Accountant's Flight Plan

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

In this episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan, we are joined by Wayne Findlay—entrepreneur, founder of Findlay & Co., and CEO of The Back Room. Wayne shares his global perspective on how accounting firms can stay competitive in today’s talent-scarce landscape by leveraging offshoring, modern tech, and clear growth paths for team members. If you’re a firm owner thinking about scale, succession, or private equity, this episode is full of practical, real-world insight.Get in touch with Wayne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynenz/Episode Timestamps01:12 – Introduction of Wayne Findlay and the founding of The Back Room04:09 – Why offshoring is becoming more common in U.S. & Canadian firms05:50 – Global talent shortage & the retention pressure from PE09:09 – The win-win of delegation and internal growth12:10 – How to use AI wisely and keep firm data secure16:18 – His firm’s expansion into Colombia and why it’s strategic for U.S. work19:00 – Preparing your firm for sale: what PE buyers want to see22:45 – Funny story from an accounting conference25:33 – Book rec: The Four Principles of Management27:57 – Connect with Wayne and see him at upcoming conferences

The Power of Authenticity in Attracting Talent and Changing PerceptionsIn this episode of the Accountant’s Flight Plan Podcast, we interviewed fellow podcaster and reputation-building expert Rob Brown. Rob is the host of three accounting-related podcasts with a collective following of over 50,000 listeners and is the author of Build Your Reputation. He has spent over two decades working in business development and training for accountants, who he found to be passionate but often struggling with the interpersonal side of growing a firm.After a life-changing stroke, Rob recalibrated his career to focus on helping accountants shape their stories, amplify their impact, and build personal brands that not only elevate their firms—but the profession as a whole.Timestamps: 00:21 – Introduction of Rob Brown and his background 2:40 – How Rob moved from education to accounting business development 8:00 – The talent crisis and why firm branding matters 12:40 – Authenticity and representation in your firm’s story 17:19 – How to build a personal brand (without burning out) 26:46 – Scaling, saying “no,” and making space for growth 32:27 – Who’s responsible for the profession’s brand? 37:00 – Brannon shares why he chose accounting 40:00 – Funny personal story from Rob 44:30 – Book recommendation: Deep Work by Cal Newport

The Evolution of an Industry in Real TimeIn this episode of the Accountant’s Flight Plan Podcast, Brannon Poe is joined by Dan Hood, Editor-in-Chief at Accounting Today, to explore the shifting tides of the accounting industry. From his start as a receptionist to laying out physical newspapers and magazines to leading one of the profession's most respected publications, Dan shares his unique vantage point on the industry’s past, present, and rapidly approaching future.AI Is Here—But We’re Just Getting StartedDan and Brannon dive into the transformative role artificial intelligence is beginning to play in accounting. While the AI boom is still in its infancy, the industry is already seeing an influx of capital and enthusiasm for automation, agentic AI systems, and data-driven insight. Dan emphasizes the importance of starting small—testing tools, cleaning data, and learning to interact with AI—to position CPA firms for long-term impact and return on investment.Dan Hood is Editor-in-Chief at Accounting Today, where he’s spent decades covering the accounting profession’s biggest trends, challenges, and opportunities. You can connect with Dan via LinkedIn or visit AccountingToday.com to explore more of his work.Timestamps:00:42 – Introduction of Dan Hood, Editor-in-Chief at Accounting Today 01:50 – Dan’s career journey from receptionist to editor 04:22 – AI’s growing impact on accounting and data usage 11:20 – Starting small with AI: how to learn and scale 16:05 – Scaling your firm: "What got you here won’t get you there" 21:50 – The shift in revenue per employee as firms grow 24:20 – Letting go to grow: moving toward zero billable hours 26:10 – Advisory services, PE firms, and new ownership models 29:30 – The challenges of the traditional partnership model 32:00 – Wedding story: accountants aren’t boring! 34:48 – Book rec: Say Nothing 39:03 – Closing thoughts and where to connect with Dan