AFO|Wealth Management Forward

In this episode, Rory sits down with Denise LeDuc Froemming, President and CEO of CalCPA, to explore how the accounting profession can modernize without losing the core foundation that makes it trusted. Discover why trust remains the non-negotiable center of the CPA profession even as private equity, AI, and evolving business models reshape the landscape. Denise shares a powerful call to action around storytelling, urging professionals to expand the narrative beyond tax and audit to showcase the diverse opportunities the CPA path unlocks—from entrepreneurship to wealth management and beyond. Learn why community is becoming strategic infrastructure in a hybrid world, how firms should think about private equity as “different, not binary,” and why the profession must ensure standards keep pace with innovation. Denise also challenges leaders to “lean into being bold and uncomfortable” as the industry evolves in real time. Are you telling a big enough story about what it means to be a CPA? And are you ready to modernize your practice without compromising the trust that defines it? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this timely and forward-looking conversation with Denise Froemming."Rory Henry is a registered investment adviser representative of Arrowroot Family Office. This podcast is published independently through Advis-ROR®, an outside business activity, and does not represent the views of Arrowroot Family Office.  It is intended for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Denise Froemming is not a client of Arrowroot nor was there any compensation for her inclusion in this article."

In this episode, Rory speaks with Sameer Munshi, America’s Behavioral Science and Simulation Leader at EY, about how behavioral science and AI-powered simulation are transforming the way financial firms test ideas, understand client behavior, and make strategic decisions. Sameer shares his journey from product development at Merrill Lynch to building applied behavioral science teams at EY, where he helps organizations design experiments that improve adoption, engagement, and real-world outcomes. He explains how AI simulation can recreate synthetic populations to test messaging, pricing strategies, and client interactions before they are deployed, shifting firms from guessing what clients might do to predicting how they will actually behave. They also explore the growing gap between what people say and what they do, why traditional research methods often fall short, and how behavioral insights can help advisors communicate more effectively in a rapidly changing world. Want to know how AI simulation could help advisors test strategies before implementing them with real clients? Curious how behavioral science can help financial professionals design better conversations and decisions? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this fascinating conversation with Sameer Munshi.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Nick Pasquarosa, Founder and CEO of Bookkeeper360, about building a modern accounting firm from the ground up and why innovation starts with listening to small business owners. Nick shares how a door-to-door side hustle in high school evolved into a nationwide cloud accounting firm serving nearly 1,000 clients with a fully remote team across 26 states. He explains how his role shifted from boots-on-the-ground bookkeeper to strategic CEO, and why leadership communities like EO, YPO, and Hampton helped accelerate that growth. The conversation dives into the firm’s technology roadmap, including the development of its proprietary AI tool BOLT, designed to deliver CFO-level insights at scale while preserving the human relationship. Nick also unpacks how AI is being used internally to surface advisory insights, streamline month-end analysis, and reduce burnout without sacrificing value. Want to know how firms can leverage technology without losing their human edge? Curious how AI can enhance advisory conversations rather than replace them? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this forward-looking conversation with Bookkeeper360's CEO Nick Pasquarosa.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Joe Pine, co-author of The Experience Economy and author of the new book The Transformation Economy, about the progression of economic value and why financial professionals are uniquely positioned to guide lasting change. Joe explains how we’ve moved from commodities to goods, services, and experiences and now into the Transformation Economy, where the true value lies in helping clients achieve their aspirations across health, wealth, wisdom, and purpose. He introduces the concept of the “aspirant,” explores why all transformation is identity change, and shares how preparation, reflection, and integration can turn ordinary client interactions into meaningful breakthroughs. They discuss why charging for outcomes aligns incentives, how AI can augment coaching, and why the future of advice is about guiding human flourishing, not just delivering a product or service. Want to know how to design client journeys that move beyond experiences and into true transformation? Curious how to become the guide to a clients’ hero’s journeys? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this forward-looking conversation with Joe Pine.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Carl Richards, creator of the Sketch Guy column and author of Your Money: Reimagining Wealth in 101 Simple Sketches, about why the real work of financial planning starts with better conversations, not better spreadsheets. Carl shares how his simple sketches became tools for clarity, helping clients rethink money through the lenses of attention, time, energy, and values, not just dollars. They explore why “enough” is not a number but a state of being, how spending awareness can replace shame with intention, and why small behavioral shifts often matter more than sophisticated strategies. Carl also explains why planning is not about predicting the future but about becoming less wrong over time, especially in a world where uncertainty is the norm. Want to know how advisors can help clients align their money with what truly matters? Curious how better questions lead to better outcomes than better answers? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this thoughtful and practical conversation with Carl Richards.• The link to order Carl's book on Amazon, or folks can head to their favorite local bookstore• The link to place a bulk order of Carl's book. Listeners can save an additional 5% by using the code YourMoney5 at checkout.• Social media links if you'd like to tag Carl: LinkedIn, X, Instagram.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Alan Whitman, former CEO and Chairman of Baker Tilly, new CEO of Nichols Cauley, and author of Break the Mold: How to Achieve Transformational Change, Scale, and Growth Simultaneously. Discover how Alan led Baker Tilly through 3x revenue growth and over 20 acquisitions—not by chasing numbers, but by changing mindsets. Learn why strategy isn’t about activity, but about clarity of direction, and how firms can grow by building “communication, sales, and talent engines” that scale through systems, not individual effort. Alan outlines why “bigger isn’t better—better is better,” how language creates alignment, and why discipline equals freedom in partner-led firms. He also reveals insights from his new role leading a private equity–backed multidisciplinary platform focused on serving SMBs in the Southeast. Want to know what Alan means by “fist to five,” “sugar highs,” and freedom within a framework? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this Break the Mold conversation with Alan Whitman.

In this Best of 2025 episode, Rory brings together standout moments from conversations across accounting, wealth management, behavioral finance, and technology that all point to one theme: real progress happens when advisors focus on people, not just numbers. From reframing retirement as a question of identity and purpose, to understanding why money decisions are deeply emotional, guests explore how human behavior shapes financial outcomes. The episode also highlights how AI and blockchain are moving from buzzwords to real tools, why holistic advice requires collaboration across disciplines, and how better questions can lead to stronger relationships and better client follow-through. Whether the topic is student loans showing up later in life, navigating firm leadership and deal structures, or helping clients align values with decisions, this episode reflects the evolving role of the advisor as guide, partner, and trusted voice. Want to hear the moments that shaped the conversation this year and the insights that will carry into what’s next? Find out in this Best of 2025 episode.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Erika Wasserman, Certified Financial Therapist, keynote speaker, and author of Conversations With Your Financial Therapist, about how our earliest money experiences shape financial decisions throughout life. Discover what financial therapy really is and why money challenges are rarely about the numbers alone. Erika shares her MONEY framework for improving money conversations, explains how childhood “money moments” influence adult behavior, and outlines practical ways CPAs and advisors can help clients navigate emotionally charged topics like parenting, caregiving, divorce, and retirement transitions. They explore how better questions, storytelling, and compassion can deepen trust, reduce shame, and improve follow-through. Erika also discusses how professionals can identify when mindset work is needed and how financial therapists complement traditional advisory services. Want to know how improving money conversations can strengthen client relationships and outcomes? Find out in this insightful conversation with Erika Wasserman.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Phil Whitman, President and CEO of Whitman Advisory, one of the leading advisory organizations serving CPA firms nationwide. Phil shares how his firm evolved from succession and M&A consulting into a multi-service advisory platform helping firms improve profitability, recruit talent, and prepare for the what comes next in the world of accounting. He explains how private equity has reshaped the accounting profession, what firms can learn from early deals like EisnerAmper, Citrin Cooperman, and Cherry Bekaert, and why 2026 could be “the year of the tuck-in.” Phil also outlines the four keys to building a world-class firm—communication, trust, partner alignment, and accountability—and why culture and capital structure matter as much as multiples. Want to know how CPAs can position their firms to attract investment, grow through acquisition, and thrive in the age of private equity? Find out in this conversation with Phil Whitman.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Dr. Sean Stein Smith, CPA, professor at Lehman College, Forbes contributor, and advisory board member of the Wall Street Blockchain Alliance, to explore how artificial intelligence and blockchain are transforming the accounting and advisory profession. Discover how blockchain delivers trust and transparency while AI drives speed, pattern recognition, and efficiency across payments, banking, finance and wealth management. Sean discusses how firms like BlackRock and SoFi are leveraging AI to automate decision-making and enhance client experience, and he shares his perspective on Sam Altman’s $1.4 trillion AI bet and whether we are in a bubble or a sustainable transformation. Find out why the real opportunity lies in combining technology with human insight and why communication, soft skills, or what he prefers to call business skills, will define the next generation of advisory professionals. Sean also shares how automation is shifting firms from transactions to transformation and why the CPA license remains a powerful mark of trust in a digital-first world. Want to know how CPAs and advisors can harness AI to elevate their services and strengthen client relationships? Find out in this AI & Blockchain podcast with Dr. Sean Stein Smith.