Transforming: Tales of Business Evolution

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 behind. With a client base rooted in internet-based startups and small businesses, HeyApril offers full-scale, end-to-end accounting services. Argel shares how his journey has been defined by bold leaps of faith, innovation, and community impact. Argel offers practical insights on value-based pricing, subscription models, and tech stack optimization, while passionately advocating for firms to niche down and align their business models with mission and outcome, not just services. He also previews HeyApril’s next frontier: using Large Language Models (LLMs) to turn client data into real-time, actionable insights. This is an episode packed with inspiration, strategic guidance, and a glimpse into the accounting firm of the future. To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes.  This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at podcast@aicpa-cima.com  

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 encouraging clients to file extensions, Brenda breaks down how intentional change can create a healthier, more sustainable work environment. Tune in to learn how to normalize a better busy season.  To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes. This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at podcast@aicpa-cima.com

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 elaborates on the significant life changes that motivated her to pursue a different career trajectory.  Emphasized in this episode is the significance of internal CAS practices and the key role coaching plays in assisting firm owners to develop sustainable firms. Rebecca also encourages listeners to think about their goals and desired lifestyle, and how that can be aligned with their career paths. To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes. This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at podcast@aicpa-cima.com    

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 Principal of Thomson Consulting, to wrap up and share insights and lessons learned from the series. They reflect on the evolving mindset around governance and how it is relevant to firms of all sizes – not just large firms. The discussion also focuses on the key success factors of effective governance improvements and how to embark on making governance changes, even if the process hasn’t been perfected. Be sure to check out the PCPS Governance Toolkit – developed through collaboration by the AICPA & CIMA PCPS team, Inovautus Consulting, and Thomson Consulting – which is designed to help firms of all sizes transform their governance strategies.  To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes. This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at podcast@aicpa-cima.com  

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 Kovaleski, Managing Partner of MMB+CO, where they explore how evolving governance structures are reshaping partnership agreements within firms. The conversation also provides insights into the challenges of implementing changes to partnership agreements and how to navigate the transformation. As part of a unique four-part series on governance, this informative discussion aims to offer guidance for those journeying down the path of transforming their partnership agreements. Be sure to check out the PCPS Governance Toolkit – developed through collaboration by the AICPA & CIMA PCPS team, Inovautus Consulting, and Thomson Consulting – which is designed to help firms of all sizes transform their governance strategies. To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes. This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at podcast@aicpa-cima.com  

In this engaging discussion, Eric Majchrzak, CEO of BeachFleischman and a growth-focused leader since 2022, sheds light on the transformative rise of non-CPA leaders in public accounting. He explores the unique skills these professionals bring to the table, enhancing strategic development and client-centric practices. The conversation also delves into the challenges of integrating non-CPA executives into traditional CPA environments, the importance of diverse governance structures, and strategies for empowering these leaders through tailored development programs.

Chris Sullivan, CPA and Managing Partner of VSH CPAs, and Amber Goering, CPA and Owner of Goering & Granatino, share their insights on implementing the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in their firms. They discuss the challenges and strategic planning needed for successful adoption. Both guests highlight how EOS enhances quick decision-making and fosters a culture of accountability. The conversation emphasizes the importance of structured governance and effective communication in transforming firm operations and empowering growth.

Randy Crabtree, Co-Founder and Partner at Tri-Merit, shares his journey through mental health challenges and how they shaped his leadership style. He discusses the importance of leading with vulnerability and advocating for mental health awareness in the workplace. Randy offers practical tips for managing burnout and fostering a supportive culture, emphasizing the need for open dialogue about grief and mental health. His insights highlight the evolving landscape of the accounting profession and the critical balance between work and personal life.

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 efforts pave the way for strategic action and how to overcome challenges you may face. Packed with actionable insights and real-world advice, you’ll obtain strategies on how to ensure your firm not only grows but thrives in a rapidly changing profession. To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes. This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at podcast@aicpa-cima.com

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 insights on how firms can adopt effective governance frameworks to guide their transformation strategies, ensuring sustainable growth and adaptability. You’ll learn key approaches to structuring governance that can help your firm navigate change for new opportunities. To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes. This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at podcast@aicpa-cima.com