Advertise on podcast: Accountant's Flight Plan

The firms winning with AI aren't the ones implementing every tool they can find. They're the ones being strategic about what actually moves the needle. Rachel Ferris learned this firsthand when she built TaxStack AI, not because she wanted to start a software company, but because she needed a solution that didn't exist. As a tax advisor specializing in Puerto Rico's Act 60, she was spending hours researching complex state-specific cases. ChatGPT seemed like the answer, until it started citing Reddit and Quora as sources. When she'd call it out, it would cheerfully admit, "You're right, that's actually not correct." That's when she realized: if she wanted AI that actually worked for tax research, she'd have to build it herself. In this episode, Rachel shares how she created a platform that sources directly from actual tax code, IRS forms, and treasury regulations, so you get accurate answers with citations you can trust. But more importantly, she breaks down the difference between firms that will thrive with AI and firms that will struggle: it's not about adopting everything, it's about adopting responsibly. The conversation covers: Why ChatGPT's fact-check problem makes it dangerous for tax research (and how to fix it by sourcing your own database)The cautionary tale of firms that went all-in on AI integration in 2024, only to abandon everything six months later Why now is the time to pause and evaluate rather than frantically adopt every AI tool that hits the marketHow AI should free you up for higher-value advisory work with existing clients, not just help you take on more volumeEd Kless's "transformation economy" concept: moving from providing transactions to providing transformationsThe three-pillar approach to attracting and retaining young talent: technology + mentorship + entrepreneurship mindsetWhy mandatory mentorship programs fail (and what actually works instead)How being genuinely curious about people has opened more doors than any technical skill Rachel has learnedRachel also breaks down why firms that use AI responsibly will win, while firms that use it to cut personality and human connection will lose clients. She explains why young people crave personal connection more than you think, why entrepreneurial-minded accountants connect better with business owner clients, and how spending three hours talking to a Pizza Hut franchise owner taught her more about business than any textbook. Download Now: https://poegroupadvisors.com/accounting-practice-academy/increase-letter/ Price increases are nothing to fear. The real challenge is effectively informing clients of these changes. Our templates will help you demonstrate your value and help clients understand the increases necessary to keep your firm afloat. *Download now and receive:* - (1) Major Fee Increase Letter Template - (1) 20% Fee Increase Letter Template

In this episode, Yuri (aka "The Fun CPA") explains why now is the perfect time to build the kind of firm where people genuinely want to work. He's spent four years building a following on LinkedIn by saying the things that managers and senior accountants at big firms are thinking but can't say out loud.  His mission is to change the perception of accounting by showing what's possible when you prioritize people, mentorship, and actually enjoying the work you do. The good news is that students aren't avoiding accounting because they don't want meaningful work. The firms that figure out how to create those better options internally will win the talent game for the next decade. The conversation covers: Why visibility into firm life (thanks to Reddit and Fishbowl) is actually helping the profession by forcing transparency and accountabilityHow forward-thinking firms are building cultures where people genuinely want to stay, creating competitive advantage in a tight talent marketThe opportunity for firms that invest in mentorship and long-term thinking, while others chase short-term efficiency metricsWhy the current moment is perfect for CPAs who want to build firms differently (or work at firms that prioritize culture over billable hours)How Yuri's Mentors Count community is filling the mentorship gap for accountants in their first five yearsThe rise of networking events that people actually enjoy attending (and why that matters for building genuine professional relationships)BOOK RECOMMENDATION: Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It―Unlock Your Persuasion Potential in Professional and Personal Life: Voss, Chris, Raz, Tahl  TIMESTAMPS:  00:00 - Introduction of Yuri Capilovich and his mission in accounting  03:10 - Yuri's background and career path into accounting and technology  07:30 - The real problems holding accounting firms back  12:45 - AI as an enabler, not a replacement  18:30 - Using technology to improve client experience and firm margins  23:40 - The mindset shift firm owners must make to scale  29:10 - What forward-thinking firms are doing differently right now  34:50 - Final thoughts on the future of the profession Download Now: https://poegroupadvisors.com/accounting-practice-academy/increase-letter/ Price increases are nothing to fear. The real challenge is effectively informing clients of these changes. Our templates will help you demonstrate your value and help clients understand the increases necessary to keep your firm afloat. *Download now and receive:* - (1) Major Fee Increase Letter Template - (1) 20% Fee Increase Letter Template

If your best accountants are walking out the door, it's probably not about the money.  In this episode, Tim Schurrer (CEO of David Novak Leadership and author of "The Secret Society of Success") reveals the leadership principle that grew Yum! Brands from $4 billion to $32 billion, and it has everything to do with solving what's plaguing CPA firms right now: the talent crisis. Here's the reality: when your senior accountant flawlessly closes out another month, files returns ahead of deadline, or navigates a complex client situation without you even knowing there was a problem, they become invisible.  That's the curse of excellence in accounting.  And while you're focused on billable hours and realization rates, your best people are quietly wondering if anyone actually notices the value they bring. We talk to Tim about how his company studied companies that built decades-long dynasties (Walmart, Southwest Airlines), and found one non-negotiable: they created cultures where everyone counted. Not through pizza parties during busy season or casual Friday perks, but through systematic recognition that made people feel genuinely seen for their contributions.  Tim breaks down how this translates directly to CPA firms struggling to keep talent. In this episode, we cover: The two reasons people quit (spoiler: your compensation package isn't fixing either of these)The danger of taking "the joy of the decision" away from your team, especially during tax season when you're tempted to control every client interactionHow firm owners can stop micromanaging review notes and start empowering staff to own client relationships (with the right training framework)Why so many managing partners hit burnout chasing revenue targets that don't actually align with what success means to them personallyThe "empowerment is an earned right" framework that lets you delegate without losing quality controlDownload Now: https://poegroupadvisors.com/accounting-practice-academy/increase-letter/ Price increases are nothing to fear. The real challenge is effectively informing clients of these changes. Our templates will help you demonstrate your value and help clients understand the increases necessary to keep your firm afloat. *Download now and receive:* - (1) Major Fee Increase Letter Template - (1) 20% Fee Increase Letter Template

You've spent years developing your next generation of partners, but what happens when they don't want to lead, can't secure financing, or simply aren't the right fit to take over?  In this episode, our Ontario Market Leader Darryl Boyd, reveals why so many multi-partner firms are discovering that their "default" internal succession plan isn't working, and why external sales often deliver better outcomes for everyone involved. Over his decade with Poe Group Advisors, Darryl has helped the Canadian M&A landscape transform from earnout-heavy transactions to all-cash deals that prioritize fit over spreadsheets.  We explore the uncomfortable truth about internal succession: technical excellence doesn't equal business leadership, and the partner who's great at client work may have zero interest or aptitude for running the firm. The conversation highlights that: Why exhausted accounting firm owners often just need better systems, not an exit strategyHow private equity is slowly earning trust in Canada, and why most CPA firm sellers still choose CPA buyersThe hidden assumptions killing Accounting M&A deals (like the "25% client loss" myth with zero data behind it)Why the best transactions happen when both parties forget about price and focus on whether the handoff will actually workWe also tackle the massive variability across firms that makes a cookie-cutter valuation worthless: profitability, owner workload, geographic markets, and cultural dynamics all impact valuation more than sellers realize. Whether you're a multi-partner firm wrestling with succession, a solo tax practitioner planning your exit, or a buyer trying to understand what sellers really care about, this episode will challenge your assumptions about how accounting practice transitions actually work. Download Now: https://poegroupadvisors.com/accounting-practice-academy/increase-letter/ Price increases are nothing to fear. The real challenge is effectively informing clients of these changes. Our templates will help you demonstrate your value and help clients understand the increases necessary to keep your firm afloat. *Download now and receive:* - (1) Major Fee Increase Letter Template - (1) 20% Fee Increase Letter Template

In this episode, we sit down with Lisa Smith who is a functional medicine dietitian, gut-health expert, and founder of Lisa Smith Wellness. We explore the realities of deep stress and the health impacts that so many accounting firm owners quietly carry. We start by talking about the concept of “deep stress,” how it differs from everyday overwhelm, and why professionals who juggle multiple roles often don’t realize their bodies are stuck in long-term survival mode. Lisa breaks down the signs many CPAs ignore: waking up tired, constant tension, reliance on caffeine or wine, disrupted sleep, brain fog, and that ever-present feeling of being “on.” Timestamps: 03:55: Introducing the concept of deep stress 05:58: How stress impacts sleep and cortisol 07:57: What entrepreneurs consistently overlook in wellness 10:50: Habit change and understanding personal motivators 12:52: Redesigning your life and business through intentionality 16:34: Long-term health implications of unmanaged stress 18:59: Feeling trapped in your business and how to begin unwinding it 23:05: Reducing stress and improving clarity 24:26: Price’s Law, the Pareto Principle, and understanding real productivity 29:14: Pre-tax-season tips for improving energy and well-being 30:46: The “campfire method” for stabilizing daily energy 34:29: Lisa’s book recommendations for leaders and entrepreneurs Lisa’s Resource Recommendations: Prepare Your CPA Firm for A Sale by Brannon Poe [https://poegroupadvisors.com/prepare/]Atomic Habits by James Clear [https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299]The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson [https://www.amazon.com/Slight-Edge-Turning-Disciplines-Happiness/dp/1626340463]Who Not How by Dan Sullivan [https://www.amazon.com/Who-Not-How-Accelerating-Teamwork-ebook/dp/B0867ZJ151]Traction by Gino Wickman [https://www.amazon.com/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business/dp/1936661837]The Common Path to Uncommon Success by John Lee Dumas [https://www.amazon.com/Common-Path-Uncommon-Success-Fulfillment/dp/1400221099]Journaling Guide: [http://lisasmithwellness.com/the-morning-mindset-journal]Connecting with Lisa:   Listen to my Pretty Well PODCAST https://apple.co/3Y2IbSZ Visit my Website https://lisasmithwellness.com Read my Wellness BLOG  https://lisasmithwellness.com/blog/ Find me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/prettywell_podcast/ [email protected] Download Now: https://poegroupadvisors.com/accounting-practice-academy/increase-letter/ Price increases are nothing to fear. The real challenge is effectively informing clients of these changes. Our templates will help you demonstrate your value and help clients understand the increases necessary to keep your firm afloat. *Download now and receive:* - (1) Major Fee Increase Letter Template - (1) 20% Fee Increase Letter Template

In this episode, we sit down with returning guest Nick Sinclair, founder and chairman of TOA Global, one of the largest accounting outsourcing companies in the world. Nick shares the unlikely origin story of how a leadership trip to the Philippines revealed the talent  and scalability his own firm desperately needed. This inspired him to build what has now become a powerhouse with more than 4,500 team members serving over 1,100 firms worldwide. His personal “why” behind the business was shaped by watching his parents lose everything when he was young. This drives his mission to ensure more people get the financial advice they need by helping firms leverage the offshoring support they need to deliver high-touch service. Timestamps:00:37 – Introduction to Nick and his background02:46 – How TOA Global began04:10 – Early offshoring lessons and growing pains06:40 – The unexpected demand that revealed a real business07:43 – Nick’s personal “why” and decision to scale globally09:12 – Why the Philippines has such strong accounting talent11:25 – Why every accounting firm needs a people plan13:30 – Industry capacity issues and long-term global staffing strategy15:07 – How offshoring perceptions have evolved16:19 – Quality challenges, cultural misunderstandings & outsourcing stigma18:00 – Outsourcing reveals internal firm weaknesses19:16 – Offshoring accelerates local careers20:00 – People are the product in accounting firms22:20 – Human connection as the profession’s long-term differentiator23:02 – Why training and quicker competency paths matter25:06 – Building career plans and accelerating development27:39 – Challenges firm owners face when building global teams28:56 – Cultural nuances in leading global teams31:21 – Leadership, flexibility, and knowing your people32:30 – Nick’s most memorable career moment34:23 – Book recommendation: Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell35:24 – Where to connect with Nick: LinkedIn Download Now: https://poegroupadvisors.com/accounting-practice-academy/increase-letter/ Price increases are nothing to fear. The real challenge is effectively informing clients of these changes. Our templates will help you demonstrate your value and help clients understand the increases necessary to keep your firm afloat. *Download now and receive:* - (1) Major Fee Increase Letter Template - (1) 20% Fee Increase Letter Template

In this episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan Podcast, we sit down with Kristen Corey, founder of Media Books Agency, to talk about how accountants can use marketing to strengthen their brand, attract ideal clients, and communicate value beyond compliance work. With experience in both public accounting and marketing, Kristen shares how her journey from working as an auditor to owning her own marketing agency taught her the importance of storytelling and connection in the profession. Key Timestamps 00:57: Introduction of Kristen Corey and her journey from auditor to marketer 03:00: Building a marketing career abroad and launching Media Books Agency 07:00: The importance of communication skills for accountants 10:10: Why every firm needs marketing, even if referrals are strong 13:05: Using AI tools like ChatGPT for tone, content, and creative brainstorming 16:31: Marketing strategies for small accounting firms under $5M 17:29: The power of newsletters and relationship-based marketing 20:41: Under-the-radar marketing tactic: consistency on social media 23:54: Funny story: catching potential fraud during an internship 27:20: Book recommendation: Extraordinary Circumstances by Cynthia Cooper Download Now: https://poegroupadvisors.com/accounting-practice-academy/increase-letter/ Price increases are nothing to fear. The real challenge is effectively informing clients of these changes. Our templates will help you demonstrate your value and help clients understand the increases necessary to keep your firm afloat. *Download now and receive:* - (1) Major Fee Increase Letter Template - (1) 20% Fee Increase Letter Template

In this episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan Podcast, we sit down with Jody Padar, known across the industry as The Radical CPA, to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping the accounting profession. Jody shares her journey from founding one of the first cloud firms in 2010 to working in tech startups like Botkeeper and now launching her newest venture, XcelLabs. Her mission is to prepare firms for 2030 by building AI-first practices that leverage automation to expand the capacity for empathy, client connection, and creativity in order to transform advisory work. Timestamps: 00:00: Using AI strategically to enhance advisory work 01:06: Jody’s career journey and launch of XcelLabs 04:00: PE capital, fintech, and aging leadership disrupting the accounting industry 08:00: How money movement and tech are transforming accounting 10:11: How to leverage AI to build deeper client relationships at scale 13:20: PE-driven competition for top accounting talent 14:26: Using AI to rewrite firm operations and scale 15:24: ChatGPT, Claude, and creative thinking over automation 23:20: Using AI for unbiased performance feedback 27:35: Book Recommendation: Snake Oil: What Artificial Intelligence Can and Can’t Do Download Now: https://poegroupadvisors.com/accounting-practice-academy/increase-letter/ Price increases are nothing to fear. The real challenge is effectively informing clients of these changes. Our templates will help you demonstrate your value and help clients understand the increases necessary to keep your firm afloat. *Download now and receive:* - (1) Major Fee Increase Letter Template - (1) 20% Fee Increase Letter Template

In this episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan Podcast, we sit down with Mike Schwarz, CEO of MyZone AI, to explore the evolving need for modern accounting firm leaders to adopt AI. In this episode, we discuss how AI is impacting the world and what the projected implications are for small business owners in every industry.  There are some key strategies for implementing AI in this episode. We encourage you to learn about the ways it can help your business without becoming overwhelmed by it. Even just thirty minutes a day learning AI tools can add up to major advances in your accounting firm. Watch in the player above or listen through the player below to hear more! Timestamps: 00:00-02:30: Introduction of Mike Schwarz 03:10-06:45: Rethinking firm capacity and leadership challenges 08:15-11:30: Building systems that balance efficiency and employee well-being 11:40-13:10: AI as a catalyst for change in compliance and advisory work 17:50-19:30: Leveraging AI for efficiency and expanding firm capacity 23:15-25:00: Maintaining the human advisory touch alongside automation 25:45-28:00: Leading through change and fostering trust in new tech 28:00-29:45: The future of AI in predictive analytics and decision-making 31:00-33:30: Advice for firm owners navigating transformation 33:45-End: Closing thoughts and how to connect with Mike Download Now: https://poegroupadvisors.com/accounting-practice-academy/increase-letter/ Price increases are nothing to fear. The real challenge is effectively informing clients of these changes. Our templates will help you demonstrate your value and help clients understand the increases necessary to keep your firm afloat. *Download now and receive:* - (1) Major Fee Increase Letter Template - (1) 20% Fee Increase Letter Template

Quality leadership that grows your accounting practice isn’t about pushing your team to work harder. While it may sound counterintuitive, modeling a healthy, balanced life is what actually moves the needle. In this episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan, Rob Dube opens the conversation by emphasizing that when leaders prioritize wellness, the team will follow suit. This results in less burnout, fewer mistakes, better client service, and a more harmonious work environment. If you are happy in your work and life, your team and CPA practice will thrive as well.  Brannon and Rob also discuss the importance of vulnerability and authentic connection to maintain effective leadership. By sharing your personal story with partners, employees, and close peers, leaders build trust and authentic engagement. Some practical ways to start doing this could be asking for feedback from your close friends and peers on what your strengths and weaknesses are, allowing leaders to shed their “armor”. This can lead to more self-awareness and foster deeper relationships and a higher-energy workplace. To conclude, Rob and Brannon discuss the importance of setting boundaries to prioritize high-value work. The effectiveness of avoiding hustle culture, taking time off, and delegating lower-value tasks ensures that leaders remain energized for what truly matters. By focusing on purpose, energy, and mindful action, leaders can build resilient teams, sustainable practices, and more fulfilling lives. Timestamp List: Key Sections: 02:00 - Introducing The Ten Disciplines04:00 - Climbing the Two Mountains: Achievement vs. Meaning07:00 - Chaos vs. Awareness: Tuning Into Your Body11:00 - Understanding the Driven Personality14:00 - Vulnerability and the Inner Story21:00 - Practical Steps to Peel Back the Armor26:00 - Combatting Hustle Culture and Setting Boundaries31:00 - Delegating and Avoiding Low-Value Work37:00 - Resources and Key TakeawaysDownload Now: https://poegroupadvisors.com/accounting-practice-academy/increase-letter/ Price increases are nothing to fear. The real challenge is effectively informing clients of these changes. Our templates will help you demonstrate your value and help clients understand the increases necessary to keep your firm afloat. *Download now and receive:* - (1) Major Fee Increase Letter Template - (1) 20% Fee Increase Letter Template

The Evolving Role of Private Equity In this special episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan, Brannon meets with Morry Brown, regional market leader here at Poe Group Advisors, formerly of Goldman Sachs, to share a timely update on how private equity is  impacting mergers and acquisitions in the accounting profession today.This was a live discussion with an informative Q&A at the end.   Morry and Brannon dive deep into the steady rise of PE-backed deals and discuss the impact of outside capital on CPA firm sales. They unpack why it is funding partner buyouts and, therefore, reshaping the structure of firm operations themselves. Morry highlights why many of these investors view the accounting profession as a “sticky” industry, given its recurring revenue streams. This makes CPA firms especially attractive compared to other industries with less stable revenue projections. Pros and Cons for CPA Firms Brannon highlights that while PE firms often bring significant advantages (including technological advancements and recruitment capital), the deal structures they propose can be unrealistic when compared to traditional sales. Morry reflects that the earnouts and layered incentives within these deal proposals are becoming increasingly common. This can, unfortunately, create complications for sellers who are looking for a cleaner transition than private equity can provide. Brannon and Morry both emphasize the importance of owners thinking carefully about what they want. Especially, considering that a straightforward deal that looks less flashy on paper might be better in practice than a larger quote that relies on a complex earnout structure that would lead to a messy exit. What CPA Firm Owners Need to Know for the Future So what do the next 12–18 months look like for the industry? With interest rates and capital funds shifting consistently, Brannon and Morry believe that not all private equity buyers will remain active to the same degree. For firm owners, this simultaneously creates opportunities and reasons to be cautious. Before deciding your next steps in the future of your firm, get clear on what your own goals are outside of the changing tide within the industry. Whether you want to maximize your firm’s value, ensure continuity for your staff, or simply exit without complexity, knowing your goals will help you make them a reality. Timestamps: 02:00 – Introductions of Morry and Brannon 06:30 – Why private equity is interested in accounting firms' sales 10:15 – PE-backed deals vs. traditional sales: what’s the difference? 14:45 – Earnouts, incentives, and PE’s risk of overcomplication 20:10 – Possible benefits of PE investment: talent and technology upgrades 26:00 – Market shifts: Interest rates and deal pace  31:30 – Practical advice for firm owners considering PE offers 43:58 – Question and Answer period from firm owners like you!

From A Big Four Firm to Entrepreneurship In this special episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan, Brannon sat down with Raffi Yousefian, a NY/DC-based CPA and entrepreneur, to discuss his journey to building a thriving tax practice. Raffi began his career at EY before launching his own firm in 2016, growing rapidly before making the bold decision in 2022 to niche down into three verticals. By 2023, he doubled down on his fastest-growing and most rewarding segment: restaurants. He dedicated his brand to that niche and sold off the rest with the help of Poe Group Advisors. Timestamps: 00:37 – Intro of Raffi Yousefian his background from EY to launching his own firm and finding his niche 04:00 – Why Raffi left public accounting to become an entrepreneur 06:50 – Doing less to grow more: The power of niching 11:45 – Selling off part of a firm: Risk vs. reward 15:20 – Why focus builds deeper expertise and stronger advisory 20:00 – Benchmarks, AI adoption, and automation in accounting 27:33 – DJ life during tax season: A funny story 31:48 – Book recommendation: Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore 33:00 – Connect with Raffi via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raffiyousefian/ 

We are taking a look back on an episode from the archives! Enjoy this retelling of how Accounting Practice Academy came to be. In this episode of the podcast, we have Ian Brennan (APA’s Creative Director), and my wife Carol Poe (PGA Buyer Specialist/APA’s right-hand woman) who played a pivotal role in the creation and execution of the workshop. This workshop wouldn’t exist without them and there’s some fun stories as to why that’s the case.   The main reason it wouldn’t exist without them, they filmed and produced the workshop! The pandemic left us without a studio or film crew and so, we created our own little film studio in the office. There was a lot of determination, and good humor that went into developing this workshop that we are so proud of. In the end, doing this project with a less than traditional film style gave us the opportunity to revise, condense and perfect our virtual course.  *Notable Moments* 1:14: Welcoming Carol and Ian on the podcast  2:58: How the pandemic changed filming  5:00: Filming the first several modules and deciding they weren’t good enough  8:40: Re-writing the module videos  9:00: Building the course while people were already in the workshop 11:50: Perfecting the workshop to add the most value from start to finish  13:30: The big moves members made last session 15:20: Ian’s passion for the project 

In this episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan Podcast, Brannon is joined by Morry Brown, California market leader at Poe Group Advisors and a longtime family friend. Morry shares his journey from Goldman Sachs to helping CPA firm owners navigate the evolving landscape of firm sales, particularly as private equity (PE) ramps up its interest in the accounting profession.  Making Informed Decisions in a Rapidly Changing Market Morry and Brannon explore why having multiple offers and opportunities to talk to different buyers gives sellers more leverage and clarity about what matters most. They also discuss why PE buyers are increasingly interested in younger firm owners who aren’t necessarily ready to retire and what this means for those owners. From roll-up strategies and scalable efficiencies to risks around long-term PE timelines, Morry breaks down what firm owners need to consider if they’re eyeing a potential exit in today’s fast-evolving environment. Timestamps 1:09 – Intro: Morry Brown’s background & joining Poe Group Advisors 3:13 – Why PE buyers are drawn to CPA firms 5:00 – Market changes, rising valuations, and firm consolidation 7:02 – Inside the PE acquisition process & what headline numbers miss 11:14 – Fit vs. price: what really matters when selling 16:01 – Understanding PE timelines, fund mandates & market uncertainty 19:30 – PE can improve firm performance—but it depends on the vision 22:27 – Industry roll-up comparisons: Blockbuster, Waste Management, AutoNation 24:10 – AI + outsourcing: the next evolution in firm efficiency 26:00 – Book rec: Life by Keith Richards 27:17 – Wrapping up: connect with Morry via the Poe Group Advisors website

In this episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan, we are joined by Wayne Findlay—entrepreneur, founder of Findlay & Co., and CEO of The Back Room. Wayne shares his global perspective on how accounting firms can stay competitive in today’s talent-scarce landscape by leveraging offshoring, modern tech, and clear growth paths for team members. If you’re a firm owner thinking about scale, succession, or private equity, this episode is full of practical, real-world insight. Get in touch with Wayne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynenz/ Episode Timestamps 01:12 – Introduction of Wayne Findlay and the founding of The Back Room 04:09 – Why offshoring is becoming more common in U.S. & Canadian firms 05:50 – Global talent shortage & the retention pressure from PE 09:09 – The win-win of delegation and internal growth 12:10 – How to use AI wisely and keep firm data secure 16:18 – His firm’s expansion into Colombia and why it’s strategic for U.S. work 19:00 – Preparing your firm for sale: what PE buyers want to see 22:45 – Funny story from an accounting conference 25:33 – Book rec: The Four Principles of Management 27:57 – Connect with Wayne and see him at upcoming conferences