Growing Your Firm | Strategies for Accountants, CPA's, Bookkeepers , and Tax Professionals

In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes Dave Olsen, founder of an accounting firm and Nimbl Staffing. Dave shares his unique journey in the accounting industry, discussing the success of his staffing service and his exciting new venture into IT services for accounting firms.

The conversation delves into the strategies behind building a solid foundation for business growth, including the structures necess...

In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Crostello welcomes back Geoff Bruskin, founder of White Tiger Connections, to discuss the evolving landscape of talent in the accounting profession. Geoff shares insights from his extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) for CPA firms, emphasizing the growing importance of talent acquisition and retention in today's market. He outlines the dual trends of M&A and talent,...

In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes K.C. Eames, the Director of Client Accounting Services at Dark Horse CPAs. The conversation delves into the complexities of pricing in client accounting services (CAS) and the nuances that make it both an art and a science.

K.C. shares insights about the unique structure of Dark Horse CPAs, contrasting it with traditional accounting firms ...

In this episode of the Growing Your Firm podcast, host David Cristello welcomes Alan Whitman, the former CEO and chairman of Baker Tilly. Alan shares his remarkable journey of transforming Baker Tilly from a $475 million firm to a $1.5 billion powerhouse. 

Throughout the conversation, Alan describes how businesses can thrive – largely by prioritizing strategy over aimless “accumulation.”

Alan ...

In this episode of the Growing Your Firm podcast, David Cristello welcomes Dawn Goldberg, a seasoned CPA and a Certified Professional Coach. 

Dawn shares her incredible story of maintaining her productivity even after a stage four cancer diagnosis forced her to undergo six months of chemotherapy. To accomplish this, Dawn maintained some key practices – including mind management, time management, and a sche...

In this episode of the Growing Your Firm Podcast, host Dave Cristello welcomes Dominic Piscopo, the founder of Big 4 Transparency. An expert in salary benchmarking within the accounting industry, Dominic shares insights into compensation strategies, year-over-year changes, and the impact of private equity (PE) on salaries. 

The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of compensation in accounting fi...

In this episode of the Growing Your Firm podcast, host David Cristello welcomes Todd Steinberg, founder and managing partner of Thrive Financial Group.

David and Todd dive into the evolving landscape of accounting firm mergers and acquisitions (M&A), particularly the increasing role of private equity (PE) firms as buyers. They discuss key acquisition drivers such as human capital, geographic expansion, and cross-selling opportuniti...

In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes Alyssa J. Dillon, a fellow entrepreneur who shares her inspiring journey of starting her own business. 

The conversation kicks off with Alyssa recounting the pivotal moment when she decided to quit her job and explore the possibility of working for herself after receiving a side accounting request. 

As they dive deeper, Alyssa...

In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes Kelly Mann, co-founder and CEO of AuditMiner. Kelly shares her journey of launching her own CPA firm, a decision that surprised her given her background in audit and the male-dominated landscape of firm ownership. 

She discusses the challenges of changing firm culture and her desire to build a business that aligns with her authentic self. ...

In this episode of The Growing Firm Podcast, host David Cristello welcomes Marcus Dillon, president of Dillon Business Advisors. The conversation delves into Marcus's journey of acquiring a book of business valued at $400k and the evolution of his firm over the past 13 years. 

Marcus shares valuable insights on client acquisition, pricing strategies, and the importance of maintaining consistency during the...

In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes back returning guest Loren Fogelman, a sports psychologist turned business coach specializing in helping accounting professionals. 

Loren shares her insights on a crucial yet often overlooked topic: raising fees for existing clients. She emphasizes the importance of understanding client hesitations, particularly when they respond with, "I'...

In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello speaks with Michael Meihaus, the owner of Meihaus CPA, who transitioned from a decade in public accounting to launching his own firm focused exclusively on retirement plan audits. 

Michael shares his journey of self-discovery, including a pivotal conversation that prompted him to leave his job and pursue his passion. 

The discussion to...

In this episode of the Growing Your Firm podcast, host David Cristello welcomes Jesse and Tom from FinOptimal, a company that uniquely combines accounting services with innovative QuickBooks applications designed specifically for accountants. 

The conversation delves into their dual business model, exploring how they balance service and product development in the competitive accounting landscape. Jesse and...

In this episode of the Grow Your Firm Podcast, host David Cristello welcomes Shannon Weinstein, the CFO for small businesses transitioning from seven to eight figures and President of Keep What You Earn. 

Shannon shares her unique approach to hiring, emphasizing the importance of crafting compelling job descriptions that sell the company to prospective candidates. With over 120 applicants for her last two ...

In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes Wendy Barlin, a consultant specializing in helping professional service firms transition from frustration to freedom. Wendy shares insights from her decade-long experience in building her own remote firm, which she sold in 2021. 

The conversation delves into the importance of operations, systems, processes, and a fresh perspective on profi...

In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes Rory Henry, a certified financial planner and behavioral financial advisor. 

Rory, who is also the director Arrowroot Family Office, co-founder of AFO Wealth Management Forward, and author of the upcoming book, "Holistic Guide to Wealth Management," discusses the evolving landscape of wealth management and its critical intersection with ac...

In this episode of the Growing Your Firm podcast, host David Cristello welcomes Geoff Bruskin, founder and managing partner of White Tiger Connections. 

They dive into the dynamic landscape of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within the accounting industry, exploring how recent trends have created a surge in acquisition interest. 

Geoff discusses the impact of cloud technology and the shift towa...

In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes Tim Brackney, the Chief Executive Officer of Springline Advisory, a firm backed by private equity.

They delve into the philosophy of utilizing talent from small firms to enhance shared services, while also discussing the complexities and nuances of private equity in the industry.

Tim shares insights from his experience as a CEO and his background in scaling a profe...

In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes back Greg O'Brien, Co-CEO of Anomaly CPA, for an insightful discussion about the evolution of his firm since their last conversation three years ago. 

They reflect on the growth of Anomaly CPA, including the firm's current headcount and revenue, as well as the strategic decisions made to invest in alternative positions beyond client-facing...