Rachel and Marcus candidly discuss the challenges they faced in transitioning their accounting firm to a client advisory services (CAS) model over the past seven years. They share insights on converting existing clients, implementing new processes and technology, evolving team dynamics, and the need for firm-wide changes. This episode offers a realistic perspective for firms considering the CAS path, highlighting potential pitfalls and the strategic mindset required for a successful transformati...
May 06, 2024•50 min•Season 3Ep. 11
In this episode, Rachel and Marcus share their experiences and insights on navigating the challenging task of pricing client accounting and advisory services (CAS). They discuss their firm's evolution from opaque pricing to a transparent, subscription-based model, and the strategies they employed to ensure their pricing accurately reflects the value they provide. Rachel and Marcus also delve into the difficulties of implementing price increases, the importance of clear communication with clients...
Apr 22, 2024•58 min•Season 3Ep. 10
In this episode, Marcus and Rachel discuss two critical questions every business owner should ask when evaluating new opportunities - whether it simplifies their life and increases the value of their business. They dive into practical examples of applying these questions to prospects, software, service lines, and more. Get insights on making decisions that align with your values, increase profitability, and build a business with enduring value. Chapters (00:00) - Who's Really The Boss (01:08) - ...
Apr 08, 2024•47 min•Season 3Ep. 9
When a team member resigns with no notice, it can feel like chaos. Rachel and Marcus share their experience handling a sudden departure and how their team structure allowed for a smooth transition, minimizing disruption to clients and maintaining high service levels. They outline the specific steps they took, from verifying the resignation to reassigning responsibilities, highlighting the importance of having clear protocols in place. Chapters (00:00) - Who's Really The Boss Season 3 Episode 08 ...
Mar 25, 2024•50 min•Season 3Ep. 8
Rachel and Marcus discuss the differences between being business owners in their thirties versus their forties. They reflect on the intense focus and long hours required to build the business in their thirties, compared to now enjoying the fruits of their labor and being able to prioritize life beyond just work. They also touch on the evolution of valuing relationships and mentoring others as they've matured. Learn More About Dillon Business Advisors https://www.dillonadvisors.com https://www.li...
Mar 11, 2024•27 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Marcus and Rachel discuss their differing backgrounds and risk tolerances that have shaped how they approach entrepreneurship and building their family business together. They offer some insights as to why Marcus is driven to constantly innovate and improve. They also share stories from Marcus' childhood experiences with his dad's trucking business that illustrate how those early experiences influenced his mindset and approach to business. Learn More About Dillon Business Advisors https://www.di...
Feb 26, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 6
Interview with a Team of 3 with Marcus Dillon, CPA, Elena Munoz, EA, and Amada Santos Hi CPAs and Accountants! You found our podcast! We apologize in advance for the suboptimal audio quality of this episode. This episode includes 1 of 8 Teams of 3 from Dillon Business Advisors. A Team of 3 is an operational structure for Client Advisory Services accounting firms that improves capacity, efficiency, client experience, and team member satisfaction. The Team of 3 is made up of a Client CFO who is ty...
Feb 19, 2024•39 min•Season 3Ep. 5
Hope is Not a Strategy Hey CPAs and Accountants! You found our podcast! Hoping and wishing alone rarely lead to significant change if any at all. At Dillon Business Advisors, we decided to ensure greater success in our accounting firm by hiring our first Director of Operations. In smaller organizations, everyone rolls up their sleeves and helps where needed, but initiatives and goals benefit from a highly-qualified leader who can plan, prioritize, monitor execution, and make adjustments in order...
Feb 12, 2024•33 min•Season 3Ep. 4
Who's Really the Boss Podcast Stop Lying to Yourself Hi CPAs and Accountants! You found our podcast. How are those New Year's resolutions and intentions going? This week on Who's Really the Boss podcast, we are probably stepping on some toes! Listen in to a conversation on the benefits of "knowing" versus "thinking" you are being consistent. We highlight the importance of tracking behaviors and inputs to measure progress and assess results. This episode will help get you back on track for the 20...
Feb 05, 2024•32 min•Season 3Ep. 3
DBA 2023 Uncensored - Our Accounting Firm's Real Yearend Data Hi CPAs and Accountants! You found our podcast. How much does an accounting firm really make? This week on Who's Really the Boss podcast, Marcus Dillon, CPA and Rachel Dillon are sharing the intimate yearend details of Dillon Business Advisors. From revenue and achievements to failed experiments and abandoned initiatives, listen to the uncensored year in review of a Client Accounting and Advisory Services firm. Previous episodes menti...
Jan 29, 2024•44 min•Season 3Ep. 2
We Accidentally Raised an Entrepreneur with Kynley Dillon Hi there, CPAs and Accountants! You found our podcast. Join Marcus Dillon, CPA and Rachel Dillon of Dillon Business Advisors as they talk with Kynley Dillon, head baker and owner of Kynley's Confections.🎂 In this episode, you'll get a dose of motivation and wisdom as Kynley shares her inspiring journey of entrepreneurship, balancing academics, and the incredible experience of studying abroad in Switzerland.✈️ #smallbusinessowner #account...
Jan 22, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 1
What Successful People Do Next Hey, CPA Firm Owner! You found our podcast! This is the last episode of Season 2. Be sure to check out all of the great episodes in both seasons. What do you do when a key team member quits? What do you do when an assignment ends unexpectedly? What do you do when your business hits a plateau or starts to decline? There are commonalities in the way successful people handle adversity and move forward after setbacks. Grieve the loss Reflect on what worked well and wha...
Dec 18, 2023•24 min•Season 2Ep. 47
Riches in the Niches Hey! CPA Firm Owners, you found our podcast! Are the riches really in the niches for accounting firms? Plenty of small businesses have been successful serving the masses; however, those businesses are really clear on their vision and mission AND have well defined service or product offerings. There are so many benefits to defining your ideal clients and clearly defining your service offerings that niching down allows you to provide more value by gaining expertise and creatin...
Dec 11, 2023•20 min•Season 2Ep. 46
Hi CPAs and Accountants! You found our podcast! When Change is Out of Your Control Some people claim they love change and others own the fact that they prefer consistency. BUT, for those that love change, do you love change even when it is not your idea?!?! As business owners and leaders, we have to remember that changes and new ideas coming from the top and impacting those we work with might not be as "exciting" to our teams. One of the biggest lessons we have learned 💡from implementing change...
Dec 04, 2023•22 min•Season 2Ep. 45
The Secret to A Successful Accounting Firm CPAs and Accounting Professionals, you found our podcast! This week, we had the privilege of learning from Bruce Berndt, CPA, CEO and Founder, of Berndt CPAs. This is a must listen episode! Bruce led large accounting firms before deciding to go out on his own in order to really serve and meaningfully impact business owners. Bruce has grown his firm to multiple locations and even multiple partners by remaining focused on one key aspect: PEOPLE. Berndt CP...
Nov 27, 2023•41 min•Season 2Ep. 44
Lessons Learned through 12 M&A Deals CPAs and Accounting Professionals! You found our podcast. Really?!?! Has Dillon Business Advisors done 12 merger and acquisition deals? Yes, and if you are counting, that makes 12 deals in 12 years! 🤯 In this episode, Rachel Dillon fact checks Marcus Dillon, CPA on his M&A deal claim. Curious to learn more about how these acquisitions and divestures were structured? Listen to Who's Really the Boss podcast to hear how these 12 deals were structured, h...
Nov 20, 2023•40 min•Season 2Ep. 43
Can Advisory Survive a Down Economy? Hi CPA Firm Owner! You found our podcast! Client Advisory Services are all the rage...until industries tank, the economy takes a down turn, and money gets tight. So, what happens to CPA firms that have transitioned away from a high volume of tax returns to high value advisory services? In this episode, Marcus Dillon, CPA and Rachel Dillon of Dillon Business Advisors discuss the effects of a down economy on clients and prospects, as well as practical ways to r...
Nov 13, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 42
You Need to Calm Down Hi CPA Firm Owner! You found our podcast! Client advisory services bring uncertainty by nature because they encompass financial accounting, bookkeeping, tax, and business planning conversations. Gone are the days of a client dropping off year end tax documents and picking up a neatly prepared tax return. Small business owners are facing a multitude of challenges and looking to their CPA as their financial expert to guide them through business ownership. What does it really ...
Nov 06, 2023•31 min•Season 2Ep. 41
To Rent or To Own as a Business Owner Hi CPA Firm Owner! You found our podcast. Signing a multi-year lease often feels similar to signing a mortgage. So which is better, renting or owning your office space? In typical accountant fashion, the answer is, "It depends." In this episode, Marcus Dillon, CPA and Rachel Dillon of Dillon Business Advisors discuss the advantages and disadvantages of renting and of owning office space. This episode also touches on other real estate investment opportunities...
Oct 30, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 40
Who's Really the Boss? Scheduling Simplified Hi CPA firm owner! You found our podcast. Online scheduling and booking is expected by most people in today's environment. The seamlessness of being able to see availability and claim a date and time from anywhere at any time is what makes this so beneficial for businesses. There are multiple options of online scheduling systems and some are even free. They are well connected to whatever calendar you use and allow you to set advanced parameters to ens...
Oct 23, 2023•32 min•Season 2Ep. 39
✦Something Has to Change✦ Hi CPA Firm Owner! You found our podcast! Outsiders typically have the best perspective for someone else's best choices in life, business, and relationships, right? It is always easier to say what someone else should do in any given situation, but it is not always easy when it is you needing to make a change. At Dillon Business Advisors, Marcus and Rachel talk with prospective clients and even other accounting firm owners who know they need to manage areas of their busi...
Oct 16, 2023•28 min•Season 2Ep. 38
✦Before You Quit...✦ Hi CPA Firm Owner! You found our podcast! Are you just "done," or are you feeling called to something different? In this episode, Marcus Dillon, CPA and Rachel Dillon dive deep into making a life-changing transition. Learn a new strategy to determine if quitting is the answer and how to end well. Don't make a change you will later regret; ask yourself these 5 questions before you quit. Marcus Dillon, CPA and Rachel Dillon own Dillon Business Advisors, a remote client account...
Oct 09, 2023•29 min•Season 2Ep. 37
Who's Really the Boss ✦Wing It or Work for It✦ Hi CPA Firm Owner! You found our podcast! I'm just winging it...work, life, all of it! But, what could be accomplished if you worked at the things that are really important to you? Marcus Dillon, CPA and Rachel Dillon discuss when working for it is worth the additional effort and the times winging it is good enough. Marcus and Rachel of course share the areas they choose to wing it, and one area they are continuously working on. Marcus Dillon, CPA a...
Oct 02, 2023•23 min•Season 2Ep. 36
Who's Really the Boss ✦Launched✦ Launching a business or even a kid off to college comes with so much anticipation and excitement, but even more stress and uncertainty. Marcus Dillon, CPA and Rachel Dillon share the story of dropping off their first born daughter for her very first semester of college in a foreign country. This episode highlights managing unrealized expectations, life in Switzerland, study abroad, and building resilience. #businessadvisors #financialservices #CFO #houstonadvisor...
Sep 25, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 35
Who's Really the Boss ✦It’s Time to Break Up✦ It’s not you, it’s me…no wait, it’s definitely you! Are you too busy with bad clients to accept better ones? In this episode Marcus Dillon and Rachel Dillon discuss why keeping bad clients in your accounting firm is a bad idea. A drain on resources, reputation, team morale, and the growth of your firm are just a few negative implications of keeping the wrong relationships too long. Listen in on how to identify non-ideal clients and how to guide those...
Sep 18, 2023•35 min•Season 2Ep. 34
Who's Really the Boss Managing Expectations to Increase Satisfaction Disappointment and frustration are often the direct result of mismanaged expectations. Marcus Dillon, CPA and Rachel Dillon have a candid conversation about managing expectations for yourself, clients, and team members. Rate of growth, discomfort of change, the onboarding process, and assimilating new team members are all areas DBA has seen both challenges and success. Listen to Who’s Really the Boss podcast to hear first hand ...
Sep 11, 2023•31 min•Season 2Ep. 33
Who's Really the Boss From Founder to Successor “I just started my business,” or “I’m not that old, yet!” There are tons of reasons small business owners aren’t thinking about succession. In this episode we’re discussing the challenges, strategies, and success stories surrounding the process of passing the torch to the next leader of your business. It’s critical to start early in identifying all potential successors, to begin nurturing their skills, and finally elevating them with both the team ...
Sep 04, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 32
Who's Really the Boss It's A Family Affair This week Marcus and Rachel Dillon are joined by special guest, Mick Nijher of Nitax Services, Inc. Mick shares the reality of growing into leadership at an accounting firm started from scratch by his father. In this episode, Mick highlights the skills and attributes he and his team have brought from working in large corporations in order to streamline and improve the client experience of their boutique accounting firm. Mick has cultivated an incredible...
Aug 28, 2023•45 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Who's Really the Boss Don't Be So Negative When the saying “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all,” is not helpful. Direct feedback is a great tool to use when choosing to make improvements or changes. Why would you want to waste time making changes or improvements to areas that have little to no impact? One way businesses can ask clients or patients for feedback that is very informative to the owner and team, but requires very little time and effort from the customer...
Aug 21, 2023•33 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Who's Really the Boss Falling Back In Love With Your Business As a business owner, you had a vision or dream when you took the risk, rolled up your sleeves, and built a business. BUT, #burnout is real. It is so easy to let your business take control instead of using your business as a platform to live out your purpose and enjoy your life. Marcus Dillon, CPA and Rachel Dillon talk through signs of burnout and how to fall back in love with your business. #businessadvisors #financialservices #CFO #...
Aug 14, 2023•32 min•Season 2Ep. 29
