CPA Life

Episode 65 of CPA Life is a particularly special episode—a re-broadcast of John Randolph’s appearance on Who's Really The BOSS with Rachel and Marcus Dillon of Dillon Business Advisors! In this collaboration, John shares insights into the recruiting landscape in public accounting from his perspective as Principal at Benaiah Consulting, delving into what he sees as keys to healthy recruitment: work-life balance, a positive firm culture, flexible working arrangements, and decisive leaders, to name but a few. Rachel and Marcus recount their recent recruiting experience where they found going it on their own wasn’t working out, and they have been thrilled with their experience letting John and Benaiah handle things. John is full of practical advice on hiring practices, compensation ranges, and fostering lasting employee relationships—this is one episode you won’t want to miss. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

Allan Fisher, from Premier Financial Search, dives into the shifting world of accounting, shedding light on the fierce competition and the unique edge of boutique firms. He discusses the challenges firms face with private equity and the pressing talent shortage. Allan highlights the importance of crafting a compelling narrative to attract candidates and the necessity for firms to adapt to market expectations. He also emphasizes enhancing workplace culture and investing in employee growth as vital strategies for retaining top talent.

Allan Fisher, president and founder of Premier Financial Search and a former accountant, dives into the evolution of recruitment in public accounting. He highlights the shift towards a more people-centric work culture and the impact of empathetic leadership on talent retention post-pandemic. Allan shares strategies for proactive recruitment, emphasizing the importance of strong first impressions to attract top talent. Firms adapting their practices not only enhance employee satisfaction but also gain a competitive edge in a transforming hiring landscape.

John Randolph delves into the evolving landscape of recruiting in public accounting with Kerry Billington, Managing Partner at Spartan Placements, on Episode 62 of CPA Life. Kicking off a month-long series focused on perspectives in the recruiting space, their conversation highlights the significance of culture, flexible work environments, and the impact of private equity in the industry, as Kerry provides insights into recruiting trends, the role of AI, and strategies for attracting and retaining top talent in the profession. She emphasizes the need for transparency, autonomy, and the right work-life balance to keep professionals engaged and fulfilled, with a simple, unifying theme: That listening to what people want is the best thing you can do to land the workforce you need. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

The concluding part two of John Randolph’s conversation with Chris Johnson awaits on this special Episode 61 of CPA Life. Expanding his thoughts on accountability and “extreme ownership,” Chris discusses the challenges inherent in self-reflection and holding oneself and one’s firm to a higher standard. Given the significance of not tolerating poor performance and attitudes within teams, the ability to self-reflect is paramount. Chris also introduces his firm’s unique “Spark of Joy” initiative, where employees and even clients are given money to enable them to perform acts of kindness in the community. The pair conclude by delving into the importance of integrating AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney into business processes to enhance productivity and creativity. Chris emphasizes continuous learning, prompt engineering, and the use of AI to streamline tasks and foster innovation, and he has made several examples of useful AI prompts publicly available to facilitate this for others in the profession. Chris’s commitment to community impact and leveraging technology truly mark his unique approach to leadership and business growth. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

Chris Johnson, CEO of CJ CPAs, shares his journey from the Big Four to founding his own firm in San Antonio. He discusses redefining success in accounting by prioritizing a people-centric culture, illustrated by a groundbreaking $50K sign-on bonus. The conversation explores the importance of calculated risks in career transitions, the focus on cultural fit over resumes in hiring, and the necessity of building trust through transparency. Johnson emphasizes nurturing personal and professional growth while fostering connections within the accounting community.

In this engaging conversation, Justin Grant interviews John Randolph, producer of the show and a talent expert. They explore how evolving definitions of success impact talent management, emphasizing the necessity for flexible work arrangements. John shares insights on the emotional connections workers have with their environments and how remote work can enhance recruitment. He addresses the unique challenges smaller firms face and offers proactive strategies for attracting talent, highlighting the competitive advantages of agility in the post-COVID landscape.

John Randolph “sits on the other side of the studio” on this special two-part Season 3 kickoff episode of CPA Life. With hosting duties accounted for by producer Justin Grant of ProfessionalProductions.net, John delves into the challenges firms will face in 2025 and beyond, such as losing key talent, increased competition and specialization in the profession, and the need for technological adaptation. Highlighting the importance of embracing remote work and modern recruitment strategies to attract and retain top talent, John also explores the potential and mindset of new entrants into the profession, marking an optimistic view of the future—at least, for those firms willing to do what it takes! Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

Ron Baker, an accounting legend and the founder of VeraSage, shared transformative insights on value pricing and client advisory services. He discussed the pitfalls of traditional billable hours and advocated for a subscription-based model that enhances client relationships. Baker emphasized the importance of niche specialization and aligning project management with client needs. The conversation explored strategies to combat burnout in the profession while fostering proactive service delivery, driving a much-needed evolution in public accounting practices.

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. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com