CPA Life

For Episode 79 of CPA Life, a different sort of show: John Randolph and producer Justin Grant take a candid look at the evolution of the podcast itself. John, inspired by his recent break from social media, reflects on the boundary setting, creating margins for yourself, finding joy both inside and outside of work, and what productivity actually is and means. From stories about aligning personal values with professional roles, the impact of meaningful client relationships and more, John drinks directly from the podcast’s well in exploring the direction he plans to take Benaiah Consulting Group in as well. Tune in and find out what’s in store next! Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

Check out this edition of CPA Life Rewind, as we reflect on John Randolph's conversation with Matt Patrick, the president and founder of Patrick Accounting and Whirks. They discuss the vision Matt has executed to build a modern, efficient, people-centric accounting firm. While focusing on the importance of retaining great employees, creating a family-friendly work environment, and developing a sustainable business model, Matt also delves into accounting’s many challenges, particularly around the impact of technology and talent retention. With a focus on core values and fostering a culture of continuous learning and trust, Patrick Accounting and Whirks have excelled, and Matt is keen to share advice from his own experience, just as he learned from others who have been there before and made the same mistakes he once made. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com  

John Randolph picks up part 2 of his conversation with Nate Goodman, founder of Goodman CPA, on Episode 77 of CPA Life. Diving deeper into the bold decisions and core values shaping his firm’s future, Nate discusses the challenges and rewards of moving away from traditional tax compliance work, the importance of building the right team, how faith and family guide every step, and more. Nate is candid about letting go of legacy clients and navigating growing pains, as well as about the ambitious goals he has for his firm, including increasing his numbers by 10x over the next several years. But he stresses that he will always seek to accomplish his goals without sacrificing what matters most, and while ensuring that what he does is in accordance with God’s will. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

Nate Goodman’s path from church ministry to leading a fast-growing accounting firm is anything but ordinary. Episode 76 of CPA Life kicks off part one of John Randolph’s two-part sitdown with Nate, the founder and president of Goodman CPA, to unpack how his faith, passion for helping others, and commitment to God’s purpose have shaped his mission to challenge the status quo and build a people-first, purpose-driven practice. Nate shares insights on dealing with rapid growth, the lessons he learned from his firm’s early struggles, and the depth of his focus on generosity and community impact as a core firm value. He also discusses the firm’s focus on advisory services, the shift to subscription-based pricing, and how Goodman CPA is empowering business owners and transforming communities. Don’t miss this inspiring look at what it means to do accounting differently from the ground up. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com  

What happens when a CPA firm ditches tradition and builds everything around people, purpose, and possibility? Sarah Jones, founder of Sarah Jones CPA, joins John Randolph on Episode 75 of CPA Life, and she reveals how a small-town mindset, bold leadership, and a dash of hot pink can transform the accounting world. From rethinking value to embracing remote work and radical clarity, this conversation is a candid look at what it takes to grow a firm—and a career—on your own terms. Whether you’re a firm leader rethinking your approach, an accountant seeking inspiration, or simply curious about the future of public accounting, Sarah’s refreshing perspective on what’s possible when you challenge the status quo is one you won’t want to miss. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

We look back at John Randolph’s conversation with Anshul Chawla, Director of Corporate Development at Chawla & Chawla, on CPA Life Rewind Episode 74. From working at Big Four firms and in private equity, to returning to his family-run CPA firm, Anshul has a deep, varied perspective on accounting, and he is full of useful thoughts about what you can do to improve your firm’s efficiency, culture, and talent acquisition and retention. His firm has undergone an extensive modernization process, enhancing the employee experience in addition to efficiency, and they have made the affirmative choice to seek out and integrate younger talent to ensure an ongoing future. Having worked in private equity, he has a great deal of knowledge about its recent second major foray into accounting, and he emphasizes maintaining firm culture amidst the potential for such rapid growth and change. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com  

CPA Life Rewind features accounting firm coach Geraldine Carter this week, as we look back on the highlights of her two-part conversation with John Randolph on Episode 73. With a background in engineering, Geraldine’s experience in founding her own business led her to realize the challenges many CPAs face as business owners themselves. She talks about how to simplify your practice and create value for your clients that they want to pay you more for, reducing your hours while increasing your income, narrowing your focus and niching to make your work easier both to do and to market, and more absolutely brilliant insights. If building a thriving, fulfilling practice is your goal, then the first thing you need to do is listen to Geraldine’s insights in this episode. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

Yuri Kapilovich, managing partner of Kapilovich & Associates and creator of the Mentors Count community, discusses vital mentorship for emerging accountants. He emphasizes the urgency for support in public accounting, addressing the mentorship gap intensified by remote work. The podcast explores building a loyal workforce through development, and the innovative solutions offered by Mentors Count, creating a welcoming environment for questions. Listeners learn about nurturing professional growth through mentorship and constructive engagement.

John Randolph sits down with Joy Lutz, founder and CEO of Aligned CPA in Lake City, Florida, on Episode 71 of CPA Life. Joy has been “right behind the trailblazers” in the profession as she’s grown her firm from two to eight employees within the past four years, and the knowledge and experience she’s gained are keys to this discussion. Joy has placed Aligned’s focus directly on helping service-based businesses simplify their financials, optimize tax strategies, and develop growth plans, all while avoiding billable hours and utilizing a full-service, monthly recurring revenue model that incentivizes her employees to give great service. She discusses proper talent acquisition and running a firm like a business while highlighting her belief in community engagement and mentoring as cornerstones to success in Accounting, evidenced by Aligned being named the Small Firm of the Year by PASBA for 2025. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

Matt Patrick, the innovative president and founder of Patrick Accounting and Whirks, shares his journey from a traditional accounting role to creating a modern, people-centric firm. He discusses the importance of hiring based on core values and fostering a culture of continuous learning. The conversation highlights the challenges facing the accounting industry today, particularly due to technology, and the significance of creating a family-friendly work environment. Matt emphasizes the value of collaboration and trust in leadership to retain top talent and adapt to change.