Transforming: Tales of Business Evolution
Business & Finance
About
The Small Firms Philosophy podcast has become "Transforming: tales of Business Evolution", a monthly show designed for firms of any size and scale, exploring innovative operating methods that help organizations adapt to a changing landscape. Hear from industry leaders sharing their experiences of reshaping their business models, delving into the dynamic world of business transformation, and inspiring you to explore new ways to evolve your own organization. "Transforming" started in November 2024 with 4 bonus episodes.Brought to you by AICPA & CIMA's Private Companies Practices Section (PCPS).
Episodes
- TfP 020. Elevating Women's Initiatives to Drive Transformation
In this episode, Laura Crowley , Partner at Citrin Cooperman and member of the AICPA's Women's Initiatives Executive Committee, and Mandy Gallagher , Lead Manager of Women's Initiatives at the AICPA, discuss what it really takes to build a…
- TfP 019. Intentional Firm Growth That Actually Works
What does successful growth really look like for today's firms? In this episode, Sarah Krom, CPA, MST , Managing Partner of SKC & Co. CPAs, LLC , explores how firm leaders can scale intentionally without sacrificing culture, people, or pur…
- TfP 018. Burnout Prevention in Action
Lauren Baptiste , founder of Acheloa Wellness , explores how burnout is more than just exhaustion; it's a systemic challenge affecting professionals at every level. Lauren highlights the new PCPS Burnout Prevention Toolkit, a practical res…
- TfP 017. Getting Ready for 'Busy Season', Part II
We're back with another special compilation of conversations offering insights relevant for preparing for busy season. Jaimie Boyd from the AICPA® Firm Services team shares highlights from conversations we've had over the past year with pr…
- TfP 016. Beyond the Numbers: Real-World Insights from the MAP Survey
Ready to turn data into your firm's competitive edge? This episode reveals how firm leaders are leveraging the National Management of an Accounting Practice (MAP) Survey, from the AICPA Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) and CPA.com…
- TfP 015. Governance That Builds Culture
In this episode of Transforming: Tales of Business Model Evolution, Suzanne Forbes, CPA , Managing Partner of James Moore , explores why governance must evolve as your firm grows, why it's essential to revisit partner compensation, and how…
- TfP 014. Building Balance in a Virtual Firm
Kelly Rohrs, CPA , Founder of K. Rohrs, CPA, P.C., shares the journey of launching her firm from concept to reality. Listeners will gain insight into how she structures client relationships, manages expectations during high volume periods,…
- TfP 013. When Purpose Meets Innovation
Live from ENGAGE 2025, Erin Hartman, CPA, Senior Manager – Firm Services, sits down with Argel Sabillo , CPA, Cofounder and Chief Executive Officer of HeyApril Inc , to discuss the ways he is reshaping the profession and leaving tradition…
- TfP 012. Creating Balance Without Losing Business
Brenda Cannon , Partner at Cannon & Associates, CPAs, shares how her firm rethought busy season by scheduling every tax return to prepare and control the workflow. From setting clear boundaries and prioritizing ideal relationships, to enco…
- TfP 011. The Influence of Coaching on Firm Growth
Rebecca Driscoll, CPA, Co-founder of The Collaboration Room, walks through her unconventional journey into public accounting, highlighting her transition from working at a large firm to establishing her own CAS and Tax practice. Rebecca el…
- Governance Series: Key Success Factors for Better Governance
In the final episode of the four-part governance podcast series, Erin Hartman, CPA, Senior Manager – Firm Services of the AICPA & CIMA joins Sarah Dobek, Founder and President of Inovautus Consulting, and Gary Thomson, CPA, Founder and Pri…
- Governance Series: Navigating Partnership Change with Purpose
In this episode, hosts Sarah Dobek, Founder and President of Inovautus Consulting, and Gary Thomson, CPA, Founder and Principal of Thomson Consulting, are joined by Chip Chaon, CEO and Managing Principal of LattaHarris, LLP, and Mark Koval…
- Governance Series: The Rise of Non-CPA Leaders in Public Accounting
In this episode, hosts Sarah Dobek, Founder and President of Inovautus Consulting, and Gary Thomson, CPA, Founder and Principal of Thomson Consulting, are joined by Eric Majchrzak, CEO/Principal for BeachFleischman, to dive into a pivotal…
- Governance Series: Implementing Operating Models in Your Firm
In this episode, hosts Sarah Dobek, Founder and President of Inovautus Consulting, and Gary Thomson, CPA, Founder and Principal of Thomson Consulting, are joined by Chris Sullivan, CPA, Managing Partner of VSH CPAs, and Amber Goering, CPA,…
- TfP 010. Leading with Authenticity and Vulnerability
Content Note: This episode includes discussions about mental health, including depression, anxiety, and suicide. Please take care while listening. In this powerful episode, Randy Crabtree, Co-Founder and Partner at Tri-Merit, shares his pe…
- TfP 009. Transforming Business Growth in Public Accounting
What defines a thriving business development culture in public accounting? Josh Axelrod, Chief Operating Officer of Aldrich CPAs + Advisors, shares the elements of a successful business development environment. Learn how intentional effort…
- TfP 008. Governance Unlocked: Discoveries with Gary Thomson and Sarah Johnson Dobek
Gary Thomson, CPA, Founder and Principal of Thomson Consulting, and Sarah Johnson Dobek, Founder and President of Inovautus Consulting, explore how strong governance can drive successful business model transformation. They share practical…
- TfP 007. The Power of Private Equity
Private equity-backed firms are reshaping the professional services landscape. In this episode, Tim Brackney, CEO of Springline Advisory, and Josh Beck, Managing Partner at MarksNelson Advisory LLC, share insights into their collaboration…
- TfP 006. Starting your own firm and growing the right client base
Starting your own firm can be tough, but finding the right clients makes all the difference. In this episode, Yuri Kapilovich, CPA , a managing partner of Kapilovich & Associates shares his ideas about the importance of choosing quality cl…
- TfP 005. The power of ESOPs in reshaping your firm's future
In this episode with Dan O'Hare, CPA, CGMA, Principal at Glenn Burdette, we explore why CPA firms might choose to implement an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). With Dan's insights and expertise, we explore how ESOPs can facilitate smo…
- TfP 004. ESOP Insights. Unlocking the Future of Firm Ownership
Are you curious about how to empower your employees and fuel your firm's growth? Listen as we explore employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) with Mike Bannon, vice president at CSG Partners. You'll discover how this powerful tool can help…
- TfP 003. Getting Ready for 'Busy Season'
Erin Hartman from the AICPA & CIMA PCPS section introduces a special compilation of conversations on the evolution of accounting firms and the modernization of accounting practices through the "Transforming Your Business Model" initiative.…
- TfP 002. Adapting to change: Innovative strategies in accounting
How are forward-thinking firms adapting to the profession's changing landscape? We're joined by Abbey Bemis and Mike Miller from Payne Nickles & Company to hear their transformative insights. They investigate how firms adapt to shifts in t…
- TfP 001. Corporate governance model transformation
Jeff Wald, CEO of Pinion, shares his insights and expertise on the importance of corporate governance. He uncovers strategies for managing major firm transformations, securing stakeholder buy-in and crafting transparent strategic plans. Je…
- Teaser: Our podcast is changing!
The look and feel of your podcast is about to evolve. We're excited to share that the Small Firms Philosophy podcast is becoming "Transforming, tales of Business Evolution". New episodes start later in November 2024.
- SFP 97: Evolving governance structures for business success
In this podcast episode, we explore with Jonyce Bullock, CEO of Squire, how evolving governance structures can revolutionize your business model. Jonyce shares her journey through governance challenges, emphasizing the value of external su…
- SFP 96 Boosting firm capabilities with offshoring
Are you facing a talent shortage? Offshoring may be the answer. Our guest Laurence Whittam of Impact Global Solutions discusses tapping into global talent pools to boost your firm's capabilities. From selecting the right offshoring model t…
- SFP 95: The power of people and culture to transform business models and set firms up for success
In this episode of the Small Firm Philosophy podcast, Ingrid Goldbloom-Bloch, Director of Career Development and Engagement at AAFCPAs, talks with PCPS manager Erin Hartman to share how her firm is making waves and doing things differently…
- SFP 94: A Hale and hearty approach to business model transformation
Accounting firms planning for future success may want to rethink their approach to new opportunities. In this episode of the Small Firm Philosophy podcast, Elizabeth Hale, founder and CEO of eeCPA, shares with PCPS manager Erin Hartman how…
- SFP 94: How a data-driven approach powered this firm's transformation
This episode of the Small Firm Philosophy podcast features Steve McDonald, CPA, managing partner at Abdo, sharing tips about how he integrated cutting edge data and government consulting services with new technologies to revolutionize his…
- SFP 93: New PCPS toolkits tackle revenue modeling and culling clients
This episode of the Small Firm Philosophy podcast unveils a pair of powerful toolkits designed to help accounting firms reshape and optimize their business. PCPS manager Erin Hartman, CPA, and Carrie Steffen, the president of growth consul…
- SFP 92: Sowing the seeds for future CPAs
From engaging high schoolers to partnering with community influencers, discover how Grossman Yanak & Ford cultivates future accountants. This episode of the Small Firm Philosophy podcast features a discussion with GYF's Colleen Febbraro ab…
- SFP 91: Ascend to a new business model
This episode of the Small Firm Philosophy podcast features an interview with David Wurtzbacher and Erin Stahmer of Ascend, a platform firm that is employing unique strategies in its business model. Join us to discuss people strategy, offsh…
- SFP 90: How a CPA firm got lean and 'drastically reduced' overtime
This episode of the Small Firm Philosophy podcast features an interview with Dennis Sherrin, CPA, CGMA, chief value officer and strategic consultant at Avizo Group, Inc., an Alabama-based CPA firm with 35 team members in the United States…
- SFP 89: Business model transformation with SJHL's Chet Buchman
This episode of the Small Firm Philosophy podcast features an interview with Chet Buchman, CPA, CGMA, managing partner of Kansas-based accounting firm Swindoll, Janzen, Hawk and Loyd, LLC (SJHL). In this discussion, Buchman describes his f…
- SFP 88: Advice for firms on BOI requirements, MAP Survey results
This episode of the Small Firm Philosophy podcast features an interview with Carl Peterson, CPA, AICPA & CIMA's vice president of small firm interests. Peterson addresses the new beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirement…
- SFP 87: A Revolution in 'right-sizing' a client base
This episode of the Small Firm Philosophy podcast features an interview with Sandy Johns, owner of Revolution Financial, a small accounting firm based in the Atlanta area. Johns discusses how she culled her firm's client roster to a manage…
- SFP #86: Five children, 3 businesses, 1 CPA's story
Nicole Davis isn't your typical CPA firm owner. She has five children, owns three businesses and has crafted a presence on social media including an account with more than 12,000 followers on X, formerly known as Twitter. She also never wo…
- SFP #85: Chatting about generative AI
There's been a buzz around artificial intelligence for years, but nothing like the swarm of interest generated by ChatGPT. Microsoft-backed research laboratory OpenAI launched ChatGPT in November 2022. By January, the large language genera…
- SFP #84: How to cut busy season hours in half (almost)
Johanna Sweaney Salt, CPA, CGMA, used to work 100 hours a week during busy season. As the founder and managing partner of Gray, Salt & Associates, LLP, she believed it was her responsibility to put in the time needed to make her small firm…
- SFP 83: Defying description, this CPA firm is a real Dark Horse
A firm in a box. A franchise on steroids. The Uber (or Lyft) of CPA firms. To say that the business model of Dark Horse CPAs is difficult to describe is an understatement of the highest order. So exactly does Dark Horse do? What makes it u…
- SFP 82: Bots pose new threat to CPA firms
Roman Kepczyk, CPA.CITP, CGMA, director of firm technology strategy for Right Networks and author of the AICPA & CIMA's CPA cybersecurity checklist , joins the Small Firm Philosophy podcast to discuss current cyberthreats and what CPA firm…
- SFP 81: How to transform a partner compensation model
Incentivize the behaviors you want. That was the theory behind GRF CPAs & Advisors' decision to change its partner compensation model several years ago. Firm leaders knew that if they wanted their partners to operate as a cohesive team, th…
- SFP 80: Tech experts on ChatGPT, RPA, security, FTX, Web 3.0
Chat bots that can write Excel macros. The internet's first evolutionary leap since the 1990's. And whatever happened to blockchain? Those are just a few of the topics covered by three top accounting technology experts during a special edi…
- SFP #79: How to protect digital assets from hackers
Many small accounting firms may not have heard much about digital assets beyond bitcoin and the FTX bankruptcy, but accountants have two big reasons to learn more about the topic. First, the acceptance of digital assets as payment has stea…
- SFP 78: One woman's journey from Africa to accounting firm ownership
Orumé Hays, CPA, CGMA, didn't exactly follow a traditional path to owning an accounting practice. From Africa to the Big Apple, she blazed a trail all her own. Raised in Nigeria, Hays moved to Miami with a college degree in sociology and a…
- SFP 77: The CPA's guide to technology (and tech gifts)
The CPA's guide to technology (and tech gifts) There are few, if any, people in the accounting space who know more about technology than Inspector Gadget. No, not the cartoon character with the go-go arms from the 1980s. The man wearing th…
- SFP 76: How to make busy season more fun and more productive
It's the holidays, that special time of the year when children wish for their dream gift and CPAs pray that the looming busy season won't be another nightmare. Rabecca Eunis, CPA, knows the feeling. As a new accountant working for her fath…
- SFP 75: Two cyberthreats CPA firms should fear this Halloween
Ghosts, goblins and ghouls aren't the only scary things to watch out for this Halloween season. Hackers and criminal organizations are up to their old tricks -- and some new ones -- in their tireless efforts to breach your cyberdefenses an…
- SFP 74: What a CPA learned starting his own advisory firm
Launching an advisory firm after 20 years in public accounting requires courage, confidence and commitment. It also helps to get some business coaching and to focus on changing customer needs. Those are some of the lessons Zack Ryan, CPA,…