In almost 11 years at Intuit, Ariege Misherghi has become a driving force for innovation and new ideas at the accounting software giant. A constant presence at conferences and on keynote stages, she is sought after for her insights into what accountants need from their technology.
Misherghi started her career at payroll software provider PayCycle before joining Intuit in 2009 as a senior product manager following Intuit’s acquisition of the company. Since then, she’s been on a trajectory of growth at the company. In her role as product development lead for accounting professionals, Misherghi was responsible for the growth of the ProAdvisor Program, the Find-a-ProAdvisor site, and Intuit’s practice management software, QuickBooks Online Accountant. QBOA also expanded globally under Misherghi’s leadership and has become an essential platform for QuickBooks accountants.
Today, as vice president and expert segment leader for the Small Business and Self-Employed group, she works closely with Ted Callahan, leader of the accounting segment, to help Intuit’s accountant partners grow their practices and scale their impact for clients through products, services and programs. She is responsible for QuickBooks Online Accountant, QuickBooks Live Bookkeeping and the Global QuickBooks ProAdvisor Program.
Accounting Today sat down with Misherghi to discuss what’s in store for accounting technology, what motivates her, and how she drives innovation forward in her role.
What are you particularly excited about regarding where accounting technology is going?
With all that’s going on around us, I am inspired by the agility of the accounting and bookkeeping community. For years at QuickBooks, we’ve been encouraging and helping accountants embrace technology so they can grow their practice and scale their impact. Never has that been more important than now. With the onset of the pandemic, we’ve seen accounting professionals take on expanded roles to help their small business clients navigate through this difficult time. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, including automation and AI, accountants are able to eliminate time spent on tedious tasks like manual data entry, so they can spend more time providing strategic counsel to their clients. Now and increasingly in the future, small businesses will need and expect their bookkeeping and accounting partners to provide business guidance based on accurate, real-time data and insights. This is why at Intuit we’re committed now more than ever to provide accountants with the tools and innovations they need to power their success.
What drew you toward technology initially?
My dad has always called me a nerd — as a term of endearment — due to my love for science fiction and all things science and math. His support, and willingness to accept a kid who dreamt about fictional applications of science, helped guide my path to college. I ended up pursuing my education at Stanford University, where I dug into the science and math that always fascinated me growing up. I majored in science technology and society, and computer science, which led me to my first role in tech.
Tell us about your background.
I was born in California to immigrant parents from North Africa who started a small business to make a life for themselves and four children. Where I’ve ended up today — leading a team focused on driving small business and accountant financial prosperity — is very much because of the opportunities and struggles we faced as a family of small business owners. My parents’ passion for their small business spurred my interest in entrepreneurship and resulted in my starting a couple of small businesses in my life — the first to help pay my way through college. It was rewarding, but it was also tough. These experiences helped me understand the struggles and the resilience of small businesses. It motivates me as a leader to deliver QuickBooks products and services that help small businesses succeed.
What are your goals?
I have focused my career on ensuring that everything I do is guided by delivering a customer benefit that will improve our customers’ financial lives. I am committed to continuing this focus, especially as so many small businesses, and their accountant partners, face new financial realities due to the impact of COVID-19. I am also focused on helping small businesses and accountants adapt to the changing world around them and be in a position where they can easily leverage the technologies available to them to run and grow their businesses.
