On Episode 138 of The Unique CPA , join host Randy Crabtree as he chats with Timothy Wingate Jr., founder of G+F Business and Financial Consulting, about his journey from wanting to be the next Doogie Howser to creating a niche accounting practice focused on the construction industry. Timothy’s father worked in construction, so his experience runs deep and across generations, so his insights on niching, work-life balance, and effective marketing strategies are sure to be relevant to any accounti...
May 28, 2024•40 min•Ep. 158
Geraldine Carter rejoins Randy for a second appearance on The Unique CPA for episode 157. Geraldine recently published her book, Down to 40 Hours , as a more accessible guide to many of the principles she stresses in her coaching: Achieving efficiency and work-life balance through understanding client value, strategic pricing, niching, and more. She discusses navigating business strategies, balancing professional and personal growth, and transforming your understanding of value and where profit ...
May 21, 2024•40 min•Ep. 157
Randy Crabtree welcomes Lauren Baptiste to Episode 156 of The Unique CPA . A kindred spirit on the topic of mental health for professionals, Lauren shares her profound journey from CPA burnout to work-life balance. Her actionable insights into recognizing burnout, lifestyle changes, and redefining productivity in the accounting profession could very well make a difference to any listener who is looking to take the first step to changing the direction their career is taking them. Discover strateg...
May 14, 2024•52 min•Ep. 156
On Episode 155 of The Unique CPA, Randy Crabtree talks to SALT expert Jordan Goodman about various state and local tax issues including market-based sourcing, the impact of the pandemic on remote workforces, the ongoing implications of the Wayfair decision, and nuances of passthrough entity tax laws. Always an enthusiast, Jordan takes the complexities of tax law and offers fun and engaging insights for professionals navigating these topics. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUnique...
May 07, 2024•33 min•Ep. 155
On Episode 154 of The Unique CPA , Randy Crabtree engages in a far reaching discussion with Alan Whitman, former CEO at Baker Tilly, who now serves as an advisor and coach to professionals. They delve into the necessary evolution of the accounting profession, exploring themes of innovation, breaking traditional molds, and fostering a sustainable and attractive future for CPAs. Whitman shares his remarkable journey from a bright-eyed associate to a visionary leader, emphasizing the vital shifts n...
Apr 30, 2024•35 min•Ep. 154
Byron Patrick of the B³ Method Institute joins Randy for Episode 153 of The Unique CPA, and they delve into Byron's transition from an “okay accountant” to a technology expert. Byron is passionate about well-being and its interplay with the profession, and he and Randy discuss the key that technology can improve efficiency, which eliminates the stresses and time sinks of the job, which leads to better work-life balance, but he holistically broadens his focus to things each person can do for them...
Apr 23, 2024•42 min•Ep. 153
Randy Crabtree sits down with Chris Farmand of Small Batch Standard on Episode 152 of The Unique CPA. They delve into the complexities and financial management gaps in the brewing industry, and how that relates to niching principles generally: the importance of deep relationships, industry concentration, and adapting to market changes. Lead generation, value pricing, and client transitions feature as well, with Chris reviewing the experiences he’s had in running Small Batch Standard. Get the ful...
Apr 16, 2024•31 min•Ep. 152
On Episode 151 of The Unique CPA, Darryl Bates-Brownsword joins Randy Crabtree to discuss the importance of succession planning and its associated challenges. They delve into the benefits of early exit planning, with Darryl identifying the transition from selling hours to value-based service offerings as a key obstacle. Ultimately, exit planning is vital for businesses, and for CPAs looking to boost their advisory offerings, Darryl’s platform Capitaliz provides a guided way to do just that. Get ...
Apr 09, 2024•30 min•Ep. 151
Curt Mastio, who established Founder’s CPA, joins Randy for Episode 150 of The Unique CPA . They delve into Curt's transition from Big Four to his own firm, the complexities of dealing with the blockchain and crypto industries, and FinTech niche and the unique challenges it presents for accountants. They also discuss modern firm practices, tax planning strategies including utilizing R&D tax credits, and the journey of tech startups from seed stage to exit. Get the full show notes and more re...
Apr 02, 2024•36 min•Ep. 150
On Episode 149 of The Unique CPA, Joe Woodard joins Randy to discuss hot topics like the Private Equity revolution in accounting and the Scaling New Heights conference coming up in Orlando in June. Joe introduces the Woodard Ideal Practice Model, a multi-partite plan for firms to both determine and differentiate their services, and he offers wisdom about the difference between management and leadership. They discuss Scaling New Heights in some detail, mentioning the talk Randy will be giving on ...
Mar 26, 2024•37 min•Ep. 149
Randy Crabtree talks to Jen Cryder, CEO of PICPA, the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, on Episode 148 of The Unique CPA . They discuss the role of state societies in accounting, with a focus on bringing some of the ideas that larger firms have come up with to smaller firms and adapting those ideas to fit. Jen draws on her extensive experience as an audit senior and partner to touch on company culture, preserving that through mergers, and the opportunities that are in front...
Mar 19, 2024•38 min•Ep. 148
In this episode, Randy Crabtree chats with Al-Nesha Jones, founder of ASE Group, about her career transition, starting her own firm, and the lessons she learned to get it to where it is today. ASE Group serves as a beacon of DEI, employing full-time mothers and championing a four-day workweek with empowered employees and flexible schedules based on value billing that isn’t timesheet based. Al-Nesha discusses many of the stumbles she had along the way, resulting in improving firm processes, manag...
Mar 12, 2024•40 min•Ep. 147
On Episode 146 of The Unique CPA, Randy Crabtree is joined by Jeremy Wells, founder of JWellsCFO, to discuss Jeremy’s transition from grad school and earning a PhD, into a teaching career in academia, then changing careers mid-stream, resulting in him earning and maintaining both his EA and CPA. Jeremy’s and his transition from teaching to tax advising was multi-faceted, and buffeted by a mentor who helped “show him the ropes” as he made his way, while also giving him insights into the kind of f...
Mar 05, 2024•39 min•Ep. 146
Randy Crabtree welcomes Accounting Today Editor-in-Chief Dan Hood back to The Unique CPA on Episode 145 to discuss the significance of community in the accounting profession. They explore the shift to other forms of communication and education that has developed over the past several years, from social media to webinars, then shift gears to focus on the good, old-fashioned conference: their value for community building, and the role of conversation and direct, personal interaction generally, in ...
Feb 27, 2024•36 min•Ep. 145
On Episode 144 of The Unique CPA, Randy Crabtree chats with Tim Petrey, CEO of HD Growth Partners and White Glove Payroll. They delve into the impact of Private Equity on accounting through an examination of the newly announced strategic partnership between HD Growth Partners and ASCEND. Tim strongly believes that the Private Equity model provides for a new paradigm in the accounting profession, and with the right partnership, a progressive firm with solid foundations of corporate culture and cl...
Feb 20, 2024•52 min•Ep. 144
On Episode 143 of The Unique CPA, Randy Crabtree chats with Amy Vetter about her diverse roles both inside and outside her career life, and the value of authenticity. A CPA, a yoga instructor, a technology business executive, an author, and more, Amy discusses her experiences with identity and career transitions, and the Business Balance Bliss concept she constructed as a result. Amy goes into her work at the B³ Method Institute, her achievements as a Certified Speaking Professional, and the pro...
Feb 13, 2024•37 min
On Episode 142 of The Unique CPA, we take a look back at Tri-Merit’s Live Chat featuring Randy Crabtree, Nick Pantaleo, and Dan Chodan discussing the changes in the Employer Retention Credit (ERC), the impact of the moratorium, and the benefits of the amnesty and voluntary disclosure programs for the coming year. They delve into the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, risks of litigation, and the importance of detailed filing. They conclude with an analysis of the new bill'...
Feb 06, 2024•46 min•Ep. 142
On Episode 141 of The Unique CPA, join Randy Crabtree as he takes a dive into the dynamic world of accounting marketing with the insightful Karen Reyburn of The Profitable Firm. As a CPA turned marketing guru, Karen shares her expertise on effective client education, the power of niche marketing, and how accountants can leverage AI to transform their practices. Explore the importance of understanding your audience, the benefits of choosing a specific focus, and how to ensure your firm stands out...
Jan 30, 2024•44 min•Ep. 141
On Episode 140 of The Unique CPA, fellow podcast host Ed Kless of the Sage Thought Leadership podcast and The Soul of Enterprise with Ron Baker, talks to Randy about the importance of the shift from traditional to value-based pricing, knowing your target market, and the fact that what you are offering is access to knowledge, not a service. They delve into the implementation of subscription pricing and transitioning from a generalist to a specialist or niched firm. Get the full show notes and mor...
Jan 23, 2024•45 min•Ep. 140
Matthew May, the president of Acuity, returns to The Unique CPA on Episode 139, and he gives Randy the insider’s perspective on Benefit Corporations, better known as B Corps. Acuity started the process of being recognized as a B Corp in 2020, and Matthew talks about the community that surrounds B Corps, the employee-centric image being a B Corp projects, and the difficulty that faces service firms that wish to become B Corps because they don’t have physical supply chains. Get the full show notes...
Jan 16, 2024•39 min•Ep. 139
On Episode 138 of The Unique CPA, Randy Crabtree chats with Greg Kyte about his unusual journey in accounting. From the controversies around the CPE available for listening to his Drunk Ethics podcast, as well as Oh My Fraud, another podcast Greg co-hosts, they discuss the importance of finding a niche in accounting in order to make yourself, and your work, more interesting—which has a cascading beneficial effect on everything you do. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.co...
Jan 09, 2024•42 min•Ep. 138
The first episode of The Unique CPA in 2024, Episode 137, features Jason Blumer of Blumer CPAs, Thriveal, and Deeper Weekend. Jason started Thriveal to support accounting firm owners by building a community and resources for them to seek support. As he tells Randy , this led to Deeper Weekend, his exclusive annual conference for around a hundred accounting firm owners. The event fosters peer learning and relationships through workshops and socializing, with the fundamental idea behind it being t...
Jan 02, 2024•38 min•Ep. 137
Episode 136 of The Unique CPA features Ilya Radzinsky, co-founder of TaxDome, talking to Randy about how TaxDome’s practice management platform helps accounting firms organize their work, clients, and teams in an efficient yet easy-to-use way. TaxDome streamlines workflows, provides visibility for managers, and creates a professional client experience through their secure online portal. Ilya also shares insights on embracing technology to add value for clients and how in addition to the increase...
Dec 19, 2023•33 min•Ep. 136
Episode 135 of The Unique CPA features the important topic of mental health in the accounting profession. Gaynor Meilke talks to Randy about her experience with mental health struggles from a young age and how she now helps others, including children, tackle their challenges. She provides insights into the stressors accounting professionals face and signs of burnout. Randy also opens up about his personal journey with mental health after experiencing a stroke. They emphasize the importance of se...
Dec 12, 2023•35 min•Ep. 135
Randy Crabtree gets together with Will Lopez of Gusto on Episode 134 of The Unique CPA to talk about innovation in the accounting profession. Will shares his entrepreneurial journey from running his own practice to developing People Advisory as a service offering for accountants at Gusto. He explains the structured approach firms can take to modernizing by constantly experimenting and keeping services fresh, provides insights into the talent crisis in accounting, and how that crisis can be met b...
Dec 05, 2023•46 min•Ep. 134
Dan Hood, Editor-in-Chief at Accounting Today, returns to episode 133 of The Unique CPA to talk to Randy Crabtree about the keys to creating an unbeatable company culture. They discuss the intricacies and the delicate balance between rules and relationships that attracts top talent and builds a sustainable firm environment. Discover what can truly set firms apart and ordered, pre-planned strategies for navigating growth while maintaining a distinct identity. Hear firsthand how defining small cul...
Nov 28, 2023•46 min
Episode 132 of The Unique CPA features an inspiring conversation with Rich Kane about his experience surviving a stroke at a young age. Rich talks to Randy about his harrowing stroke story and recovery journey, including the lingering effects it’s had on his daily life and career. Both of them discuss the emotional impact the stroke has had on their lives. For accounting professionals, this episode highlights the real-life challenges stroke survivors face and promotes greater awareness of risk f...
Nov 21, 2023•32 min•Ep. 132
Episode 131 of The Unique CPA features Randy’s insightful discussion with Michael Ly, CEO of Reconciled, a leading virtual bookkeeping and accounting firm. Michael talks about building Reconciled from the ground up and his key strategies for growth, including acquiring other accounting firms. He provides valuable perspectives on remote work culture, the current state of AI in accounting, and his outlook on the future of the profession. He follows up with practical advice on building a thriving r...
Nov 14, 2023•41 min•Ep. 131
Episode 130 of The Unique CPA features Giles Pearson, the co-founder and CEO of Accountests, who talks to Randy about his background in public accounting and how his 18 years as a partner at a large firm. This inspired him to create Accountests to help firms make more informed hiring decisions. He discusses the various technical skills and personality tests Accountests offers and how they can help firms hire the right candidates faster, improve onboarding, and reduce costly turnover. Giles also ...
Nov 07, 2023•28 min•Ep. 130
Discover how to bring joy to accounting with cloud technology on Episode 129 of The Unique CPA! Kellie Parks talks to Randy Crabtree about her passion for bookkeeping and how she helps accounting professionals love cloud accounting as much as she does. Learn about the templates and tools Kelly provides to streamline your firm's processes and hear tips for implementing new technologies step-by-step without getting overwhelmed. Tune in to get insights on automating your work, improving work-life b...
Oct 31, 2023•41 min•Ep. 129
