Kane Polakoff: Scaling CAS with People, Process, and Platforms

In this episode of Canopy Practice Success, host KC Brothers chats with Kane Polakoff, a seasoned leader with over 30 years in accounting and advisory. Kane shares his journey from the early days of business process outsourcing to building what we now know as modern CAS, even before it had a name.

They dive into what makes CAS different from traditional bookkeeping, how tech and cross-functional teams are changing the game, and why imposter syndrome shouldn’t stop anyone from stepping into an advisory role. Kane also tells a real client story about a restaurant group with three point-of-sale systems and no integration, showing how CAS can turn chaos into clarity and real value.

Whether you’re part of a large firm or running your own boutique practice, this episode is packed with insights on how to build smarter, more impactful services that actually make a difference for your clients and your team.

Here are the main highlights you won't want to miss.

AS Isn’t Just BPO with a New Name

Kane explains how CAS has grown beyond the labor-focused mindset of BPO. It’s now about creating value through smart processes, tech, and real insight.

“BPO was purely labor arbitrage. CAS combines people, process, and technology to tell stories with data and help clients make decisions.”

He calls this evolution “CAS 2.0,” where accountants aren’t just reporting numbers, they’re actively shaping strategy.

CAS Teams Need More Than Just CPAs

CAS work is complex. It needs a mix of accountants, tech experts, project managers, and people who can communicate well and lead change.

“We’ve got accountants, but also engineers, tech specialists, and project managers. You need the right players on the team.”

Kane emphasizes that today’s CAS teams are cross-functional by design. The goal is collaboration, not just compliance.

A Restaurant CAS Story That Shows the Impact

Kane shares a real example of helping a multi-location restaurant fix disconnected systems and get clear financials. His team integrated three POS systems, set up AP automation, and delivered usable insights.

“They needed to understand food and labor costs, but nothing was integrated. We built the system, connected their data, and helped them move forward.”

This story shows how CAS can go far beyond accounting to help clients truly transform their operations.

If you want to hear more about these topics give the episode a listen.

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