
The Unique CPA
Over more than five years and 200 episodes, The Unique CPA has blossomed from “just an accounting podcast” into a community of thriving accounting professionals. With personal fulfillment and energizing, passionate work at the top of our list of priorities, we’re keeping you at the forefront of the changing face of public accounting through conversations fascinating leaders who understand that the one constant in the accounting profession is change: Change in our approach to the demands of the profession, change in the technology we use to more efficiently do our jobs, and change in our ability to express who each of us really is as a human being.
Latest episodes

Nov 21, 2023 • 32min
Overcoming the Unexpected: The Journey Back from Stroke
Episode 132 of The Unique CPA features an inspiring conversation with Rich Kane about his experience surviving a stroke at a young age. Rich talks to Randy about his harrowing stroke story and recovery journey, including the lingering effects it’s had on his daily life and career. Both of them discuss the emotional impact the stroke has had on their lives. For accounting professionals, this episode highlights the real-life challenges stroke survivors face and promotes greater awareness of risk factors, with Randy and Rich discussing how to identify stroke symptoms through the BE FAST acronym. Overall, it's an insightful look at overcoming adversity through the lens of two stroke survivor CPAs. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Nov 14, 2023 • 41min
Building a Thriving Remote Practice
Episode 131 of The Unique CPA features Randy’s insightful discussion with Michael Ly, CEO of Reconciled, a leading virtual bookkeeping and accounting firm. Michael talks about building Reconciled from the ground up and his key strategies for growth, including acquiring other accounting firms. He provides valuable perspectives on remote work culture, the current state of AI in accounting, and his outlook on the future of the profession. He follows up with practical advice on building a thriving remote business, as well as a better understanding of trends shaping the industry—a must-listen for anyone looking to learn from the experiences of a successful entrepreneur. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Nov 7, 2023 • 28min
Acing Your Firm’s Hiring Using Data and Testing
Episode 130 of The Unique CPA features Giles Pearson, the co-founder and CEO of Accountests, who talks to Randy about his background in public accounting and how his 18 years as a partner at a large firm. This inspired him to create Accountests to help firms make more informed hiring decisions. He discusses the various technical skills and personality tests Accountests offers and how they can help firms hire the right candidates faster, improve onboarding, and reduce costly turnover. Giles also talks about how the tests benefit candidates by identifying strengths and areas for growth. This insightful conversation provides practical advice on leveraging data and science to hire better and help accounting professionals reach their full potential. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Oct 31, 2023 • 41min
Reduce Stress and Automate Work: Cloud Solutions
Discover how to bring joy to accounting with cloud technology on Episode 129 of The Unique CPA! Kellie Parks talks to Randy Crabtree about her passion for bookkeeping and how she helps accounting professionals love cloud accounting as much as she does. Learn about the templates and tools Kelly provides to streamline your firm's processes and hear tips for implementing new technologies step-by-step without getting overwhelmed. Tune in to get insights on automating your work, improving work-life balance, and embracing cloud solutions to reduce stress in your practice. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Oct 24, 2023 • 42min
IRS Horror Stories (And How to Avoid Them)
Tax attorney and founder of Tax Rep Network, Eric Green, shares stories of resolving large tax debts and avoiding penalties. He provides valuable advice for tax season, discusses the benefits of Tax Rep Network membership, and explores a new social network platform within the community. They also discuss the capillization of R&D expenses and the importance of addressing unfiled taxes. The episode concludes with tips for growing your practice, the importance of outside passions, and upcoming conferences.

4 snips
Oct 17, 2023 • 52min
Don't Just Show Up to Work, but to Create Excellence
Horst Schulze, legendary hospitality leader, shares insights on achieving excellence through defining goals, empowering employees, and making customers feel cared for. He discusses his book, Excellence Wins, and the importance of leadership, culture, and customer service in the accounting profession. Schulze also talks about creating a positive workplace culture, the journey of writing a book, and the impact of language on different market segments.

Oct 10, 2023 • 31min
The Future of Accounting is Now
Randy Crabtree talks to Hector Garcia, creator of RightTool, on Episode 126 of The Unique CPA. A QuickBooks expert, Hector discusses the future of the accounting profession in the age of AI and automation. He shares insightful perspectives on how software is changing the perception of accounting work, challenging the profession to get creative in redefining its roles and business models. Listen in to learn how to reinvent themselves and their firms to stay ahead of disruption, and get an exclusive look at Hector's upcoming conference focused on creative business models and future-proofing your role. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Oct 3, 2023 • 40min
Prioritizing People: Building a Sustainable Practice
John Pace, 2022 Digital CPA Innovation Practitioner of the Year, shares insights on building a strong culture centered on employee wellbeing and work-life balance. He discusses the evolution of technology, creating a positive workplace culture, and the power of leverage in running a practice. Personal anecdotes, hobbies, and family life are also discussed.

Sep 26, 2023 • 36min
Automation as a Way to Reduce Burnout
On Episode 124 of The Unique CPA, Randy talks to Mike Whitmire, CEO and Co-Founder of FloQast. Mike discusses how he overcame burnout in public accounting brought on by personal pain points to build FloQast, such as long hours both at a Big Four firm and at an L.A. startup, the difficulty of the month-end close process, and the need for a better work-life balance in accounting. He discusses growing FloQast to over 500 employees with a focus on culture and transparency. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Sep 19, 2023 • 28min
Reasonable Compensation 101
Paul Hamann, the founder of RCReports, joins Randy for Episode 123 of The Unique CPA. Paul discusses reasonable compensation and how it plays a vital role in tax planning and compliance for closely held businesses. Paul debunks common myths around reasonable compensation and provides valuable insights into how to properly determine reasonable comp. He and Randy both stress the importance of advisory in accounting services and how that addition of value can boost your firm. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com