The Unique CPA

Making technology work for your firm is the theme on Episode 112 of The Unique CPA. Randy talks to Ellen Choi, co-founder of Aiwyn, an automation platform for accounting firms. She talks about how Aiwyn helps firms streamline processes and overcome resistance to change. Leveraging AI, through what she describes as the “virtuous cycle of mutual learning,” can help not only to improve value based pricing and client experience for firms of any size, but increase the knowledge and understanding of the humans who use these AI-based tools. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Randy Crabtree talks “coach-ulting” and tax optimization with Brian Amann of CPA Edge on Episode 111 of The Unique CPA. Brian was the former founder and partner at TaxOps, which has been recognized as a top accounting firm by Accounting Today and Inc. magazine, among others, and he took his experience developing TaxOps’ model and offered it to other accounting professionals by founding CPA Edge. He stresses the important of culture and brand, both difficult things to measure, but very important in ensuring the success of an enterprise. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

David Toth of Winding River Consulting brings his digital marketing expertise to the table in this conversation with Randy on episode 110 of The Unique CPA. David identifies the five core principles behind developing a successful digital culture that drives growth at a CPA firm amongst a plethora of other business development insights. He further touches on how important getting buy-in from people in important, decision making roles, as well as finding them “gems” within your firm that will carry on the torch in future generations. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Randy Crabtree is joined by Gale Crosley of Crosley+Company on episode 109 of The Unique CPA. Gale’s specialty is in driving strategic, organic, revenue growth for CPA firms, and she has been recognized for her influence and insights into the accounting profession by The Advisory Board, CPA Practice Advisors, Accounting Today, Inside Public Accounting, and more. Gale shares her insights through actionable principles any CPA firm can take now to improve its growth and profitability, and delves into just how strategic organic growth works. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Joe Woodard joins Randy for Episode 108 to talk about June's Scaling New Heights conference and automation as the key to helping your business soar. The founder of Woodard, a nationally recognized CPA coaching membership, and co-host of The Woodard Report podcast with Heather Satterly, Joe offers a road map for firms that are looking to automate more of their processes, shares tips for how to get it done in an efficient, scalable way, and relieves tensions around the onslaught of AI solutions with a reminder that the software solutions you already use will probably be integrating artificial intelligence into their functionality anyway—so you don't have to become an end-all, be-all expert on AI. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Randy welcomes Tina White, the founder of Panoramic Academy, on Episode 107 of The Unique CPA. Tina started her career in the public accounting world, then transitioned to ownership of an HVAC servicing company, and now runs Panoramic Academy, which specializes in coaching business owners to improve their financials and make their companies self-sufficient. She discusses how important advisory services are in the accountant / business relationship, the human element of that connection, and how important it is for any business to tighten up every aspect of its operations. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Randy welcomes Jody Grunden of Anders CPAs on Episode 106 of The Unique CPA. A two-time author, speaker and visionary, Jody helped pioneer virtual CFO services as well as subscription-based billing in the accounting profession, creating new ways for firms to do business. He recounts his unusual journey, including tales of lost luggage and declined credit cards as he tried to finally solidify a stable business. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

On Episode 105 of The Unique CPA, Jennifer Lee Wilson returns and is joined by Renee Moelders to talk to Randy about the latest, encouraging results of ConvergenceCoaching’s biennial Anytime, Anywhere Work survey. The survey results are available for free, and they show big developments for firms in making work more flexible and more accessible. The trend indicates that these were the firms not having trouble attracting new talent or keeping existing talent: Perhaps an unsurprising consequence, but one that all accounting firms should take serious heed of. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Mary McDonald joins Randy Crabtree on Episode 104 of The Unique CPA to talk about #TaxTwitter. When Mary, Dan Heron, and Allison McLeod started planning the TaxTwitter Retreat, they had no idea that it would far exceed their expectations, potentially bringing together professionals from various areas of the tax industry in an environment of camaraderie, learning, and even wine and beer tastings—the latter, thanks to Randy! Who knew that the power of community and networking could lead to such unexpected results? Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

On Episode 103 of The Unique CPA, Randy is joined once again by Donny Shimamoto of IntrapriseTechKnowlogies and The Center for Accounting Transformation. With the busy season completed, Donny is now looking towards solutions to improve the wellbeing of the members of the profession and strategies for healthy firm culture and growth—and he has commissioned two research studies to find out how best to accomplish those goals: one on advisory services, and one on staffing strategies. The two discuss all the details, how to participate, and what kind of positive steps they’re hoping to take based on the resulting data. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com