CPA Trendlines Podcasts

Michelle Golden-River, CEO of 4 LLC and a pioneer in CPA firm growth strategies, joins David Yeghiaian, Chief Strategy Officer for KerberRose, to challenge traditional billing practices. They argue that relying on billable hours limits profitability and suggest embracing value-based pricing instead. Golden-River highlights the need for a broader business model change to ease fears around pricing. The duo also discusses the transformative impact of clear project scopes and the importance of celebrating innovative strategies within firms to enhance client relationships.

“Coaching isn’t about fixing people—it’s about helping them unlock their full potential.” Accounting ARCWith Donny Shimamoto.Center for Accounting TransformationFor many accountants, career progression follows a predictable path—graduate, gain experience, and work toward a leadership role. However, as the industry transforms, many CPAs find themselves seeking something beyond technical expertise: personal growth, leadership skills, and work-life integration. That's where Doug Slaybaugh, CPA (a.k.a., the CPA Coach), comes in. MORE Accounting ARC: Demystifying Accounting Governance | Top 10 Red Flags to Watch for in Accounting Offices | Jeremy Dubow: Private Equity as a Catalyst for Growth | Break the Burnout Cycle in Accounting | Accounting in Transition: 2024 Reflections & the Road Ahead | Ron Baker: Visions for the Accounting Profession | Angie Grissom: Next Gen Inspo for Accountants | Does Accounting Belong in STEM? | Rose Wang: Where Numbers Meet Strategy and Creativity | TikTok Fraud Exposes Gaps in Financial Literacy | How Accounting Pros Own the Stage in Public Speaking | Greg Kyte: Being a CPA Is Like Being the Marie Kondo of Numbers | Rachel Bashore: A Lawyer's Case for Reinventing Accounting | Beyond the Basics in Ethics Eduction | Bailey Lenart: From Ledger Sheets to Transformational Change A former Big Four auditor and regional firm partner, Slaybaugh now dedicates his career to helping accountants thrive through professional coaching. Slaybaugh’s journey into coaching wasn’t a straight line. After spending years in public accounting, rising through the ranks at Arthur Andersen and later Price Waterhouse, he realized his passion wasn’t just in financial statements—it was in people. 

The Corleone family’s quest for legitimacy mirrors modern business succession planning.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayImagine a tax class inspired by "The Godfather" by Mario Puzo. Beyond its thrilling narrative of crime and family loyalty, this iconic novel is surprisingly rich in business succession and adaptation lessons. While such a class might remain hypothetical, its concept offers a fascinating lens for understanding contemporary tax issues like the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA).Click here for more Art WernerAt its core, "The Godfather" chronicles the Corleone family's struggle to transition their empire from illegal activities to legitimate business ventures. This narrative mirrors the challenges many businesses face in succession planning: ensuring smooth continuity while navigating regulatory landscapes. For tax professionals, the story underscores the importance of understanding compliance and transparency requirements, particularly as they pertain to ownership structures.

Steve Evans, co-founder of Accountests and an expert in psychometric testing, sheds light on the pitfalls of traditional hiring methods in the accounting field. He reveals how current assessment tools fail to evaluate candidates' technical skills effectively. The conversation dives into the importance of emotional intelligence and strategic thinking for accountants in today’s workplace. Evans discusses the need for tailored assessments that bridge personality traits and skills to cultivate leadership, emphasizing the transformative potential of innovative hiring practices.

Unlock insights quickly, from QuickBooks to custom systems.Quick Tech TalkWith Steve YossCPE TodayMicrosoft’s Power BI revolutionizes how professionals and businesses interact with their data. This cutting-edge tool, designed for business intelligence and dashboarding, is user-friendly, highly versatile, and incredibly powerful. Whether you’re working with sales, marketing, accounting, inventory, payroll, or other datasets, Power BI seamlessly connects to nearly 100 native cloud resources—including QuickBooks Online—bringing your data to life through interactive dashboards, charts, maps, and graphs.MORE STEVE YOSSMORE TECHExclusively for PRO Members. Log in here or upgrade to PRO today.One of Power BI’s standout features is its ease of use. By simply entering your username and password, you can connect directly to QuickBooks Online without the need for third-party integrations or extra fees. Moreover, its support for ODBC (Open Database Connectivity) makes it possible to integrate virtually any system, from inventory management to payroll and HR, or even external web data requiring login credentials.

Dr. Anton Lewis, an Associate Professor specializing in race and DEI in accounting, leads a panel that digs deep into the intersections of diversity and technology. Kelly Mann shares her insights on streamlining audits with innovative tech. Sabby Gill highlights the role of automation in bookkeeping, while Eriona Bajrakurtaj discusses global digital practices. The group examines the urgent need for the profession to adapt to technological changes, foster diversity, and bridge the gap between academia and real-world application, ensuring a robust future for accounting.

“Compensation is one tool, not the tool, to change behaviors and outcomes."Gear Up for GrowthWith Jean CaragherFor CPA TrendlinesKristen Rampe, managing partner of Rosenberg Associates, spotlights two key drivers for CPA firm success: accountability and simplicity in partner compensation systems. Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today's competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth every Friday here | More Capstone Conversations with Jean Caragher every Monday | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts hereRampe shares insights from Rosenberg Associates' recent report, "Partner Compensation: Why Accountability Matters," revealing a strong correlation between accountability and firm profitability. According to the report, firms with high accountability systems reported an average income per partner of $617,000, compared to $411,000 in firms with low accountability.  

From State Societies to the AICPA, the hosts shed light on the collaborative ecosystem guiding CPAs. Accounting ARCWith Liz Mason, Byron Patrick, and Donny Shimamoto.Center for Accounting TransformationThe accounting profession operates within a complex framework of governance, where state and national organizations play critical roles in shaping standards, supporting professionals, and maintaining public trust. In a recent episode of Accounting ARC, Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA; Byron Patrick, CPA.CITP, CGMA; and Liz Mason, CPA, dive deep into the often misunderstood relationships between state societies, boards of accountancy, and national entities like the AICPA and NASBA. Their discussion offers a candid look at how these organizations work together to regulate, educate, and advocate for CPAs, while highlighting the importance of participation at every level. MORE Accounting ARC: Top 10 Red Flags to Watch for in Accounting Offices | Jeremy Dubow: Private Equity as a Catalyst for Growth | Break the Burnout Cycle in Accounting | Accounting in Transition: 2024 Reflections & the Road Ahead | Ron Baker: Visions for the Accounting Profession | Angie Grissom: Next Gen Inspo for Accountants | Does Accounting Belong in STEM? | Rose Wang: Where Numbers Meet Strategy and Creativity | TikTok Fraud Exposes Gaps in Financial Literacy | How Accounting Pros Own the Stage in Public Speaking | Greg Kyte: Being a CPA Is Like Being the Marie Kondo of Numbers"Many see state societies as just CPE organizers, but they're also advocacy powerhouses," explains Patrick, CEO of VERIFYiQ and co-founder of TB Academy, who details Maryland's proactive society. State societies also facilitate specialized communities and foster advocacy efforts on behalf of CPAs. State boards handle licensing and compliance. Mason, CEO of High Rock Accounting, recounts her experiences in Nevada, where a creative approach to meeting credit-hour requirements sparked changes in legislation. "The board enforces laws, but change requires legislation—a critical distinction," she notes. 

Learn how a 1% owner can wield more power than a 99% shareholder under specific agreements.Quick Tax TipWith Art WernerCPE TodayIn today’s complex regulatory environment, the term "beneficial ownership" might sound straightforward, but it encompasses far more than simply owning shares in a company. A beneficial owner holds a controlling interest in a business entity. This control might be linked to shared ownership, but it can also extend to individuals who influence decisions in other ways.Click here for more Art WernerFor example, under the Corporate Transparency Act, anyone owning 25% or more of a company is generally considered a beneficial owner. However, there are important exceptions that expand this definition.

You don’t need all the answers, but you do need to ask the right questions.The DisruptorsWith Liz FarrAbout ten years ago, Roger Knecht, President of Universal Accounting, noticed that while accountants wanted to move into the advisory space, few had any idea how to make that transition. So he talked to business owners about what they’d like to see and developed a curriculum to help accountants develop those skills. “It's game-changing,” Knecht says, “because once you have the confidence as well as the competence to deliver CFO and advisory services, the world is your oyster bed.”MORE PODCASTS and VIDEOS: Beth Whitworth: Focus on Outcomes Not Hours | Mike Sylvester: Learn to Say No | Salim Omar: Identify Your Client's $100,000 Problem | Jackie Meyer: Earn More with Fewer Clients | Jack Fleherty: Don't Be a 'Yes' Person | Greg Adams: From Finance to Storytelling | The Disruptors | Jody Padar: Make Radical Changes Now If You Want to Be Relevant in 2030 | Rebecca Driscoll: Amplify Reach By Helping Other Firm Owners | Rory Henry: Create the Return on Relationships | Mike Maksymiw: Be the Leader You Wish You Had | Terrell Turner: Build a Solid Business Showing Up as Yourself | Kelly Mann: Be the Bull in the China Shop | Alicia Katz Pollock: Create A Human-Centric Business | Nancy McClelland: Be the One Your Clients Ask First |Alan Whitman: Stop Accepting the Status Quo | Sean Duncan: Discover Your Own Genius | Ingrid Edstrom: True Wealth Is Not Financial | Exclusively for PRO Members. Log in here or upgrade to PRO today.As more accountants and bookkeepers move beyond compliance work into tax advising and planning, cash flow management, and CFO services, they can do work that Knecht says is more fun and creative. “I think it moves the needle for our clients a lot more when we're able to give them those insights and perspectives to run their businesses more profitably,” Knecht says.