The Unique CPA

Geof Brown, President and CEO of the Illinois CPA Society, discusses diversity, equity, and inclusion in the accounting profession. They highlight the legacy of Mary T. Washington Wiley, the challenges faced by underrepresented populations in accounting, and the need for adequate feedback and development. They also address the lack of diversity in the profession and emphasize the importance of supporting mental well-being in the accounting profession.

Justin Korth of Lutz Accounting joins Randy on Episode 117 of The Unique CPA to discuss how his firm faced down the challenges currently endemic in the accounting profession. To tackle the shortage of accounting graduates and high turnover rates, among other issues, Lutz started outsourcing some tax and audit work to a team in India. Justin discusses how outsourcing has helped reduce employee workload during busy season while still maintaining a high level of client service. He provides five key recommendations for firms considering outsourcing some of their work, covering topics like client consent, training the offshore team, setting expectations, and measuring key performance indicators. Listen in to learn how outsourcing can help your firm tackle the labor shortage crisis and improve efficiency. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

On Episode 116 of The Unique CPA, Randy is joined by Jonathan McGuire of Aldrich Advisors to discuss Opportunity Zones, a unique element of the tax code introduced by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in 2018. Opportunity Zones allow investors to defer capital gains taxes and later taxation by investing in designated low-income communities. Jonathan covers the tax benefits, requirements for Opportunity Zone Funds and Businesses, and types of eligible investments. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

On Episode 115 of The Unique CPA, Randy talks to Eileen Adao, Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships with Glean.ai. Eileen discusses her career journey from the Big Four to tech startups, and what she's learned about the importance of culture, coaching, and diversity in creating an inclusive workplace where people can bring their authentic selves to work. She also details Glean.ai's leveraging of AI to provide insights and efficient workflows for accountants. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

On Episode 114 of The Unique CPA, Randy gets together with Dawn Brolin, the CEO of Powerful Accounting and author of The Designated Motivator. Dawn discusses her journey of coaching a college softball team during tax season, the experience of which led her to write her book. She details how technology and relationship pricing models have helped her reduce her hours during tax season and provide more value to her clients. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Randy talks to Zach Baughan, a mindfulness consultant and practitioner, on episode 113 of The Unique CPA. Zach discusses how mindfulness and meditation practices can help reduce stress and increase performance for accounting professionals through techniques like deep breathing and seated, silent meditation, as well as a number of book and app recommendations. Randy also talks to Zach about his own advocacy for mental health in the accounting profession and how he hopes to incorporate mindfulness into his talks going forward. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Making technology work for your firm is the theme on Episode 112 of The Unique CPA. Randy talks to Ellen Choi, co-founder of Aiwyn, an automation platform for accounting firms. She talks about how Aiwyn helps firms streamline processes and overcome resistance to change. Leveraging AI, through what she describes as the "virtuous cycle of mutual learning," can help not only to improve value based pricing and client experience for firms of any size, but increase the knowledge and understanding of the humans who use these AI-based tools. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Randy Crabtree talks "coach-ulting" and tax optimization with Brian Amann of CPA Edge on Episode 111 of The Unique CPA. Brian was the former founder and partner at TaxOps, which has been recognized as a top accounting firm by Accounting Today and Inc. magazine, among others, and he took his experience developing TaxOps' model and offered it to other accounting professionals by founding CPA Edge. He stresses the important of culture and brand, both difficult things to measure, but very important in ensuring the success of an enterprise. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

David Toth of Winding River Consulting brings his digital marketing expertise to the table in this conversation with Randy on episode 110 of The Unique CPA. David identifies the five core principles behind developing a successful digital culture that drives growth at a CPA firm amongst a plethora of other business development insights. He further touches on how important getting buy-in from people in important, decision making roles, as well as finding them "gems" within your firm that will carry on the torch in future generations. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

Randy Crabtree is joined by Gale Crosley of Crosley+Company on episode 109 of The Unique CPA. Gale's specialty is in driving strategic, organic, revenue growth for CPA firms, and she has been recognized for her influence and insights into the accounting profession by The Advisory Board, CPA Practice Advisors, Accounting Today, Inside Public Accounting, and more. Gale shares her insights through actionable principles any CPA firm can take now to improve its growth and profitability, and delves into just how strategic organic growth works. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com