It’s time to rethink the CEO role from the ground up! On Episode 104 of The Upstream Leader, Jeremy sits down with Chip Chaon, CEO of LattaHarris, about his unconventional path from outside the industry to the top seat. Together, they dig into the realities of shifting from a traditional partnership to a corporate governance model, the challenges of unwinding large client books, and the importance of aligning compensation with leadership—not just production. Facing the big challenge of a firm that needed modern ideas, Chip had to build trust among the partners, foster a culture of mentorship in order to keep the leadership pipeline full, and prioritize work-life balance for everyone in the firm. Many firms resist change until desperation hits, but Chip was able to ride the wave between inspiration and desperation to great effect. If you’re curious about the future of firm management, this episode offers a rare, honest look behind the scenes. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Jeremy Clopton welcomes Michael Bannon of CSG Partners for a deep dive into the world of ESOPs and their rising influence in the accounting profession on Episode 103 of The Upstream Leader. Michael unpacks how ESOPs work, why more firms are embracing employee ownership over private equity, and the real impact on firm culture, leadership, and long-term growth. From tax advantages and capital infusion to boosting retention and building a true ownership mentality, this episode explores the practical realities and transformative potential of ESOPs for accounting firms of all sizes. Packed with expert insights, candid stories, and actionable takeaways, it’s a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of the profession. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
A very energizing episode 102 of The Upstream Leader sees host Jeremy Clopton sit down with Brett Hoogeveen, the co-founder of BetterCulture, to reveal how organizations can be transformed from the inside out. Brett introduces the “20 Tenets”—a set of straightforward, game-changing behaviors that empower every team member to drive positive change and elevate workplace culture. The most important underlying theme is that building a thriving culture isn’t complicated—Brett and Jeremy break down how small, consistent actions can boost morale, foster growth, and make work better for everyone. Tune in for actionable insights and real-world examples that will help you and your team thrive. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
To kick off the second hundred episodes of The Upstream Leader, Jeremy sits down with BJ Lippert, Managing Partner of Donovan CPAs, to explore themes of authenticity and legacy in the profession from a leadership point of view. BJ stepped into a role previously held by a family legacy, and so he has faced unique challenges in making his own mark on Donovan CPAs. In his words, he believes “values matter, systems drive predictable success,” and that fun is a core tenet, and all of this informs his decisions and approach. BJ is committed to shaping his firm’s future by focusing on positively impacting lives rather than just financial metrics, so tune in for an inspiring discussion on what it means to lead with authenticity and create a meaningful legacy. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
In this milestone 100th episode, host Jeremy Clopton and producer Justin Grant reflect on the journey of The Upstream Leader Podcast—from its early days and evolving format to the stories and guests that have shaped its community. Noting that the show has been a mainstay even as the landscape of the accounting profession has transformed so dramatically in the meantime, they revisit their favorite episodes and discuss just a few of the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Jeremy and Justin also look ahead to the next hundred episodes, inviting listeners to share their ideas and join in the ongoing conversation and a community. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the show, this special episode celebrates connection, growth, and the enduring impact of leadership—in accounting and beyond. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
How can professionals harness AI while maintaining their ethics and keeping their skills sharp? On Episode 99 of The Upstream Leader, Jeremy Clopton welcomes Emily Primeaux, Writing Manager at Dragonfly Editorial, to discuss AI’s role in the workplace. They explore why AI’s goal to appease users can be both helpful and risky, the ethical challenges of AI-assisted content, and how to introduce training around AI into your onboarding processes. AI, like any other tool, can be powerful in the right hands and with the right approach, and Emily has a robust approach to ensuring that is exactly how she uses it, through a regularly updated ethical use policy, communication with her clients, and more. You won’t want to miss her practical tips on how to balance authenticity and efficiency in this new technological age. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Jeremy Clopton has an important message about connection on Episode 98 of The Upstream Leader. Connection is something that is easy to confuse with connectedness—something that is at an all-time high thanks to technology. But as he’s seen at this year’s HeadWaters Conference, at retreats and in lots of other interactions, all this connectedness doesn’t have anything to do with the creation of meaningful relationships. So in this episode, Jeremy has sought to offer practical advice on what it means to make a genuine connection, how to make that happen in a natural and organic way, and one simple thing you can focus on to help you do just that: Leading with curiosity. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Dr. Meg Myers Morgan joins Jeremy Clopton to discuss the importance of self-worth and how it impacts one's career on Episode 97 of The Upstream Leader. They explore how self-worth should not be tied solely to monetary success, but should involve discovering purpose and joy in one's professional life. Meg shares her personal journey of understanding self-worth through raising her daughters and discusses the challenges of pricing oneself, particularly in the accounting profession. They also touch on the psychological aspects of worth, how it influences pricing, and why transparent conversations about value can enhance career growth and professional satisfaction. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Larissa Bunker, COO and EOS Integrator at Nichols Accounting Group, joins Jeremy on Episode 96 of The Upstream Leader to share her journey to leadership, emphasizing the power of asking questions. They delve into how leaders can create a culture that encourages questions rather than solely providing directives, and the insight, creativity and growth having a question-oriented culture can unlock. This goes hand-in-hand with fostering relationships and engaging team members to create more effective, collaborative environments, and Larissa discusses ways employees, whether they’re in the first day with a firm or have been there for decades, can make meaningful impacts within their teams and organizations by being inquisitive and focusing on relationships. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Join Jeremy Clopton on this solo Episode 95 of The Upstream Leader as he addresses the vital role of people in the accounting profession’s future. Jeremy looks back on the discussions he’s had with industry leaders in recent months about the current and future state of accounting, and the recurring theme has been the necessity of developing your people as key differentiators—differentiators that stave off commoditization and make your firm and its services stand out to clients. Jeremy uses the Upstream Growth Triangle, consisting of accountability, adversity, and advocacy, as a framework for fostering personal and professional growth within firms with an eye towards key differentiation. Learn how balancing these elements can help cultivate the next generation of leaders and create a sustainable, high-performing firm. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
The Upstream Leader goes a different direction on Episode 94, with host Jeremy Clopton inviting producer Justin Grant of Professional Productions to the “other side of the booth” to discuss the evolving role of technology in accounting. Keeping in mind AI’s obvious impact, they talk about the way technology has changed and should continue to change the role of the technical expert and the way firms develop their people. Competitive advantages can be cultivated through transformed onboarding processes, valuing critical thinking and soft skills, and breaking with the old, traditional ways of “grunt work” as the way to train new hires. Understanding that balanced investment in both technology and people is necessary to drive future success, Jeremy and Justin share deep insights that firm leaders don’t want to miss. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Jen Hamilton, founder of Hamilton COOs and the Fractional COO Collective, joins Jeremy on Episode 93 of The Upstream Leader to discuss the increasing trend of fractional executives within accounting firms and why they’ve proven to be so effective. Jen shares her journey from a CPA at PricewaterhouseCoopers to becoming a thought leader in fractional executive roles, highlighting the development of her emotional intelligence (EQ) and leadership skills in progressing her career. Jen addresses common misconceptions about fractional executives and offers advice for firms considering this model to enhance their strategic decision-making and operational efficiency. Fractional executives can shift the accounting paradigm by elevating a firm’s performance through their strategic leadership, freeing up partners to continue to excel in their technical roles. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
On Episode 92 of The Upstream Leader, Jeremy Clopton interviews Blake Stratton, the founder of True Productive. They discuss the importance of mindset reflection for improving productivity, going further than traditional time management tactics to really take stock of what’s going on with you mentally and psychologically in order to re-write the “software” that can unknowingly hold you back and lead to blocks in your emotional state and even your level of success. Blake explains these concepts through his personal journey of high stress and chronic productivity challenges, emphasizing the need to not just reframe negative beliefs, but to cast the causes of them as entirely neutral, proceeding accordingly. One’s emotional state clearly affects productivity and in this episode, through techniques of systematic reflection and digging below the surface, you will start to get a handle on how. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
On Episode 91 of The Upstream Leader, Jeremy Clopton is joined by Dr. David Burkus, author of Best Team Ever and several other books on business success, to discuss building high-functioning teams in the accounting industry. Noting that it’s important to move beyond technical proficiency to focus on team dynamics, David and Jeremy go into detail on three core factors: common understanding, psychological safety, and pro-social purpose. David stresses the significance of making each team member feel valued, highlighting the need for leaders to actively foster an environment where team members feel safe to express ideas and take risks, and he offers practical activities and insights to help leaders connect their teams to a meaningful purpose and improve their performance. Underscoring the conversation is the idea that it is vital for leaders to demonstrate that they care about their employees as human beings and not just numbers. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Jeremy Clopton visits with Monika Turek, Learning & Development Manager at HoganTaylor, on Episode 90 of The Upstream Leader. Centering their discussion on maximizing your and colleagues’ potential by fostering a culture of learning and moving beyond the traditional CPE mindset, Monika tells Jeremy about her personal journey to leadership, her willingness to go first, and what she learned from various structured development programs. Highlighting personal accountability, setting incremental goals, and making professional development paths meaningful for individual growth, they also tackle the challenges of balancing compliance with genuine learning, and how organizations can create motivating environments that align professional development with company core values.
Jeremy is joined by Jana Cinnamon, COO and partner at Abdo Solutions, to discuss the intersection of hospitality and accounting on Episode 89 of The Upstream Leader. They explore how infusing hospitality into client interactions can transform the profession and improve both client and employee experiences. Jana shares insights about their firm’s initiatives inspired by the book Unreasonable Hospitality, emphasizing the importance of infusing a hospitality mindset into every level of an organization. The conversation highlights that fostering a culture where employees feel empowered to provide exceptional service not only improves client satisfaction but also attracts and retains top talent—and that insights into how to do this don’t just have to come from the accounting profession—inspiration is everywhere. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
On this solo Episode 88 of The Upstream Leader Podcast, host Jeremy Clopton shares insights from recent meetings with managing partners of accounting firms across the U.S. and Canada. Jeremy focuses on three major themes: the importance of consistency over intensity in both client and employee experiences, the need to change assumptions about people's capabilities and responsibilities, and the crucial role of accountability and clear expectations among partners. Aimed at improving firm culture, client service, and leadership, Jeremy provides actionable reflections to help elevate your and your firm’s performance consistently throughout the year. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Jeremy Clopton delves into a hot topic—alternative ownership models in the accounting profession—with Steve Shein, co-founder of Franklin Alliance, on Episode 87 of The Upstream Leader. They explore the alliance model, an alternative to the more traditional PE and M&A routes. Steve’s company specifically supports boutique accounting firms under $10 million in revenue by providing resources and strategic support without being prescriptive, with the goal of enabling these firms to draw on resources that typically only larger firms have enjoyed, with an emphasis on patient capital and reinvestment for long-term growth. There are challenges and opportunities for boutique firms in any scenario, especially those seeking to maintain independence while successfully navigating industry headwinds. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Jeremy Clopton returns for Episode 86 of The Upstream Leader, engaging in a thought-provoking conversation with professional coach, speaker and educator, Andrew Donofrio. They discuss the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, focusing on managing emotions and energy levels, especially during demanding periods like tax season. Andrew draws upon his diverse career in law enforcement, technology, and executive coaching to emphasize the significance of understanding and accepting different perspectives while still setting standards for performance and improvement from your charges. In addition to exploring practical strategies for improving emotional intelligence and maintaining high energy amid busy schedules, Andrew emphasizes the importance of deliberate self-care, particularly during peak times. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com
Host Heath Alloway talks effective communication with Ben Decker on Episode 85 of The Upstream Leader. The Chairman and Co-CEO of Decker Communications, Ben focuses on the pivotal role communication plays in leadership. Sharing insights on becoming a better leader through humble confidence, the impact of early communication habits, and the critical importance of non-verbal cues, Ben details his approach to improving how professionals communicate, emphasizing the need for intentionality, curiosity, and the ability to provide and receive constructive feedback. He pillories the “soft skill” label that communication is often saddled with due to its central role in professional and personal success, offering practical advice for introverts and those plagued with self-doubt. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUpstreamLeader.com