John Randolph sits down with Roman Villard, co-founder of Full Send Finance, on Episode 56 of CPA Life. Sharing his journey from finance major to starting his own firm, Roman emphasizes the importance of a culture-forward approach and how that has helped Full Send shoot out of the blocks, growing from zero to 12 full-time employees in just over two years. Highlighting the need for technology to attract and retain talent, Roman dives into things that have given Full Send cross-generational appeal, such as work-life balance, which is achieved in large part through hybrid working, and the significance of creating a resonant brand narrative. Touching on so many vital aspects that can make or break the success of your own firm, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

John Randolph talks with Kelly Rohrs, owner and founder of Kelly A. Rohrs CPA, who shares her journey to building a sustainable and flexible accounting firm, on Episode 53 of CPA Life. Having been recognized by CPA Practice Advisors on their Top 40 Under 40 list, Kelly discusses her transition from a traditional firm to launching her own practice amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries, implementing modern software solutions, and the importance of community in helping you navigate your journey, especially so you don’t end up bringing all the bad habits and inefficient processes over to your own venture. In order to grease the skids for accounting firm owners to do just that, Kelly established Fiscal Minds to help accountants network and

Dominic Piscopo’s journey in accounting started at a Big Four firm in Canada, where he discovered his firm was paying its employees well below the average in his area. He talks to John Randolph on Episode 52 of CPA Life about how that experience, among others, led to him launching Big 4 Transparency, a platform which tracks salary data in the profession. Although Big 4 Transparency started as a community project, Dom has transformed it into a full-time venture, and he talks about what he feels is his social responsibility to supply this information for free to the community while taking on firm clients who want to understand where their offerings stand in the marketplace. Underscoring the strategic use of timely data to attract and retain talent, Dom talks about how transpare

Chris Papin returns to CPA Life’s Episode 51 for Part 2 of his conversation with host John Randolph. Their discussion shifts focus towards effective communication, training, and adapting to new technologies in accounting firms. Touching on the challenge inherent in teaching communication skills in a technical field like accounting, Chris stresses the importance of aligning that pedagogy with both internal and client expectations. But underscoring everything, most importantly, is the human element, something that cannot and will not ever be provided by the tech tools that accountants nevertheless need to adopt. Indeed, fostering those connections has been made easier through technology, and they will be more important than ever as the profession continues to evolve.

CPA Life’s 50 episode milestone marks the beginning of a conversation between John Randolph and Chris Papin, owner and founder of Papin CPA in Edmond, Oklahoma. Discussing the transition from traditional to modern CPA practices, Chris prioritizes sustainability, employee well-being, and client needs. He shares insights into his firm’s growth, innovation in technology, and the challenges of balancing technical skills with client-facing roles. Looking to flexibility as a way to bridge those areas, Chris has looked to unorthodox schedules, remote work, and offshoring as solutions as he’s overseen his payroll doubling in size. Don’t miss part 1 of this two part discussion on how embracing modern practices and technological advancements can help you foster a successful firm th

Veteran accounting journalist and consultant Seth Feinberg rejoins John Randolph for part two of their conversation on Episode 49 of CPA Life. They pick back up on the closing theme of the first episode, that accounting’s image problem is largely self-made, and changes need to be made to solve the pipeline issues and other pressing matters within the profession at the macro level. Seth also touches on more focused topics: purposeful marketing in the social media age, the importance of firm culture, and the necessity of stressing the value accountants bring to their clients. The thread throughout Seth’s insights is one of authenticity and trust: Two things that are vital in ensuring any individual accountant’s—or any firm’s—success in the market.

Seth Fineberg spent more than 20 years as an accounting journalist before founding Accountants Forward and consulting with professionals looking to improve their firm and career prospects. He and host John Randolph engage in part one of a dynamic conversation on Episode 48 of CPA Life, centered around going beyond raw numbers and looking at the reality of the landscape in public accounting. Emphasizing the need for cultural change and the importance of work-life balance, Seth highlights the profession’s shift towards more holistic development, including mental health and leadership, a shift which John states had to happen given the unique environment younger generations have grown up in. Seth makes conferences a focal point, Bridging the Gap in particular, which is where he p

Part 2 of John Randolph’s special episode featuring Jeremy Clopton and Heath Alloway of Upstream Academy and the Upstream Leader Podcast continues, as the trio pick up their discussion of intentionality, a theme which runs through so many threads in the accounting profession. Intentionality is central to their discussions about creating firm culture, the value of deliberate planning, and the importance of effective mentorship. They emphasize that meaningful relationships and culture require intentional effort, even in a post-pandemic, hybrid work environment, also highlighting the importance of focusing on the right work, the right clients, and the right leadership style, best achieved through coaching and feedback. Among the ways to implement these themes successfully is by maintaini

Jeremy Clopton and Heath Alloway of Upstream Academy and The Upstream Leader Podcast join host John Randolph to discuss innovation and sustainable careers in public accounting on Episode 46, part one of a special two part episode. As influential thought leaders with more than a quarter of a century of accounting experience between them, Jeremy and Heath stress the importance of intentional leadership, creating a vision and culture that you actually stick to, and fostering a sense of community within your firm. John brings insights that connect with his Talent + Advisory offering, particularly focusing on the need for intentionality in leadership. They all emphasize how important it is for leaders to take ownership, be purposeful, and connect with their teams to drive engagement and succ

On Episode 41 of CPA Life, rejoin host John Randolph for part two of his conversation with Jeff Bartsch of Story Greenlight, as they delve deeper into the significance of storytelling within the accounting industry. Learn about the impact of crafting authentic narratives about you and your firm, and discover the benefits of being personal and intentional in your communication, with a focus on social media and creating human connection. Jeff shares invaluable insights into the learning processes of accounting professionals, revealing how embracing storytelling can elevate your firm’s internal and external branding.

John Randolph resumes his conversation with Jason Blumer of Thriveal and Blumer CPAs on Episode 39 of CPA Life. Continuing their focus on strategies for firm growth, they tackle the complex problem of team management in the modern, often remote-based accounting world, stressing that leadership comes from the relationship leaders have with their charges, and that time spent cultivating that relationship has a far better return on investment in most cases than client work. Niching also plays a key role in maximizing any firm’s potential, while often being a rewarding, interesting path to take.

Jason Blumer, CEO of Blumer CPAs and Thriveal, joins John Randolph for part one of their conversation on Episode 38 of CPA Life. Discussing his journey of building a sustainable CPA firm and the importance of intentional leadership, Jason explains that he made a lot of mistakes and had a lot of wrong ideas about entrepreneurship, which informs his desire to guide entrepreneurs with intentionality so they don’t make those same mistakes. Jason stresses, and John agrees, that community-driven culture is a key to firm growth and employee satisfaction, the details of which they discuss at length, with a lead-in to part two, which airs May 22nd, 2024.

Jennifer Wilson of ConvergenceCoaching returns for part 2 of her conversation with John Randolph on Episode 37 of CPA Life. She delves into the intricacies of employee motivation, hiring practices, and compensation in CPA firms, and they discuss the vital role culture plays in everything a firm does, from hiring, to acquisitions, to turnover. Jen highlights the importance of learning from cultural mistakes, with John pointing out the rose-colored glasses that certain clients and partnerships can impart. Jen, a member of the National Pipeline Advisory Group, encourages those in the accounting profession to have their say by completing the group’s survey, which closes May 3rd, 2024.

Host John Randolph continues his conversation with David Hartley on Episode 35 of CPA Life. They delve into ditching billable hours in favor of value billing, the potential for AI to vastly improve efficiency within CPA firms, and the importance of recruiting the next generation through values that appeal to them. Innovation is a key focus according to David, host of the But Who’s Counting? podcast, who has plenty of insight into what’s coming for firms around the country and the globe and what firm leaders need to harness now to prepare for the future.

David Hartley joined Anders CPAs + Advisors when they were looking to establish an Advisory practice, demonstrating how even a large firm can “steer its ship” in an active, anticipatory way. David talks to John Randolph on Episode 34 of CPA Life in part 1 of their two part conversation about the strategic planning and growth of the Advisory practice under his watch, and David delves into how to have a forward-thinking approach, remote work experiences, and strategies for managing both remote and in-office work models. He touches on the future of the CPA profession, the importance of continuous learning, the impact of client relationships, and the importance of culling clients that are no longer a good fit for where your firm is today.

In Part 2 of this special CPA Life episode, John Randolph returns as the guest to talk to producer Justin Grant about many of the key concepts in talent acquisition and advisory that CPA firms simply don’t know that they don’t know. John explains this as the basis behind his Talent + Advisory model, which integrates value-based pricing, strategic discussions, managing a firm’s talent brand, online reputation management, the importance of relationships in accounting, and more. Above all, it is clear that just like an accounting client needs a partner in a firm that works with them on a recurring basis, so does an accounting firm need a partner that works with them to get to the root of their staffing needs and goals.

Marcus Mire is the founder of Mire Group CPAs and the host of the Make It Count podcast. He joins John Randolph for Episode 31 of CPA Life to discuss the impact of cloud accounting on his accounting practice, the effect of COVID-19 on firm operations, and more. Marcus shares his advice for new firm owners and talks about the growth and core values of the Mire Group, exploring the transition to a subscription-based model, community involvement, and the role of faith-based leadership.

John Randolph finishes his conversation with Accounting Today Top 100 influencer Randy Crabtree on Episode 30 of CPA Life, where they discuss non-traditional leadership in remote, but also in-office culture, the importance of building relationships, and of making your people understand you care about them as human beings. They both delve into the financial advantage imparted by low turnover due to healthy employee work-life balance and the power of saying “no.” They round out their chat by discussing the benefits to firm leaders of letting others do the things you do best, while leaders stay in their lanes, out of the way.

Randy Crabtree is an Accounting Today Top 100 Influencer, the co-founder of Tri-Merit Specialty Tax, and the host of The Unique CPA podcast. On part one of a two part conversation, he joins John Randolph on Episode 29 of CPA Life to talk about the benefits of a niche focus within a firm and the good that comes from being intentional in creating a place people want to work. Related to these elements are allowing remote work, using value-based billing, and maintaining a strong company culture during a firm’s growth—one that makes people feel valued and like more than just a cog in a wheel.

Mike Payne of BOSS Advisors rejoins host John Randolph for part two of their conversation about building a modern CPA firm on Episode 28 of CPA Life. They pick up on their discussion of how BOSS is breaking the traditional firm mold through a subscription-based pricing model, prioritizing employees over billable hours, and more. Mike details practical strategies for attracting and retaining top talent, delighting clients with proactive service, and creating a culture of open communication. In an episode full of actionable tips for firm owners looking to transform their own organizations, John backs Mike’s insights up with his perspective as a consumer of CPA services and they both agree on the importance of making sure you are keeping your “internal customers”

Mike Payne, founder and CEO of BOSS Advisors, had an atypical path into his career as he holds both a CPA license and is a member of the State Bar of Arizona. On Episode 27 of CPA Life, Mike talks to John Randolph about his unique educational journey, and his experience working at a Big Four firm, before striking out on his own. Mike had a number of experiences that highlighted the need for change in public accounting, and he has built a firm focused on client service, that breaks from the traditional billable hours model. Part 1 of this conversation offers practical guidance and inspiration for anyone seeking to strike out on their own and build their own firm that does things better.

Episode 26 is the second of a two part episode of CPA Life, and Henry Huie rejoins John Randolph to talk about his new firm and its subscription model where clients pay for ongoing advice rather than billable hours. A focus on building deeper client relationships puts the value in “value billing,” and empowers clients to ask for the help they need without worrying about fees. Further, by leveraging technology, Henry’s ideas represent a way for firms to beat the staffing shortage as a job in accounting with fewer hours, better pay and more meaningful relationships is sure to attract far more talent than the same old, legacy firm attitude.

In another two part special episode of CPA Life, John Randolph interviews Henry Huie about his journey from working long hours at top 25 firms to opening his own practice, Chrome Accounting, in October, 2023. Henry shares some of the lessons he’s already learned, like thorough planning, having enough savings so you need not take on undesirable clients, and niching down your services. Henry prepared methodically over a year before launching his firm, during which time Henry learned practical tips for working remotely efficiently using tools like Loom. Henry’s advice on networking, providing value to clients, and avoiding common pitfalls of being a new business owner will prove invaluable to every listener.

Episode 24 is a CPA Life Rewind, where we look back on a topic relevant to the accounting world right now. Today, having just gotten through another fall busy season, we feature John Randolph’s conversation with John Mark Prewitt, Managing Member at Cohesion Companies, which he founded over a decade ago. John Mark’s experience in the Big Four led him to choosing a radically different approach to running his own firm, with a strong focus on work-life balance and low employee turnover, thanks to Cohesion’s flat fee model, focus on client service, and emphasis on communication and growth opportunities for employees. As a result, Cohesion was recognized by Accounting Today as a top firm to work for in 2022. This Rewind episode is chock full of insights on how your firm can