Kenji Kuramoto, founder of Acuity, joins Basis

Accounting automation solutions platform Basis announced the appointment of Kenji Kuramoto, founder of Georgia-based Acuity, which last year merged with thirteen other firms to form top 50 firm Sorren after he led it for 20 years. 

"Accounting firms have an extraordinary opportunity ahead and Basis is committed to helping them seize it," said Matthew Harpe, CEO and co-founder of Basis. "We've built the most capable accounting AI platform, and we established a Deployed Intelligence team that works alongside firms to help them put it into practice. Now we've brought on Kenji, one of the most respected leaders in the profession, to help shape what comes next for Basis and the industry."

Beyond founding Acuity, he is also an Arthur Anderson alum who also spent time in in-house corporate finance, firm ownership, industry advising and technology investing. As managing partner-in-residence, Kuramoto will work directly with Basis customers, helping firm leaders navigate the transition to AI-enabled operations and bringing their perspectives back into the product.

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In a LinkedIn post, Kuramoto said he has been thinking a lot about AI and its impact on the accounting profession, especially now that it is being trusted with executing complex multi-step finance tasks. This led him to eventually join Basis, which he said especially impressed him with its AI agents and how far they could go in helping accountants. 

"That's why I've joined Basis as Managing Partner In-Residence. I've accepted the role with honor, excitement, and a real sense of the weight that comes with it. I represent the accounting profession within Basis, not from a distance. I have a seat at the table to advocate for accountants and guide how agents work alongside people," he said. 

Harpe, the CEO, said that Kuramoto will not just be a representative or a glorified consultant, he will be directly involved with the product's development.

"Kenji isn't here to advise from the margins. He's a full-time member of this team, in our office every day, creating the product with us," Harpe said. "He is one of the industry's most forward-thinking leaders, and he's now spending 100% of his time helping firms meet this moment."

Kuramoto, in his LinkedIn post, said he is committed to supporting the accounting profession and representing it at Basis to make sure it always keeps the accountant's view in mind. 

"I am one of you, and I am here for you. To firm leaders: I'm here to help you think through this with someone who has sat in your chair. To staff: your experience in this transition matters, and someone is making sure it is heard," he said.