Podcast
Transforming: Tales of Business Evolution
Hosted by AICPA & CIMA · EN
The Small Firms Philosophy podcast has become "Transforming: tales of Business Evolution", a monthly show designed for firms of any size and scale, exploring innovative operating methods that help organizations adapt to a changing landscape. Hear from industry leaders sharing their experiences of reshaping their business models, delving into the dynamic world of business transformation, and inspiring you to explore new ways to evolve your own organization. "Transforming" started in November 2024 with 4 bonus episodes.
Brought to you by AICPA & CIMA's Private Companies Practices Section (PCPS).
22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
TfP 020. Elevating Women's Initiatives to Drive Transformation
Apr 1000:39:41Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Laura Crowley, Partner at Citrin Cooperman and member of the AICPA's Women's Initiatives Executive Committee, and Mandy Gallagher, Lead Manager of Women's Initiatives at the AICPA, discuss what it really takes to build a firm where women advance and why every firm that does comes out stronger. Laura and Mandy share practical strategies on sponsorship, leadership development, and retention, drawing on real-world examples from across the accounting and finance profession. Walk away with concrete steps to build a more inclusive and competitive firm. To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes. Explore the Sponsorship Success Toolkit, which includes guidance on building an effective sponsorship program. Thanks for listening. It takes just a couple of minutes to share your feedback. You can also contact us directly at podcast@aicpa-cima.com This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at podcast@aicpa-cima.com
Transcribe →TfP 019. Intentional Firm Growth That Actually Works
Mar 1000:43:36Tap to summarizeWhat does successful growth really look like for today's firms? In this episode, Sarah Krom, CPA, MST, Managing Partner of SKC & Co. CPAs, LLC, explores how firm leaders can scale intentionally without sacrificing culture, people, or purpose. Sarah shares how SKC approaches growth by focusing on other factors beyond revenue and headcount. From launching new service lines to navigating change through overcommunication, this conversation offers practical insight for any firm or organization looking to grow while protecting what makes their firms thrive. To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes. Thanks for listening. It takes just a couple of minutes to share your feedback. You can also contact us directly at podcast@aicpa-cima.com This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at podcast@aicpa-cima.com
Transcribe →TfP 018. Burnout Prevention in Action
Jan 2300:44:45Tap to summarizeLauren Baptiste, founder of Acheloa Wellness, explores how burnout is more than just exhaustion; it's a systemic challenge affecting professionals at every level. Lauren highlights the new PCPS Burnout Prevention Toolkit, a practical resource designed to help individuals, firms, organizations, and the profession combat burnout before it starts. Lauren shares her personal journey, actionable strategies for creating healthier work cultures, and quick wins you can implement today. Whether you're a leader looking to support your team or a professional seeking balance, this conversation offers tools to thrive, not just survive.
Transcribe →TfP 017. Getting Ready for 'Busy Season', Part II
Dec 1800:47:56Tap to summarizeWe're back with another special compilation of conversations offering insights relevant for preparing for busy season. Jaimie Boyd from the AICPA® Firm Services team shares highlights from conversations we've had over the past year with practitioners who are applying the fundamental concepts of the Transforming Your Business Model initiative to their day-to-day operations. From scheduling systems that help tame tax season to the power of virtual teams and intentional client selection, these stories offer practical insights and motivation for firms preparing for busy season and anyone seeking to modernize their practice without sacrificing well-being. You don't want to miss this episode as you prepare for busy season. For the full episodes and resources, check out the following: TfP 012. Creating Balance Without Losing Business TfP 014. Building Balance in a Virtual Firm TfP 010. Leading with Authenticity and Vulnerability TfP 006. Starting your own firm and growing the right client base TfP 013. When Purpose Meets Innovation TfP 011. The Influence of Coaching on Firm Growth AICPA Town Hall: DC updates, hiring insights and better tax season planning PCPS Right-Sizing Your Client Base Toolkit PCPS Outsourcing for CPA Firms Toolkit PCPS Future Talent Trend Toolkit To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes. Thanks for listening. It takes just a couple of minutes to share your feedback. You can also contact us directly at podcast@aicpa-cima.com This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at podcast@aicpa-cima.com
Transcribe →TfP 016. Beyond the Numbers: Real-World Insights from the MAP Survey
Dec 400:43:03Tap to summarizeReady to turn data into your firm's competitive edge? This episode reveals how firm leaders are leveraging the National Management of an Accounting Practice (MAP) Survey, from the AICPA Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) and CPA.com, to drive smarter decision-making and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving profession. Shayna Chapman, CPA.CITP, CGMA, CEO, Founder of Shaynaco LLC, and Brent Forbush, Managing Partner of Forbush & Associates, share practical insights on how to best use benchmarking data from the MAP Survey. The conversation highlights the importance of technology investment, especially AI, and the value of segmenting survey data for actionable comparisons. They share the key metrics that have helped their firms, encouraging others not to be overwhelmed by the breadth of available data. Lastly, the episode offers a forward-looking discussion on trends shaping the profession and insight into how participation in the MAP Survey can be a catalyst for transformation. The 2025 MAP Survey results and executive summary are now available, offering actionable data and practical takeaways for firms of all sizes. Download today! To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes. This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at podcast@aicpa-cima.com
Transcribe →TfP 015. Governance That Builds Culture
Oct 900:49:01Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Transforming: Tales of Business Model Evolution, Suzanne Forbes, CPA, Managing Partner of James Moore, explores why governance must evolve as your firm grows, why it's essential to revisit partner compensation, and how to guide your team through transitions. Suzanne also highlights ways to build a strong, connected culture for remote employees. Looking ahead, she expresses excitement about the future of the profession, highlighting the potential for meaningful impact in having an increased advisory role. Tune in, subscribe, and visit our podcast home page for more episodes. To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes. This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at podcast@aicpa-cima.com
Transcribe →TfP 014. Building Balance in a Virtual Firm
Sep 800:29:45Tap to summarizeKelly Rohrs, CPA, Founder of K. Rohrs, CPA, P.C., shares the journey of launching her firm from concept to reality. Listeners will gain insight into how she structures client relationships, manages expectations during high volume periods, and fosters talent retention through flexibility and trust. Kelly offers practical advice for firm owners looking to break away from traditional models, emphasizing the power of small, intentional changes. Tune in to hear how she's redefining what it means to operate a modern CPA firm. To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes. This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at podcast@aicpa-cima.com
Transcribe →TfP 013. When Purpose Meets Innovation
Aug 1500:39:49Tap to summarizeLive from ENGAGE 2025, Erin Hartman, CPA, Senior Manager – Firm Services, sits down with Argel Sabillo, CPA, Cofounder and Chief Executive Officer of HeyApril Inc, to discuss the ways he is reshaping the profession and leaving tradition behind. With a client base rooted in internet-based startups and small businesses, HeyApril offers full-scale, end-to-end accounting services. Argel shares how his journey has been defined by bold leaps of faith, innovation, and community impact. Argel offers practical insights on value-based pricing, subscription models, and tech stack optimization, while passionately advocating for firms to niche down and align their business models with mission and outcome, not just services. He also previews HeyApril's next frontier: using Large Language Models (LLMs) to turn client data into real-time, actionable insights. This is an episode packed with inspiration, strategic guidance, and a glimpse into the accounting firm of the future. To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes. This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at podcast@aicpa-cima.com
Transcribe →TfP 012. Creating Balance Without Losing Business
Aug 500:37:13Tap to summarizeBrenda Cannon, Partner at Cannon & Associates, CPAs, shares how her firm rethought busy season by scheduling every tax return to prepare and control the workflow. From setting clear boundaries and prioritizing ideal relationships, to encouraging clients to file extensions, Brenda breaks down how intentional change can create a healthier, more sustainable work environment. Tune in to learn how to normalize a better busy season. To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes. This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at podcast@aicpa-cima.com
Transcribe →TfP 011. The Influence of Coaching on Firm Growth
Jun 2600:36:53Tap to summarizeRebecca Driscoll, CPA, Co-founder of The Collaboration Room, walks through her unconventional journey into public accounting, highlighting her transition from working at a large firm to establishing her own CAS and Tax practice. Rebecca elaborates on the significant life changes that motivated her to pursue a different career trajectory. Emphasized in this episode is the significance of internal CAS practices and the key role coaching plays in assisting firm owners to develop sustainable firms. Rebecca also encourages listeners to think about their goals and desired lifestyle, and how that can be aligned with their career paths. To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes. This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at podcast@aicpa-cima.com
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