Brandon Hall: Scaling Accounting Firms: Leadership, Sales, and Accountability That Actually Work

Show Summary: In this GMAP episode, Brandon Hall joins the conversation to break down what actually holds accounting firms back from meaningful scale—and why technology alone isn't the answer. Drawing from his experience as a CPA, firm founder, and real estate investor, Brandon explains why most firms don't have an operations problem—they have a sales and leadership problem. He challenges the idea that sales should be "balanced" with operations, arguing instead that healthy firms intentionally let sales outpace operations to force growth, systems, and accountability. The discussion dives into why firms stuck at the $1M mark struggle to reach $10M, highlighting the real blockers: weak accountability, the absence of a true leadership team, and outdated governance models that reward mediocrity over ownership. Brandon also addresses the role of AI, making it clear that while technology can enhance efficiency, it won't replace accountants who lead, think critically, and guide clients strategically. This episode is a must-listen for firm owners who want to scale with intention, build strong leadership structures, and move beyond survival-mode growth into long-term, sustainable success.   Website:www.therealestatecpa.com LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonhallcpa/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/realestatecpa Twitter: @TheRECPA   Corporate Partner:Kick - https://www.kick.co/ Profit First App Version 2.0 is here!  More Education. More Functionality. More Profit!

Show Summary: In this episode, we're joined by John Zakel, Jr., founder of Smooth 401k, to explore how business owners can turn their 401(k) plans into a strategic advantage—not just a benefit expense. John breaks down why many small and mid-sized businesses overpay for their 401(k) plans and what owners can do to fix it. He explains how the right plan design can support business growth, improve employee retention, and create meaningful tax savings for both employers and their teams. The conversation also covers the rise of pooled and tech-enabled 401(k) platforms, how recent changes under SECURE 2.0 unlock overlooked tax credits, and why employee education is the key to building a stronger financial culture inside your organization. If you're a business owner looking to reduce costs, attract and retain great people, and use your retirement plan more intentionally, this episode offers practical insights you won't want to miss.   Website: www.smooth401k.com linkedin.com/in/johnzakeljr   Corporate Partner:Sums Plus Solutions - https://sumsplussolutions.com/ Profit First App Version 2.0 is here!  More Education. More Functionality. More Profit!

Show Summary: In this episode of the Grow My Accounting Practice podcast, Dr. Holly Tucker joins the conversation to explore the powerful connection between physical well-being and business profitability. Dr. Tucker shares her journey as a chiropractor and how her passion for helping others extend beyond the treatment room and into supporting professionals—especially women in the chiropractic field—through the Profit First framework. She discusses her path to joining the Beyond Your Books team and how she bridges chiropractic care with financial advisory work. Dr. Tucker explains why posture and musculoskeletal health are critical for office-based professionals, particularly accountants and advisors who spend long hours at a desk, and how physical strain can quietly impact productivity, focus, and long-term success. The conversation wraps with practical "Invest in Your Spine" tips, encouraging listeners to intentionally invest their time, attention, and resources into simple posture and ergonomic improvements. This episode offers an insightful reminder that protecting your body is not just a health decision—it's a profitability strategy.   Website: http://www.drhollychiro.com/ http://www.beyondyourbooks.com/   Corporate Partner: People Processes - https://peopleprocesses.com/ Profit First App Version 2.0 is here!  More Education. More Functionality. More Profit!

Show Summary: In this episode of Grow My Accounting Practice, we sit down with Justin Allan Montgomery, founder of ProCourseStart, to unpack how professionals can scale an eight-figure continuing education (CE) business—without fancy funnels or marketing gimmicks. Justin shares why accountants are uniquely positioned to launch CE businesses as a powerful passive income stream and explains how this model helps break the time-for-money trap that keeps many firm owners overworked and capped on income. He also dives into the growing role of AI in accounting and other professional fields, outlining how a CE business can serve as a financial hedge—building redundancy, resilience, and long-term stability into your career. Throughout the conversation, Justin walks through the general process of starting a CE business, what it actually takes to get one off the ground, and why trust-based education—not influencer marketing—is the key to sustainable success. He closes by revealing just how lucrative a CE business can be for professionals who package their expertise the right way. If you're an accountant looking to scale beyond billable hours, future-proof your income, and monetize your knowledge without burning out, this episode is a must-listen.   LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/procoursestart/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Pro-Course-Start/61574146510784/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/procoursestart25/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ProCourseStart TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@procoursestart   Corporate Partner: Profit First App Version 2.0 is here!  More Education. More Functionality. More Profit!

Show Summary: In this episode, William Spengler breaks down why traditional hiring continues to fail finance leaders—and what top CFOs are demanding instead. He reveals how outdated recruiting systems lack the data integrity, accountability, and measurable ROI that finance executives rely on in every other area of business. William explains why the best CFOs don't want résumé collectors—they want strategic partners who understand business drivers and build relationships before a job search begins. William also shares how Frederick Fox's performance-first hiring model, built on flexible, commission-based partnerships, delivers precision, speed, and long-term retention. He explores how finance leaders balance cost control, culture, and urgency when filling high-impact roles, and what Frederick Fox has learned from working with more than 700 clients. The episode closes with practical lessons any firm can use to improve leadership, growth, and talent strategy beyond recruiting.   Website:https://frederickfox.com/ LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-spengler-2193433a/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/frederick-fox/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrederickFoxGroup/   Corporate Partner:Impressia Bank - https://impressiabank.bank/ Profit First App Version 2.0 is here!  More Education. More Functionality. More Profit!

Show Summary: In this episode of Grow My Accounting Practice, we're joined by Gabriel Florentino, Client Development Director at Engineered Tax Services (ETS), to break down one of the most powerful – and often misunderstood – tax strategies available to businesses: cost segregation. Gabriel shares what ETS does as a national leader in specialty tax services and explains how cost segregation works to accelerate depreciation, improve cash flow, and unlock significant tax savings. He also dives into bonus depreciation, how it amplifies the benefits of a cost seg study, and why it's especially important in the current tax landscape. Listeners will learn who is the best fit for a cost segregation study – including real estate investors, commercial property owners, and the CPAs who advise them – and why partnering with ETS ensures accuracy, compliance, and maximum value. If you want to help your clients keep more of what they earn, this episode is your roadmap.   Website:https://portal.engineeredtaxservices.com/cost-segregation/quick-start   Corporate Partner:The Abundant Accountant - https://theabundantaccountant.com/ Profit First App Version 2.0 is here!  More Education. More Functionality. More Profit!

Show Summary: In this episode, Wayne Foreman shares his powerful journey from launching CDF with almost no capital to scaling it into a family of five successful companies with more than 150 team members. He opens up about the role faith played in his entrepreneurial path — including the prayer that shifted everything — and how trusting God through both challenges and victories shaped his business decisions. Wayne also explains how discovering Profit First transformed the way he operated, giving him clarity, stability, and true profit freedom. He dives into his coaching framework, 3PX, which focuses on People, Profit, Process, and the all-important X factor: user and customer experience. Listeners will hear how 3PX Coaching and the 3PX Podcast are helping business owners build stronger, more efficient, and more purpose-driven companies. Website:www.foreword.comwww.3pxcoaching.com   Corporate Partner:Kick - https://www.kick.co/ Profit First App Version 2.0 is here!  More Education. More Functionality. More Profit!

Show Summary: In this special episode of the Grow My Accounting Practice Podcast, hosts Ron Saharyan, Liz Szporn, and Mike Michalowicz take listeners behind the scenes of ProfitCON 2025, the exclusive annual gathering for Profit First Professionals. They explore this year's theme, "In Plain Sight," uncovering how profit, purpose, and potential are often right in front of us. The team shares highlights from standout speakers, powerful sessions, and moments that inspired connection and growth within the community. Listeners will hear practical insights on pricing, efficiency, and mindset shifts that members can apply immediately—plus inspiring success stories from firms that have transformed through Profit First. The hosts also share what's next for the community and how to keep the momentum going beyond the event.   Website:https://profitfirstprofessionals.com/ Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ProfitFirstProfessionals/ Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/proud_to_be_profitable/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/company/profit-first-professionals/ TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@profitfirstpros YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ProfitFirstProfessionalsInc.   Corporate Partner:Bill.com - https://www.bill.com/grow Profit First App Version 2.0 is here!  More Education. More Functionality. More Profit!

Show Summary: In this episode of the Grow My Accounting Practice Podcast, Mark Perlberg, founder of Prosperl CPA, joins the show to discuss how accounting professionals can elevate their services through proactive tax planning. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Mark specializes in advanced tax-reduction strategies for high-income real estate investors and entrepreneurs across the U.S. He shares his insights on what it takes to build a team capable of delivering high-value tax planning rather than simply filing returns, emphasizing structure, communication, and the right mindset for firm growth. Mark dives into several key tax strategies that accountants can use to better serve their clients, including the importance of capturing "use it or lose it" deductions before they expire, creative approaches for high-earning W-2 clients, and how to leverage solar tax incentives to help clients save while investing in renewable energy. His perspective challenges traditional thinking and offers practical ways to identify opportunities that often go unnoticed in standard compliance work. Throughout the conversation, Mark highlights the power of overcommunication — ensuring clients understand their tax strategy, timelines, and next steps. By leading with transparency and education, he demonstrates how firms can build stronger relationships and deliver measurable results. This episode is packed with actionable insights for accountants ready to move from reactive tax filing to strategic tax planning that creates lasting client impact.   Website:https://www.prosperlcpa.com YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@markperlbergcpa   Corporate Partner:Bill.com - https://www.bill.com/grow Profit First App Version 2.0 is here!  More Education. More Functionality. More Profit!

Show Summary: In this episode of Grow My Accounting Practice, we're joined by Laura A. Shepherd, founder of Momentum BK, My Top Bookkeeper LLC, and MTB Management LLC. Laura shares how the Momentum BK Business Model empowers accounting professionals and business owners alike through its dual-purpose design—streamlining firm operations while enhancing client outcomes. Listeners will discover how the model guides firms from startup to scalable, turning standard operating procedures into strategic assets that drive growth and consistency. Laura also unpacks the Momentum BK Client Service Method, a revenue- and profit-focused framework that creates confidence, capacity, and control for both practitioners and clients. Tune in to learn how to transform your firm's systems and elevate your client service with a model built for sustainable success.   Website:www.momentumbk.com   Corporate Partner:Bill.com - https://www.bill.com/grow Profit First App Version 2.0 is here!  More Education. More Functionality. More Profit!