The Big 4 Transparency Podcast

In Episode 94 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Dominic sits down Jeremy Dubow, co-founder and CEO of Prosperity Partners to discuss his journey with starting the firm, what has changed over the 20+ years he’s operated his firm, and what ultimately drove the decision to take on Private Equity investment. They also dive deep into Jeremy’s talent strategy, and how he’s elevating the bar for retaining and attracting talent at the firm through equity compensation paired with strong traditional compensation. Connect with Jeremy:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremydubow/Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/Book A Demo: https://calendly.com/dom-zgw/big-4-transparency-demo-referral

In Episode 93 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Dominic sits down with Matt Tait, CEO of Decimal, to unpack how accounting firms can scale profitably without burning out their founders. Matt shares how Decimal evolved from a modern CAS firm into a franchised “firm-in-a-box,” helping entrepreneurs launch and grow accounting firms with enterprise-grade infrastructure, standardized tech stacks, and 50%+ margins. The conversation dives into why private equity is actually fueling entrepreneurship in accounting, how to break free from the owner-operator trap, and what it really takes to build a firm that’s scalable, sellable, and future-ready.Connect with Matt:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtait83/Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/Book A Demo: https://calendly.com/dom-zgw/big-4-transparency-demo-referral

In Episode 92 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, host Dominic Piscopo covers the Private Equity Summit 2025 hosted by Accounting Today. He shares a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most important conversations regarding Private Equity in accounting that happened at the conference, and shares the highlights of his keynote and panel presentations. Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/Book A Demo: https://calendly.com/dom-zgw/big-4-transparency-demo-referral

In Episode 91 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Craig Fouts, a partner at Align Tax Consulting, shares insights into the world of specialty tax consulting, focusing on R&D tax credits and cost segregation. Craig discusses his journey into this niche field, the strategic decisions behind Align's service offerings, and the importance of building relationships with CPA firms. He also highlights the evolving landscape of tax legislation and the significance of specialization in the accounting industry.Connect with Craig:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigfouts/Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/Book A Demo: https://calendly.com/dom-zgw/big-4-transparency-demo-referral

In Episode 90 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Dominic Piscopo sits down with former colleague Stewart Spiers to discuss his journey from Deloitte to a smaller firm, TAAG. Stewart shares insights into his passion for working with small and medium-sized businesses, the challenges of the big 4 environment, and his decision to seek a more entrepreneurial path. Tune in to hear about the agility and opportunities in smaller practices and Stewart's vision for the future.Connect with Stewart:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stewartspiers/Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/Book A Demo: https://calendly.com/dom-zgw/big-4-transparency-demo-referral

In Episode 89 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, host Dominic Piscopo speaks with Chris Williams, CEO of System Six, discussing the growth of his CAS business, the recent acquisition of a tax practice, and the strategies involved in integrating new teams. Chris shares insights on financing acquisitions through SBA loans, the importance of trust in business transactions, and the unique challenges faced by non-accountants in the accounting industry. Chris also highlights the opportunities for accountants to engage in acquisitions and the differences in transaction structures across various industries.Check out System Six: https://systemsix.com/Connect with Chris:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-williams-68057029/Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/Book A Demo: https://calendly.com/dom-zgw/big-4-transparency-demo-referral

In Episode 88 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, host Dominic Piscopo speaks with Jody Padar, known as the Radical CPA, who shares her journey from being a firm owner to a tech innovator in the accounting space. She discusses the importance of technology, particularly AI, in transforming the accounting profession and emphasizes the need for empathy and advisory skills in client relationships. Jody also compares the adoption of cloud technology to the current wave of AI integration, highlighting the importance of human-centric approaches in technology. She believes that the future of accounting will require professionals to adapt and upskill, leveraging AI to enhance their capabilities and client interactions.Check out XcelLabs: https://www.xcellabsacademy.com/Connect with Jody:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jody-padar-18a9711/Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/Book A Demo: https://calendly.com/dom-zgw/big-4-transparency-demo-referral

In Episode 87 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, I talk through my entire thought process around setting up an accounting firm. I’ve had a lot of similar conversations lately, and wanted to share the 6 steps I would follow to plan my firm, choose a niche, and start building up a customer base. Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/Book A Demo: https://calendly.com/dom-zgw/big-4-transparency-demo-referral

In Episode 86 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, host Dominic Piscopo speaks with Jen Cryder, the CEO of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs. Jen shares about her role, and pushing the boundaries of what a state society can mean for the accounting profession - digging into their acquisition of CPA Crossings and investment into XcelLabs. Dominic and Jen also cover how she’s pushed to be entrepreneurial within a non-profit organization and what she’s excited for in the future of the profession. Check out XcelLabs: https://www.xcellabsacademy.com/Connect with Jen:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markgallegosportebrown/Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/Book A Demo: https://calendly.com/dom-zgw/big-4-transparency-demo-referral

In Episode 85 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, host Dominic Piscopo speaks with Owen Pryor and Steve Blake from Evans May Advisory. They discuss the unique synergies between their advisory and wealth management services, emphasizing a client-centric approach that alleviates burdens from clients. The conversation covers their growth strategies, niche markets, innovative pricing models, and the importance of investing in future generations of accountants through internships and community engagement.Connect with Steve and Owen:Steve’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sblake2/Owen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owenpryorcpa/Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/Book A Demo: https://calendly.com/dom-zgw/big-4-transparency-demo-referral

In Episode 84 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, host Dominic Piscopo speaks with Mark Gallegos, a partner at Porte Brown, about his extensive experience in tax legislation and public accounting. Mark shares insights into his role as a tax expert, the importance of effective communication in the field, and the opportunities presented by the new HR1 tax legislation. He discusses his personal journey, the significance of advocacy through the AICPA, and the balance between work and life in public accounting. The conversation emphasizes the need for tax practitioners to embrace planning and client relationships in a rapidly changing tax landscape.Check out Forwardly for a streamlined solution to invoicing and bill payments:https://www.forwardly.com/Connect with Mark:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markgallegosportebrown/Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/Book A Demo: https://calendly.com/dom-zgw/big-4-transparency-demo-referral

In Episode 83 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Joe Manganelli shares his journey from engineering to finance, detailing his entrepreneurial aspirations that led to the founding of Calculate, an outsourced accounting practice. He discusses the challenges of building the business, the decision to sell it, and the transition to his new venture, Amalgam, which aims to streamline accounting processes through innovative software solutions. Joe emphasizes the importance of relationship-building in sales within the accounting space and shares insights on navigating the complexities of business valuations and growth strategies.Check out Forwardly for a streamlined solution to invoicing and bill payments:https://www.forwardly.com/Connect with Joe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemanganelli/Amalgam: https://www.amalgam.me/Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/Book A Demo: https://calendly.com/dom-zgw/big-4-transparency-demo-referral

In Episode 82 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Dominic Piscopo interview Kyle Geers, CEO and co-founder of Zeroed-In Consulting, where he discusses the growth trajectory of his firm, which is forecasting 80% growth in 2025. He shares insights on acquiring large clients, building referral networks, and the challenges of transitioning from a corporate job to entrepreneurship. Kyle emphasizes the importance of team management, retention, and leveraging technology, including AI, to enhance operational efficiency. He also highlights the significance of establishing a strong foundation in specialized accounting services, particularly in US GAAP compliance.Check out Forwardly for a streamlined solution to invoicing and bill payments:https://www.forwardly.com/Connect with Kyle:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylegeers/Zeroed-In Consulting: https://www.zi.consulting/Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/Book A Demo: https://calendly.com/dom-zgw/big-4-transparency-demo-referral

In Episode 81 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Dominic Piscopo interviews Kimi Green, co-founder of Sam's List, a review-based directory for accountants and financial professionals. Kimi shares the inception story of Sam's List, its unique value proposition centered around client reviews, and her unexpected journey into the accounting industry. The conversation delves into the business model of Sam's List, client feedback trends, and the emerging needs of various industries seeking accounting services. Kimi emphasizes the importance of transparency and the evolving landscape of client expectations in the accounting field.Check out Forwardly for a streamlined solution to invoicing and bill payments:https://www.forwardly.com/Connect with Kimi:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-green-wtx/Sam’s List: https://samslist.co/Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/Book A Demo: https://calendly.com/dom-zgw/big-4-transparency-demo-referral

In Episode 80 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Dominic Piscopo welcomes back Mike Maksymiw, the executive director of the Aprio Firm Alliance. They discuss the recent acquisition of the PS+ Alliance by Aprio and its implications for member firms. The conversation explores the strategic value of the Alliance, employee satisfaction in a private equity-backed firm, and the importance of maintaining company culture during rapid growth. Mike shares insights from his career transitions, emphasizing the significance of a supportive network and the concept of 'Coddiwomple'—a purposeful journey to an unknown destination. The episode concludes with reflections on overcoming fear and embracing change in one's career.Check out Forwardly for a streamlined solution to invoicing and bill payments:https://www.forwardly.com/Connect with Mike:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemaksymiwjr/Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/Book A Demo: https://calendly.com/dom-zgw/big-4-transparency-demo-referral

In Episode 79 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Erica Goode shares her journey as an independent accountant who built a successful lifestyle business while balancing family responsibilities. She discusses her unique approach to client management, pricing strategies, and the importance of workflow efficiency through technology integration. Erica emphasizes the mindset shift needed in the accounting profession, advocating for a community that supports accountants seeking a balanced life. The conversation highlights the significance of finding what is 'enough' for personal fulfillment and the value of networking and lead generation in building a sustainable practice.Check out Forwardly for a streamlined solution to invoicing and bill payments:https://www.forwardly.com/Connect with Erica:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-goode-cpa-00205616/Aligned Accountants: https://aligned-accountants.mn.co/Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/ericagoode/15hr-email-referralGet in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/Book A Demo: https://calendly.com/dom-zgw/big-4-transparency-demo-referral

In Episode 78 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Matthew May shares the journey of Acuity, its merger into Sorren, and the implications of private equity in the accounting industry. Matthew shares insights on the evolution of Client Accounting Services (CAS), the decision-making process behind the merger, and his transition into leadership. Check out Forwardly for a streamlined solution to invoicing and bill payments:https://www.forwardly.com/Connect with Mathew:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetechcpa/Sorren: https://sorren.com/Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/

In Episode 77 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Katherine Studley, known as The Only Consultant, who runs a consulting firm focused on the adult industry shares her unique journey from traditional accounting to serving a niche market that includes OnlyFans models and exotic dancers. She discusses the challenges she faced in establishing her business, the importance of understanding her clients' needs, and how she navigates the complexities of working in an often stigmatized industry. Katherine emphasizes the significance of networking, innovative marketing strategies, and building a judgment-free environment for her clients. The conversation concludes with insights into her future aspirations and the growth of her firm.Connect with Katherine:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherine-studley/The Only Consultant: https://www.theonlyconsultant.com/Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/

In Episode 76 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Deneen Dias, co-founder of Infinite Ties, talks about the evolution and significance of Client Advisory Services (CAS). Deneen discusses the rise of CAS as a vital revenue source for firms, the impact of technology on the industry, and the importance of hiring specialized talent. She emphasizes the need for training and upskilling within firms to transition from traditional accounting practices to a more advisory role. The conversation also touches on the challenges of defining CAS and the future trends in the industryCheck out Forwardly for a streamlined solution to invoicing and bill payments:https://www.forwardly.com/Connect with Deneen:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deneen-dias-643b711/Infinite Ties: https://infinite-ties.com/Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/

In Episode 75 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, David Cristello, founder and CEO of Jetpack Workflow discusses the unique needs of the accounting industry, the journey of launching Jetpack Workflow, and the importance of workflow management in accounting firms. David shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, the role of his podcast 'Growing Your Firm' in building community and educating the market, and offers advice for accounting podcasts. The conversation also highlights common traits of successful accounting firms and the significance of focusing on a specific target audience.Check out Forwardly for a streamlined solution to invoicing and bill payments:https://www.forwardly.com/Connect with David:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidcristello/JetPack Workflow: https://jetpackworkflow.com/David’s Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6MauXYaHFyS0rlb6L3Qb1U?si=977e9abed7154c58Get in touch with me:Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/Newsletter: https://big4transparency.beehiiv.com/Email: dom@big4transparency.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/B4TransparencyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dopiscopo/