In this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with Patrick Dichter, founder and owner of AppleTree Consulting, an accounting firm specializing in outsourced accounting and tax services for small to medium-sized businesses. Patrick shares his unique journey from business consultant to accounting firm owner, having grown his company from $1.2 million to $4.5 million in revenue through strategic acquisitions and organic growth. He offers candid insights on the challenges of change management, the reality of scaling a professional services firm, and the difficult decisions that come with rapid growth. From navigating client transitions to building accountability systems and expanding service lines, Patrick pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a modern accounting practice. Whether you're considering an acquisition, scaling your firm, or simply trying to build the right team, this episode is packed with real-world lessons from the trenches.Episode Chapters:00:00 Introduction: Patrick's Unconventional Path to Accounting05:00 Change Management: Why Team Transitions Are Harder Than Client Transitions08:00 Acquisition Lessons: What Worked, What Failed, and Why11:00 Building Multiple Revenue Streams and Service Lines14:00 The Reality of Scaling: Growth Sweet Spots and Growing Pains19:00 Creating a Culture of Accountability with Scorecards and KPIs22:00 Strategic Planning: Reaching the $5 Million Milestone26:00 Systems and Technology for Scale: EOS and Practice Management30:00 Flying Solo: The Pros and Cons of Single Ownership32:00 Rapid Fire: Books, Metrics, and Essential Business AdviceEpisode Resources:Patrick Dichter on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/PatrickDichterPatrick Dichter on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/patrickdichterAppleTree Business Website: https://appletreebusiness.comBook: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara: https://amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Restaurants-Business/dp/0593418573Book: The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber: https://amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280Canopy Practice Management: https://getcanopy.comTraction (EOS - Entrepreneurial Operating System): https://eosworldwide.comJeff Rudner on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3DEGINHProseer Website: https://proseer.co/Book a Consultation Contact Us: https://proseer.co/contact/Download Our eBook Transforming Accounting Solutions: https://proseer.co/rules-ebook/Previous guests include: Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon, co-founders of the Jam Stand and Mighty Picnic, Tom Hunt, Founder and CEO of Fame, Kenny Dettman, Founder and CEO of TaxNow, Rick Zullo, founder and managing partner of Equal Ventures, Adam Schwartz, founder and CEO of Parable and former co-founder of TeePublic.Check out our three most downloaded episodes:Scaling Smarter: Adam Schwartz on Data, AI, and Entrepreneurial GrowthThe Exit Playbook: Johan Hoernell’s Secrets to Scaling and SellingPivot & Prosper: Scaling a CPG Brand the Smart Way with Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon