In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes Dave Olsen, founder of an accounting firm and Nimbl Staffing. Dave shares his unique journey in the accounting industry, discussing the success of his staffing service and his exciting new venture into IT services for accounting firms. The conversation delves into the strategies behind building a solid foundation for business growth, including the structures necessary for launching new services. Listeners will gain insights into...
Jun 28, 2025•32 min
In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Crostello welcomes back Geoff Bruskin, founder of White Tiger Connections, to discuss the evolving landscape of talent in the accounting profession. Geoff shares insights from his extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) for CPA firms, emphasizing the growing importance of talent acquisition and retention in today's market. He outlines the dual trends of M&A and talent, as well as the impact of technology on these areas. Addi...
Jun 16, 2025•29 min
In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes K.C. Eames, the Director of Client Accounting Services at Dark Horse CPAs. The conversation delves into the complexities of pricing in client accounting services (CAS) and the nuances that make it both an art and a science. K.C. shares insights about the unique structure of Dark Horse CPAs, contrasting it with traditional accounting firms that operate on a pyramid model. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding bot...
May 29, 2025•27 min
In this episode of the Growing Your Firm podcast, host David Cristello welcomes Alan Whitman, the former CEO and chairman of Baker Tilly. Alan shares his remarkable journey of transforming Baker Tilly from a $475 million firm to a $1.5 billion powerhouse. Throughout the conversation, Alan describes how businesses can thrive – largely by prioritizing strategy over aimless “accumulation.” Alan Whitman is a seasoned leader in the accounting and advisory industry, known for his transformative role a...
May 15, 2025•43 min
In this episode of the Growing Your Firm podcast, David Cristello welcomes Dawn Goldberg , a seasoned CPA and a Certified Professional Coach. Dawn shares her incredible story of maintaining her productivity even after a stage four cancer diagnosis forced her to undergo six months of chemotherapy. To accomplish this, Dawn maintained some key practices – including mind management, time management, and a scheduling trick she calls “container calendaring.” She explains all of these strategies here. ...
May 01, 2025•47 min
In this episode of the Growing Your Firm Podcast, host Dave Cristello welcomes Dominic Piscopo , the founder of Big 4 Transparency. An expert in salary benchmarking within the accounting industry, Dominic shares insights into compensation strategies, year-over-year changes, and the impact of private equity (PE) on salaries. The conversation highlights the evolving landscape of compensation in accounting firms. Dominic Piscopo, CPA is known as a compensation guru in the accounting industry. After...
Apr 17, 2025•36 min
In this episode of the Growing Your Firm podcast, host David Cristello welcomes Todd Steinberg, founder and managing partner of Thrive Financial Group. David and Todd dive into the evolving landscape of accounting firm mergers and acquisitions (M&A), particularly the increasing role of private equity (PE) firms as buyers. They discuss key acquisition drivers such as human capital, geographic expansion, and cross-selling opportunities. Todd also breaks down deal structures, explaining the ris...
Apr 03, 2025•35 min
In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes Alyssa J. Dillon , a fellow entrepreneur who shares her inspiring journey of starting her own business. The conversation kicks off with Alyssa recounting the pivotal moment when she decided to quit her job and explore the possibility of working for herself after receiving a side accounting request. As they dive deeper, Alyssa and David discuss the essential elements of building a successful firm, including the importance of mark...
Mar 27, 2025•44 min
In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes Kelly Mann , co-founder and CEO of AuditMiner . Kelly shares her journey of launching her own CPA firm, a decision that surprised her given her background in audit and the male-dominated landscape of firm ownership. She discusses the challenges of changing firm culture and her desire to build a business that aligns with her authentic self. The conversation delves into her experiences in the accounting profession, the shift to en...
Mar 13, 2025•30 min
In this episode of The Growing Firm Podcast, host David Cristello welcomes Marcus Dillon, president of Dillon Business Advisors . The conversation delves into Marcus's journey of acquiring a book of business valued at $400k and the evolution of his firm over the past 13 years. Marcus shares valuable insights on client acquisition, pricing strategies, and the importance of maintaining consistency during the first year of acquiring new practices. The episode also explores the challenges and hard d...
Feb 27, 2025•37 min
In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes back returning guest Loren Fogelman , a sports psychologist turned business coach specializing in helping accounting professionals. Loren shares her insights on a crucial yet often overlooked topic: raising fees for existing clients. She emphasizes the importance of understanding client hesitations, particularly when they respond with, "I'll think about it," suggesting that this often indicates unasked questions or a lack of per...
Feb 20, 2025•24 min
In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello speaks with Michael Meihaus , the owner of Meihaus CPA , who transitioned from a decade in public accounting to launching his own firm focused exclusively on retirement plan audits. Michael shares his journey of self-discovery, including a pivotal conversation that prompted him to leave his job and pursue his passion. The discussion touches on the importance of designing a firm that aligns with one’s lifestyle and the concept of "choosin...
Feb 06, 2025•38 min
In this episode of the Growing Your Firm podcast, host David Cristello welcomes Jesse and Tom from FinOptimal , a company that uniquely combines accounting services with innovative QuickBooks applications designed specifically for accountants. The conversation delves into their dual business model, exploring how they balance service and product development in the competitive accounting landscape. Jesse and Tom share insights into their journey in building accounting software, the challenges they...
Jan 23, 2025•34 min
In this episode of the Grow Your Firm Podcast, host David Cristello welcomes Shannon Weinstein , the CFO for small businesses transitioning from seven to eight figures and President of Keep What You Earn . Shannon shares her unique approach to hiring, emphasizing the importance of crafting compelling job descriptions that sell the company to prospective candidates. With over 120 applicants for her last two job openings, she highlights the need to view recruitment from a sales perspective. Throug...
Jan 09, 2025•42 min
In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes Wendy Barlin , a consultant specializing in helping professional service firms transition from frustration to freedom. Wendy shares insights from her decade-long experience in building her own remote firm, which she sold in 2021. The conversation delves into the importance of operations, systems, processes, and a fresh perspective on profit within accounting firms. Wendy emphasizes the significance of establishing firm boundarie...
Dec 19, 2024•31 min
In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes Rory Henry , a certified financial planner and behavioral financial advisor. Rory, who is also the director Arrowroot Family Office , co-founder of AFO Wealth Management Forward, and author of the upcoming book, "Holistic Guide to Wealth Management," discusses the evolving landscape of wealth management and its critical intersection with accounting and tax professionals. The conversation explores the integration of technology in...
Dec 12, 2024•25 min
In this episode of the Growing Your Firm podcast, host David Cristello welcomes Geoff Bruskin , founder and managing partner of White Tiger Connections . They dive into the dynamic landscape of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within the accounting industry, exploring how recent trends have created a surge in acquisition interest. Geoff discusses the impact of cloud technology and the shift towards distributed employment, which have transformed the M&A space. The conversation also touches ...
Dec 09, 2024•29 min
In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes Tim Brackney, the Chief Executive Officer of Springline Advisory, a firm backed by private equity. They delve into the philosophy of utilizing talent from small firms to enhance shared services, while also discussing the complexities and nuances of private equity in the industry. Tim shares insights from his experience as a CEO and his background in scaling a professional services line to over $800 million in revenue. Listeners ...
Nov 21, 2024•35 min
In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes back Greg O'Brien , Co-CEO of Anomaly CPA , for an insightful discussion about the evolution of his firm since their last conversation three years ago. They reflect on the growth of Anomaly CPA, including the firm's current headcount and revenue, as well as the strategic decisions made to invest in alternative positions beyond client-facing roles, such as marketing, IT, and operations. Greg shares valuable lessons learned on sca...
Nov 14, 2024•36 min
In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes Roman Villard, CPA , founder of Full Send Finance and co-founder of Full Send Design . The conversation kicks off with a focus on the importance of consistency in achieving success across various endeavors, including social media and business. Roman shares insights from his experiences on LinkedIn, where his consistent efforts have significantly increased awareness of his brand and services over the past year and a half. The dis...
Nov 07, 2024•35 min
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...
Oct 25, 2024•24 min
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 pr...
Oct 17, 2024•27 min
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, Patri...
Oct 10, 2024•31 min
In this episode of Growing Your Firm, host David Cristello welcomes Piritta Van Rijn, the Global Head of Product and SVP for the accounting tax and practice division at Thomson Reuters. They delve into the exciting potential of AI and generative AI for firm owners, discussing how these technologies can free up time and enhance the expertise of existing talent. Piritta shares insights from a recent report on future productivity trends in the accounting and tax industries, highlighting the importa...
Sep 19, 2024•24 min
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 sta...
Sep 05, 2024•20 min
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 Minske...
Aug 22, 2024•30 min
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 ...
Aug 15, 2024•29 min
In this episode, host David Cristello interviews Billy Angelo , the managing partner of Angelo and Associates , who brings over 20 years of experience in the accounting industry. Billy shares insights on steering small businesses, specifically private practice owners, towards financial clarity and success. They discuss topics such as off-boarding clients to focus on core strengths, tailored tax and financial solutions for enhanced profitability, and the importance of cash management during tax s...
Aug 01, 2024•38 min
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 exam...
Jul 25, 2024•38 min
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 ...
Jul 18, 2024•32 min
