• (25:40) - Future Event Recap
• (28:12) - Keynotes and Speakers
• (30:37) - Super Sessions Explained
• (33:33) - Enablement Beyond Conference
• (34:15) - Baseball Banter Break
• (35:24) - Surprise Announcements Tease
• (36:20) - Experience and Sage Fest
• (38:20) - Marketplace and Sponsors
• (39:53) - ROI and Community
• (41:08) - Attendee Goals and Networking
• (45:29) - Wrap Up and Dad Jokes

Download the Earmark App
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app

Doug, Matt, and Emily return from hiatus to unveil a revamped podcast with a new format and a broader focus — bringing in voices from across accounting, finance, and technology, including international perspectives and even some Sage competitors. If you've been wondering what's next for the most official unofficial Sage Intacct podcast in the world, this is your answer.

Connect with the Hosts:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilybmadere
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattlescault
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dlewis715

Get free CPE for listening to this podcast
https://www.earmark.app

Download the Earmark App
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app

Doug, Matt, and Emily look ahead to Sage's upcoming Partner Summit in Orlando and discuss what to expect as the company kicks off fiscal year 2026. The conversation covers everything from AI implementation reality versus marketing speak to potential shifts in go-to-market strategy, price sensitivity in uncertain economic times, and why Sage is flooding construction conferences. Matt and Emily each make bold predictions about what might get announced at the closed-door partner event—and they'll be back to see who was right.

Sponsors
Bluebook - https://unsage.promo/bluebook

• (00:00) - Welcome to The Unofficial Sage Intacct Podcast
• (05:49) - Discussion on Future Events and Partner Summits
• (12:12) - Focus on AI and Its Practical Applications
• (17:04) - Details on Sage Future for Partners Event
• (22:02) - Upcoming Events in the Sage Ecosystem
• (23:11) - Sage Intacct and Procore Relationship
• (24:30) - Artificial Intelligence and Copilot
• (28:20) - Economic Instability and Price Sensitivity
• (37:36) - Negotiation Session at Future for Partners
• (39:46) - Wild Predictions for Future for Partners
• (41:55) - Concluding Thoughts and Dad Jokes

Download the Earmark App
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app