AFO|Wealth Management Forward

In this episode, Rory speaks with Donny Shimamoto, CPA, CGMA, CITP of the Center for Accounting Transformation, about the latest in the accounting profession and the research he's doing into advisory and staffing. Discover why Donny believes that accounting professionals can help their clients achieve their financial goals by providing peace of mind, vision and clarity, and hope. Donnie discusses the potential of AI to automate tasks and improve efficiency, while also highlighting the risks associated with it, such as bias and data privacy. He emphasizes the importance of developing policies and procedures to ensure that AI is used ethically and responsibly. Do you want to know how to create a sense of community and belonging in virtual workplaces? Do you want to know how to go from Trusted Advisory to Transformational Advisor? Find out the answer to these questions and more on this Episode with 3-Time show guest Donny Shimamoto! Sign up For the Research Study Here: www.improvetheworld.net/owntheunknown

In this episode, Rory speaks with Stacey Brown Randall. Learn about the 4 types of Referral Sources, from Family and Friends to Strangers. Discover how to build a referral ecosystem within your business. Learn why asking flat out asking for referrals is a bad idea and poor strategy. Find out how to better connect with customers on a emotional level and the importance of cultivating a deeper relationship with your top referral sources. Do you want to know what the Secret Sauce Formula you can use to generate more referrals? Do you want to know the phrase you can use to plant a Referral Source seed with anyone? Find out the answers to these questions and more on this Referral Charged Episode with Stacey Brown Randall.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Ron Baker, the founder of the VeraSage Institute, co-host of The Soul of Enterprise radio show, and author of "Time's Up: The Subscription Business Model for Professional Firms." Ron discusses the rise of the subscription economy and its impact on the professional world, drawing on the success of concierge doctors. Learn how professionals can guide their clients through serial transformations and why focusing on a holistic, long-term view is essential for providing true value. Ron explains the three options for implementing a subscription model: creating a separate company, making a gradual transition, or undergoing a total transformation like Adobe. Do you want to know what Labor Perception Bias is? Do you want to know how companies like Disney, Hulu, and Porsche are creating deeper human-to-human connections and unique personal experiences with clients? Find out the answer to these questions and more in this "Time's Up" episode with Ron Baker!

In this episode, Rory speaks with Larry Sprung, Host of the Mitlin Money Mindset to talk about Mental Health and his work with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). In this episode, Larry shares his personal story of losing his brother-in-law to suicide and the impact it had on his life, leading him to raise awareness and funds for mental health. Discover the 3 pillars of health and how they are all intertwined. Find out how you can start an open conversation about mental health with clients. Learn about the role of shared experiences and community in combating the rising isolation in today's technological world. Do you want to know how you can help plan for greater mental, social, and financial health in retirement? Find out the answer in this Mental Health Episode with Larry Sprung.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Jody Padar, The Radical CPA and Head of Tax Strategy & Evangelism at April to talk about the latest developments in AI. In this episode, Jody talks about how April is leveraging AI to both read the tax code and write computer code. Jody shares her background as a pioneer in the accounting profession and how she continues to push boundaries in her work. Discover why Jody believes AI will enhance, rather than replace, the work of accounting professionals. Learn about the 2023 American Taxpayer Study findings and personality profiles of taxpayers like "The Stubborn DIY" and the "Household CFO." Do you want to know what skills will be valuable in an AI world? Should you be learning how to ask ChatGPT questions? Find out the answer to these questions and more in the Radical CPA episode with Jody Padar.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Ryan George of Docupace about his journey from the tax-focused wealth management world for CPAs to his current role as CMO of a leading fintech platform for Independent Broker-Dealers and RIAs. Discover the top pain points for financial advisors and CPAs in the current market and how technology can help solve these challenges. Find out you can leverage technology to enhance zthe client-advisor relationship and expand your service offerings in an increasingly crowded technology marketplace. Learn about the latest trends and innovations in wealth management technology, as discussed at the T3 conference. Do you want to know why 60% of Americans are reevaluating their perception of wealth? Do you want to know how CPAs and advisors can continue to position themselves as trusted advisors in the face of changing technology and consumer behavior? Find out the answer to these questions and more with CMO Ryan George.

Rory Henry and Will Hill talk with Randy Crabtree of Tri-Merit and Host of "The Unique CPA" Podcast about finding your passion and mental health. In this episode, Randy talks about his battle with mental health and how he is helping bring awareness by letting others know about his struggles. Listen as they talk about the powerful combination of visionaries, who have groundbreaking ideas, and their integrator partners who bring them to life. Find out what Randy says about Eisner Amber, Citrin Cooperman and Private Equity's increased involvement in accounting. They discuss the importance of a niche,  how to become an expert in a field and educating others to help drive business growth. Don't miss this episode with one of the accounting professions leading voice "The Unique CPA" Randy Crabtree.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Randy Fox of Two Hawks Consulting about wealth and charitable planning strategies. Randy talks about exit planning strategies, personal goodwill, and how to carve out the value attributed to an owner's name, reputation, and key relationships. Discover why CPAs are uniquely positioned to help families and business owners with their estate planning needs. Randy breakdowns the 3 possible beneficiaries of a person's assets: the family, the government, or charity. Why do so many business owners prioritize tax savings during their wealth accumulation phase but fail to plan for taxes during the exit phase? Do you want to know what Robin Williams, Aretha Franklin, and Prince have in common? Find out the answer to these questions and more on this Goodwill Hunting episode with wealth and charitable advisor Randy Fox.

In this episode, Rory interviews Adam Lean, the Co-founder, and CEO of the CFO Project, a company that provides training to financial professionals on how to offer CFO services. Adam shares the top ways to communicate financial concepts to business owners using a language they understand, rather than accounting terminology. Find out why Adam believes that 90% of an accountant's work will be done by AI and how practitioners can leverage it to provide more value. Discover why Adam thinks the role of a CFO should be to generate and sustain cash flow for their business owner clients and how to start that advisory conversation. Do you want to know why even a CFO for a large corporation like Coca-Cola or Microsoft could fail a client? Is reviewing a balance sheet with a dentist owner client the equivalent of getting your teeth pulled? Find out the answer to these questions and more on this CFO Project episode with Adam Lean.

In this episode, Rory speaks with Darren Gleeman, Managing Partner of MBO Ventures, to discuss Employee Stock Ownership Plans. Darren shares his journey, from developing a high-frequency trading platform used in 1% of US market daily trades to now helping companies implement ESOPs. Listen as he discusses the beneficial tax treatment and why ESOPs are attractive to owners and employees of a corporation. Learn why the government views ESOPs as good public policy and how companies are leveraging them to increase retention rates. Do you want to know how a company can obtain tax-free income? Are you interested in finding out if an ESOP is right for your organization? Find out the answers to these questions and more in this ESOP episode with Darren Gleeman.