Growing Your Firm | Strategies for Accountants, CPA's, Bookkeepers , and Tax Professionals

In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes Jeremy Wells, EA and CPA, owner of JWellsCFO and Chief Operating Officer Steadfast Bookkeeping.  Jeremy Wells is a distinguished entrepreneur and financial expert, recognized for his innovative approach to accounting and business strategy. He has dedicated his career to empowering small businesses and solopreneurs through comprehensive tax planning and strategic business advisory services. Jeremy specializes in tax planning and business strategy for small businesses and has been active in the field since 2018.  Before his accounting career, he spent a decade as a college instructor. The conversation delves into Jeremy's unique approach to business, which emphasizes a subscription-based model rather than traditional billing methods, making his services accessible to small businesses and individuals starting their entrepreneurial journeys.  Listeners can expect insights into navigating the challenges of running a business during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with Jeremy's expertise shared through his substack, J. Wells Tax, and his roles in various professional organizations. Tune in for valuable advice on tax strategy and business planning tailored for small businesses.  

In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello interviews Logan Graff, a virtual CPA firm owner (The Graf Tax Co. PLLC) based in Central Texas and a rising star on YouTube.  Logan Graff is a dynamic and innovative figure in the accounting industry, known for his unique approach to running a virtual CPA firm and his engaging content creation on platforms like YouTube and Twitter. Logan shares his journey of starting his firm at the age of 30 and the challenges he faced, including pricing his services competitively despite having less experience than some of his peers.  The conversation delves into Logan's unique approach to content creation, his rapid growth on YouTube, and the lessons he's learned while building his successful firm.  Tune in to discover valuable insights on firm management, pricing strategies, and leveraging social media to enhance your business.

In this episode of the Growing Your Firm Podcast, host David Cristello welcomes Patrick Dichter, the owner of an acquisition engine specializing in acquiring accounting firms. And owner of Appletree Business Services, a modern accounting and tax firm for small businesses.  The  conversation delves into Patrick's successful strategies for acquiring firms, his approach to client mix, and how his model differs from conventional accounting practices.  With a focus on efficiency and client care, Patrick emphasizes the importance of flexibility and performance-based compensation in the workplace. Tune in to discover valuable insights on navigating the accounting landscape and achieving growth through strategic acquisitions. Client selection is vital for maintaining profitability and operational efficiency in accounting firms. As discussed in the podcast episode with Patrick Dichter, a firm's approach to client selection can have significant downstream implications for pricing, compensation, fulfillment, and overall capacity.

Piritta Van Rijn, Global Head of Product at Thomson Reuters, dives into the revolutionary effects of AI on tax research and accounting. She discusses a report highlighting productivity trends and the urgent need to close the talent gap in the industry. Piritta emphasizes how AI tools can enhance efficiency while preserving human expertise and addresses ethical considerations in adopting such technology. The conversation also humorously hints at the future of cloned avatars in sales, adding a fun twist to the dialogue on AI's evolving role.

On this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello interviews Michelle Neiswender, CFP the founder and CEO of FIRE Wealth Management. Michelle shares insights from her experience in the wealth management industry, offering valuable lessons applicable across different sectors.  As a fee-only certified financial planner, Michelle specializes in serving physicians, dentists, and high-income families with comprehensive planning. Listeners can expect discussions on workflow, process, tech stack, AI, and more as Michelle delves into her journey from a 15-year partnership to launching her own firm. The listener will learn about Michelle Neiswender's journey in the wealth management industry, including her transition to launching her own firm, utilizing workflow, process, tech stack, and AI in her business.  As well as, decision-making process behind launching a new firm, importance of compliance, transition to niche clientele, virtual financial planning, client acquisition strategies, developing workflow project management, personalizing financial planning, managing meetings effectively, running weekly staff meetings, incorporating AI into tech stack, and maximizing returns for accounting firms and CPAs.

On this episode of Growing Your Firm, David Cristello interviews Max Minsker, the founder and CEO of Bookmate, a remote accounting firm. Max shares insights into his journey of establishing Bookmate, focusing on tax returns and bookkeeping services.  The discussion delves into his unique approach to packaging and pricing, highlighting his atypical path to success in the industry. Tune in for valuable insights on building a successful accounting firm. The listener will learn about how Max Minsker founded and runs Bookmate, a remote accounting firm focused on tax preparation for new companies, as well as the atypical path he took to building a successful firm.  

In this episode of the Growing Your Firm podcast, host David Cristello, founder and CEO of Jetpack Workflow, welcomes Laurence Whittam, the Managing Director at Impact Global Solutions. Laurence specializes in helping CPA firms build successful outsourced teams.  The discussion delves into the evolving landscape of the industry, where the challenge is no longer about finding talent but selecting the right fit for each firm.  They explore criteria, best practices, and the importance of building strong relationships with team members. Tune in to gain insights on how to effectively integrate outsourced teams and enhance your firm's performance. Key Takeaways: Importance of knowing and building relationships with your team members. How to assess and select the right outsourced team. Best practices for integrating outsourced teams into your firm. Join David and Laurence for a deep dive into optimizing your firm's approach to outsourcing and team management.

In this engaging conversation, Billy Angelo, a managing partner with over 20 years of accounting expertise, discusses key strategies for navigating the accounting landscape. He delves into the process of offboarding clients to focus on core strengths, emphasizing the balance between revenue and fulfillment. Billy highlights the impact of AI innovations in accounting, showcasing tools that enhance efficiency and creativity. The duo also tackles the challenges of tax season, stressing the importance of effective communication and ethical pricing for strong client relationships.

Today's guest, Seth Fineberg, a veteran in the accounting industry and founder of Accountants Forward, shares insights on how firm leaders can lead by example to move the profession forward. He discusses his career journey and current services, emphasizing the importance of instituting positive practices in the industry. Tune in to learn from Seth's wealth of experience and expertise in shaping the future of accounting. The listener will learn about the importance of firm leaders setting an example, addressing issues in the accounting profession, work-life balance, leadership, managing capacity, structuring business, pricing, diversity and inclusion, salary and compensation, transitioning to advisory services, communication, technology, and healthy debate for business growth. Overall, the episode highlighted work-life balance as a crucial factor in the success and well-being of firm leaders and accounting professionals.

On this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes Cory Gayman, CPA, the CEO/CFO/Founder of JCG Tax & Advisory Firm. Cory shares insights on establishing common ground with entrepreneurs, addressing the accounting talent shortage, improving accounting efficiencies, and navigating the world of virtual firms. Tune in for valuable tips from a firm owner in the trenches. You will learn about the challenges and strategies of balancing pricing, demand for employees, and growth in a CPA firm, as well as the benefits and challenges of acquiring accounting firms as a retirement strategy. Cory is a seasoned entrepreneur and business leader with a wealth of experience in the accounting industry. With a career spanning over nine years, Cory has successfully grown his firm through a combination of organic growth and strategic acquisitions. His firm now boasts seven offices and a team of 45 employees, serving clients across multiple regions.