Accountant's Flight Plan

In this episode, we sit down with Lisa Smith who is a functional medicine dietitian, gut-health expert, and founder of Lisa Smith Wellness. We explore the realities of deep stress and the health impacts that so many accounting firm owners quietly carry. We start by talking about the concept of “deep stress,” how it differs from everyday overwhelm, and why professionals who juggle multiple roles often don’t realize their bodies are stuck in long-term survival mode. Lisa breaks down the signs many CPAs ignore: waking up tired, constant tension, reliance on caffeine or wine, disrupted sleep, brain fog, and that ever-present feeling of being “on.”Timestamps:03:55: Introducing the concept of deep stress05:58: How stress impacts sleep and cortisol07:57: What entrepreneurs consistently overlook in wellness10:50: Habit change and understanding personal motivators12:52: Redesigning your life and business through intentionality16:34: Long-term health implications of unmanaged stress18:59: Feeling trapped in your business and how to begin unwinding it23:05: Reducing stress and improving clarity24:26: Price’s Law, the Pareto Principle, and understanding real productivity29:14: Pre-tax-season tips for improving energy and well-being30:46: The “campfire method” for stabilizing daily energy34:29: Lisa’s book recommendations for leaders and entrepreneursLisa’s Resource Recommendations:Prepare Your CPA Firm for A Sale by Brannon Poe [https://poegroupadvisors.com/prepare/]Atomic Habits by James Clear [https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299]The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson [https://www.amazon.com/Slight-Edge-Turning-Disciplines-Happiness/dp/1626340463]Who Not How by Dan Sullivan [https://www.amazon.com/Who-Not-How-Accelerating-Teamwork-ebook/dp/B0867ZJ151]Traction by Gino Wickman [https://www.amazon.com/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business/dp/1936661837]The Common Path to Uncommon Success by John Lee Dumas [https://www.amazon.com/Common-Path-Uncommon-Success-Fulfillment/dp/1400221099]Journaling Guide: [http://lisasmithwellness.com/the-morning-mindset-journal]Connecting with Lisa:  Listen to my Pretty Well PODCAST https://apple.co/3Y2IbSZ Visit my Website https://lisasmithwellness.com Read my Wellness BLOG  https://lisasmithwellness.com/blog/ Find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/prettywell_podcast/ lisa.lsw@outlook.com Link to full listing: https://poegroupadvisors.com/practice/sc2038/ Firm Highlights:- Young, energetic owner committed to staying 10+ years to run and grow the firm.- Selling 70–100% equity, with plans to offer key employees an ownership stake.- 3+ CPAs on staff and over 20 employees.- High-net-worth clients with strong loyalty and consistent referrals.- 78% of services tied to business clients.

In this episode, we sit down with returning guest Nick Sinclair, founder and chairman of TOA Global, one of the largest accounting outsourcing companies in the world. Nick shares the unlikely origin story of how a leadership trip to the Philippines revealed the talent  and scalability his own firm desperately needed. This inspired him to build what has now become a powerhouse with more than 4,500 team members serving over 1,100 firms worldwide. His personal “why” behind the business was shaped by watching his parents lose everything when he was young. This drives his mission to ensure more people get the financial advice they need by helping firms leverage the offshoring support they need to deliver high-touch service.Timestamps:00:37 – Introduction to Nick and his background02:46 – How TOA Global began04:10 – Early offshoring lessons and growing pains06:40 – The unexpected demand that revealed a real business07:43 – Nick’s personal “why” and decision to scale globally09:12 – Why the Philippines has such strong accounting talent11:25 – Why every accounting firm needs a people plan13:30 – Industry capacity issues and long-term global staffing strategy15:07 – How offshoring perceptions have evolved16:19 – Quality challenges, cultural misunderstandings & outsourcing stigma18:00 – Outsourcing reveals internal firm weaknesses19:16 – Offshoring accelerates local careers20:00 – People are the product in accounting firms22:20 – Human connection as the profession’s long-term differentiator23:02 – Why training and quicker competency paths matter25:06 – Building career plans and accelerating development27:39 – Challenges firm owners face when building global teams28:56 – Cultural nuances in leading global teams31:21 – Leadership, flexibility, and knowing your people32:30 – Nick’s most memorable career moment34:23 – Book recommendation: Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell35:24 – Where to connect with Nick: LinkedIn Link to full listing: https://poegroupadvisors.com/practice/sc2038/ Firm Highlights:- Young, energetic owner committed to staying 10+ years to run and grow the firm.- Selling 70–100% equity, with plans to offer key employees an ownership stake.- 3+ CPAs on staff and over 20 employees.- High-net-worth clients with strong loyalty and consistent referrals.- 78% of services tied to business clients.

In this episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan Podcast, we sit down with Kristen Corey, founder of Media Books Agency, to talk about how accountants can use marketing to strengthen their brand, attract ideal clients, and communicate value beyond compliance work. With experience in both public accounting and marketing, Kristen shares how her journey from working as an auditor to owning her own marketing agency taught her the importance of storytelling and connection in the profession.Key Timestamps00:57: Introduction of Kristen Corey and her journey from auditor to marketer03:00: Building a marketing career abroad and launching Media Books Agency07:00: The importance of communication skills for accountants10:10: Why every firm needs marketing, even if referrals are strong13:05: Using AI tools like ChatGPT for tone, content, and creative brainstorming16:31: Marketing strategies for small accounting firms under $5M17:29: The power of newsletters and relationship-based marketing20:41: Under-the-radar marketing tactic: consistency on social media23:54: Funny story: catching potential fraud during an internship27:20: Book recommendation: Extraordinary Circumstances by Cynthia CooperLink to full listing: https://poegroupadvisors.com/practice/sc2038/ Firm Highlights:- Young, energetic owner committed to staying 10+ years to run and grow the firm.- Selling 70–100% equity, with plans to offer key employees an ownership stake.- 3+ CPAs on staff and over 20 employees.- High-net-worth clients with strong loyalty and consistent referrals.- 78% of services tied to business clients.

In this episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan Podcast, we sit down with Jody Padar, known across the industry as The Radical CPA, to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping the accounting profession. Jody shares her journey from founding one of the first cloud firms in 2010 to working in tech startups like Botkeeper and now launching her newest venture, XcelLabs. Her mission is to prepare firms for 2030 by building AI-first practices that leverage automation to expand the capacity for empathy, client connection, and creativity in order to transform advisory work.Timestamps:00:00: Using AI strategically to enhance advisory work01:06: Jody’s career journey and launch of XcelLabs04:00: PE capital, fintech, and aging leadership disrupting the accounting industry08:00: How money movement and tech are transforming accounting10:11: How to leverage AI to build deeper client relationships at scale13:20: PE-driven competition for top accounting talent14:26: Using AI to rewrite firm operations and scale15:24: ChatGPT, Claude, and creative thinking over automation23:20: Using AI for unbiased performance feedback27:35: Book Recommendation: Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can and Can’t DoLink to full listing: https://poegroupadvisors.com/practice/sc2038/ Firm Highlights:- Young, energetic owner committed to staying 10+ years to run and grow the firm.- Selling 70–100% equity, with plans to offer key employees an ownership stake.- 3+ CPAs on staff and over 20 employees.- High-net-worth clients with strong loyalty and consistent referrals.- 78% of services tied to business clients.

In this episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan Podcast, we sit down with Mike Schwarz, CEO of MyZone AI, to explore the evolving need for modern accounting firm leaders to adopt AI. In this episode, we discuss how AI is impacting the world and what the projected implications are for small business owners in every industry. There are some key strategies for implementing AI in this episode. We encourage you to learn about the ways it can help your business without becoming overwhelmed by it. Even just thirty minutes a day learning AI tools can add up to major advances in your accounting firm. Watch in the player above or listen through the player below to hear more!Timestamps:00:00-02:30: Introduction of Mike Schwarz03:10-06:45: Rethinking firm capacity and leadership challenges08:15-11:30: Building systems that balance efficiency and employee well-being11:40-13:10: AI as a catalyst for change in compliance and advisory work17:50-19:30: Leveraging AI for efficiency and expanding firm capacity23:15-25:00: Maintaining the human advisory touch alongside automation25:45-28:00: Leading through change and fostering trust in new tech28:00-29:45: The future of AI in predictive analytics and decision-making31:00-33:30: Advice for firm owners navigating transformation33:45-End: Closing thoughts and how to connect with MikeLink to full listing: https://poegroupadvisors.com/practice/sc2038/ Firm Highlights:- Young, energetic owner committed to staying 10+ years to run and grow the firm.- Selling 70–100% equity, with plans to offer key employees an ownership stake.- 3+ CPAs on staff and over 20 employees.- High-net-worth clients with strong loyalty and consistent referrals.- 78% of services tied to business clients.

Quality leadership that grows your accounting practice isn’t about pushing your team to work harder. While it may sound counterintuitive, modeling a healthy, balanced life is what actually moves the needle. In this episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan, Rob Dube opens the conversation by emphasizing that when leaders prioritize wellness, the team will follow suit. This results in less burnout, fewer mistakes, better client service, and a more harmonious work environment. If you are happy in your work and life, your team and CPA practice will thrive as well. Brannon and Rob also discuss the importance of vulnerability and authentic connection to maintain effective leadership. By sharing your personal story with partners, employees, and close peers, leaders build trust and authentic engagement. Some practical ways to start doing this could be asking for feedback from your close friends and peers on what your strengths and weaknesses are, allowing leaders to shed their “armor”. This can lead to more self-awareness and foster deeper relationships and a higher-energy workplace.To conclude, Rob and Brannon discuss the importance of setting boundaries to prioritize high-value work. The effectiveness of avoiding hustle culture, taking time off, and delegating lower-value tasks ensures that leaders remain energized for what truly matters. By focusing on purpose, energy, and mindful action, leaders can build resilient teams, sustainable practices, and more fulfilling lives.Timestamp List: Key Sections:02:00 - Introducing The Ten Disciplines04:00 - Climbing the Two Mountains: Achievement vs. Meaning07:00 - Chaos vs. Awareness: Tuning Into Your Body11:00 - Understanding the Driven Personality14:00 - Vulnerability and the Inner Story21:00 - Practical Steps to Peel Back the Armor26:00 - Combatting Hustle Culture and Setting Boundaries31:00 - Delegating and Avoiding Low-Value Work37:00 - Resources and Key TakeawaysLink to full listing: https://poegroupadvisors.com/practice/sc2038/ Firm Highlights:- Young, energetic owner committed to staying 10+ years to run and grow the firm.- Selling 70–100% equity, with plans to offer key employees an ownership stake.- 3+ CPAs on staff and over 20 employees.- High-net-worth clients with strong loyalty and consistent referrals.- 78% of services tied to business clients.

The Evolving Role of Private EquityIn this special episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan, Brannon meets with Morry Brown, regional market leader here at Poe Group Advisors, formerly of Goldman Sachs, to share a timely update on how private equity is  impacting mergers and acquisitions in the accounting profession today.This was a live discussion with an informative Q&A at the end.  Morry and Brannon dive deep into the steady rise of PE-backed deals and discuss the impact of outside capital on CPA firm sales. They unpack why it is funding partner buyouts and, therefore, reshaping the structure of firm operations themselves. Morry highlights why many of these investors view the accounting profession as a “sticky” industry, given its recurring revenue streams. This makes CPA firms especially attractive compared to other industries with less stable revenue projections.Pros and Cons for CPA FirmsBrannon highlights that while PE firms often bring significant advantages (including technological advancements and recruitment capital), the deal structures they propose can be unrealistic when compared to traditional sales. Morry reflects that the earnouts and layered incentives within these deal proposals are becoming increasingly common. This can, unfortunately, create complications for sellers who are looking for a cleaner transition than private equity can provide. Brannon and Morry both emphasize the importance of owners thinking carefully about what they want. Especially, considering that a straightforward deal that looks less flashy on paper might be better in practice than a larger quote that relies on a complex earnout structure that would lead to a messy exit.What CPA Firm Owners Need to Know for the FutureSo what do the next 12–18 months look like for the industry? With interest rates and capital funds shifting consistently, Brannon and Morry believe that not all private equity buyers will remain active to the same degree. For firm owners, this simultaneously creates opportunities and reasons to be cautious. Before deciding your next steps in the future of your firm, get clear on what your own goals are outside of the changing tide within the industry. Whether you want to maximize your firm’s value, ensure continuity for your staff, or simply exit without complexity, knowing your goals will help you make them a reality.Timestamps:02:00 – Introductions of Morry and Brannon06:30 – Why private equity is interested in accounting firms' sales10:15 – PE-backed deals vs. traditional sales: what’s the difference?14:45 – Earnouts, incentives, and PE’s risk of overcomplication20:10 – Possible benefits of PE investment: talent and technology upgrades26:00 – Market shifts: Interest rates and deal pace 31:30 – Practical advice for firm owners considering PE offers43:58 – Question and Answer period from firm owners like you!

From A Big Four Firm to Entrepreneurship In this special episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan, Brannon sat down with Raffi Yousefian, a NY/DC-based CPA and entrepreneur, to discuss his journey to building a thriving tax practice. Raffi began his career at EY before launching his own firm in 2016, growing rapidly before making the bold decision in 2022 to niche down into three verticals. By 2023, he doubled down on his fastest-growing and most rewarding segment: restaurants. He dedicated his brand to that niche and sold off the rest with the help of Poe Group Advisors.Timestamps:00:37 – Intro of Raffi Yousefian his background from EY to launching his own firm and finding his niche04:00 – Why Raffi left public accounting to become an entrepreneur06:50 – Doing less to grow more: The power of niching11:45 – Selling off part of a firm: Risk vs. reward15:20 – Why focus builds deeper expertise and stronger advisory20:00 – Benchmarks, AI adoption, and automation in accounting27:33 – DJ life during tax season: A funny story31:48 – Book recommendation: Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore33:00 – Connect with Raffi via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raffiyousefian/ 

We are taking a look back on an episode from the archives! Enjoy this retelling of how Accounting Practice Academy came to be.In this episode of the podcast, we have Ian Brennan (APA’s Creative Director), and my wife Carol Poe (PGA Buyer Specialist/APA’s right-hand woman) who played a pivotal role in the creation and execution of the workshop. This workshop wouldn’t exist without them and there’s some fun stories as to why that’s the case.  The main reason it wouldn’t exist without them, they filmed and produced the workshop! The pandemic left us without a studio or film crew and so, we created our own little film studio in the office. There was a lot of determination, and good humor that went into developing this workshop that we are so proud of. In the end, doing this project with a less than traditional film style gave us the opportunity to revise, condense and perfect our virtual course. *Notable Moments*1:14: Welcoming Carol and Ian on the podcast 2:58: How the pandemic changed filming 5:00: Filming the first several modules and deciding they weren’t good enough 8:40: Re-writing the module videos 9:00: Building the course while people were already in the workshop11:50: Perfecting the workshop to add the most value from start to finish 13:30: The big moves members made last session15:20: Ian’s passion for the project 

In this episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan Podcast, Brannon is joined by Morry Brown, California market leader at Poe Group Advisors and a longtime family friend. Morry shares his journey from Goldman Sachs to helping CPA firm owners navigate the evolving landscape of firm sales, particularly as private equity (PE) ramps up its interest in the accounting profession. Making Informed Decisions in a Rapidly Changing MarketMorry and Brannon explore why having multiple offers and opportunities to talk to different buyers gives sellers more leverage and clarity about what matters most. They also discuss why PE buyers are increasingly interested in younger firm owners who aren’t necessarily ready to retire and what this means for those owners. From roll-up strategies and scalable efficiencies to risks around long-term PE timelines, Morry breaks down what firm owners need to consider if they’re eyeing a potential exit in today’s fast-evolving environment.Timestamps1:09 – Intro: Morry Brown’s background & joining Poe Group Advisors3:13 – Why PE buyers are drawn to CPA firms5:00 – Market changes, rising valuations, and firm consolidation7:02 – Inside the PE acquisition process & what headline numbers miss11:14 – Fit vs. price: what really matters when selling16:01 – Understanding PE timelines, fund mandates & market uncertainty19:30 – PE can improve firm performance—but it depends on the vision22:27 – Industry roll-up comparisons: Blockbuster, Waste Management, AutoNation24:10 – AI + outsourcing: the next evolution in firm efficiency26:00 – Book rec: Life by Keith Richards27:17 – Wrapping up: connect with Morry via the Poe Group Advisors website