Habibis & Numbers is the digital accounting podcast for the Middle East. Hosted by Ayman Kaouri from Scope Middle East, we explore how forward-thinking accountants and entrepreneurs are using cloud tech, AI, and automation to transform their firms. Real stories, no jargon - just honest conversations on scaling businesses, embracing change, and building smarter with the right tools.
The Harsh Truth About Personal Branding in 2026 - You Need to Niche
In this episode of Habibis & Numbers, I’m joined by Mouna Ramdani, founder of GoFounder, to unpack what personal branding really means for founders, SME owners, and especially people in more traditional industries like accounting.Mouna’s story starts with getting fired - and turning that moment into the push that built her business. We talk about why “company posts” often fall flat, how to build a personal brand without turning into a cringe LinkedIn influencer, and why so many businesses say “we tried marketing, it didn’t work” (when the truth is, their approach was broken from day one).We also get into the stuff people avoid:Posting without strategy and burning outUsing AI like a copy-paste machine (and why everyone can tell)Choosing the right platform based on your audience (not trends)The biggest harsh truth: it’s time to nicheIf you’re a founder trying to stand out in a noisy market, this is a practical one.Guest: Mouna Ramdani (GoFounder)Subscribe for more conversations on business, tech, and growth - the stuff that actually moves the needle.
7 Aug 2025
Why Accounting and Finance Education in the Middle East Needs a Rethink
Are we really preparing the next generation of accounting and finance professionals for the real world?
In this episode of Habibis & Numbers, I sit down with Fazeela Gopalani, Partner at EY Academy and former Head of ACCA Middle East, to explore why the region's education-to-employment pipeline in accounting and finance needs a major overhaul.
We covered:
The soft skills gap that’s holding professionals back
Why technical qualifications alone aren’t enough anymore
The cultural shifts required to unlock talent in the Middle East
The challenges – and opportunities – for women in the industry
How firms and educators can lead the next wave of transformation
Fazeela also shared her personal experiences navigating the world of finance as a woman in the GCC, and what still needs to change to make the profession more inclusive and future-ready.
This episode is essential for firm owners, educators, and future-focused professionals across the region.
🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on accounting, tech, and transformation in the Middle East.
17 Jul 2025
Why Most Accounting Firms Will Never Scale (Unless They Fix This)
Is your firm actually a business – or just a glorified job?In this episode of Habibis & Numbers, Ayman sits down with Arun Sachdev, UK accounting firm founder and tech advocate, to break down what’s really holding firms back from scaling – and why most of them don’t even realise it.They talk about:Why outsourcing isn’t a silver bulletThe real reason most firms struggle with growthHow to attract premium clients (and stop being everything to everyone)Branding, positioning, and showing up consistently onlineThe power of bold opinions, even if people disagreeIt’s unfiltered, practical, and packed with advice for firm owners who are tired of running on a hamster wheel and want to build something sustainable.👇 Subscribe for more digital accounting insights from the Middle East and beyond.
30 Jun 2025
From Accountant to Entrepreneur: Reza Hooda's Harsh Truth Most Firm Owners Avoid
Reza Hooda discusses the harsh realities many accounting firm owners face, emphasizing the importance of going paperless and niching down to build a scalable, systemized business in this interview with Ayman Kaouri.
9 Jun 2025
How Jeri Williams Built a Global Accounting Empire (with Just a Laptop & LinkedIn)
Jeri Williams shares how she built a global accounting empire using a laptop and LinkedIn, offering insights into scaling businesses and embracing change in an interview with Ayman Kaouri.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
394
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Podcast Authority Score: 26 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
26
Social presence
0
YouTube
66
Engagement
0
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