Episode 229
FACULTY: Ashley Francis, CPA
CLASS: #Shoperations
In this episode, Scotty and Ashley Francis, CPA discuss her journey in becoming a CPA, building her niche practice focused on high-net-worth individuals, and exploring educational opportunities. Ashley shares her passion for accounting, spurred by early childhood experiences, and her growth from working in large accounting firms to running her own practice. She talks about her unique experience with trust and estate taxes, homeschooling her son, and the challenges and rewards of balancing a practice with educational endeavors.
Ashley and Scott do NOT discuss: AI, Jason Staats, or Automation!
📣 Shout Outs: Alicyn McLeod, Nicole Davis, Byron Patrick, Neil Stevenson, Ali Abdaal, Cal Newport, Deep Work, Misty Schachtell, Theatre of Public Speaking, Seattle Estate Planning Society, Matthew G Norton, Deloitte, Oura Ring, Twitter, AICPA Engage, Atlanta Tax, Jason Staats
Chapters:
00:00 Teaser
02:17 Introduction
05:01 The Role of Accountants in Society
13:47 Starting a Practice and Homeschooling
17:25 Building a Niche in Trust Taxes
21:05 The Power of Networking and Social Media
22:56 Balancing Practice and New Opportunities
28:10 Exploring White Labeling and Future Plans
🔗 Connect With Us On LinkedIn! 🔗
Ashley Francis, CPA
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-francis-seattle/
The Francis Group, PLLC
📎 https://francisgroupsea.com/
Scotty OKR Scarano
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/
Accounting High
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-high/
📎 https://www.accountinghigh.com/
Tags: Shoperations, Accounting High, Accounting, Podcast, Shop Class, Firm Operations, Systems And Processes, Taxation Podcast, CPA Interview, Trust Taxes, Financial Planning, Accounting Career, Estate Planning, Homeschooling, Wealth Management, High Net Worth, Accounting High Podcast, Professional Guidance, Financial Advisory, CPA Firm, Course Creation, Business Strategy, Tax Professionals, Seattle Tax, Family Office, Social Media Networking, Tax Automation
Episode 228
FACULTY: Adam Hale, CPA
CLASS: #Shoperations
TITLE: $10M Model Cloud Accounting Firm, Beyond the Summit
In this episode of Accounting High, join the host and guest Adam Hale from Summit CPAs as they dive into the transformation from traditional accounting to advisory services. Adam discusses the journey of creating a successful model cloud accounting firm, emphasizing the shift from answering questions to asking them, the importance of building a niche, and the challenges of merging with a larger firm like Anders. He shares valuable insights on developing advisory services, maintaining culture in a distributed team, and growing a business by learning from failures. Whether you're starting out in the accounting field or looking to innovate within your firm, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration.
📣 Shout Outs: Summit CPAs, Anders CPAs + Advisors, Jody Grunden, Kenji Kuramoto, Matthew May, Acuity, Mike Meilinger, Virtual CFO, Navigate the Journey
⬇️Videos Referenced⬇️
Episode 47 - The Model Cloud Accounting Firm (feat. Jody Grunden, CPA)
(https://youtu.be/Q4r3CX3G1qk)
Episode 173 - Growing a Profitable Remote CFO Accounting Firm (feat. Jody Grunden, CPA)
(https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/accountinghigh/episodes/173-Growing-a-Profitable-Remote-CFO-Accounting-Firm-feat--Jody-Grunden--CPA-e294kjl)
Episode 227 - $3.5M Firm with a Budget for Being Uncomfortable (feat. Mike Meilinger, CPA)
(https://youtu.be/7T6zsd0lxAI)
Chapters:
00:00 Teaser
01:22 Introduction
02:30 The Journey to Becoming a CPA
04:19 Meeting Jody and Early Career
08:14 Building the Firm Together
12:00 Challenges and Growth
15:34 Partnership Dynamics
23:34 Advisory Services and Evolution
26:06 The Turning Point: Realizing the Value of Advisory Services
27:21 Building Confidence in Advisory Work
28:51 Transitioning to a Value-Based Pricing Model
30:25 Challenges in Training Advisors
35:11 Creating a Systematic Approach to Client Meetings
38:36 Accidentally Finding a Niche Market
40:55 Embracing a Distributed Work Model
42:40 Navigating the Competitive Landscape
52:47 Advice for Aspiring Advisors
🔗 Connect With Us On LinkedIn! 🔗
Adam Hale, CPA
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamhalecpa/
Anders CPAs + Advisors
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/anders-cpas-advisors/about/
Scotty OKR Scarano
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/
Accounting High
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-high/
📎 https://www.accountinghigh.com/
Tags: Shoperations, Accounting High, Accounting, Podcast, Shop Class, Firm Operations, Systems And Processes, Cloud accounting, CPA firm, virtual CFO, advisory services, accounting podcast, business growth, financial advice, distributed work model, merger, partnership dynamics, entrepreneurial journey, remote work, private equity, firm culture, value-based pricing, business advisory, professional services
Episode 227
FACULTY: Mike Meilinger, CPA
CLASS: #Shoperations
In this episode, join us as we dive into an inspiring conversation with Mike Meilinger, a seasoned CPA and business coach who has transformed not only his accounting firm but also his health. Mike shares his incredible physical transformation and adopting extreme fitness regimes like 75 Hard. Gain valuable insights on balancing business success with personal health, the importance of emotional well-being, and why investing in discomfort can lead to growth in all aspects of life.
📣 Shout Outs: Gary Breka Health Routine, Bridging the Gap, Deloitte, Insignia, Strategic Coach, Buy Back Your Time, Dan Martell, Dan Sullivan, Geno Wickman, Quickbooks, Thomson Reuters, Certified Tax Coach, Dominique Molina, Rick Solomon, Monday, ClickUp, Citrix, UltraTax, Rightworks, Xero, Bill.com, Rootworks, Jason Staats, Summit CPA, Gusto, Jody Grunden, Eddie Priscilla’s Live Hard Program, Pinnacle Coaching, Gordon Caudle, Enlightened Business Advisors, Peter Attia, Brant Hansen
📚 Books Referenced 📚
Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
Unoffendable by Brant Hansen
Outlived by Peter Attia
Chapters:
00:00 Teaser
02:52 Mike's Journey to Accounting
04:49 Starting and Growing the Firm
06:10 Strategic Coach and Business Principles
13:51 Technology and Outsourcing
24:00 Learning from the Best: Coaches and Systems
24:34 Pricing and Engagement Lessons
26:28 Sales and Hiring Strategies
27:54 Journey to Health and Fitness
31:10 The Importance of Self-Investment
44:23 Emotional Health and Forgiveness
46:54 Final Thoughts
🔗 Connect With Us On LinkedIn! 🔗
Mike Meilinger
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemeilinger/
Scotty OKR Scarano
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/
Accounting High
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-high/
📎 https://www.accountinghigh.com/
Tags: Shoperations, Accounting High, Accounting, Podcast, Shop Class, Firm Operations, Systems And Processes, firm growth, CPA success, business coaching, strategic coach, healthy lifestyle, bodybuilding, accounting firm, discomfort budget, tax planning, outsourcing, client relationships, Pinnacle coaching, fitness journey, health principles, entrepreneur tips, delegation strategies, emotional health, personal trainer, business systems, professional development
Episode 226
FACULTY: Dominic Piscopo, CPA
In this episode, Scotty chats with Domini Piscopo, the founder of Big4Transparency.com. Domini shares his journey from being a tax analyst at Deloitte to becoming an entrepreneur. He talks about the importance of transparency in the accounting profession, how his platform helps accountants understand salary expectations, and his future plans for Big4Transparency.
📣 Shout Outs: Big4Transparency, Bridging the Gap, Deloitte Canada, Rewind, Lil Dicky, Dave Byrd, Reddit, Robert Half, Fishbowl, Blind, Brandon Hall, Twitter/X, Tim Petrey
⬇️ *Videos Referenced* ⬇️
_$7.5M Small Town Big Fish Swimming with PE Sharks (feat. Tim Petrey, CPA)_
(https://youtu.be/yqekz3qv7oQ)
_Guide to Ground your Growth with Gratitude (feat. Tim Petrey, CPA)_
(https://youtu.be/g-OTO-3YWnI)
Chapters:
00:00 Teaser
02:46 Dominic's Journey into Accounting
09:29 Transition to Entrepreneurship
23:46 Business and Data Sharing
25:04 Demographics and User Engagement
25:28 Branding and Revenue Generation
28:39 Big Breakthroughs and Validation
31:12 Current Offerings and Future Plans
40:18 Podcasting and Networking
41:55 Final Thoughts and Advice
🔗 _Connect With Us On Linkedin!_ 🔗
*Dominic Piscopo, CPA*
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/
*Big4Transparency.com*
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/big4transparency-com/
📎 https://www.big4transparency.com/
*Scotty OKR Scarano*
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/
*Accounting High*
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-high/
📎 https://www.accountinghigh.com/
Tags: Accounting High, Accounting, Industry, Practice, Podcast, Guidance, Vision, Firm Owners, Advice, Compensation Database, Accountants, Dominic Piscopo, Big Four, Transparency, CPA, Salary Data, Accounting Industry, Public Accounting, Accounting Firms, Career Advice, Entrepreneurship, Accounting Careers, Financial Planning, Audit, Tax, FP&A, Reddit, Networking, Business Development
Episode 225
FACULTY: Terrell Turner, CPA
CLASS: #SocialStudies
In this Social Studies episode of Accounting High, Scotty and Terrell Turner discuss the evolution of marketing in the age of AI and how firms can adapt to the changes brought by large language models like ChatGPT. Learn strategies to ensure your brand shows up in AI-driven searches. Terrell shares his practical experiences, including integrating high-value content, leveraging different social media platforms, and personalizing marketing approaches.
📣 Shout Outs: YouTube, Tik-Tok, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Pintrest, Zoom, Streamyard, Riverside, Samuel L Jackson, Bridging the Gap, Oprah, Logitech, ChatGPT, Kanye West, Tim Petrey, Logan Graf, State Farm, Geico, Procter & Gamble
⬇️Videos Referenced⬇️
Guide to Ground your Growth with Gratitude | Tim Petrey, CPA
(https://youtu.be/g-OTO-3YWnI)
Chapters:
00:00 Teaser
01:44 Introduction
02:21 Evolution of Marketing in Accounting
03:07 Leveraging AI for Brand Visibility
04:14 Historical Marketing Methods
06:03 Adapting to AI and Large Language Models
36:27 Using Memes and Social Media
40:05 Terrel's Golden Age Model
43:54 Conclusion
🔗 Connect With Us On Linkedin! 🔗
Terrell A Turner, CPA
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrellturner/
TLTurner Group
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/tlturnergroup/
📎 http://www.tlturnergroup.com
Business Talk Library
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/1goldenage/
📎 http://www.bizprofitsecrets.com
Scotty OKR Scarano
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottscarano/
Accounting High
📎 https://www.linkedin.com/company/accounting-high/
📎 https://www.accountinghigh.com/
Tags: Social Studies, Accounting High, Accounting, Podcast, Marketing, Social Media, AI Marketing, Branding Strategies, Content Marketing, CPA Insights, ChatGPT, Digital Presence, Firm Visibility, Social Media Strategy, SEO Techniques, Marketing Evolution, High-Quality Content, Marketing Trends, Online Branding, Business Growth, Marketing Tips, Firm Marketing, AI Tools, Marketing Innovation, Marketing Strategy, Client Acquisition