Pulse of the Practice: Recent Episodes
Will Hill
Join hosts Will Hill and Paul Miller as we have real and relevant conversations around the challenges and opportunities tax and accounting firms are encountering every day. Done with an upbeat tone, we look to provide you with inspiration and actionable ideas to help tackle these challenges and opportunities in your firm. The topics may be endless, but you are sure to hear a mix on client interactions, client engagement, firm process and firm culture. We know you will enjoy, we hope to inspire! Learn more about Practice Forward at http://tax.tr.com/practice-forward
In this episode, we explore the rapidly changing role of artificial intelligence in the tax and accounting profession. What began as simple AI-generated emails and content creation is quickly evolving into agent-based systems capable of performing real work across firm workflows.
Drawing on conversations from industry events and firsthand experiences with firms and clients, we discuss why many believe we're at a major inflection point for AI adoption. Topics include the rise of AI agents, client expectations, the challenges of establishing a reliable "source of truth," and the growing need for governance, testing, and validation as firms automate sensitive processes.
The discussion also tackles one of the profession's biggest questions: How do firms preserve professional judgment and develop future talent when more routine work is handled by AI? From structured versus unstructured data to workflow transformation and client service, this episode examines where AI is delivering value today—and where human expertise remains essential.
Key topics include:
- The transition from AI experimentation to AI-powered workflows
- Why agentic AI could transform tax and advisory services
- Risks of overtrusting AI-generated outputs
- Data security, governance, and quality control concerns
- The role of professional judgment in an AI-enabled future
- How firms can balance automation with client relationships
- What tax season 2027 could look like as AI adoption accelerates
This conversation offers a practical look at the opportunities, challenges, and realities facing firms as AI moves from novelty to necessity.
What happens when life throws the unthinkable your way—and how do you come out stronger on the other side?
In this episode of Pulse of the Practice, hosts Mo Arbas and Paul sit down with John Kriesel—combat veteran, Purple Heart recipient, and renowned speaker—to explore the power of perspective, resilience, and mindset. From surviving a life-altering explosion in Iraq to finding purpose in sharing his story, John brings powerful lessons that resonate far beyond the military.
Together, they connect those lessons to the everyday pressures professionals face—from unexpected challenges and industry change to the stress of “high-stakes” work that can feel overwhelming in the moment.
You’ll hear:
- Why perspective is the most powerful tool for navigating stress
- How to turn “bad days” into manageable ones with intentional mindset
- The importance of planning, preparation, and asking for help
- Practical habits to start your day grounded and focused
- Why what feels like a crisis often isn’t—and how to respond accordingly
This conversation is a reminder that while challenges are inevitable, how we respond is a choice—and choosing the right mindset can change everything.
Recorded live at the Thomson Reuters Advisory Symposium 2026 in Huntington Beach, CA on June 2, 2026, this special live episode of Pulse of the Practice features hosts Paul Miller (founder and owner of Business by Design, a firm specializing in advisory services and tax strategies for small business entrepreneurs) and Mo Arbas (Advisory Services Lead and thought-leadership presenter at Thomson Reuters events, passionate about challenge and change in the advisory space).
In this high-energy, audience-driven session, Paul and Mo tackle the most pressing challenges facing tax and accounting firms right now — and lay out a compelling vision for what's coming next. They walk through a firm life cycle framework built around three concurrent cycles: the client cycle, the firm cycle, and a pre-cycle focused on prospecting — including the often-overlooked reality that your existing clients are prospects too.
The conversation dives deep into three critical observations shaping the future of accounting firms:
- Capacity vs. Complexity — Client and firm complexity is increasing faster than most firms can keep up with, creating a bandwidth crisis that no amount of hustle alone can solve.
- The Knowledge Transfer Problem — Decades of expertise live in people's heads, and there's no easy way to transfer that institutional knowledge to new staff — until now.
- The AI Inflection Point — AI is no longer a future concept. It is actively reshaping firm workflows, and the next wave of agentic AI will bring more advancement in the next six months than the past ten years combined.
Paul and Mo introduce the concept of Client Intelligence and Firm Intelligence — a framework for capturing unstructured conversational data, client context, and firm-specific knowledge to power smarter advisory workflows. They also preview Playbooks inside Ready to Advise, a feature designed to help firms standardize their advisory strategies by client persona, and discuss the vision of being able to speak a proposal into existence — letting AI do 80–90% of the scoping, pricing, and packaging work based on context gathered from real client conversations.
Whether you're a solo practitioner or running a multi-office firm, this episode will challenge you to rethink your firm's life cycle, reclaim lost revenue opportunities, and start building toward a scalable, intelligent advisory practice.
Topics covered:
- Firm and client life cycle frameworks
- Advisory prospecting for new and existing clients
- Bandwidth and capacity challenges in accounting firms
- AI and agentic workflows in tax and accounting
- Client Intelligence vs. Firm Intelligence
- Knowledge transfer and staff training with AI
- Advisory playbooks and client personas
- Speaking a proposal into existence
- Pricing strategy and scope definition
- Ready to Advise product updates
- Thomson Reuters Advisory Symposium 2026
Join Paul Miller and Thomson Reuters Advisory Consultants as they have real and relevant conversations to provide you with inspirational and actionable ideas to move your firm forward — covering leadership, client relationships, firm culture, staffing, technology, and much more.
🎙️ Pulse of the Practice | A Thomson Reuters Podcast | Live from Advisory Symposium 2026, Huntington Beach, CA
A few notes on the choices made here:
- The title leads with the core content themes (Client Intelligence, Firm Intelligence, AI) which are the most searchable and relevant terms for the target audience.
- "LIVE at Advisory Symposium 2026" signals event-specific content, which tends to perform well for community searches.
- The description front-loads the hosts' credentials, then unpacks the episode's value proposition in a structured way that mirrors how podcast platforms and search engines index content.
- The bulleted topic list at the end serves as a keyword-rich tag section that improves discoverability without feeling spammy.
What really happens inside a firm after April 15?
In this episode of Pulse of the Practice, Mo Arbas sits down with Paul Miller of Business by Design for an inside look at what forward-thinking accounting and advisory firms are doing once the tax deadline passes—but before the next one hits.
Paul breaks down how his 23-person firm uses the summer months to focus on what truly drives long-term success: training, standardization, staffing strategy, and technology adoption. They explore why tax returns are no longer “the event,” how firms are shifting bandwidth away from pure technical work and toward client experience, and why non-technical advisory support roles are quickly becoming essential.
You’ll hear practical insights on:
- How modern firms structure teams across client success, advisory, and technical tax roles
- What to look for when hiring non-technical staff—and why curiosity matters more than resumes
- Building a firm-wide “playbook” to replace one-off decision-making
- Why summer is the ideal window for training, internal resets, and process refinement
- How firm leaders should think about AI and technology adoption—and why delegating that responsibility can be a costly mistake
- The growing cost of “doing nothing” as the pace of industry change accelerates
If you’re a small to mid-sized firm owner, partner, or manager who feels busy all year but still wants to build something intentional, this episode is a clear reminder that the work between deadlines may matter most.
In this episode of Pulse of the Practice, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller are joined by Therese "T on the Street" to preview this year's Advisory Symposium in Huntington Beach, California, happening June 2–4. They share what attendees can expect, including more than 40 breakout sessions covering advisory, AI, new technology, and thought leadership, plus appearances from keynote speakers Tom Hood and John Kriesel. The team also highlights the event's live podcast kickoff, networking, and a Beach Boys-themed party that promises to make this year's symposium both insightful and unforgettable.
n this episode of Pulse of the Practice, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller dig into the real-world pressures of tax season — from the grind of long days and missed spring weather to the growing chaos of client document habits. They explore why multitasking is a myth, how time seems to “collapse” in modern firms, and why protecting your schedule has become essential.
But the conversation quickly expands to the bigger shift happening in the profession. Mo and Paul break down how technology, automation, and emerging AI-driven agents are rapidly reshaping tax prep, document handling, staffing needs, and client expectations. They discuss why traditional tax preparation is no longer the “bread and butter,” what firms must standardize to scale, and how the role of the accountant is evolving toward advisory and year‑round financial insight.
It’s an honest, forward‑looking conversation about the pressures firms face today — and the opportunities that lie ahead for those willing to rethink their workflows, client relationships, and service models.
In this episode of Pulse of the Practice, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller dive deep into the real challenges firms face during the busiest part of tax season—from extensions and deadlines to client expectations and team bandwidth. But the conversation quickly expands into something much bigger: how firms can scale smarter by building systems for knowledge sharing, pattern recognition, and staff development.
Mo and Paul explore how recorded meetings, AI tools, and intentional review processes can transform scattered expertise into a firm-wide advantage. They unpack how advisory work follows recognizable patterns, why client interactions often repeat across firms, and how identifying those similarities can dramatically speed up staff training and reduce burnout.
They also discuss:
- Why early, uncomfortable client conversations save time later
- How to use AI recordings to improve—not just document—client meetings
- The difference between memorizing steps and understanding core concepts
- How to build a “client intelligence” library that outlives any single team member
- Why transparency and shared knowledge strengthen firm culture and retention
Packed with insight and practical ideas, this episode connects the dots between workflow efficiency, advisory growth, team development, and long-term scalability.
In this episode of Pulse of the Practice, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller dive deep into what truly keeps an accounting firm running smoothly during tax season—clear processes, intentional workflows, and the right questions asked at the right time. From the realities of client data chaos to the importance of firm-wide standards, Paul breaks down how his multi-team firm handles data intake, “tax-ready” checklists, questionnaires, and internal workflow guardrails.
Mo compares this to the challenges solo practitioners face, sparking a conversation about scaling, staff development, knowledge transfer, and why younger team members learn differently today. The duo also discuss evolving technology, AI-powered knowledge bases, and the importance of documenting firm methodologies—one decision tree at a time.
Whether you’re a firm leader, a growing practitioner, or someone looking to streamline your processes, this episode offers a practical, behind-the-scenes look at building a more efficient, consistent, and scalable practice.
In this episode of Pulse of the Practice, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller sit down with Fady Hawatmeh, founder of Clockwork, to explore what advisory really means in today’s accounting landscape—and what it will take to scale it successfully.
Fady shares the origin story behind Clockwork, why he built an AI‑native FP&A platform from the ground up, and how firms can move from rear‑view reporting to forward‑looking insight. The conversation dives into mindset shifts, why most “AI hype” misses the mark, and how agentic AI will soon function as a true financial planning team—not just a tool.
If you’re an accounting firm looking to modernize advisory services, improve client experience, and understand where AI truly adds value, this episode is packed with practical insight and honest perspective.
In this final episode of the year, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller take a reflective dive into what shaped the accounting profession in 2025 and what’s next. From the reality that uncertainty is permanent to why advisory isn’t just a service line but a mindset shift, they explore leadership bottlenecks, talent challenges, and the evolving role of technology. The conversation also touches on AI’s growing influence, firm sustainability, and how client expectations are changing. And for a fun twist, Mo shares what ChatGPT had to say about their strengths! If you’re looking for insights, laughs, and a roadmap for the future, this episode delivers.
In this episode of Pulse of the Practice, hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller dive into the realities of year-end planning for firms and their clients. They discuss the evolving nature of tax seasons, the importance of standardizing retirement account advice, and how proactive education can help clients make better financial decisions. The conversation covers prioritizing HSA contributions, navigating health insurance options, and the nuances of retirement plans for business owners—with or without employees. Paul shares insights on balancing client goals, whether it’s maximizing tax deductions through retirement accounts or investing in real estate, and emphasizes the value of anticipating client needs rather than simply answering questions. The episode wraps up with practical tips for closing the loop on planning decisions and highlights the difference between reactive and proactive advisory.
Is the accounting talent shortage your biggest problem—or your biggest opportunity? In this episode of Pulse of the Practice (2025, E19), hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller sit down with L. Gary Boomer—founder, visionary, and strategist at Boomer Consulting—to unpack how AI, advisory services, and a new business model will redefine CPA firms by 2026.
Boomer explains why the next five years could deliver a century's worth of technology change, and how firm leaders can turn anxiety and burnout into momentum with mindset, purpose, and process. You'll learn the concrete steps to move from compliance to high‑value advisory, ditch the hour‑based model for results‑driven pricing, and build an Agenic Workforce that scales expertise with AI "agents," staff‑on‑demand, and fractional C‑suite talent.
What you'll learn:
- How to pivot from tax/audit compliance to recurring, scalable Client Advisory Services (CAS) clients actually value
- The business case for value pricing vs. billable hours—and why clients buy outcomes, not time
- The EXO (Exponential Organizations) framework applied to CPA firms: staff‑on‑demand, community, algorithms, and more
- Boomer's prediction for 2026: why the "labor shortage" worry will be replaced by super‑workers augmented by AI
- A practical talent strategy: onboard grads directly into advisory, use coaching (not just mentoring), and implement the 3×3 relationship rule
- Tech you can use now: AI note‑taking/meeting tools (Fathom/Otter) and Google's NotebookLM for knowledge capture, training, and faster knowledge transfer
- How to clean data, document processes, and build internal knowledge bases so AI actually works
- The leadership shift: set a massively transformative purpose (MTP), align clients and staff to your vision, and create a cadence of continuous improvement
If you're a managing partner, CAS leader, or firm owner ready to modernize your practice, this conversation is your roadmap to healthier margins, happier teams, and stickier client relationships.
Subscribe for more practical playbooks on modern firm leadership, AI adoption, CAS growth, and pricing strategy—and share this episode with a partner who's still billing by the hour.
Keywords: accounting firm transformation, CPA firm strategy, Client Advisory Services, CAS, AI in accounting, accounting burnout, talent shortage accounting, value pricing for CPAs, Boomer Consulting, Gary Boomer, EXO framework, Agenic Workforce, NotebookLM, meeting AI tools, fractional CFO/COO/CIO, accounting firm processes, shift from compliance to advisory
Mo and Paul interview Andrew McCracken live on-site at SYNERGY 2025 in Orlando, Florida, to learn what it's like to put a conference of this magnitude together.
Step into the vibrant atmosphere of the Synergy Users Conference with this special “Neighborhood Walk Through” episode of Pulse of the Practice. Hosts take you behind the scenes, capturing the energy, candid conversations, and diverse perspectives that make this event unique.
From advisor bootcamp reflections to spontaneous chats with attendees and vendors, the episode explores how firms are embracing innovation, leveraging AI, and tackling real-world challenges in tax and advisory workflows. Hear firsthand how peer-to-peer learning, product feedback, and intentional change are shaping the future of the industry.
Whether it’s finding the “golden ticket” to new efficiencies, sharing a laugh over conference quirks, or discussing the importance of carving out time for innovation, this episode delivers a lively, insightful look at what happens when professionals come together to recharge, connect, and spark new ideas.
Episode description (120–180 words): Cybersecurity is no longer optional for tax and accounting firms. In this episode, hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller are joined by Steve Ferguson (Protection Plus) to break down what really keeps practices safe—and operating—when threats hit. They cover why small firms are prime targets, how phishing and AI‑driven scams fool even savvy teams, and why MFA alone isn't enough as zero trust becomes the new standard. Steve explains must‑have protections, including cyber insurance with breach response, plus the role of a written information security plan (WISP) required by FTC/IRS guidance. You'll hear real‑world stories—from kiosk‑seeded refund diversions to gift‑card cons—and practical steps for training staff, reducing liability, and responding fast to limit damage. If you handle client data, this conversation is your playbook for Cybersecurity Awareness Month and beyond.
On this episode of Pulse of the Practice, hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller get candid about the real trade‑offs between remote, hybrid, and in‑office work—especially inside tax and accounting firms. Fresh off the Oct 15 deadline push, they unpack client "last‑minute" realities, staff learning curves, and why knowledge transfer, mentorship, and relationship building often accelerate when people share the same room.
Mo and Paul compare what's truly efficient remotely vs. what benefits from in‑person energy—brainstorming, training juniors, managing tough client conversations, and developing the advisory mindset that AI can't replace. They also discuss how shifting routine work to AI raises the bar on human skills: collaboration, judgment, and leadership.
Takeaways:
- When hybrid beats remote (and why RTO is resurging)
- Turning deadline chaos into repeatable process improvements
- Making mentorship intentional so juniors level up faster
- The human edge in an AI‑accelerated firm
If you enjoyed this episode, follow/subscribe and share with a colleague. Got a topic you want Mo and Paul to cover? Send it our way.
Keywords/tags: accounting firm management, hybrid work accounting, return to office 2025, tax deadline October 15, knowledge transfer accounting, mentorship in firms, staff training CPA firm, client management tax practice, AI in accounting 2025, advisory services development, remote vs in‑office productivity, brainstorming in person, culture in accounting firms, process improvement busy season, workload compression tax, professional development CPAs, leadership in public accounting, talent retention accounting, small firm competitiveness, Detroit accounting conversation, Business by Design firm insights, Pulse of the Practice podcast
In this Pulse of the Practice conversation, Paul Miller unpacks why the best “tax planning season” is all year long—not just Q4. With many firm initiatives already targeting 2026, Paul shares how leading firms translate today’s client conversations into concrete capacity, revenue, and staffing plans for the next 12–24 months.
Key takeaways:
- Listen for life‑event signals. Clients rarely say “I need an exit plan.” They hint at transitions—succession, burnout, relocation, health, or market shifts. Train your team to hear those cues and start planning early.
- Valuation isn’t a finish line; it’s a starting point. Regularly benchmark the business so owners can align pricing, client mix, and structure with their eventual exit timeline.
- Make planning continuous. Replace last‑minute Q4 models with a cadence of mini‑check‑ins that combine numbers with narrative: goals for the next 1–5 years, risk tolerance, and capacity constraints—both client and firm‑side.
- Charge for strategy with confidence. Longstanding relationships don’t make advisory “free.” Clarify scope, package outcomes (e.g., exit readiness, tax savings roadmap, sale prep), and communicate the value long before a transaction looms.
- Redesign roles for impact. Shift staff from “cranking numbers” to managing relationships and discovery. The result: better insights, earlier interventions, and more profitable engagements.
- Think 2026 now. If 75% of your big projects already point to 2026, formalize forecasts, staffing plans, and pricing updates today.
Whether your clients are five years from a sale or just exploring growth options, this episode shows how to move from reactive calculations to proactive advisory—without awkward money talks.
Timestamps
- 00:00 Intro and why planning sneaks up on firms
- 03:55 Why 2026 planning starts today
- 06:45 Spotting exit triggers in normal conversations
- 11:15 Numbers vs. life events: bringing both into planning
- 16:15 Pricing advisory in long‑term relationships
- 20:25 When to discuss valuation (and how often)
- 24:20 Turning staff into relationship managers
Keywords (primary/secondary/long‑tail) Primary: year‑round tax planning, advisory services for accounting firms, business valuation, exit planning, 2026 firm planning Secondary: CPA firm capacity planning, client discovery, pricing advisory, scope management, relationship management, revenue projections Long‑tail: how to price advisory for long‑term clients, signs a business is ready to sell, continuous tax planning vs Q4, training staff for client advisory, building a 2026 capacity plan
In this episode of "Pulse of the Practice," hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller dive deep into the latest tax law updates impacting accounting and tax firms as we approach the fourth quarter of 2025. Discover practical strategies for communicating key legislative changes—like the expiration of the clean vehicle credit, updates to renewable energy incentives, R&D credit modifications, QBID (Section 199A), and bonus depreciation—with your clients. Learn how to break down complex information into digestible video announcements and distinguish between goodwill communications and billable advisory work.
Mo and Paul offer actionable insights on how firms can stay ahead by proactively addressing client needs, leveraging new tax planning opportunities, and maintaining confidence in an ever-evolving regulatory landscape. Whether you're managing busy extension deadlines or looking to optimize your advisory services, this episode is packed with best practices, real-world examples, and expert guidance to ensure your clients are informed and your firm is prepared for the year ahead.
Tune in to keep your finger on the pulse of tax law changes, maximize client value, and position your practice for success in 2025 and beyond!
Keywords:
2025 tax law changes, accounting firm advisory, clean vehicle credit expiration, renewable energy tax credits, R&D credit update, Section 199A, QBID extension, bonus depreciation, tax planning strategies, client communication, proactive tax advisory, small business tax updates, IRS guidance, accounting best practices, tax legislation, extension deadlines, business tax credits, firm workflow optimization, tax compliance, tax advisory services, podcast for accountants
In this insightful episode of Pulse of the Practice, hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller reconnect to discuss the ever-evolving landscape of tax law changes and the impact on accounting practices. With recent travel and busy schedules behind them, Mo and Paul dive deep into how firms can proactively adapt to new legislation, including the "big beautiful bill" and its implications for tax credits, child tax exemptions, overtime income, and more.
Listeners will gain actionable advice on how to stay ahead of regulatory updates, optimize tax planning strategies for clients, and effectively communicate changes through targeted content like short, topic-specific videos. The hosts explore the importance of advisory services, the evolving roles within accounting teams, and how firms can build trust and demonstrate value beyond compliance work.
Key topics include:
- The importance of proactive client communication in light of legislative changes
- Strategies for team readiness and workflow optimization
- Leveraging video content for client education on tax law updates
- Advisory vs. compliance: transitioning to value-added services
- Real-world scenarios for maximizing deductions, credits, and filing status optimization
- Building client trust and engagement for future advisory relationships
- Managing documentation and staff responsibilities as laws evolve
- Planning ahead for 2025, 2026, and beyond
Whether you’re a firm owner, tax professional, or team member, this episode delivers practical insights to help your practice thrive amid change and position itself as a trusted advisory partner.
Keywords: tax law changes, tax advisory, accounting firm strategies, tax credits, child tax credit, overtime income, compliance vs advisory, client communication, tax planning, proactive advisory, accounting workflow, staff optimization, tax deduction strategies, tax exemption, client engagement, financial advisory services, accounting team roles, regulatory updates, pulse of the practice, tax legislation, tax return planning, 2025 tax changes, 2026 tax changes, short-form video marketing, client education, CPA firm best practices
In this insightful episode of "Pulse of the Practice," hosts Mall Harbor and Paul sit down with Kevin Stewart, a seasoned CPA and second-generation firm owner, to discuss the journey from traditional compliance work to an advisory-driven practice. Kevin shares candid stories of taking over his father's firm, scaling to 55 employees, and confronting the overwhelming "hamster wheel" of accounting work. He reveals the pivotal moments that inspired a shift towards a value-based, client-focused advisory model and the challenges and triumphs encountered along the way.
Listeners will learn how Kevin successfully implemented new strategies, tackled the fear of change, and built a legacy-focused firm that empowers the next generation—including his own daughter. The conversation delves into practical tips for CPA firm owners: moving away from giving away free advice, building effective teams, protecting time for strategic work, and transitioning existing clients to a more profitable model.
Whether you’re a solo practitioner or a firm leader looking to modernize your accounting practice, this episode is packed with real-world advice on working "on" your business, not just "in" it. Discover how to escape the cycle of being “too busy,” embrace change, and create a firm culture centered on deeper client relationships and sustainable growth.
In this insightful episode of Practice Pulse, host Mo sits down with industry veterans Paul and John for a candid conversation live from the Nashville Partner Summit. Together, they dive deep into the realities of modern accounting practice, addressing common challenges, the power of peer support, and actionable strategies for firm transformation.
John, a CPA with 35 years of experience, shares his personal journey—discussing the pressures of running a firm, the impact of constant change in the industry, and the importance of staff engagement. Mo and Paul guide the discussion through practical advice on improving client communication, managing workflow, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Listeners will discover:
- The top three challenges accounting firms face today
- How to initiate meaningful change within your team
- Strategies for client communication and expectation management
- The value of stepping outside your comfort zone for professional growth
- Why attending industry summits can catalyze transformation for your firm
Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a new firm leader, this episode offers relatable stories, expert insights, and motivating takeaways to help you take your practice to the next level.
keywords: accounting, CPA, practice management, firm leadership, team building, client communication, change management, Nashville Partner Summit, professional growth, workflow optimization, staff engagement, accounting conference, Practice Forward, firm transformation, Mo, Paul Miller, John, accounting challenges, business development, accounting podcast, accounting industry trends
Join us for a dynamic live episode of “Pulse of the Practice” from the 2025 Advisory Symposium in Miami! Hosts Mo and Paul kick off with lively banter, audience engagement, and a look behind the scenes at the evolution of their own professional journeys. This special session dives into the rapid pace of innovation and adaptation in various industries, spotlighting the transformation of Amazon from humble beginnings to global powerhouse. Discover how Amazon’s relentless drive for innovation—and its willingness to learn from failures—offers valuable lessons for the accounting and tax advisory profession.
Hear from special guest Elizabeth Bystrom, President of Tax at Thomson Reuters, who shares insights into the launch of the groundbreaking “Ready to Advise” platform. Elizabeth discusses the importance of client relationships, the transition from transactional services to strategic advisory, and how AI and automation are reshaping the future of tax practices. The episode also features interactive games, audience prizes, and shout-outs to sponsors like Protection Plus.
Whether you’re a tax professional, accountant, or business leader looking to stay ahead of industry trends, this episode offers actionable strategies, innovation milestones, and a look at the next wave of advisory technology. Don’t miss this fun, insightful, and forward-thinking conversation that will inspire you to embrace change and lead your practice into the future!
Key Topics Covered:
- The evolution and innovation journey of Amazon and its impact on client expectations
- How disruption in the retail industry provides lessons for the accounting profession
- The importance of continuous innovation in tax and accounting services
- Introduction to Thomson Reuters’ “Ready to Advise” platform and its benefits
- Leveraging AI and automation to enhance efficiency and client relationships
- Overcoming resistance to change and embracing technology in professional services
- Live audience interaction, prize giveaways, and more!
Keywords: tax advisory, accounting innovation, Amazon business case, industry disruption, Thomson Reuters, Ready to Advise, tax technology, AI in accounting, automation, client relationships, tax practice growth, CPA evolution, professional services trends, accounting symposium
Summary
In this episode, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller discuss the recent Partner Summit and the evolving landscape of advisory services in the accounting industry. They reflect on the challenges firms face, including pricing strategies, client relationships, and the impact of AI. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding client perspectives and the need for firms to adapt to changing market conditions while maintaining strong relationships with clients.
Takeaways
- AI is becoming a crucial part of advisory services.
- Firms are facing challenges with pricing and client expectations.
- Building confidence in pricing changes is essential for firms.
- Legacy clients can be difficult to transition away from.
- Communication with clients about changes is vital.
- Customization in services can lead to unsustainable practices.
- The accounting industry must evolve to remain competitive.
- Understanding client perspectives can improve relationships.
- Firms need to balance legacy clients with new business models.
- Sustainability in business practices is a growing concern.
Keywords: partner summit, advisory services, client relationships, legacy clients, business sustainability, change management, AI in accounting, pricing strategies, firm evolution, client communication
Summary
In this episode, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller engage with Trisha Floyd, a CPA firm owner, discussing her journey in transitioning from traditional accounting to advisory services. Trisha shares insights on the importance of client education, building trust, and the integration of wealth management into CPA practices. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of the service industry and the opportunities for CPAs to provide higher levels of service and support to their clients.
Takeaways
- Trisha Floyd emphasizes the importance of client education in advisory services.
- Building trust is crucial for CPAs to effectively offer wealth management.
- The integration of wealth management into CPA practices can enhance client relationships.
- Understanding client needs goes beyond tax returns; it's about holistic financial planning.
- Trisha's firm aims to provide customized plans for clients of all ages.
- The service industry is evolving, with a growing demand for comprehensive financial services.
- CPAs can leverage their expertise to offer higher levels of service and support.
- Effective communication and asking the right questions can uncover additional client needs.
- The future of advisory services lies in the ability to adapt and provide tailored solutions.
- Trisha is excited about the potential of marrying CPA services with wealth management.
Keywords: CPA, advisory services, wealth management, client education, financial planning, trust, client relationships, service industry, tax planning, financial advisory
Summary
In this conversation, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller discuss the evolving landscape of advisory services in the accounting and tax industry. They reflect on their recent experiences at a conference, the importance of understanding what advisory truly means, and the challenges firms face in delivering value to clients. The discussion highlights the need for structured advisory services, the role of technology, and the importance of client relationships. They also touch on the future of advisory services and the necessity for firms to adapt to changing client expectations.
Takeaways
- Advisory services are becoming increasingly important in the accounting industry.
- There is a need for clarity in what advisory services entail.
- Firms must evolve their client relationships to provide more value.
- Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing advisory services.
- Clients are looking for proactive solutions rather than reactive ones.
- Understanding client needs is essential for delivering effective advisory services.
- The advisory landscape is broad and requires firms to define their niche.
- Private equity is recognizing the potential in the advisory space.
- Firms should focus on structured processes for delivering advisory services.
- The future of advisory will involve more collaboration and integration of services.
Keywords: advisory services, client relationships, tax advisory, accounting, technology, client expectations, business transformation, private equity, consulting, financial planning
Summary
In this episode, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller engage with Michael Foguth, a prominent figure in the financial services industry. They discuss Michael's journey into financial services, the importance of tax planning, current trends in wealth management, and the role of AI in enhancing client relationships. The conversation emphasizes the need for collaboration between financial advisors and tax professionals to provide comprehensive services to clients. Michael shares insights on how to educate clients about financial strategies and the future of advisory services in a rapidly changing landscape.
Takeaways
- Michael Foguth's journey into financial services was inspired by personal experiences with financial literacy.
- The importance of tax planning is often overlooked in favor of tax preparation.
- AI will enhance efficiency in financial services but will not replace the human element.
- Collaboration between financial advisors and tax professionals is crucial for client success.
- Clients need to understand the value of financial strategies beyond just costs.
- Financial literacy should be a priority in education to empower individuals.
- The future of financial advisory services lies in integrating various financial services for clients.
- Understanding client emotions is key to effective financial advising.
- The financial services industry is evolving, and firms must adapt to stay relevant.
- Planning for taxes should be a year-round process, not just at tax time.
Keywords
financial services, wealth management, tax planning, Michael Foguth, AI in finance, collaboration, financial literacy, retirement planning, advisory services, family office
Summary
In this conversation, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller discuss the complexities of client management in the advisory sector, emphasizing the importance of proactive engagement and understanding the annual client cycle. They explore the challenges of balancing technology with client needs, the significance of routine communication, and the necessity of shifting mindsets regarding tax preparation. The discussion highlights strategies for building successful client relationships and managing expectations throughout the year.
Takeaways
- Technology can be a double-edged sword in client management.
- Learning to say no is crucial for prioritizing tasks.
- Client relationships are ongoing and require continuous engagement.
- Tax filing should be a routine part of a larger process.
- Proactive communication can prevent last-minute rushes.
- Understanding the annual client cycle is essential for effective management.
- Routine check-ins can alleviate end-of-year stress.
- Clients often view tax preparation as just another step in the process.
- Effective client management requires clear scope and engagement definitions.
- Building a knowledge base can enhance client communication and service.
Keywords: technology, client management, annual cycle, proactive engagement, communication, tax preparation, client relationships, advisory services, workflow, business strategy
In this conversation, Mo and Paul discuss the challenges of navigating tax season, the evolving nature of client engagements, and the generational shifts in client expectations. They explore the role of meetings in client relationships, emphasizing the need for effective communication and understanding client dynamics. The discussion highlights the importance of adapting to new client behaviors and the necessity of balancing traditional practices with modern expectations.
- Navigating tax season can be challenging but rewarding.
- Younger clients often prefer electronic communication over in-person meetings.
- Generational shifts are changing client expectations in the tax industry.
- Meetings should focus on knowledge transfer rather than routine tasks.
- Clients today are more dismissive of their financial responsibilities.
- Effective communication is key to understanding client needs.
- Legacy clients may require different engagement strategies than new clients.
- The role of technology in client interactions is increasingly important.
- Firms must adapt to changing client dynamics to remain competitive.
- Team collaboration is essential in managing client relationships.
Keywords: tax season, client engagement, generational shifts, meetings, client dynamics, tax returns, electronic communication, legacy clients, firm culture, client expectations
In this episode, Mo and Paul discuss the evolving landscape of advisory services in the context of AI and technology. They explore how AI tools like ChatGPT are being integrated into client interactions, the importance of maintaining a human element in advisory roles, and the future implications for professionals in the industry. The conversation highlights the need for advisors to adapt to changing client expectations and the potential for AI to enhance, rather than replace, the advisory relationship.
- AI is becoming increasingly efficient in client interactions.
Advisors must focus on implementation, not just information. - The human element in advisory services remains crucial.
Clients are using AI for financial advice more frequently.
Advisory roles will evolve with technology advancements. - AI can serve as a valuable tool for advisors.
Understanding client needs is essential in a tech-driven world. - The pace of change in the industry is accelerating.
Advisors should embrace AI to enhance their services.
Starting to use AI tools can lead to significant efficiencies.
Paul and Mo discuss how important it is to reset a client relationship and provide tips on how to do that on a regular basis.
It's bittersweet moment as Paul and Mo reflect on key moments this year and what they're looking forward to in 2025.
Paul and Mo discuss the new AI-powered tech with Ready to Advise during Thomson Reuters SYNERGY.
Paul and Mo are joined by Adrian Johnson, Chief Product Officer with SafeSend. They discuss how the use of technology has helped many firms address challenges within their workflow, both on the front-end and on the back-end, and how this is an ongoing evolution and growth.
Paul and Mo are joined by Michael Horwitz, Executive Director of BDO Alliance USA. They discuss recent trends in the profession, challenges, and opportunities.
Paul and Mo have a casual conversation about tax deadline, challenging relationships, evaluating and grading those relationships, and how to communicate scope changes to clients.
In this week's episode, Paul and Mo are joined by Brady Lievens, Chief Revenue Officer with Protection Plus. They discuss notices and audits and how Protection Plus partners with, and offers Tax and Accounting firms defense services.
In this week's episode, Mo goes back in time.. into the school days, and asks Paul about student loans and tax and planning stragies.
Paul and Mo are joined by Thomas J (TJ) Sabotka, Managing Partner of O'Brien Shortle Reynolds & Sabotka, PC. TJ shares his firm's journey, acquisitions, and how being the leader of change and having a coaching mindset are both important contributors to his success.
In this week's episode, Paul and Mo are joined by Tim Petrey, the CEO of HD Growth Partners. They have a discussion around the challenges and opportunities in the past, the current, and the future accounting firm.
Paul and Mo go LIVE from Carlsbad, CA during the Thomson Reuters annual Advisory Symposium, interacting with a live audience for the first time, and bringing them an exciting conversation with Tom Hood, CPA, CITP, CGMA. Tom is currently the EVP Business Growth & Engagement for AICPA-CIMA and the Business Learning Institute. He was named in the top three most influential people in accounting by Accounting Today Magazine for the eleventh year. His focus is elevating and accelerating the role of CPAs and CGMAs in corporate and management accounting.
To guilt or not to guilt! In this week's episode, Paul and Mo have a discussion on a specific prospective client situation, and the conflict between the feeling of guilt and the right time to say No.
Paul and Mo are joined by Nathan Nelson, Attorney and Co-Founder of Virtus Law, as they have a part 2 discussion around the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting rules and managing client information.
Paul and Mo have a discussion around their experience of the first Partner Summit in 2024! They recall some highlights from the event and how the mindset of many peers in the profession has shifted into understanding advisory and realizing value.
Paul and Mo have a discussion about the IRS ramping up its enforcement efforts and the operating plans for more audits. They also discuss initiatives that could be done to make sure clients have all their paperwork in order.
What do firms do after the April deadline? Other than maintenance work, do firms have a retrospective, staff development plan, key initiatives, etc.? In this week's episode, Paul and Mo discuss post deadline development and initiatives.
In this week's episode, Paul and Mo have a discussion around deadlines and the unnessary stress that it brings sometimes, and how to manage that between staff and clients.
In this week's special episode… what makes it special you ask? They're on video! Paul talks about a common client relationship challenge when other professionals are involved in a transaction.
In this week's episode, Paul and Mo are joined by Julia Hampton, CPA. They discuss client and staffing challenges, and the importance of change and thinking different for a better work life balance.
This week, Paul and Mo are joined by Bryan Amberg, Business Advisory Consultant with Thomson Reuters Professional Services, and hear his perspective and experience working with firms in an advisory capacity.
Paul and Mo are joined by Brad Tafoya with Tafoya, Barrett, and Associates in Durango, CO. They discuss firm challenges with staffing and bandwidth, and how Brad was able to overcome those challenges by implementing advisory first mindset.
In this week's episode, Paul and Mo are joined by Nick Magone, with Magone & Company in New Jersey. Nick shares insight on how building confidence, taking time to understand client needs, and starting even when uncomfortable, are all important factors in allowing him to keep growing his firm and moving forward in his journey.
In this week's episode, Paul and Mo are joined by Jennifer DeJesus with DeJesus & Associates PC. Jennifer shares her experience running a small accounting firm and how change is implemented with family only working at the firm.
Paul and Mo have a discussion around financial advisors shifting to tax planning and how that could impact the profession.
And just like that… 2024 is here! Paul and Mo are back at it to check on the pulse of the practice.
Paul and Mo have a lot to catch up on! This week they share their thoughts on trends from the last couple of events they've been to.
Paul and Mo have a discussion around trends in the profession and possible steps we can take to address some of the challenges.
This week Paul and Mo are joined by Nathan Nelson, Attorney and Co-Founder of Virtus Law, to discuss the beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting rules.
Paul and Mo have a discussion around new staff expectations, flexible work environments, hybrid/remote, and more.
This week Paul and Mo talk about client onboarding; the initial phase of internal client onboarding, the client facing advisory onboarding, and the next phase of client onboarding to ensure value recognition and measure success and progress in the relationship.
Paul and Mo have a discussion around deadlines, both internal and external, and managing client relationship and expectations.
Paul and Mo have a discussion around re-establishing the future ideal client persona to work with.
| This week Paul and Mo are joined by Trisha Floyd, CPA, owner of Ramos & Floyd CPA's LLC. Trisha takes us through her journey of buying an accounting firm, analyzing her book of business, and implementing advisory services to drive profitability. |
Paul and Mo have a discussion about navigating a simple client question that includes a complex tax and planning component, along with positioning the value of the service offering.
This week Paul and Mo are joined by Sharon Macke and William Macke with Macke & Company, CPAs. They talk about their journey and the moment they realized change needs to happen, all the way to where they are today and their ongoing advisory journey.
Paul and Mo have a discussion about their experience during 2023 Advisory Symposium in Marco Island, FL.
This week Paul and Mo are joined by Nathan Nelson, Attorney and Co-Founder of Virtus Law, to discuss the importance of partnerships between accounting firms and law firms.
There are several phases and factors to be considered when managing the firing process. Paul and Mo discuss firing people- internal (staff) and external (clients).
This week Paul and Mo are joined by Lisa Tierney, senior manager with Thomson Reuters Professional Services. They discuss managing people, making tough decisions in critical moments, taking calculated risks, and different leadership styles.
Paul and Mo have a discussion about the ongoing issue of finding qualified staff, attracting new talent, and strategies to implement to fill in the gap and needs of a firm.
This week Paul and Mo are joined by Chris Papin, owner of Papin CPA. They learn about how his role as an advisor has changed and evolved in his journey, and what he is doing today to lead the firm and his client relationships.
Paul and Mo have a discussion about IRS's pilot for a free tax system, new technology and AI, and how this is all relevant to the tax and accounting profession and their future client.
Paul and Mo are joined by Brittany Lanphier with Lanphier, LLP and Therese Witherow, Principal Trainer at Thomson Reuters Professional Services. They discuss what Advisory Symposium is all about and what attendees should look forward to at this annual event.
Paul and Mo have a discussion around pricing the client relationship, fee increases and objections, and value proposition.
Paul and Mo are joined by Mark Marukovich with Business Advisory and Accounting Partners. They look into Mark's journey; what it was like for him when he started vs. what's it like for him today.
Paul and Mo are joined by Dave Fischer and Lera Cooper with Accountability Services. They discuss the importance of firm culture, trust, transparency, communication, and leadership when it comes to mergers and acquisitions.
Paul and Mo discuss hot topics that are happening right now and some real client expectations and discussions need to happen.
Paul and Mo have a discussion around the annual ceremony of receiving client information and how to make that process efficient and uneventful.
Clients who bring stress to the firm during the busiest time, how can you be proactive with them now? Paul and Mo discuss setting the client pace for this tax season.
This week Paul and Mo have a discussion regarding prospects, ideal client, and why defining and following the process is important.
And just like that… 2023 is here! Paul and Mo have a chat about key learnings from 2022 and things to consider for 2023.
Thank you so much for being a constant listener to our podcast! We are taking a short break as the holidays approach. We wish you all the happiest and safest holiday season, and we will be back soon in 2023!
Paul and Mo are joined by Dave Fischer and Lera Cooper with Accountability Services. They talk about the mindset shift when it comes to working with the ideal client today and how that is different from the one of yesterday.
| Protecting client information and protecting your firm is the main topic of discussion with Jim Robnett, current Executive Director for Market Development and Project Management at Madison Associates, Inc and former Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigation (CI) for the Internal Revenue Service. |
| Paul and Mo are joined by Michael Butrica, CPA - Founder and Principal of Butrica Ployd & Associates. They discuss value proposition strategies, communicating that value, and handling client objections. |
Paul and Mo are joined by Heather Sunderlin, a business advisory consultant with Thomson Reuters Professional Services. They discuss Quiet Quitting. Although the term has gone viral through social media recently, the concept and aspects of quiet quitting existed in the workplace for much longer.
Or Finding New Revenue?! Paul and Mo have a discussion regarding finding new revenue, how to have those conversations with existing clients, and how scope place a role into it.
Paul and Mo talk about defining your ideal client and who you want to work with. They discuss how this should be an essential part of finding your next new client.
Paul and Mo are joined by Jody Grunden, co-founder of Summit CPA Group and together they discuss Virtual CFO Services and what a typical client engagement looks like for those services. They also talk about forecasting and KPIs.
Paul and Mo are joined by Ernie Villany, Founder and President of Boulder Valley CPAs. They disucss firm culture, why it's important, and the components that make up the shared core values of an organization.
Tracking time and keeping timesheets have always been a hot topic, and for years we hear arguments for and against what has always been an essential part of an accounting firm. Paul and Mo have a discussion on this topic and bring staff productivity, efficiency, and the impact all of this has on a client relationship.
Tracking time and keeping timesheets have always been a hot topic, and for years we hear arguments for and against what has always been an essential part of an accounting firm. Paul and Mo have a discussion on this topic and bring staff productivity, efficiency, and the impact all of this has on a client relationship.
Paul and Mo have a timely conversation about the potential impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on client relationships and advisory services.
Paul and Mo have a timely conversation about the potential impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on client relationships and advisory services.
Paul and Mo are joined by Meg Balestrieri, a business advisory consultant with Thomson Reuters Professional Services. They talk change; why change is important, when to implement change, and how to execute change.
Paul and Mo are joined by Meg Balestrieri, a business advisory consultant with Thomson Reuters Professional Services. They talk change; why change is important, when to implement change, and how to execute change.
In this episode, Paul and Mo talk about year-end planning and it's challenges. They discuss the importance of making it part of an ongoing planning strategy in a client relationship.
Paul and Mo invite Lisa Tierney and Therese Witherow as they have a conversation about Thomson Reuters Advisory Symposium. They discuss why it’s important to have an all advisory conference, what this conference is all about, and their experience during the event.
This week Paul introduces Mo Arbas, Senior Business Advisory Consultant with Thomson Reuters Professional Services. Mo Arbas will be the new cohost alongside Paul in this new and re-imagined Pulse of the Practice podcast.
This week Will or Paul mention lyrics from Boyz II Men….which one will it be? Why would they do that? Listen in as we chat about trends that have moved over the past 3 years, and those that have persisted.
This week Will and Paul are joined by Donny Shimamoto, the Founder and Managing Director of Intraprise TechKnowledgies. We discuss things to look at in terms of evaluating technology, and get into looking at the client experience as it relates to the technology in play with your firm. We hope you enjoy this conversation, and find an idea or two!
With the deadline in the rearview mirror, Will and Paul talk about capitalizing on the opportunities uncovered during tax season.
This week Paul and Will discuss the topic of inflation. While often discussed in terms of personal spending, what does this mean for the firm owner? What does it mean for your conversations with clients? We hope you get some great value from this conversation.
This week Will and Paul discuss the importance of focusing past 4/15 for the sake of your team. Yes, we know that April 15th hasn’t occurred yet – but what could be the benefit of firm owners putting their eyes downfield and involving their team even while still busy?
This week Will and Paul are joined by Rachel Clark, the Client Services Director for All About Accounting. Hear how this firm discovered their client niche, and uses it for their advantage in qualifying new leads.
Paul and Will are joined this week by Terrell Turner. Terrell shares his unique story – but also his unique approach. Listen in on how sharing knowledge was – and is – a key to the growth of his young firm. We are certain you will enjoy this conversation, and hopeful you will get some inspiration. You can learn more about Terrell by visiting https://www.tlturnergroup.com/.
This week Will and Paul discuss the topic of where to focus – tools or staffing? While often conversation goes to ranking or prioritizing these two items which compete for our attention, what if a different approach is in order? Listen in, perhaps a new thought process for you.
This week Will and Paul are joined by David Snider, Founder and CEO of Harness Wealth and Harness Tax. David brings some great insight into helping your clients who are building some, or all, of their wealth through equity. Listen in for some great insight into the mindset of that customer, and how you can better get in front of their key decisions.
To learn more about Harness Wealth, visit https://www.harnesswealth.com/.
This week Will and Paul are joined by Majaliwa Bass. While Majaliwa does work at Thomson Reuters, she also owns a successful small business on the side. Hear about her frustration with a prior accountant and success with her current accountant. She discusses her cry for help, and how the former CPA missed that cry. If you are in the market for cloth diapers, you can learn more about her business here: https://pootersdiapers.com/.
While we managed to avoid some major December legislative changes for tax season, there are still many things to keep an eye on! Shaun Hunley, Senior Editor with Checkpoint, joins the show to discuss some of these items. You can also follow Shaun on Twitter: @shaunhunley.
Paul shares with Will (and all of you!) some of his focus areas around client expectations as we dive into this intense time of year. We hope you will snag some tips for your firm and clients too!
Is it 2022 already? This week Paul and Will chat about what 2022 will hold for the business of accounting firms. We won’t go as far as to really call these predictions – but perhaps things to consider as you step forward.
Will and Paul sit down with Carlos Guaman, founder and owner of El Triunfo, https://www.eltriunfo.com/, to talk about his evolution of services. Listen in as Carlos talks about letting his learning of client needs drive his next steps in both services and operations.
This week Will and Paul revisit their predictions made last December about 2021. Were they right? Were they so general in their predictions, that these predictions were useless? You be the judge!
Recently both Paul and Will attended different in person conferences, and share what conversations seem to be the most prevalent.
This week Will and Paul are joined by Vincent Howard, the Chief Disruption Officer of Howard, Howard and Hodges. Vince shares a unique role found in their firm, the client onboarding specialist. Perhaps this type of role would serve your firm well also?
Kelly Rohrs, founder of K Rohrs CPA, brings the youthful perspective of firm ownership to this week’s episode. Listen to her story of launching her firm, and her perspective as a young firm owner differing from the generation before her.
This week Paul shares his strategies around year end planning meetings. Snag some new ideas and renewed excitement for this important client contact time.
If you like high energy, then don’t miss this fun conversation with Aimee LaLiberte – Chief Number Cruncher at My Virtual CFO. Aimee share with Will and Paul about working with clients to clarify (and often even define) their goals.
This week Will and Paul are joined by Rick Sager, owner of Sager CPA and Advisors, who shares his firm story. Listen in to hear how a full transition to focusing on advisory relationships with his clients completely turned around his firm, and is providing impact to not only him and his employees – but his clients as well.
This week Paul shares with Will (and you, the audience!) the area of emphasis his firm is going after to take more control of the production processes and remove client barriers from slowing things down. While still a work in process, we hope this conversation will inspire related ideas and forward motion for your firm.
This week Will and Paul are glad to welcome Joe Sanok to the show. Joe is a therapist, who now does consulting helping other counselors and therapists more effectively run their private practices. Joe is the host of the podcast “Practice of the Practice” and is a 5 time author. His latest book, Thursday is the new Friday, is set for release on October 5, 2021. On this episode we talk about shifting your emphasis from having to be the one to do it all, and the mental shift needed to focus less on simply crushing billable hours. You can read more, and order the book here: https://joesanok.com/
This week Will and Paul welcome Sharon Means, COO of Redmond Accounting. Sharon serves as full time integrator in her firm, and the role of part time integrator as an advisory service to customers of the firm. We dig into what is a fractional integrator, and have a great conversation about using what helps your firm run as a business as a service to provide to your customers.
Paul and Will are joined this week by Katie Thomas, a CPA and the owner of Leaders Online. We talk about using social media well. Katie makes some great cases for using video, and focusing on being authentic and personal over being technical. We hope you get some tips – or perhaps courage – from this episode. You can learn more about Leaders Online from their website, https://leaders-online.com/.
This week Will and Paul talk with Geraldine Carter, CEO of She Thinks Big Coaching. Geraldine shares her perspective on valuing the essentials that your clients need from you as their accountant. Listen in, see what you think! Geraldine has also made available her PDF called “Pricing Tools Simplified for CPAs” through this link - SheThinksBigCoaching.com/pulse.
This week Will and Paul talk through the concept that it is time for your firm to reset. After playing months (and months, and months) of triage – we need to take our firms out of triage mode and set the course for how things will be going forward. What benefits will your team and clients get from a reset?
Paul and Will are joined this week by Glenn Harper, owner of Harper & Co CPAs in Columbus OH. Glenn shares his story of the mental transition from feeling he had to do it all, to trusting his team. Listen in – and work on building those team trust muscles!
This week Will and Paul sit down with Blake Oliver, host of ‘The Cloud Accounting Podcast’ and also the Marketing Director at Jirav. Blake brings some great insight to using technology for improving the client experience in working with your firm.
Paul and Will are joined this week by Janel Sykora, a veteran in the accounting profession and currently the CMO of TaxExact. Janel shares the value of telling the story of your firm. Listen in to a great conversation about getting started with your story.
This week Will and Paul sit down with Meg Balestrieri, a Senior Consultant with Thomson Reuters who has helped over 150 firms make their transition to advisory. Meg shares her insights on what helps firms be successful, and what challenges firms must face head on as they make the transition.
As we come into this year, there is an increase in a new ‘type’ of entrepreneur – coming from a corporate background of length, rather than a lifelong entrepreneur. This week Will asks Paul about how he is handling those prospects and their needs in a bit of a twist from his tradition new entrepreneur client.
This week Will and Paul sit down with Mark Martukovich and Brittany Lanphier – fresh off the first 2 Partner Summits of the year. Listen in on the takeaways from the event. Haven’t signed up yet? There is still time to catch one! To learn more or register please visit https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/us/en/partner-summits
This week Will and Paul talk about the cultural push of ‘back to normal’ and the dangers that may present to your firm, if you let that mindset seep into client relationships and internal operations.
This week Will and Paul are joined by Robert Santos and Rory Henry from Arrowroot Family Office to talk about the movement in the accounting profession to including wealth management services in what the firm offers, or at a minimum how they are more involved in decision making with clients. Listen in to hear their perspective. You can find out more about Arrowroot Family Office by visiting https://www.arrowrootfamilyoffice.com/ or https://wealthmanagementforward.com/.
There is a hidden treasure we are all looking for….more bandwidth! And no, we are not talking about internet bandwidth, but capacity in your firm! This week Paul and Will discuss the things Paul is doing within his firm to create more bandwidth. You may be looking for bandwidth to add more clients or to better serve existing clients – either way we hope you pick up some good tips in this episode.
This week Will and Paul are happy to have a great conversation with Gabby Luoma, CEO and co-founder of Mod Ventures, about her firms unique technology first approach to client service, client accounting service and its translation to true advisory service. Listen in and pick up some ideas from one of your peers! You can visit https://modventuresllc.com/ to see more about her firm.
Whew, May 17th is past! This week Will and Paul talk about the client relationship focus during the summer. Get some ideas from Busines by Design, and keep working on your client relationships.
How big can a small firm be? This week Paul and Will visit with Chris Papin, owner of Papin CPA, to talk about a couple strategies small firms can use to play a big role with their customers.
There is no doubt an elevated level of awareness around mental health and well-being these days. So, what is a firm owner to do? This week Will and Paul are joined by Amber Setter, an executive leadership coach who is also a CPA, to discuss this important topic. You can learn more about Amber by visiting https://www.ambersettercoaching.com/.
This week Paul and Will are joined by Tom Hood, the Executive Vice President of Growth and Engagement for the AICPA. Those who have heard Tom speak know of his passion around being ‘future ready’ – and we dig into this topic as it relates (related?) to the pandemic. Certainly future ready firms didn’t see the future of the pandemic – but what about being future ready makes you agile when things are occur which were not seen in advance? While we look back some – you will pick up some items for looking forward too!
This week Paul and Will are joined by Allan Afterman, CPA and author, to talk about business value in privately held companies. We discuss being clear on the purpose for why value matters on a per client basis, and then talk about a few keys to consider as you not only advise, but help implement the right strategies for your clients. You can find some of Allan’s recent work here: Measuring-Managing-and-Creating-Value-A-Framework-for-Accountants-Serving-Privately-Held-Companies
This week Renee Moelders from ConvergenceCoaching is the guest for Will and Paul. Together we talk about concerns and strategies around managing a work force that is mixed between in office and remote – a fact of life for most firms from here forward. In addition to listening for some ideas and inspiration, check out the latest survey results on remote work from ConvergenceCoaching: https://convergencecoaching.com/vision-strategy/#anytime-anywhere-work.
Ever felt that odd tension as you work with the CFO or lead internal bookkeeper for your client? This week Paul and Will are joined by David Peters, tax practitioner and financial advisor who also hosts the podcast “Accountable” geared at CFOs. Listen to some great ideas for pairing with these key stakeholders in your clients. For more on David Peters, you can visit https://www.davidpetersfinancial.com/.
This week Will and Paul are joined by Samantha Mansfield, industry veteran and founder of Samantha Mansfield LLC. She brings her perspective on where firms should consider spending their training and professional development dollars this year.
With conditions and regulations in what seems to be constant flux, it is more important than ever to manage client expectations. This week Paul shares some things his firm is doing to help manage the shifting expectations, and stay in front of the questions coming their way as a firm.
Communication is important – we already know that! Author and speaker Peter Margaritis joins Will and Paul this week to talk (and laugh) about some things accountants can do to improve their communication.
This week Will and Paul are joined by Michelle Arnold, Executive Director of North America and the Caribbean for Prime Global. She brings her great perspective and insight into what is on firm leaders minds as we start to come out of tax season here in 2021.
This week Will and Paul talk about firm owner’s need to have a plan for their exit. With many owners already thinking of retirement, coupled with the challenges 2020 brought, it is clear that firm owners need to have a plan in place. Paul shares his perspective on two courses of action for owners to evaluate as they consider their journey.
We have discussed the accountants role of being ‘dot connectors’ before – but this week we turn it up a notch as we talk with Jim Hall and Brian Suthoff, co-founders of TallyStreet. We talk about the advisory opportunities found through a managerial focus, not a mere financial focus. Listen in and get some ideas! You can find more about TallyStreet from https://tallystreet.com/
This week Will and Paul chat with Angelic Menegatos, founder of Menegatos Accounting Solutions. Angelic has a unique story as she decided to create her new firm in the summer of 2020 – right in the middle of the pandemic. Listen in as we talk through her story and dig into what motivated her to make this choice in a time of great uncertainty.
Will and Paul sit down this week with Jim Bourke, Managing Director of Advisory Services at Withum. We hope you enjoy this conversation around discovering advisory opportunity within your client base.
This week Will and Paul are joined by Jennifer Elder, founder and Chief Solutions Officer of The Sustainable CFO. Jennifer’s passion for connection comes shining through as we discuss the focus on building relationships, to build sustained trust.
Will and Paul check in this week with Dan Hood, Editor in Chief of Accounting Today, to get his perspective on where accounting firms should be paying attention – beyond just the work in front of them. We hope you gain some insight and ideas from this episode.
Paul and Will are joined this week by Kell Canty, CEO and Co-Founder, and John Wandrisco, Chief Commercial Officer, of Verady. As crypto currency is gaining traction, it is not only in focus for compliance – but ripe for advisory services. Listen in as we discuss the opportunity that is sitting in front of your firm around crypto!
Will and Paul are honored to have another return of Shaun Hunley, one of the Executive Editors for Checkpoint, return to talk about some of what we know now as it relates to the December 2020 legislation passage. While we hit on some high points, we also talk through the opportunity this presents once again to show your value as an advisory, beyond just preparing forms.
Throughout the year Paul has made some references to where Will was during the episode. This week we share why that is, as Will tells his story of how his family handled the pandemic in 2020 – and what you can perhaps apply to your firm.
Will and Paul talk through some predictions for 2021. What will be something that you will face as it relates to your customers? What will be an internal operating element that you must be ready to deal with? Listen in, be ready – and we will check back at the end of 2021 to see how right or wrong we really were!
In what is believed to be a first (with admittedly limited research) this is an Accounting industry podcast episode which features a professional MMA fighter. Will and Paul are joined by Nick ‘The Hammer’ Horton who shares the challenges of his journey to being a professional fighter as it was disrupted by Covid. Listen to some great parallels to the challenges of change in your firm – and be inspired with the focus, hard work and adaptability show by Nick.
This week Will and Paul are joined by CPA and comedian and author and speaker and podcast host and....well, John Garrett! John shares with us why he wrote his new book titled “What’s your And?”. We believe you will get some great stuff from this conversation to take back to your business – and life. You can find more from John at https://thejohngarrett.com/
Will and Paul are excited to be joined by Carrie Steffen, President and co-founder of The Whetstone Group (http://www.thewhetstonegroup.com/). Enjoy this conversation around staying focused on your team and what is needed – even though we are justifiably tired after an exhausting year.
This week Paul and Will talk about having thoughtful standardization around communications with customers. With the changes in communication methods that 2020 brought us, what has your firm learned and looked to apply as the standards going forward?
This week Will and Paul are joined by Philip Brabbs, successful entrepreneur and current Managing Director of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business plus Tech, to talk about young entrepreneurs. Learn about the needs these soon to be prospects of yours have, and their perspectives on business.
This episode Paul and Will turn the tables a bit to put the advisory hat on for accounting firms – and talk about options for firms as they look at planning their spending for the remainder of 2020. While the year has been challenging, spending through the remainder of the year needs some planning.
This week Paul shares some adjustments they are making to virtual meetings and client appointments. We discuss that the shift to virtual may not be going away -but the grace period for a less professional experience is going away. We hope you will get some ideas for your firm in this area too!
This episode Paul and Will are joined by Brian Fox of Thomson Reuters. Brian was the founder of confirmation.com, and is deeply engrained in the audit world. With the recent rash of public company fraud issues that were missed both internally and by external auditors, there has been a lot of news coverage….but what does this mean for smaller firms who don’t do audits?
You can’t just increase your focus on advisory services, and let the rest of the business fall apart! Will and Paul are joined this episode by Julie Smith of Harper & Co to talk about the importance of operations in an advisory centric firm.
Will and Paul sit down with Scott Fleszar, Chief Operations Officer for SafeSend, to talk about the importance of being decisive in leadership.
What do small businesses really need right now from their accountant? What if they are silent? Will and Paul discuss this with Twyla Verhelst, lead of the accountant channel at Freshbooks.
This episode Paul and Will are joined by Ian Redpath to talk about a couple key items to watch for in Q4 with your partnership clients. Ian is the owner of Redpath Law in addition to being the Chair of the Accounting Department at Canisius College. Ian is also a contributor to Checkpoint Learning.
This week Will and Paul talk about rejection. Paul shares a couple stories of rejection – both by the prospect and by his firm.
Will and Paul are joined by Susan Rosales, a small business owner, who recently changed accounting firms. Listen in on what motivated her change and how she perceives the value of the accounting relationship.
Will and Paul are happily joined by Jodi Ann Ray of the Texas Society of CPAs to hear what their members are feeling and thinking.
Will and Paul are joined by Chris Bird to talk through the pace of change, and the importance of not being in a mode of ‘sit and wait.’ Chris is a former IRS agent, and a nationwide speaker known for his insights on the intersection of real estate and tax issues. You can visit his website at http://chrisbirdseminars.com/.
Will and Paul are joined by Melanie Crowsey, the Lead of Learning Technology and Digital Media for Thomson Reuters Tax & Accounting. We talk through the increased usage of learning and digital tools to communicate/teach internally and externally. Listen in, and pick up some tips with your digital interactions!
Paul has some things on his mind! Will and Paul discuss what he is seeing as challenging for his clients (and staff) in Q4 and into Q1 of 2021.
Will and Paul are joined by Steve Nickles to talk about dealing with customers during possible bankruptcy scenarios. Steve is a law professor at Wake Forest, specializing in commercial transactions and bankruptcy. He has been a long time partner of Thomson Reuters through Checkpoint Learning, helping educate on numerous legal matters. For more information on the upcoming programs through an exciting partnership with the Wake Forest School of Law, visit here.
Will and Paul sit down with Wayne Shelton, owner of Shelton & Associates, to talk about how their shift to being advisory centric changed his plans and approach to his succession planning.
Will and Paul sit down to reflect on the first half of the year, and look forward to the second half. Not a surprise that there is some covid talk here, but the conversation centers on a couple key conversations that likely need to happen with many of your clients.
Will and Paul are joined by Angie Grissom from The Rainmaker Companies to discuss the concept of co-creating with clients. We hope you snag some tips from this conversation around building solutions with prospects – before they are even clients – to help establish long lasting advisory relationships.
Will and Paul are again joined by Shaun Hunley, Executive Editor for Checkpoint, to discuss the increasing importance of the Wayfair ruling. The combination of states looking for revenue, and businesses being forced to new methods have put the advisors in the position of needing to discuss this with their customers – are you prepared?
This week Will and Paul discuss the continued evolution of rules around the PPP. As it looks like forgiveness will be simpler to attain – does that change the value your firm is bringing your customers in this program?
Will and Paul and joined today by Tessa Sussner, owner of Sussner Design Company to talk about what it means to refresh your brand, and the value that can be brought by an outside expert.
This week Will and Paul are joined by Joey Havens, Executive Partner of Horne LLP, to discuss his mantra for this year “More with Less”. While that may sound obvious – there is more than meets the ear to this saying. Listen in and find ways you can do more with less as we continue to forge through this current transformation in the way we do business.
Will and Paul discuss the advantages of outsourcing some of the technical niche work to allow you to do what you do best. For this conversation, they are joined by Jodi Nielsen of Cost Segregation Services Inc (Jodi.nielsen@costsegregationservices.com) to talk about a popular topic of cost segregation, and the value that an engineering based cost segregation study can d0o for your clients.
Will and Paul are joined in this episode by Amy Vetter the noted speaker and author. Her background as a Partner in a firm provides a great backdrop for this conversation about leading with transparency. You can learn more about Amy at https://www.amyvetter.com/. You can also listen for her podcast series called “Breaking Beliefs”.
To help talk through considerations about returning to the office – both for your firm and your client interactions – Will and Paul are joined by Bill Chase, VP of Human Resources at Thomson Reuters Tax & Accounting. We hope you pick up some ideas to use from this conversation.
Will and Paul talk through the levels of choices that firms help lead their clients in, and effectively helping take command where needed; especially in challenging times as this.
Paul and Will sit down with Checkpoint Executive Editor Shaun Hunley to discuss the most recent legislative action. We also get a glimpse of what changes may be coming next to ensure we are proactive with customers.
As we hit the date normally celebrated by tax and accounting firms, this year is different. Will and Paul talk about the impact this has on the staff of the firm, and what the focus is for Paul’s firm in the next few weeks.
Will and Paul are joined by the President of Boomer Consulting, Sandra Wiley, to discuss leading in the middle of crisis and finding new leaders in your firm as the shifting landscape presents opportunity for rising stars in your firm. We hope you get some great ideas from this episode! For more on Boomer Consulting, visit https://www.boomer.com/
Will and Paul discuss the challenges in handling the client demands for help with the SBA program, with particular attention to the PPP. Beyond just the need now, they dive into setting up a structure for servicing the needs now and what the resulting needs will be through the remainder of the year.
Paul and Will sit down to talk through communicating both internally and externally as firms help their teams and clients through this challenging time. Paul shares what his firm is now doing as they have been fully remote for about 2 weeks now, and information is coming and changing at a rapid pace.
A special episode today as Paul and Will talk about some of the aspects of Paul’s firm moving all of their operations to a remote/virtual world. Paul shares the impact on work routines and rhythms, and together discuss leading clients through these kinds of challenging times.
For those who may be newer into their focus on advisory relationships, Will and Paul discuss the approach to delivering the tax return. What are the opportunities to develop that advisory relationship further, with the tax return delivery as a key communication point.
Paul shares with Will and the audience the story of a new client who recently joined his firm. Keeping things simple and relevant, and setting the table for the next stage in that advisory-centric client relationship.
On this episode Will and Paul talk about the difference between having a focus on expenses or revenue perspective as your primary decision filter, and how that plays out in the accounting firm.
Will and Paul take some time to discuss some methods of being focused when you are busy and not be overwhelmed with all that is going on. To help with this Amaris Vicari joins the show to share her expert opinions on mindfulness and focus. Amaris is the owner of a mindfulness consulting company, The Beneficial Element.
Paul and Will are joined by Rachel Druckenmiller, CEO of “Unmuted” to talk about the importance of well being in the workplace, and quality coworker relationships and relating.
Will and Paul discuss the new strategy that is being tested at Paul’s firm for tracking and knowing when a client has submitted enough source documents to truly start preparing returns. Listen in to learn how Paul’s firm is looking to tackle the challenges presented with digital tax source document delivery from customers.
Sean Manning joins Will and Paul to talk about his views on the importance of coaching and teaching in the accounting profession back to the customer.
Will and Paul are joined by EOS implementor and the CCO of the MACPA, Bill Sheridan. Together they chat about EOS and it’s relevance for accounting firms – even the smaller ones.
Therese Witherow and Mo Arbas join Will and Paul to talk about their excitement for Partner Summits this coming year. Listen in on what they enjoy from leading the events, and the passion they share to see clients better their firms.
Will and Paul and are joined by Julie Robertson, product manager for Checkpoint Marketing at Thomson Reuters to discuss the importance of paying attention to marketing and social media activity.
Paul and Will sit down with Mark Martukovich, firm owner of FMA CPA from Clearwater FL to talk about things he saw in his many interactions with other firms during 2019.
Will and Paul wish all of you a Merry Christmas! They reflect on the year and how we all can be making an impact.
Will and Paul bring back Ryan Conn to pick his brain about catching stress in the workplace, and effectively helping staff and clients come back to a healthy dialogue in times of stress.
Will and Paul interview Ryan Conn from Shelton & Associates to talk about his transition from years of law enforcement into the accounting industry. Listen to the unique perspective he brings, and learn about the critical skills that were transferrable from one career to the next.
Will and Paul dig into the unique way that Business by Design ends their calendar year, with closing their doors to the outside world. Hear the benefits, some of how it was implemented and decide for yourself if this would be valuable to execute in your firm.