CPA Life

When Brenda Cannon realized that tax season chaos didn't have to be a foregone conclusion, she set out to reimagine her entire firm. Brenda shares how she moved from the brink of burnout on Episode 86 of CPA Life, juggling 1,500 clients and sleepless nights, to building a practice where April 15th is just another day. She tells John Randolph that by introducing intentional scheduling, raising fees, and letting go of the "we've always done it this way" mindset, Brenda not only transformed her own work-life balance but also created SchedulEase, a tool now helping other accountants do the same. Along the way, she's confronted industry resistance, client education hurdles, and the deeply ingrained beliefs that keep so many stuck in survival mode. Her story is a testament to the power of questioning tradition and designing a firm that truly works for its people. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

Neil Barrow returns for part 2 of his special double CPA Life episode to unpack the realities of business development beyond buzzwords. John steers the conversation from the pitfalls of hiring for growth without a plan, to the delicate dance of balancing capacity and opportunity within your firm, and Neil's philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: keep things simple, focus on relationships, and don't lose sight of what actually works. You won't want to miss the unexpected parallel Neil draws between perfecting an award-winning chili recipe and building a business, or his insight into how beer tastings can open doors to new clients just as effectively as chamber of commerce meetings.  Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com  

John Randolph returns to the mic to sit down with Neil Barrow, founder of EnabledBD, on Episode 84 of CPA Life. Together, they unravel the real mechanics of business development in CPA firms, as Neil draws on his journey from structured software sales to the unpredictable world of accounting firm growth. Challenging the myth that business development is just about sales or personality, Neil frames it as a skill: one that can be built, measured, and tailored to each individual's strengths. A discussion well beyond buzzwords, the pair focus on practical strategies for deepening client relationships, fostering accountability, and building systems that don't box people in. If you understand it's time to rethink what it means to grow a firm, to consider how even small, consistent actions can transform both culture and results, then check out part 1 of John's conversation with Neil now. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com  

We look back at John Randolph's conversation with Roman Villard, co-founder of Full Send Finance, on Episode 83 of CPA Life. Sharing his journey from finance major to starting his own firm, Roman emphasizes the importance of a culture-forward approach and how that helped Full Send shoot out of the blocks, growing from zero to 12 full-time employees in just over two years. Roman leveraged technology to great effect, particularly improving employees' work-life balance, and he dives into discussing the things that have given Full Send cross-generational appeal. Hybrid working is a significant factor, along with a resonant brand narrative. This episode touches on so many vital aspects that can make or break the success of your own firm, so whether you missed this one the first time around, or just want a refresher, you'll definitely want to tune in now! Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

Tired of endless 80-hour weeks? Chris Vanover is the President and Chief Auditor at CPAClub, formerly AuditClub, and on this special CPA Life Rewind Episode 82, he talks to John Randolph about how he and his team aim to give firms flexible access to experts on demand. Having started AuditClub in January 2022, Chris rebranded to CPAClub in November 2023 as the available services expanded, but the commitment remains the same: bringing value to firms who need expert support to service their clients, while always looking after the number one priority: CPAClub's workforce. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com  

Zane Stevens co-founded Protea Financial, an accounting firm focused on the wine industry, and it was remote from the beginning. We look back on his conversation with John Randolph on this special CPA Life Rewind Episode 81 about how this allowed him to treat employees like adults and provide flexibility in their roles. He also emphasizes the benefits of niche focus, arguing that firms that try to be everything to everyone often underdeliver. Zane notes that communication is often the biggest challenge for remote teams, requiring purposeful structures and frequent adjustments. Still, he finds that remote work allows for more precise, focused conversations and improved productivity. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com  

We take a look back at John Randolph's conversation with Liz Farr, host of The Disruptors Podcast on CPA Trendlines, on CPA Life Rewind Episode 80. Liz's insights on innovative practices in accounting, the talent pipeline, modern methods and more, are things you simply don't want to miss. So whether you caught Liz's appearance the first time around or not, stay tuned for expertise on the profession that you're not likely to find anywhere else. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

For Episode 79 of CPA Life, a different sort of show: John Randolph and producer Justin Grant take a candid look at the evolution of the podcast itself. John, inspired by his recent break from social media, reflects on the boundary setting, creating margins for yourself, finding joy both inside and outside of work, and what productivity actually is and means. From stories about aligning personal values with professional roles, the impact of meaningful client relationships and more, John drinks directly from the podcast's well in exploring the direction he plans to take Benaiah Consulting Group in as well. Tune in and find out what's in store next! Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

Check out this edition of CPA Life Rewind, as we reflect on John Randolph's conversation with Matt Patrick, the president and founder of Patrick Accounting and Whirks. They discuss the vision Matt has executed to build a modern, efficient, people-centric accounting firm. While focusing on the importance of retaining great employees, creating a family-friendly work environment, and developing a sustainable business model, Matt also delves into accounting's many challenges, particularly around the impact of technology and talent retention. With a focus on core values and fostering a culture of continuous learning and trust, Patrick Accounting and Whirks have excelled, and Matt is keen to share advice from his own experience, just as he learned from others who have been there before and made the same mistakes he once made. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com  

John Randolph picks up part 2 of his conversation with Nate Goodman, founder of Goodman CPA, on Episode 77 of CPA Life. Diving deeper into the bold decisions and core values shaping his firm's future, Nate discusses the challenges and rewards of moving away from traditional tax compliance work, the importance of building the right team, how faith and family guide every step, and more. Nate is candid about letting go of legacy clients and navigating growing pains, as well as about the ambitious goals he has for his firm, including increasing his numbers by 10x over the next several years. But he stresses that he will always seek to accomplish his goals without sacrificing what matters most, and while ensuring that what he does is in accordance with God's will. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

Nate Goodman's path from church ministry to leading a fast-growing accounting firm is anything but ordinary. Episode 76 of CPA Life kicks off part one of John Randolph's two-part sitdown with Nate, the founder and president of Goodman CPA, to unpack how his faith, passion for helping others, and commitment to God's purpose have shaped his mission to challenge the status quo and build a people-first, purpose-driven practice. Nate shares insights on dealing with rapid growth, the lessons he learned from his firm's early struggles, and the depth of his focus on generosity and community impact as a core firm value. He also discusses the firm's focus on advisory services, the shift to subscription-based pricing, and how Goodman CPA is empowering business owners and transforming communities. Don't miss this inspiring look at what it means to do accounting differently from the ground up. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com  

What happens when a CPA firm ditches tradition and builds everything around people, purpose, and possibility? Sarah Jones, founder of Sarah Jones CPA, joins John Randolph on Episode 75 of CPA Life, and she reveals how a small-town mindset, bold leadership, and a dash of hot pink can transform the accounting world. From rethinking value to embracing remote work and radical clarity, this conversation is a candid look at what it takes to grow a firm—and a career—on your own terms. Whether you're a firm leader rethinking your approach, an accountant seeking inspiration, or simply curious about the future of public accounting, Sarah's refreshing perspective on what's possible when you challenge the status quo is one you won't want to miss. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

We look back at John Randolph's conversation with Anshul Chawla, Director of Corporate Development at Chawla & Chawla, on CPA Life Rewind Episode 74. From working at Big Four firms and in private equity, to returning to his family-run CPA firm, Anshul has a deep, varied perspective on accounting, and he is full of useful thoughts about what you can do to improve your firm's efficiency, culture, and talent acquisition and retention. His firm has undergone an extensive modernization process, enhancing the employee experience in addition to efficiency, and they have made the affirmative choice to seek out and integrate younger talent to ensure an ongoing future. Having worked in private equity, he has a great deal of knowledge about its recent second major foray into accounting, and he emphasizes maintaining firm culture amidst the potential for such rapid growth and change. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com  

CPA Life Rewind features accounting firm coach Geraldine Carter this week, as we look back on the highlights of her two-part conversation with John Randolph on Episode 73. With a background in engineering, Geraldine's experience in founding her own business led her to realize the challenges many CPAs face as business owners themselves. She talks about how to simplify your practice and create value for your clients that they want to pay you more for, reducing your hours while increasing your income, narrowing your focus and niching to make your work easier both to do and to market, and more absolutely brilliant insights. If building a thriving, fulfilling practice is your goal, then the first thing you need to do is listen to Geraldine's insights in this episode. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

CPA Life welcomes Yuri Kapilovich, #TheFunCPA, back to the podcast to talk to host John Randolph about his newly created Mentors Count community. The managing partner of Kapilovich & Associates, Yuri saw the need for mentors in public accounting due to the decline of available time and the pipeline problem within the industry, so he founded Mentors Count to serve as a community where up and coming accountants could go to regain some of that lost mentorship. From tax technical support, essential career development advice, mental health discussions and more, Mentors Count is designed to be open and welcoming, especially when folks have questions they might not feel comfortable asking at work. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

John Randolph sits down with Joy Lutz, founder and CEO of Aligned CPA in Lake City, Florida, on Episode 71 of CPA Life. Joy has been "right behind the trailblazers" in the profession as she's grown her firm from two to eight employees within the past four years, and the knowledge and experience she's gained are keys to this discussion. Joy has placed Aligned's focus directly on helping service-based businesses simplify their financials, optimize tax strategies, and develop growth plans, all while avoiding billable hours and utilizing a full-service, monthly recurring revenue model that incentivizes her employees to give great service. She discusses proper talent acquisition and running a firm like a business while highlighting her belief in community engagement and mentoring as cornerstones to success in Accounting, evidenced by Aligned being named the Small Firm of the Year by PASBA for 2025. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

Matt Patrick, the president and founder of Patrick Accounting and Whirks, has felt called to entrepreneurship since a remarkable sequence of events that occurred early on in his initially very traditional career. He joins John Randolph on Episode 70 of CPA Life to discuss the vision he's executed to build a modern, efficient, people-centric accounting firm. While focusing on the importance of retaining great employees, creating a family-friendly work environment, and developing a sustainable business model, Matt also delves into the challenges accounting faces today, the impact of technology, and the keys to retaining talent. The episode underscores the significance of hiring based on core values and fostering a culture of continuous learning and trust, while also seeking out advice from others who have been there before and made the same mistakes you're making. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

Ronnie Withaeger's journey in Accounting has led him to currently running five businesses, including a sauna, and he talks to John Randolph about doing things his way on Episode 69 of CPA Life. The owner and founder of Ronald Withaeger CPA in Las Vegas, Ronnie started his career at a traditional firm but ultimately established his own practice focused on family-friendly, sustainable growth, and he shares his insights through his accounting community initiative, Launch Your Firm. Highlighting the importance of confidence, client relationships, and flexible work structures in running a successful firm, Ronnie is motivated by the opportunity to support other accountants in starting their own practices. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

John Randolph dives deep into a discussion on reshaping the public accounting space with Chris Williams, owner and CEO of System Six, on Episode 68 of CPA Life. A remote, cloud-based accounting firm, System Six's culture-driven, employee-focused environment serves as a model for balancing employees' professional growth with their personal lives. They delve into the dynamics of private equity in professional services and as someone with a finance background, Chris has a unique perspective on the firm's strategy for growth through both organic methods and strategic acquisitions. Ultimately, the episode underscores the importance of adapting management practices for a remote workforce in order to maintain employee satisfaction and client retention. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

John Randolph concludes his conversation with Rob Brown of Accounting Influencers on Episode 67 of CPA Life. Focusing on talent and leadership in accounting from multiple perspectives, they delve into the need for entrepreneurial spirit, and the importance of taking risks and overcoming the fear of judgment. They analyze the pandemic-induced shift to remote and hybrid working, noting that while it's clearly better for the rank-and-file, it's not without negatives, particularly the loss of mentorship and osmosis-style learning. They highlight the importance of intentionality and deliberate actions by leaders to maintain culture and productivity in the fact of this, touching on what a complex problem talent acquisition and retention is. The fact that a large proportion of accountants are nearing retirement age and that the pipeline shows fewer new entrants into the profession just underscores the problem further. With this backdrop, they emphasize the critical need for firms to better articulate what makes them unique to attract and retain talent effectively, stressing the power of storytelling and personal testimonies in showcasing a firm's culture and values. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com