Navigating Talent Trends in CPA M&A with Geoff Bruskin

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 the process of expanding a business and the importance of having the bandwidth to innovate. Tune in to discover how Dave navigates the challenges of running multiple services and what it takes to thrive in the accounting world.

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. Additionally, Geoff introduces his recent venture into business brokerage, helping CPA clients sell their businesses, further enhancing the services offered to the accounting community. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation that explores how firms can leverage talent and technology to thrive in a competitive environment. Geoff Bruskin is a distinguished figure in the realm of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) within the accounting profession, known for his innovative approach to talent acquisition and business growth strategies. As the founder and leader of White Tiger Connections, Geoff has dedicated his career to facilitating transactions that empower CPA firms to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape. His expertise extends beyond M&A; he is also a recognized authority in recruiting for the CPA profession, helping firms not only to grow through acquisitions but also to build robust teams that drive sustainable success.

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 both the quantifiable and intuitive aspects of pricing, particularly as firms navigate the evolving landscape of CAS best practices.  Tune in to discover valuable strategies for enhancing your firm's operations and achieving your goals faster.

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 as the former CEO and Chairman of Baker Tilly. As leader, he successfully scaled the organization from $475 million to $1.5 billion, demonstrating a keen understanding of strategic growth and operational maturity.  Currently, Alan runs an advisory practice where he shares his expertise in scaling firms and implementing best practices for growth. He is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, regularly publishing insights on leadership and organizational development through his weekly newsletter.  Alan is also active on LinkedIn, where he connects with professionals across the industry.

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. Throughout the conversation, Dawn highlights the significance of mindset in overcoming obstacles and achieving success.  Are you an accountant seeking to enhance productivity and well-being? Then Dawn has solutions for you!

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 years of working as an accountant and financial analyst, he founded Big 4 Transparency – which has served hundreds of thousands of CPAs by making salary data more visible. Dominic assists accounting firms by giving them a user-friendly dashboard for understanding industry trends around compensation. He’s also the host of the Big 4 Transparency podcast, where he interviews accounting industry insiders.

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 rise of rollover equity and earnouts, and how these vary by buyer type. Additionally, he shares insights into current valuation multiples, emphasizing the factors that impact firm valuations, including profitability and client retention. This episode is packed with actionable takeaways – whether you're an accounting firm owner considering growth through acquisition or preparing for a sale. Tune in to gain Thrive Financial Group’s expert perspective on the latest M&A trends and learn how to position your firm for success. Resources

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 marketing and sales processes.  Listeners can expect insights into quickly gaining traction, making strategic pivots, and offering advisory services, all while sharing in the excitement of the entrepreneurial roller coaster. Tune in for an engaging and informative ride!

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 entrepreneurship, and her focus on 401k solutions.  Tune in to explore Kelly's insights on starting a firm, selling a firm, and the development of innovative software in the accounting space.

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 decisions he faced, including experimenting with service offerings like bookkeeping and payroll.  Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of capacity planning and the hard-won lessons learned from the front lines of running a modern firm. Tune in for an engaging discussion filled with practical advice for firm growth and client management.