On Episode 188 of The Unique CPA, Randy Crabtree connects with Isaac Perdomo, co-founder of Opzer, with a focus on automation in the profession. Isaac explains how Opzer helps accounting firms streamline their operations through process mapping, optimization, and custom workflow automation. Randy points out that oftentimes, those who would benefit most from automation don’t understand just how much time it can save, so they are reluctant to “take the plunge.” But from improving efficiency, enhan...
Dec 03, 2024•26 min•Ep. 188
Randy welcomes Dan Berenholtz, co-founder and CEO of StanfordTax, to Episode 187 of The Unique CPA . Dan discusses how his company is revolutionizing the tax season process for accountants and clients alike. Detailing his passion for tech entrepreneurship, Dan explores StanfordTax's innovative approach to automating tax data collection, enhancing both client experience and accountant efficiency. He also highlights the integration of AI and future developments in tax technology that aim to make t...
Nov 26, 2024•37 min•Ep. 187
Randy Crabtree talks to Lisa Simpson, Vice President of Firm Services at AICPA, on Episode 186 of The Unique CPA . Lisa stresses that essential transformations are needed to ensure a prosperous future for the profession. Fostering a healthy community of accounting professionals and critical shifts in the traditional business model are keys to staying relevant, as are leveraging technology and diversity to drive growth. As talent retention, compensation, and the importance of flexibility remain o...
Nov 19, 2024•38 min•Ep. 186
On Episode 185 of The Unique CPA , Randy digs into advisory platforms with David Snider, CEO and founder of Harness Wealth. Harness is one such platform making waves in the profession, and David, in discussing his journey from the real estate tech industry to tax and wealth management, explains how these worlds linked together for him to found Harness. Sharing his understanding of how technology can improve the efficiency and effectiveness of tax advisors, helping them to better serve their clie...
Nov 12, 2024•32 min•Ep. 185
Randy Crabtree returns to a very personally important topic to him, burnout, on Episode 184 of The Unique CPA. He sits down with specialist Anna Lovell-Nesmith to discuss the pervasiveness of burnout among accounting professionals. Anna shares her insights on recognizing and managing burnout, emphasizing the importance of time management, prioritization, and personalized strategies, which she provides through her work as a burnout specialist. Randy stresses the importance of creating awareness, ...
Nov 05, 2024•31 min•Ep. 184
Randy Crabtree engages in an enlightening discussion with Hitendra Patil, seven-time Accounting Today Top 100 Most Influential Person, on Episode 183 of The Unique CPA . The President of Global F&A Services for Datamatics Business Solutions, Hitendra is an author and speaker who, like Randy, seeks to improve accounting as a whole. Highlighting the talent shortage and the evolving landscape of the profession amidst technological advancements and AI, Hitendra emphasizes the value of better nar...
Oct 29, 2024•25 min•Ep. 183
We go back in time on this special five-year anniversary Episode 182 of The Unique CPA , as original guest Tim Jipping, founder of Journey Advisors & CPAs, returns to interview Randy Crabtree on the podcast’s milestone show. Discussing the podcast's inception, evolution, and its impact on the accounting profession, Randy reflects on things that have surprised him about becoming a podcast host and the podcast “scene” in general, the influence guests like John Garrett, Josh Lance, Al-Nesha Jon...
Oct 22, 2024•43 min•Ep. 182
Randy Crabtree talks to Tori McKee, the owner of Best Practice Bookkeeping and Payroll, on Episode 181 of The Unique CPA , and they focus on burnout. Tori shares her journey of professional transformation, having decided to “burn down and rebuild” her business. Having struggled through 70-80 hour weeks for years, Tori moved away from the traditional CPA firm methodologies she’d always known, adopting useful tech. Highlighting the power of community, she explains how she “found her people” on #Ta...
Oct 15, 2024•37 min•Ep. 181
On Episode 180 of The Unique CPA, Chris Williams, the CEO of System Six, joins Randy for a conversation about the direction modern accounting is headed. System Six is a cloud-based finance and accounting firm Chris acquired, and he shares his journey, from his background in investment banking and private equity. With a focus on strong company culture characterized by joy, collaboration, and flexibility, the conversation covers Chris’s plans for the future of System Six, including potential acqui...
Oct 08, 2024•41 min•Ep. 180
Join us as we take a look back at six top rated episodes and guests to celebrate International Podcast Day on Episode 179 of The Unique CPA. Featuring Josh Lance, Allan Koltin, Tim Petrey, John Garrett, Eric Green, and Al-Nesha Jones, Randy reminisces about each guest and the impact they’ve had on the Unique CPA Community and the profession as a whole. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com...
Oct 01, 2024•20 min•Ep. 179
Randy Crabtree is joined by Andrew Leck, CEO of MSI Global Alliance, on Episode 178 of The Unique CPA . An international association of lawyers and accountants, MSI brings professionals together, and Andrew discusses the thriving and collaborative community MSI has created, with a special emphasis on its benefits to mental and physical well-being. Integrating accountants and lawyers under one umbrella brings a host of advantages, especially in the modern accounting context of global expansion an...
Sep 24, 2024•29 min•Ep. 178
On Episode 177 of The Unique CPA , Randy Crabtree interviews Logan Graf, Chief Tax Officer and Founder of The Graf Tax Co. Logan took an unusual path to starting his own firm, with him jumping into the fully remote model in the middle of Covid, and he’s continued on that unconventional trajectory by hiring his first employee through social media. Social media has been a key for Logan for both professional networking and marketing potential, as well as featuring prominently in his plans for expan...
Sep 17, 2024•30 min•Ep. 177
Lauren Bahr, VP of Finance at Occupier and podcast host, joins Randy to “bring the fun to finance” on Episode 176 of The Unique CPA . Lauren pursued her passion for startups, a sector she was exposed to during her time at PwC, ultimately leaving public accounting and further turning her energy towards educating others through her podcasts. Touching on the importance of creating a positive corporate culture, Lauren underscores the significance of relationships in building a thriving work environm...
Sep 10, 2024•25 min•Ep. 176
On Episode 175 of The Unique CPA , Randy Crabtree connects with John J. Fenton who discusses his transformative journey from college athletics to public accounting to leadership coaching. John served as managing partner at BDO USA, and his experience of the profession drives his insights on leadership, employee engagement, trust, and progressing beyond the billable hour. John has drawn upon his time as a college athlete and his black belt certification to help him better appreciate the role of m...
Sep 03, 2024•29 min•Ep. 175
It’s once again time to dive into the ERC and update the profession on its current status! Nick Pantaleo joins Randy Crabtree for a special live streamed Episode 174 of The Unique CPA where they delve into the Employee Retention Credit’s journey. The two experts review the current state of play, with everything from legal updates, to IRS interpretations and processes, including their new risk assessment system, a second opportunity for amnesty, and further forecasting for the future. They then c...
Aug 27, 2024•35 min•Ep. 174
Randy Crabtree is joined by Rafael Casas, Director of Strategic Alliances and Partnerships at QuickFee, on Episode 173 of The Unique CPA. Rafael opens by explaining QuickFee’s mission to aid accounting and legal firms in accelerating AR while leading the way in the profession on thought leadership around mental health, AI and automation, technology, and more. Through these initiatives, Rafael hopes to elevate the accounting profession, and on those lines, he touches upon the value of intellectua...
Aug 20, 2024•26 min•Ep. 173
Episode 172 of The Unique CPA brings Jody Padar, The Radical CPA, into conversation with Randy Crabtree . They discuss the evolution of accounting technology, from the early days of cloud computing to the current advancements in artificial intelligence, all of which Jody has been at the forefront of. She shares her journey as an early adopter even back in the pre-internet days, her influential role in shaping accounting practices, and her current work at april, which develops innovative, AI-powe...
Aug 13, 2024•22 min•Ep. 172
Randy welcomes back Roman Villard from Full Send Finance for Episode 171 almost a year after the recording date of Roman's first appearance on The Unique CPA . They discuss the progress and growth Full Send has seen in nearly a year, including updates on new service lines, team expansion, and a re-focus of how to track what progress actually means for the firm and its clients. Roman stresses that looking at internal operations over revenue metrics means that they are measuring something that is ...
Aug 06, 2024•34 min•Ep. 171
Roman Villard joins Randy Crabtree for Episode 170 of The Unique CPA to discuss his social media marketing approach and his founding of Full Send Finance. In a conversation recorded nearly a year ago, Roman discusses establishing his niche: Seed to Series B, primarily tech, startups. The key for Roman is his passion for working with early-stage companies, drawing from his family's entrepreneurial background and his own career choices. He also emphasizes the importance of creating a positive work...
Jul 30, 2024•28 min•Ep. 170
On Episode 169 of The Unique CPA , Randy Crabtree connects with Katie Thomas, founder of Leaders Online, a marketing firm focused on business-to-accountants (B2A) services. They discuss Katie's journey from her entrepreneurial childhood to her professional experience in a Big Four accounting firm and her eventual venture into establishing Leaders Online to help accountants market their firms. Exploring the shift in marketing strategies for accounting firms, Katie emphasizes the importance of nic...
Jul 23, 2024•33 min•Ep. 169
For our third and final bonus episode of The Unique CPA, Rob Brown from The Accounting Influencers talks to Kasidy Kersey and Robb Zbierski about their upcoming appearances at Bridging the Gap 2024. Kasidy, the founder of Marina Bay Yoga, will be the Wellness Coordinator for this year's Wellness Room, reprising her role from the 2023 edition. Bringing her own personal experience with burnout, her passion is to show overworked and stressed professionals how to better look after themselves. Robb Z...
Jul 19, 2024•21 min•Ep. 168
Join Randy Crabtree on Episode 167 of The Unique CPA as he talks with Jake Kessenich, former COO and Partner at Encurio, about their recent rebranding journey, developing niche markets, and unique pricing strategies. Jake shares his insights into their industry transition, client relationships, and the importance of aligning personal values with business goals, which led to Encurio entering the death care services industry niche—an invaluable episode for accounting professionals looking to eleva...
Jul 16, 2024•27 min•Ep. 167
On this second bonus episode of The Unique CPA, host Rob Brown from the Accounting Influencers Podcasts returns to preview the Bridging the Gap Conference 2024, scheduled for July 22-24 in Rosemont, Illinois. This time, he is joined by speakers Nancy McClelland, Kristen Keats, Seth Feinberg, and Dawn Brolin as they discuss their roles and sessions at the event. Highlighting the conference's unique focus on mental health, professional growth, and community among accountants, all the speakers agre...
Jul 12, 2024•30 min•Ep. 166
On Episode 165 of The Unique CPA , Randy Crabtree talks Bridging the Gap 2024, highlighting the vital support of Diamond Sponsor FreshBooks with guest Laura Crean. Laura serves as Partner Program and Education Manager at FreshBooks, and she dives into her journey from Ireland to Canada as well as her role in FreshBooks' exciting new ventures, particularly FreshBooks’ recent transition to a full general ledger system and the innovative Collaborative Accounting Framework. The goal is a synergistic...
Jul 09, 2024•35 min•Ep. 165
On this special bonus episode of The Unique CPA , host Rob Brown from The Accounting Influencers Podcasts interviews prominent speakers of the upcoming Bridging the Gap Conference 2024, set to take place from July 22-24 in Rosemont, Illinois. Featured guests include Chad Davis, Roman Villard, Al-Nesha Jones, and Hitendra Patil, who share their backgrounds, insights about the accounting profession, and their excitement for the conference. They discuss their individual sessions, which range from e...
Jul 05, 2024•28 min•Ep. 164
Dan Luthi, Partner at Ignite Spot Outsourced Accounting joins Randy for Episode 163 of The Unique CPA . They discuss the importance of corporate culture in maintaining a positive work environment, through highlighting Dan's journey at Ignite Spot, his approach to leadership, and how a supportive culture can attract and retain top talent. Dan explores unique strategies for developing a cohesive virtual team, emphasizing the significance of vulnerability and personal connection in leadership, and ...
Jul 02, 2024•35 min•Ep. 153
Randy Crabtree welcomes Francesca Reicheter, founder and president of Inspiring My Generation, to Episode 162 of The Unique CPA . Francesca shares her personal journey with mental health challenges from a young age, including her experiences with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder, and the importance of mental health awareness, strategies to manage mental well-being. Her nonprofit organization aims to prevent suicide through awareness, conversation, education, and support. A poignant and ...
Jun 25, 2024•28 min•Ep. 162
The Unique CPA returns for Episode 161 with host Randy Crabtree welcoming Dave Olsen, founder and CEO of Nimbl and Nimbl Staffing. Dave delves deep into the essential elements of leadership, culture, and growth that have fueled Nimbl's success, including his transition from a Big Four auditor to a trailblazing business leader, building a thriving remote team across the U.S., Canada, and the Philippines. Dave identifies his evolution from an accounting “technician” to a leader as a key aspect of ...
Jun 18, 2024•31 min•Ep. 161
Bridging the Gap Conference 2024 is July 22–24, 2024, is Rosemont, Illinois, and on Episode 160 of The Unique CPA , Randy interviews Andrew Lassise, founder of Tech4Accountants, now a part of Rightworks, a platinum sponsor of the conference. Andrew and Rightworks specialize in cybersecurity and compliance in accounting. With their expertise, they help firms establish WISPs, Written Information Security Plans, aid them in navigating the FTC Safeguards Rule, educate on cybersecurity best practices...
Jun 11, 2024•45 min•Ep. 160
Host Randy Crabtree welcomes Dawn Goldberg to Episode 159 of The Unique CPA . The author of The Smarter Accountant , Dawn shares her journey in public accounting, working for major firms like Deloitte Touche and Ernst & Young, and explains how understanding our own cognitive processes can lead to a less stressful, more productive tax season—and year-round experience as an accountant. Dawn addresses common pain points for accountants, such as stress, overwhelm, and imposter syndrome, emphasiz...
Jun 04, 2024•29 min•Ep. 159
