Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck

Gary Shamis, Principal at Winding River Consulting, has had a lifelong career in accounting, growing his father’s accounting firm from $225,000 in revenues to approximately $100 million. He built the 37th largest independent accounting and consulting firm in the nation before combining SS&G, Inc. with BDO USA, LLC in 2014. Tune in and hear Gary talk about why execution is harder than strategy, how developing niches can include both services and industries, and why scooping up talent when you find them is critical to success. Gary S. Shamis, M.Acc, Principal Winding River Consulting Twitter Gary Shamis is Principal at Winding River Consulting. His innovation and leadership earned him honors such as E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year; a Top Ten Managing Partner Elite (Accounting Today) where he was called the “very model of the modern managing partner, and this list is more or less unimaginable without him”; Most Admired Peer (INSIDE Public Accounting); more than a dozen appearances on the Most Influential list (Accounting Today); and numerous other industry accolades. He has served his profession within the ranks of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, including testifying before the Securities and Exchanges Commission on its behalf, and Ohio Society of CPAs. He has written and edited for industry journals and is the co-author of How to Manage Your Accounting Practice: Taking Your Firm from Chaos to Consensus (2009), Stratagem: Simple, Effective Strategic Planning for Your Business and Your Life (2013) and Building Blocks (2019). With more than two dozen nonprofits on his resume and even more awards on his shelves, Shamis has been at the helm of the boards of North Coast Community Homes, Inc., Hillel at Kent State, and the Cleveland Jewish News, to name a few. Master of Accountancy, The Ohio State University B.S. Biology, Tulane University   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us  

Join host Hugh Duffy as he has a conversation with Allan Koltin, CEO of Koltin Consulting Group. Koltin is a nationally recognized speaker and industry analyst. He has appeared on numerous local and national media platforms, spreading his industry expertise. The two discuss various topics, focusing heavily on the future of the business. Which strategies will work long-term? Which ones are already being left behind? Join us! Allan D. Koltin, CPA, CGMATwitter I LinkedIn I Website For twenty consecutive years, Allan has been named by Accounting Today as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in the accounting profession. In 2019, he was recognized as the “Third Most Influential” in the profession. Koltin was also voted one of the 10 Most Recommended Consultants for the sixteenth straight year in the “Annual Survey of Firms” conducted by INSIDE Public Accounting. For the past six years, Allan has also been named by CPA Practice Advisor as one of the Top 25 Thought Leaders in the profession. In 2016 CPA Practice Advisor inducted Allan into the Accounting Hall of Fame. He was also one of the first to be inducted into the Accounting Marketing Hall of Fame by the Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM). He has also been a recipient of the National Association of Certified Valuation Analyst’s Instructor of the Year Award and winner of the Journal of Accountancy Literacy Award. Previously he was recognized by the Illinois CPA Society with the Distinguished Service Award for outstanding service and commitment to the profession.   Koltin is the author-editor of three books for professional services firms: CPA Firm Merger Strategies That Work, CPAs That Sell and the AICPA’s Marketing a Consulting Niche. He serves or has served on the editorial advisory boards of CPA Practice Management Forum, the Journal of Accountancy, Accounting Today, Public Accounting Report and Law Firm Management. Allan attended both the University of Wisconsin – Madison and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee and received degrees in accounting and marketing. He lives in Chicago with his wife, Sharon, his three children, Jack, Brian and Julia, and his two dogs, Bucky and Cody. His hobbies include travel, chess, and all sports Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

Want to know about the craft beer and local wine and food industries? Then don't miss this episode! Join host Hugh Duffy as he talks with Corey Lord, Lord CPAs. The two discuss how he got started in this unique niche. What are some of the pressure points in those businesses? And what are some of his goals for the future?  Corey Lord, Lord CPAsTwitter I Facebook I Website Corey is the CEO and a Client Ally at Lord CPAs. Corey took over Lord CPAs from his father in 2010 and has since transformed the firm from a traditional tax-focused firm to an advisory and consultancy firm for craft food and beverage businesses. Corey believes that business is not just a way to make a living, but also a way to express yourself creatively. For him, business is about the impact it creates in a community, as well as generating valuable profit for the stakeholders of the business. These values provide a platform in which he can lead his clients on a path to becoming mature businesses. Outside of work, Corey enjoys craft beer, watching movies with his family, or watching sports at the local brewery. Corey graduated from the University of Michigan. He is a licensed CPA in Michigan. Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

Want to know about the tax credit business in the film industry? Then don't miss this episode! Join host Hugh Duffy as he talks with Irene Waschler, Waschler CPA, LLC. The two discuss how she got started in this field. What are some of the challenges she faces? What marketing strategies have worked for her? Also, what does the future look like for Waschler CPA? Irene Waschler, Waschler CPA, LLCTwitter I Website I Email Irene Wachsler is a Certified Public Accountant specializing in accounting and tax solutions for small businesses, self-employed individuals, nonprofits, and the film and entertainment industry. Irene is dedicated helping her clients keep their financial lives organized, use their numbers to make better financial decisions, and save money on taxes through proactive tax planning. She is also experienced in cryptocurrency taxation including tax preparation and problem resolution. Irene graduated with a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Lowell and has an M.B.A. from Babson College. Her affiliations include Massachusetts Society of CPAs, National Conference of CPA Practitioners, and Chair, Mass. Society of CPAs South Shore Breakfast Networking Forum. Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

Would you leave a safe and comfortable controller position at a large company to start your own CPA firm? That’s what Luke Gheen, founder of Gheen & Co. in Colorado Springs, did – in his early 30s and without any public accounting experience. In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, Hugh Duffy talks with Luke about his decision to strike out on his own, the challenges he faced and how he landed many of his clients because of unsatisfactory service. “There is a such a need in the accounting industry,” he says. “A large majority of clients are coming from a place where they’ve been vastly ignored and marginalized.” Tune in to listen to Luke talk about how marketing played a role in building his firm from the very beginning, why change continues to be a constant driver in managing his practice and how he has created a business that allows him to live a life according to his own rules.   Luke Gheen, MBA, CPA, Certified Tax Coach LinkedIn  | Twitter  | Facebook  | Website Luke is a long-time resident of Colorado with extensive corporate finance and accounting experience. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Colorado in 1999 and received his MBA from the University of Colorado in 2007. Luke started Gheen & Co., CPA in 2011 to help business owners simplify their accounting, save substantial money in tax, and grow their wealth long-term. Luke is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He is an avid rower, enjoys reading, and regularly travels to the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. He relishes spending time with his wife, three sons, daughter, and extended family. Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

Want to know the latest on the E-Commerce space? Then don't miss this episode! Join host Hugh Duffy as he talks with Marilyn Parham, Founder and CEO of The Bottom Line® CPA, about the opportunities and challenges in E-Commerce. Parham explains the importance of finding a niche and mastering it and that's how she discovered the E-Commerce community. Tune into why she started their own Amazon channel to sell products as well. Marilyn Parham, Founder and CEO of The Bottom Line® CPA Facebook (Bottom Line) I Facebook (ProfitHERO) I Facebook (Digitax PRO) Marilyn serves as the Founder + CEO of The Bottom Line® CPA, a sole proprietor business she started in 1996 to help small business owners and contribute to her family’s finances. The business now serves more than 250+ clients in all 50 U.S. States, including international sellers! She is also co-Founder of DigiTax PRO™ and ProfitHERO™, online brands that serve eCommerce and Online Business too. Marilyn graduated with a B.S. in Accounting in 1989 from Tennessee Technological University. Her CPA Certification was obtained in September 1993. She has been highlighted for many years as one of Hubdoc’s Top 50 Cloud Accountants in North America and actively served on the Xero Partner Advisory Council (XPAC) from 2016-2018. Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

The Association for Accounting Marketing has been around since 1989 when accounting firms could start advertising for their services. Tune in to this episode when host Hugh Duffy talks with outgoing AAM executive director Lauren Clemmer about how the 800-plus member organization got its start and what assets it provides to its members. Hear about the biggest issues marketers in the accounting industry face, how technology is impacting marketing and how the marketing role continues to evolve. Join us! Lauren Clemmer, Executive Director of AAM (retiring at the end of 2019) LinkedIn  |  Twitter  |  Website Lauren Clemmer has been a member and volunteer of AAM for eight years, most recently as co-chair of the Virtual Education Committee.  Formerly the head of marketing for Ciuni & Panichi, Inc., she joined AAM in June 2015 to become the executive director.  Her background includes nonprofit management and the sales and marketing of technology.  In the role of executive director, Lauren is responsible for working with the board president, the executive committee and the board of directors to drive AAM’s vision and strategic plan.  She is also responsible for the general administration of all AAM business, managing vendor and partner relationships, enhancing member engagement and loyalty and serving as the voice of membership.  She is supported by an account manager and staff at AMR. She gives back to her community as a member of the Women’s Board for the Boy and Girls Clubs of Cleveland.  This nonprofit raises funds to provide scholarships to the members going on to college, provide gym clothes for the children and support other programming as needed by the clubs. Lauren has been named to the Accounting Today 100 Most Influential People 2016, 2017 and 2018  as well as the CPA Insider in 2016. Lauren has a bachelor of arts in Psychology from Dickinson College.  She lives in Cleveland with her husband, Denny. Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

Want to know what’s going on in the craft beer industry globally? You won’t want to miss this episode! Join host Hugh Duffy as he talks with Maria Pearman, principal at Perkins & Co. about her experience traveling the world, gaining insight about the craft beer industry. As the author of Small Brewery Finance: Accounting Principles and Planning for the Craft Brewer” Maria provides listeners with inside tips on becoming a leader in this dynamic niche. Tune in to learn how she broke into the market, how her practice has evolved over the years and why meeting face-to-face is still the best way to secure new clients. Maria Pearman, Perkins & Co. CPA, CGMA, Principal LinkedIn  |  Twitter  | Facebook  |  Instagram Maria Pearman is a Certified Public Accountant who provides accounting expertise and a deep operational knowledge to the alcohol beverage industry. She teaches Finance and Accounting for the Craft Brewer, is currently in the University of Vermont’s Business of Craft Beer program, and previously at Portland State University’s Business of Craft Brewing program. Her book, “Small Brewery Finance: Accounting Principles and Planning for the Craft Brewer,” was published by the Brewers Association in 2019. Maria’s specialties include finance, managerial accounting, budgeting, tax accounting, tax planning and provisions, business strategy, Ekos software, Orchestrated Beer software, VIP, Netsuite, and NAVision software. She earned her BA from the College of Charleston in her home state of South Carolina. She resides in Portland, OR.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

Gary Shamis, Principal at Winding River Consulting, has had a lifelong career in accounting, growing his father’s accounting firm from $225,000 in revenues to approximately $100 million. He built the 37th largest independent accounting and consulting firm in the nation before combining SS&G, Inc. with BDO USA, LLC in 2014. Tune in and hear Gary talk about why execution is harder than strategy, how developing niches can include both services and industries, and why scooping up talent when you find them is critical to success. Gary S. Shamis, M.Acc, Principal Winding River Consulting Twitter Gary Shamis is Principal at Winding River Consulting. His innovation and leadership earned him honors such as E&Y Entrepreneur of the Year; a Top Ten Managing Partner Elite (Accounting Today) where he was called the “very model of the modern managing partner, and this list is more or less unimaginable without him”; Most Admired Peer (INSIDE Public Accounting); more than a dozen appearances on the Most Influential list (Accounting Today); and numerous other industry accolades. He has served his profession within the ranks of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, including testifying before the Securities and Exchanges Commission on its behalf, and Ohio Society of CPAs. He has written and edited for industry journals and is the co-author of How to Manage Your Accounting Practice: Taking Your Firm from Chaos to Consensus (2009), Stratagem: Simple, Effective Strategic Planning for Your Business and Your Life (2013) and Building Blocks (2019). With more than two dozen nonprofits on his resume and even more awards on his shelves, Shamis has been at the helm of the boards of North Coast Community Homes, Inc., Hillel at Kent State, and the Cleveland Jewish News, to name a few. Master of Accountancy, The Ohio State University B.S. Biology, Tulane University   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us  

Are you a small firm practitioner that needs to get up-to-speed on accounting technology trends? You’re not alone. Join us for this episode as Hugh talks with Ranica Arrowsmith, technology editor for Accounting Today. Tune in to find out the best resources out there to stay on top of what’s happening, why vendor user communities can be a valuable tool for accountants and how AI is impacting the accounting profession already. Join us! Ranica Arrowsmith Twitter Ranica Arrowsmith, technology editor for Accounting Today, previously covered medical technology for Medical Design Technology, Medical Product Outsourcing and Orthopedic Design & Technology magazines. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature and psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a master’s degree in international literature from Montclair State University.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

In this episode, host Hugh Duffy talks with Jody Grunden, CEO of Summit CPA, all about how he built his virtual CFO firm from the ground up – and all the decisions involved in that endeavor. From flat fee billing, to setting up staff members to work virtually to how marketing plays an important role, tune in to hear Jody’s compelling story of growth and profitability. Join us! Jody Grunden, Summit CPA Group Website | LinkedIn Jody Grunden is a CPA with a passion for changing the way people think about accounting. He is the Co-Founder and CEO of Summit CPA Group, the leading provider of Virtual CFO Services for creative agencies, as well as one of the largest Virtual CFO firms in North America. Summit CPA’s Virtual CFO Service partners business owners with a dedicated CFO and a team of accountants, CPAs and tax professionals to help guide their business to success through cash flow management, business tax planning, and financial forecasting. Author of Digital Dollars and Cents, Jody literally wrote the book on helping digital companies create a financial roadmap to success. Jody co-founded Summit CPA in 2002 and transitioned the company to a distributed accounting firm in 2013. As the owner of a distributed company, Summit CPA fully understands the accounting, bookkeeping, cash flow management, and business tax nuances that come with being distributed, and the team loves helping clients overcome these challenges through their own experience and expertise.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us  

What’s it like being CMO and partner of a large firm? What metrics do you watch and what resources do you refer to for professional development? In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, host Hugh Duffy talks with Jeff Antaya of Plante Moran. Tune in to hear about the firm’s strengths and weaknesses, how going digital impacts marketing and business development and why having writers on your team is paramount to creating new and unique content that people want to read. Join us! Jeff Antaya, CMO of Plante Moran Facebook Jeff Antaya is a Partner and the Chief Marketing Officer at Plante Moran. He leads a team of approximately 85 individuals focused on growing the firm. His responsibilities include social media, brand development, marketing technology, communications, and digital business attraction and business development. Jeff has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and an MBA from the University of Detroit Mercy. Jeff is a founding member of the firms PRIDE affinity group focused on our LGBTQ staff. Jeff began his career as an accountant with PWC and eventually moved into the cellular phone industry, working at both Verizon and Nextel Communications. Over the course of 10 years, he held various sales and marketing executive positions at Nextel and played a significant part in the company’s growth into a fortune 100 company before it was acquired by Sprint. His position at Plante & Moran has allowed him to merge his skills in accounting, sales, and marketing to help Michigan’s preeminent firm grow and expand. Jeff is actively involved in Detroit and serves on various art and social service boards and advisory groups.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us  

Looking to bring more mindfulness into your practice or business? Not sure why it matters? In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, host Hugh Duffy talks with CPA, yogi and technologist Amy Vetter about a variety of topics impacting small accounting firms and beyond. From her thoughts on the term “trusted advisor” to why knowing your purpose is crucial in client work, to the impact of AI and machine technology in firms, you won’t want to miss this! Amy Vetter LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Amy Vetter is a CPA, Yogi and Technologist. She is the CEO of The B3 Method Institute, a corporate board member, and a transformative keynote speaker on Business, Balance & Bliss, the mindful use of technology, and the latest technology trends and their impact on financial professionals. Amy has authored two books, including Business, Balance & Bliss®: How the B3 Method Can Transform Your Career and Life. Her second book,  Integrative Advisory Services: Expanding Your Accounting Services Beyond the Cloud, is published by Wiley. It is the CPA and accounting professional’s guide to the future of delivering advisory services to their stakeholders with the rise of technology-driven DIY financial services. Amy has been recognized repeatedly as one of the “Most Powerful Women in Accounting” by the AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor, and as a “Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting” by Accounting Today. Amy regularly shares her insights as a contributor to the AICPA’s Journal of Accountancy, Accounting Today, CPA Practice Advisor as well as  Inc.com and Entrepreneur.com. Learn more at www.amyvetter.com and follow @AmyVetterCPA on social media.     Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

Come get a taste of the best in this interview with Geni Whitehouse. Geni is a winery consultant at Brotemarkle, Davis & Co. in Napa Valley and has been an influencer in the accounting profession for many years. In this episode host Hugh Duffy dives in to talk with Geni about how she learned about the wine industry, the technology and benchmarking tools her firm uses to provide unique value to wineries and what’s on her marketing to-do list. Join us Geni Whitehouse, CPA Twitter Geni Whitehouse, CPA divides her time between working as a winery consultant at Brotemarkle, Davis & Co. in the Napa Valley, working with Mentor Plus to drive the accounting profession forward, and writing, speaking, and tweeting at EvenANerd.com. Her mission in life is to make boring subjects interesting and she is seldom at a loss for topics. She is a regular keynote presenter at CPA and Technology conferences around the country and has been named a Top 100 Influencer by Accounting Today, one of 25 Thought Leaders in Accounting, and one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Accounting by CPA Practice Advisor. She was a member of the TEDxNapaValley organizing committee and was the first speaker at their inaugural event. She is a co-founder of Solve Services, a remote bookkeeping business for the wine industry and is the author of “How to Make a Boring Subject Interesting: 52 ways even a nerd can be heard” which is available on Amazon.com.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us  

Meet Zach Gordon. He’s the Chair of the Cannabis Industry Committee for the New York State Society of CPAs and is part of the team heading up the cannabis practice at Janover LLC in New York. In this episode, learn about the cannabis market in NYC, how his firm vets clients (they currently work with cannabis clients in 18 states) and why the NYSSCPA decided to launch a cannabis conference for accounting and other finance professionals. Zachary Gordon, Senior Manager, Janover LLC LinkedIn Zach Gordon works primarily in the Real Estate and Cannabis practices at Janover LLC, in New York focusing on family office financial statement compilations and reviews, tax planning and related services, as well Cannabis-focused services such as deal and business structuring, 280E tax planning and optimization, and license application due diligence. He has extensive experience in Private Equity and the tech startup space, as well as Public Accounting with a focus on Real Estate, Cannabis, Not-For-Profits and Tech. These startups ranged from early-stage to greater than $20 million in annual revenue. He has served as Controller, Auditor and Director of Finance & Operations for several startups and serves as an adviser for a Cannabis-focused Technology Incubator. He is a stakeholder in several Cannabis and non-cannabis companies across multiple vertices including technology, human resources, and consumer product goods. Zach is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the New York State Society of CPAs. He sits on the Technology Assurance Committee and is the Chair of the Cannabis Industry Committee for the NYSSCPA.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us  

How much do you use technology in your firm? Cloud technology is becoming a must-have for many accounting firm owners and chances are, you are already using some sort of cloud-based tool. Get up to speed on some of the latest technology trends in this episode with Blake Oliver. Oliver produces and co-hosts the Cloud Accounting Podcast and rounds up the best in accounting technology news. Tune in to hear how traditional firms are missing the mark, why more tech companies are starting to provide services and why customer demand is at the heart of change. Join us! Blake Oliver LinkedIn | Twitter Blake Oliver is an entrepreneur, accountant, writer, and speaker who specializes in cloud accounting technology. He is the Director of Marketing for Jirav. Blake also produces and co-hosts the Cloud Accounting Podcast, a weekly news round-up for accountants, bookkeepers, and anyone interested in the future of the profession. In 2016 and 2017, he was named a “40 Under 40” in the accounting profession by CPA Practice Advisor. Before all of that, Blake founded Cloudsourced Accounting, an online professional services firm with a mission to disrupt the business models of traditional CPA firms and freelance bookkeepers. The firm was an early adopter of cloud accounting technology, which enabled Blake’s staff and clients to collaborate 100 percent remotely. Within three years, Cloudsourced Accounting was a team of twelve serving approximately 200 customers spread across the United States. Aprio Cloud acquired Cloudsourced Accounting in 2015. After taking time off to finish his CPA exams, Blake joined Armanino LLP, the largest California-based accounting and consulting firm, as a Manager in the Outsourced Finance & Accounting team. He then worked as the Director of Product Marketing for FloQast before joining Jirav in 2019. Blake holds a Bachelor of Music from Northwestern University and an Accounting Certificate from UCLA. He lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife and son.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us  

In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, Brian Falony, director of marketing and business development for Brady Ware & Company, shares his perspective on a variety of marketing subjects such as CRM, social media and podcasting. Falony talks to us about how he markets his firm’s biggest niche, auto dealerships, why small firms should focus on specialization and the biggest challenges he tackles within his own firm. Join us! Brian Falony, Director of Marketing and Business Development Facebook | Twitter Brian Falony is currently Director of Marketing and Business Development for Brady Ware & Company. He has over 25 years experience in accounting marketing. Prior to joining Brady Ware, he led the marketing functions for two of the top 50 CPA firms in the U.S. and has consulted with firms across North America on improving their marketing programs. In 2013, he was inducted into the Association for Accounting Marketing Hall of Fame.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us  

If you’re looking for data about key trends in the accounting profession, you won’t want to miss this episode with Kelly Platt, principal of Inside Public Accounting. Kelly publishes a number of reports on the profession that give CPAs and accountants insider information, advice and best practices across the United States, Mexico and Canada. Join host Hugh Duffy as he talks with Kelly about key data in marketing, growth, retention and yes, retirement. She talks about trends among the “Best of the Best” accounting firms as well as why benchmarking your firm – even every two years – can help your profitability and staff retention. Join us! Kelly Platt, Principal Website | Twitter Kelly Platt, principal of INSIDE Public Accounting and an equity partner in The Platt Group, has worked within the profession since 1994 and has developed a deep understanding of the inner workings of professional services firms. Kelly co-founded AccountingWEB.com in 1999 with partner, Michael and together they grew the company’s U.S. division to more than 500,000 readers, until they sold it to take over INSIDE Public Accounting in 2006. Kelly directs aspects of INSIDE Public Accounting’s Annual Survey and Analysis of Firms and the monthly newsletter. In 2011, Kelly launched The PRIME Symposium, an annual two-day event, built around bringing together the best and brightest within the profession to not only share with the small group, but to offer IPA an insider view of what truly makes a Best of the Best firm. Kelly leads the business development area, including launching new services and products with the goal of assisting firms achieve their potential. In her spare time, Kelly enjoys traveling, gardening and photography. She is active in the Golden Retriever Rescue Club (GRRACE.org) in the Indianapolis area, and currently has the privilege of sharing her office with two rescue dogs. Kelly lives in a suburb of Indianapolis. Kelly is a member of AAM, CPAFMA and a Board Member of GRRACE.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us  

Why is publishing valuable, relevant content important to your firm’s brand reach and growth? In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, host Hugh Duffy talks with Brian Swanson of FlashPoint Marketing about why content matters, how your website should work for you today (hint, it’s a lead and new opportunity generator) and why most accounting firms tend to be peer-driven, rather than innovative, when it comes to marketing. Tune in to hear Brian’s perspective on what Google wants for content, the power of video, how geofencing works and more! Join us! Brian Swanson, Cheif CEO Strategist at FlashPoint Marketing Facebook |  Brian Swanson is the Chief SEO Strategist at FlashPoint Marketing, a digital marketing agency that provides search engine marketing and search engines optimization services. He joined the company in 2008 to manage the company’s SEO and digital marketing programs. He has over 18 years of experience in creating, optimizing and implementing SEO programs for service-based companies. Through his passion for all things SEO, SEM, and Google he has a deep understanding of how to analyze, modify and drive success to digital programs. He also values opportunities to empower clients by educating them on the best practices, latest trends and helping them develop an “SEO” mind. Brian obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University and has a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Benedictine University. He is a national speaker on Search Engine Optimization, content marketing, and Local SEO. He is a member of the American Marketing Association, Association of Accounting Marketing and involved in several local organizations.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us  

In this milestone episode, we put host Hugh Duffy in the hot seat! Over the last 50 episodes we’ve covered a number of niches, from cannabis to craft beer to divorce to fitness and talked with the accounting profession’s biggest influencers and thought leaders. Tune into this special show to hear Hugh share his highlights and most memorable takeaways, what surprised him the most and what he’s learned. Get ready for a trip down memory lane as we talk about some of our guests and the incredible insight they’ve brought AMDS. And you’ll also learn more about Hugh! Join us!  

Katye Maxson-Landis is the cannabis accountant’s CPA. She is transparent about her entry into the industry, what she’s learned since she first started taking on cannabis clients and passionate about helping other CPAs get up to speed. Based in Portland, Oregon, Maxson-Landis is the founder and owner of Moxy Accounting and if you’re thinking about entering this niche, you won’t want to miss this episode. Tune in to hear Katye talk about vetting her clients, boosting continuing education in this niche and getting started in this booming industry. Join us! Katye Maxson-Landis, owner of Moxy Accounting Katye Maxson-Landis is irreverent, inquisitive and professionally skeptical of just about everything. She received her Certified Public Accountant credential in 2011 after working in the salt mines of public accounting for 7 years as an auditor and staff accountant and as a bookkeeper for 10 years before that. She’s loyal, generous, interested in advancing the application of accounting for the Cannabis industry to a gold standard. Katye received BAs in both Technical Theatre and English Literature in 1993 from Hastings College in Hastings, Nebraska. She then enjoyed several years of eclectic careers in food service, speaking loudly and bartending. She owned an electrical contracting business, worked in currency conversion software support for the roll out of the Euro, coordinated an alternative drug court in Multnomah County and ran several indigent criminal defense firms in Portland, Oregon, finally earning a Post Baccalaureate in Accounting from Portland State University in 2005. She is happily married and is the mother of two vivacious little girls. In creating Moxy Accounting, she is working to bring balance to the insane timelines of accounting while acknowledging the importance of humor and professional standards. She is a trusted advisor, professional and business educator and highly sought after CPA.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us  

Did you know the adoption of blockchain in small businesses is about five to 10 years away? In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, host Hugh Duffy catches up with Shehan Chandrasekera, CPA and head of tax strategy at Cointracker.io. to talk all things bitcoin, blockchain and cryptocurrencies. Tune in to hear what small accounting firm practitioners need to know about virtual currencies, why JP Morgan is considered a leader in this space and what go-to resources you should be reading if you want to be ahead of the curve. Join us! Shehan Chandrasekera, CPA | Twitter Shehan is one of the handful of CPAs in the country who is recognized as a real-world operator and a conceptual subject matter expert on cryptocurrency taxation. Prior to CoinTracker, Shehan co-founded JAG Argueta CPAs and worked for several regional and national public accounting firms for several years. His ability to dissect the tax code and innovative thinking have immensely contributed to his rapid professional growth. Shehan is a published author, CPE instructor and a frequent technical contributor to various social media platforms. His article on Virtual Currency and Tax Ramifications was featured in The Tax Adviser magazine sponsored by the AICPA. He was one of the first CPAs to have a published academic article on cryptocurrency taxation. He was recently awarded with the Outstanding Young CPA of the year award by Houston CPA Society for his contribution to the profession. Further, Shehan loves public speaking and has done dozens of speaking engagements with many organizations including AICPA, American Bar Association, and State CPA Societies. He recently joined the CoinTracker team as the Head of Tax Strategy to improve the CPA user experience and accelerate industry outreach.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us  

Have you given yourself permission to create the accounting firm you want, in the way you want to do it? In this episode, host Hugh Duffy talks with Jimmy Bell, founder of JF Bell Group in Idaho Falls, Idaho about how he allowed himself to break tradition from the accountants around him and build a fulfilling, successful veterinarian niche practice. Learn how Jimmy went from a generalist to discovering his niche, why he’s dedicated to education and learning and the major pain points vets are facing today (there are several!). Join us! Jimmy Bell founder of JF Bell Group Facebook | Twitter | Instagram BIO: Jim is a partner in JF Bell Group as well as a co-founder of the consulting group Solutions By DVMCPA. Ever the anti-traditionalist, Jim started his own accounting firm after college and became the first person in the state of Idaho to earn his license working exclusively for himself. Over his 40-year career, he established expertise in real-time technology solutions to help veterinarians simplify operations, improve profitability, and liberate them from their day-to-day burdens. He is a member of VetPartners, a nonprofit association of veterinary business specialists as well as sits on the Finance, Investment, & Audit Committee of the ACVIM. Jim is also a board member and the current treasurer of the Idaho State Board of Accountancy. Jim regularly attends national veterinary conferences like the Western Veterinary Conference and Fetch produced by dvm360. Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com  

Artificial intelligence. Blockchain. Cryptocurrency. RPA. Chances are, you’ve heard the terms and concepts, but what does it all mean? And what does it all mean for the accounting industry? Host Hugh Duffy talks with Dr. Sean Stein Smith, assistant professor of Accounting at Lehman College, about what is happening in this area and what you need to know. Tune in for a deep dive on how the Big Four are using these applications, how the small firm practitioner can keep pace, and how the U.S. is stacking up in this area compared to other countries. Join us for this engaging and important conversation. ! Dr. Sean Stein Smith - DBA, CPA, CMA, CGMA, CFE | Twitter Dr. Sean Stein Smith is an assistant professor of Accounting in the Economics and Business Department at Lehman College. His research includes blockchain applications, cryptoassets – including but not limited to decentralized cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and other blockchain-related applications. Additional areas of focus include robotic process automation and its impact on accounting, as well as how integrated financial reporting can change disclosure and reporting at various organizations. He has presented his work at dozens of national and international conferences, both practitioner and scholarly in nature, including the Annual Conference of the American Accounting Association on multiple occasions. Sean also serves on the Advisory Board of the Wall Street Blockchain Alliance, where he also leads the Accounting Working Group, focusing on the creation and dissemination of thought leadership connected to the blockchain and financial services space. He is also the chairperson on the New Jersey Society of CPAs Emerging Technology Interest Group, spearheading efforts and initiatives to more effectively integrate emerging technology tools into practice. Bringing this expertise to Lehman, and in addition to serving as a faculty liaison to the Freshman Year Initiative, Sean is in the process of developing a blockchain certificate project in conjunction with the School of Continuing Education and Professional Studies. Sean will be serving as the E.C. Harwood Visiting Research Fellow at the American Institute for Economic Research during 2019, and has had books published, or that are in the publication process, at Taylor and Francis, Springer, and Palgrave-MacMillan.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us  

Meet Matt Hetrick, a CPA, founder of Culinary Accountants and owner of several award-winning restaurants in the Washington D.C. area. In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, Hugh talks with Matt all about his firm, touching upon how Matt decided to work with restaurants, his vetting process called, ‘The Beer Test,’ the pain points most restaurants face and what’s next on his marketing to-do list. Join us and learn about this dynamic niche and Matt’s virtual firm, which works with nearly 100 restaurants nationwide. Matthew Hetrick, CPA, founder of Culinary Accountants Facebook | Twitter | Instagram BIO: Frank Matthew Hetrick, CPA is a highly experienced restaurant CFO and restaurant owner. A Certified Public Accountant by trade, he was named a Top 40 Under 40 CPA in the United States in 2017 by CPA Practice Advisor and owns several award-winning restaurants in the DC Metropolitan Region. Through his restaurant accounting firm, Culinary Accountants, Inc., he provides CFO level services and managerial accounting services to nearly 100 restaurants and hospitality ventures in the major cities of the Eastern United States (including Washington, D.C., Boston, Chicago, New York, and Miami). His operating team includes deeply experienced chefs, service managers, and marketing and sales managers. Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com  

A Blueprint for the Design Niche with Peter Lang. In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, join host Hugh Duffy as he talks with Peter Lang, founder of The Designer CPA. Peter works exclusively with interior designers, decorators and home stagers and shares his story of how he decided upon this niche, how being a guest on a popular podcast amplified his brand and work and why Instagram is his social platform of choice. Tune in to hear more about what makes this niche tick and how Peter not only provides accounting and tax services but is creating online classes to educate his client base as well. Peter Lang founder of The Designer CPA Facebook | Twitter | Instagram BIO: Peter Lang, CPA is an accountant who specializes in the unique accounting challenges faced by artistic professionals. Designers and other artistic professionals may find that ordinary CPAs are simply unequipped for their needs, but with 16 years of tax and accounting experience under his belt, Peter is a proven expert in helping interior designers do their taxes and all the other financial duties that art school didn’t teach them. Peter moved to Boston in 2004 to pursue his Master in Taxation degree. It was there that he began working at a large cutthroat accounting firm, where he was written up for the first and only time in his professional life for “helping people too much.” He then moved on to a small firm where he quickly became bored with the life of a traditional CPA and noticed that interior designers were consistently underserved by standard CPAs, so he decided to pursue his dream of running his own firm and settling down with his family and business in Rhode Island. Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com  

What’s the best way to nail your next presentation? Start with a story and give your audience a way to connect with you. In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, Hugh Duffy talks to Tracey Segarra, director of marketing at Margolin, Winer & Evens LLP in New York and Moth GrandSlam storytelling champion. Tune in to hear Tracey talk about what marketing trends she’s focused on in 2019 (hint: more video) and why you have to be able to look at yourself critically to be a good storyteller. “People want to do business with people they like,” she says. Tracey Segarra Director of Marketing at Margolin, Winer & Evens LLP in New York and Moth GrandSlam storytelling champion Facebook | LinkedIn BIO: Tracey launched her career in NYC as a reporter and editor for local newspapers and national wire services, interviewing assorted politicians, celebrities and criminals. In 2003 she moved into marketing and since 2010, she has overseen the marketing department at Margolin, Winer & Evens LLP, a top 100 accounting and business consulting firm. In 2014, she discovered live storytelling via The Moth Radio Hour and started performing her own true stories at open mics and curated shows all over New York City. She has appeared on The Moth Radio Hour on NPR, the Story Collider and Risk! live show and podcast, is a 3-time NYC Moth StorySlam winner, a Moth GrandSlam champion and the host of a storytelling show based on Long Island, "Now You're Talking!" In her spare time, Tracey gives workshops to organizations, schools and individuals to teach them how to craft effective, compelling stories. Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com  

In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, Hugh Duffy talks to Michelle Golden, owner of Fore LLC. A business counselor and strategist, as well as a well-known expert marketer, Michelle teaches on a variety of strategic, leadership, pricing, growth and management topics. Tune in to hear Michelle talk about how pricing in advance is different from value-pricing (and why she bristles at that term), why defining the scope of every engagement is critical to pricing in advance, and why pricing for worth always involves an exploration of purpose with clients. Join us!   Michelle Golden, CPF LinkedIn  | Twitter  |  Website   Michelle Golden, CPF, is a growth and profitability strategist, and “value pricing” expert. With a strong background in CPA-firm marketing, she honed subspecialties in pricing and positioning. She currently focuses most on educating CPAs and assisting them to implement new pricing models based upon outcomes they affect, advancing them beyond charging for time spent. What she does best—differently from others—is energize people while she shows them how to do hard stuff. She clarifies the complicated. She sheds new light and instills confidence. She sets you up to make big progress possible. Michelle is recognized industry-wide for her original ideas and success with practical implementation. Some honors: Ten Most Powerful Women in Accounting by Accounting Today 25 Most Powerful Women in Accounting by CPA Practice Advisor Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today Top 25 Thought Leaders in Public Accounting by CPA Practice Advisor Association for Accounting Marketing Hall of Fame Michelle holds the International Association of Facilitators’ Certified Professional Facilitator (CPF) designation. Her deep knowledge of firm operations and sharp observation skills allow her to grasp a firm’s nuances quickly. She then guides firm owners and their teams toward increased business, improved customer interactions, smoother operations, and stronger cultures. Since 1994, she’s helped more than 130 firms to grow and become more profitable.   Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com  

Craft beer breweries, coffee roasters, and digital agencies – what do they have in common? Joshua Lance, founder and managing director of Lance CPA Group will tell you the similarities in these niches and how he grew his practice around them. In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, learn more about Joshua’s marketing strategies (including the “long play” of content marketing), why he created an annual event and benchmark study for brewery owners and how they are holding their own amongst some of the largest firms in the industry. Join us!   Joshua Lance, Founder & Managing Director of Lance CPA Group Twitter |  Instagram Joshua Lance is the founder and managing director of Lance CPA Group, a virtual CPA firm that focuses on providing accounting and consulting services to craft breweries and digital agencies. A licensed Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Global Management Accountant, Josh is also a family man who calls Chicago home. Before venturing on his own with a mission to help small businesses, Josh spent his early career at Crowe LLP before working as a Controller at an ultra high net worth family office. Josh is also an adjunct professor at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL teaching accounting in the Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and McCormick School of Engineering. He enjoys making wine and beer at home, cooking, traveling, and cheering on his favorite football and soccer teams. Josh was honored by being selected to the 2017 class of the AICPA Leadership Academy and was named as one of the 40 under 40 in 2017 and 2018 by CPA Practice Advisor. Josh was recently appointed to the Illinois CPA Society Board of Directors.   Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

Dawn Brolin of Powerful Accounting grew her accounting business to $2 million without acquisitions. In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, Hugh Duffy talks to Dawn about her firm’s evolution from bookkeeping to fraud and IRS resolution case work, what marketing works for her (hint: it’s not LinkedIn) and how speaking and becoming an influencer in the accounting profession transformed her practice. Join us for this dynamic interview!   Dawn Brolin, CPA, CFE Twitter | Dawn is a Certified Public Accountant, Certified Fraud Examiner, and CEO of Powerful Accounting, LLC, a nationally recognized accounting, tax, forensic and fraud, IRS Representation as well as a QuickBooks consulting firm. Dawn’s list of professional accomplishments is extensive and includes speaking and consulting for prestigious companies. Named "2018 Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting" by Accounting Today“ Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Accounting” 2012-2017 by CPA Practice Advisor, a “2017 Top 10 Managing Partner Elite – Great Accounting Firm Leader” by Accounting Today and selected as a “2009 Top 40 Under 40” by CPA Technology Magazine.   Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

Not all gyms or fitness centers are the same and neither are the CPAs who serve them. Take a deep dive into the fitness industry in this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck and listen to host Hugh Duffy talk to Eric Killian, founder of The Fitness CPA. In this episode, you’ll get an inside view of how Eric built out his niche, why he only works with clients virtually, his take on the power of content marketing, and some of the biggest challenges facing fitness businesses today. Join us!   Eric Killian, The Fitness CPA Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Website Eric is a second-generation CPA firm owner and the founder of The Fitness CPA. He has been a full-time firm owner since 2014. From 2014 to 2017 Eric was the CFO and a board member of a national fitness franchise which he helped to grow to 17 locations across five states. Prior to that Eric worked at a local CPA firm in Boulder, Colorado and a regional CPA firm in the Baltimore area. When taking a break from accounting you'll find Eric volunteering with the Colorado Mountain Club, working out with his personal trainer, swimming laps with his swim coach, and practicing yoga.   Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

Mariel Diaz comes from a family of jewelers and worked on both the craft and sales sides, as well as tackled the accounting. While she didn’t set out to start an accounting practice, she now has a virtual firm that focuses exclusively on jewelers, with a client base of small independent designers, makers and wholesalers as well as some franchises. In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, host Hugh Duffy talks with Mariel about how her firm has evolved, the biggest pain points of jewelers and what marketing tactics have worked for her firm. Join us!   Mariel Diaz, founder, Accounting for Jewelers Mariel founded Accounting for Jewelers in 2013 and is managing director of the firm. They partner with jewelry businesses throughout the U.S. for bookkeeping, compliance and advisory work. Mariel oversees service operations, creates courses and applications, develops and implements the company’s long-term initiatives to sustain the jewelry industry, and works directly with clients for advisory services. She was previously a GIA Graduate Gemologist, Certified Bench Jeweler and German-trained Gemstone Carver before she became an accountant.   Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

Interested in building out a dental niche? In this episode, Bassim Michael, founder, and president of Onlyfordentists.com, talks about how he built out his dental CPA practice and what he’s learned along the way. From using direct marketing in small cities to networking to reaching out to people in his industry when he was first starting out, Bassim shares his path to success with host Hugh Duffy. Tune in to learn how he did it and what still keeps him up at night (hint, it’s what a lot of CPAs grapple with these days). Join us!   Bassim Michael, Founder and President of OnlyForDentists.com Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter Bassim Michael, CPA, CVA, MS is the founder and president of Onlyfordentists.com, a division of Michael & Company, CPA. He is also the founder of PracticeGauge. Bassim and his team are dedicated to helping dentists understand their financial information, improve their profitability and lower their taxes. For more than 20 years, Bassim has worked with hundreds of dentists throughout the United States to help them become better managers and leaders. Bassim is a frequent speaker on topics such as practice management, tax planning, and exit planning. He has been quoted in many articles and publications such as The Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones Wire, Fiscal Times, and many more.   Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

How does a CPA enter into the fund administration niche and what is involved? Learn firsthand from Greg Zoraian of Sasserath & Zoraian in New York. As director of fund services, Greg provides the CFO function for investment funds all across the country. Hear how Greg got his start, how choosing a niche has benefited his firm and his take on the associated risk in working with hedge funds. Join us!   Gregory Zoraian- Director of Fund Services Facebook | LinkedIn Greg started his career with Ernst & Young before taking a job in private industry. Dissatisfied with the pace of private industry, in 1993 Greg started his own practice. In 1997, Greg partnered with Alan Sasserath to form Sasserath & Zoraian, LLP. Greg has 35 years of experience in both public accounting and financial management services, with a broad background in accounting, tax and financial planning. His industry experience includes working with law firms, large supermarket chains, construction companies, as well as various established service industries. Greg utilizes a hands-on approach with his practice, which over the years, has resulted in numerous referrals from his loyal clients. In recent years, Greg has spearheaded the firm’s Hedge Fund Administration niche. This practice has grown to become a significant and successful practice area for the firm of S&Z.   Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

  We all think we listen to our clients, but do we? In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, host Hugh Duffy talks with Mitch Reno, director of client experience at Rehmann about his firm’s road to focusing on the client experience and why listening intently really matters. Since joining the firm in 2001, Rehmann’s revenues have more than quadrupled and are projected to be $158 million in 2019. Tune in to learn how the firm’s marketing and business development functions have evolved, how customer feedback has impacted their strategies and operations and the four central ideas the entire firm is trained in regarding client experience (hint, it has to do with providing a multi-touch, multi-functional model of connectiveness). Join us!   Mitch Reno, Principal, Director of Client Experience, Rehmann Facebook | Twitter Mitch Reno is a principal and the director of client experience for Rehmann. He is based in the Naples, Florida office. He is responsible for the direction of the firm's corporate service strategy focused on driving retention, loyalty and satisfaction. Mitch also works closely with firm leadership on firm-wide strategy and growth initiatives. Mitch brings more than 15 years of strategic planning, marketing, client loyalty, sales management, advertising, public relations and communications experience with him to his role. Mitch’s career began at the Frankenmuth Chamber of Commerce/Convention and Visitors Bureau as sales manager and magazine editor. For eight years, he worked as marketing and advertising manager at Amigo Mobility International, Inc., a manufacturer and international distributor of home health care equipment. Mitch worked for Michigan Sugar Company, a subsidiary of Imperial Sugar Company, as manager of corporate communications, directing internal and external brand strategy as well as communication and promotional programs. In 2006, Mitch was named Accounting Marketer of the Year by the CPA Practice Management Forum and the Association of Accounting Marketing. In addition, his teams have been recognized with more than a dozen national awards for marketing, branding and promotional programming.   Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

Go behind the scenes and hear what it’s like being a CPA to professional athletes! In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, Hugh talks with Steve Piascik about how he built his practice to become the 3rd fastest growing CPA firm in the United States, according to Inside Public Accounting. Learn why Olympians are often the hardest athletes to work with, why financial literacy is so important in this niche and how part of Steve’s role is to keep his clients grounded, especially when they receive a signing bonus. Steve Piascik, President & Founder Twitter   Steve Piascik is president and founder of PIASCIK, a boutique tax and financial planning CPA firm headquartered in Richmond, Virginia with offices in Beverly Hills, California. His background and experience in such key areas as international, state and local tax issues allow him to work effectively with a wide range of clients from start-ups to Fortune 500 and international companies. As a specialist in complex accounting, tax consulting and tax compliance issues, he is responsible for his firm’s client relationships, providing expert tax advice on high-level technical issues, IRS engagements and all areas of management of the firm. Prior to founding his company, Steve was Senior Tax Manager in the Richmond office of KPMG LLP, one of the “Big Four” international accounting firms. He managed the firm’s Central Virginia tax practice for high technology and emerging growth companies. Over the course of his 24-year career, Steve has managed tax issues and consulted for several hundred clients including publicly-traded and international companies, medical practices, high-net-worth individuals, real estate companies, retail, automotive, professional athletes, financial institutions and international companies. His client list spans 56 countries and six continents. Some of Steve’s memberships include NFL Players Association Registered Representative, Richtech Board Member, and Treasurer, Richmond 2015 Founding Board Member & Treasurer, St. Gertrude’s Finance Committee Member, American Institute for Certified Public Accountants and Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. He holds a BS in Business Administration/Accounting from Bloomsburg University and a Masters in Taxation from Virginia Commonwealth University.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us

Meet Betsy Storey-Bono, she’s the director of Business Development and Marketing at Concannon Miller, and she has helped her firm grow its McDonald’s franchise niche from a handful of local owners to now advising more owners than any other accounting firm in the United States. Learn more about how the firm developed a Next Gen Academy for new franchisees, why they promote their Net Promoter Score (hint, it’s 87.7 percent, which is three times the accounting industry average in 2019) and how they got their first big surge of McDonald’s business. Join us! Betsy Storey-Bono, Concannon Miller LinkedIn  |  Twitter  | Facebook |  Instagram   Betsy Storey-Bono is the Director of Business Development and Marketing for Concannon Miller, a mid-sized CPA firm headquartered in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.   Betsy started with the firm in 2003 as its first-ever marketing professional. She previously ran her own marketing and advertising agency for 15 years. Betsy has brought the firm’s marketing techniques into the digital age, including leading successful website redesigns and content marketing and social media strategies. In her time at Concannon Miller, she also helped greatly expand the firm’s McDonald’s franchisee client base, from serving clients in 12 states to 43 states. She also initiated and implemented the firm’s successful Next Generation Academy for Leadership and Finance future business owner training program. She is very active in the community, serving as chairwoman for the Lehigh Valley’s Second Harvest Food Bank along with serving on other nonprofit committees and as a mentor to local young women. She is the winner of two awards, including The Athena Leadership Award and a Women of Influence award from Lehigh Valley Business.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us

What’s the difference between a hard trend and a soft trend? What can accounting firms do to keep themselves relevant in the face of constant, intense change? In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, Hugh Duffy talks with well-known futurist Daniel Burrus about disruption, technology and how to truly be your clients’ trusted advisor by being an anticipatory problem-solver. Join us! Daniel Burrus LinkedIn  |  Twitter  | Facebook |  Instagram  | Blog Daniel Burrus is considered one of the world’s leading futurist speakers on global trends and disruptive innovation. The New York Times has referred to him as one of the top three business gurus in the highest demand as a speaker. He is a strategic advisor to executives from Fortune 500 companies helping them to develop game-changing strategies based on his proven methodologies for capitalizing on technology innovations and their future impact. He is the author of seven books, including The New York Times and Wall Street Journal best-seller Flash Foresight, as well as the international best-seller Technotrends. His latest book, The Anticipatory Organization: Turn Disruption and Change Into Opportunity and Advantage, is an Amazon #1 Hot New Release for Business.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us

Thinking about selling your firm? Want to know what causes a deal to go sour? Tune into this episode with Bill Carlino of Transition Advisors. Host Hugh Duffy talks with Bill about what areas firms should be focusing on if they are thinking about selling, the hottest most in-demand niches that are seen as differentiators and why accounting firms should embrace remote workers. Join us! Bill Carlino, Managing Director of National Consulting Services, Transition Advisors, Co-Founder of ZenLedger | Facebook  Bill Carlino joined Transition Advisors as Managing Director of National Consulting Services after serving for nearly 12 years as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Accounting Today and AccountingToday.com, where he was responsible for all content both in print and online. Hue currently oversees all M&A activity in the New York/New Jersey and New England Markets. During his tenure at Accounting Today the publication won a number of financial journalism awards and was a two-time finalist for the Jesse R. Neal Award, the premier accolade among business-to-business publications. He has been a frequent industry speaker, presenter and panel moderator and has appeared as an expert commentator on such business channels as CNBC, Reuters, Bloomberg, CNN as well as National Public Radio. Prior to assuming the editor’s post at Accounting Today, he spent 12 years covering the restaurant industry as managing editor of Nation’s Restaurant News and two years as a sports and news correspondent with Gannett newspapers in New York.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us

We all know the cannabis industry is hot, hot, hot, but what do you need to know if you want to get started in this niche? A lot. Hugh Duffy talks with Jennifer Domingue, an associate attorney with the Cannabis Legal Group in Michigan about some of the biggest issues in cannabis today – 280E, Safe Banking Act (which is getting considerable bipartisan support) and insurance. Learn the difference between hemp and marijuana and why there’s a big surge towards producing CBD products. Join us! Jennifer Domingue, Associate Attorney, Cannabis Legal Group | Instagram | Twitter |Facebook  Jennifer Domingue is an associate attorney with the Cannabis Legal Group. Jennifer has significant experience working with cannabis businesses in a variety of matters, ranging from entity formation and licensing, to corporate governance, business relationship contracts and dispute resolution. Jennifer also advises cannabis business employers on maintaining regulatory compliance and works with employers to prevent and resolve labor and employment claims. In addition to her cannabis business focus, Jennifer is also an experienced litigation attorney, successfully representing clients in the courtroom across the state of Michigan.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us

Interested in learning more about Cryptocurrency? Need some basic questions answered? In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, host Hugh Duffy talks with Pat Larsen, co-founder, and CEO of ZenLedger, tax software for cryptocurrency investors. Hear Pat talk about how he got into the industry, how the accounting profession is getting up to speed and why he believes having a strong core team was key to his company raising capital. Join us! Pat Larsen, Co-Founder of ZenLedger | Twitter | Facebook  Pat Larsen is the co-founder and CEO of ZenLedger. He writes his bio this way: Former Amazon business manager ($100M P&L). M&A investment banking, marketing analytics, and e-commerce startups. Chicago Booth MBA. US Air Force Academy grad and former Navy helicopter mission commander.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us

Paul Tigner, founder and president of FairShare Financial in Atlanta, has made a name for himself as a divorce accountant and expert witness in the southeast. Tune into this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck and learn more about why mediation is important for all professionals, how his practice has evolved and why speaking engagements helped him build his brand and reputation. Join us! Paul Tigner Founder and President of FairShare Financial, P.C | Twitter | LinkedIn  Paul Tigner is a Certified Public Accountant, Accredited in Business Valuation and Certified in Financial Forensics by the American Institute of CPA’s as well as a Certified Fraud Examiner. Paul is also a Registered Neutral in Georgia for General Civil and Domestic Relations Mediation and Arbitration. He is both a trainer and a practitioner of Collaborative Practice. He has over 30 years of financial analytical experience in legal matters. As founder and president of FairShare Financial, P.C., Atlanta, GA, he provides consulting and expert witness services as well as financial neutral services primarily to law firms and their clients in the areas of forensic accounting, financial valuation and economic damages. Paul holds memberships in various professional organizations including the American Institute of CPA’s, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and the International Association of Collaborative Professionals. He is a past board member of the Collaborative Law Institute of Georgia, past president of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners-Tampa Bay Chapter and a past member of the Georgia Society of CPA’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution Committee, the Florida Institute of CPA’s Litigation Services Committee and Relations with the FL Bar Committee. Paul is a frequent instructor to CPA societies, bar associations, and educational organizations. He holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration-Accountancy from Georgia State University.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@amds.us

How did John Garrett go from conducting audits at a Big Four firm to taking the stage as a stand-up comedian? In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, host Hugh Duffy talks with John about his nontraditional career path and how he brings his passion for humor and breaking down professional stereotypes to Corporate America. Listen for tips on how to combat stage fright, how perfectionism can lead to failure and why being yourself is crucial in building relationships with your clients. Join us! John Garrett The Recovering CPA | Twitter | Facebook  John Garrett is a nationally recognized corporate comedian and emcee who draws on his condition as a recovering Big Four CPA to deliver messages that hit home with corporate audiences. This professional member of the National Speakers Association is on a mission to strengthen teams. John’s clean, customized performances and observations of everyday Corporate America help teams break down barriers, foster unity, and strengthen bonds. With over 1,900 performances, he consistently gets rave reviews from conference planners and firm leaders alike for his lasting impact on morale and firm culture. Recognizing how consumed people are in their jobs, the hilarity of everyday Corporate America and how humor transforms the morale and camaraderie of those around him, John left his cubicle to perform at corporate events across the country. Since then, John has performed for leading companies ranging from “Big Four” accounting firms to banks to technology companies to professional associations seeking an outside-of-the-box way to engage their audiences. Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

When we think about the hospitality industry, hotels and restaurants typically come to mind. But what about golf and country clubs? And is it a viable niche? For PBMares’ Kevin Reilly it certainly is. Kevin works with member-owned and investor-owned clubs and has become nationally known for this highly specialized niche. In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, host Hugh Duffy talks with Kevin about how he built his well-known practice (hint, it includes speaking and writing articles), tips on bringing more millennials onto the golf course and why revenue recognition is a huge concern for clubs right now. Join us! Kevin F. Reilly, J.D., CPA, CGMA Partner, Metro D.C., kreilly@pbmares.com LinkedIn | Twitter | Facebook  A senior tax authority for PBMares, Kevin Reilly serves as a technical resource to the firm in interpreting and applying tax law to numerous situations related to various industries, including clubs. Recognized as a leading club tax expert in the United States, Kevin served as Director of Club Services and is a past member of the Hospitality Task Force for PKF North America. He also served as chair of the Hospitality Community of Practice. In addition, he is the Executive Treasurer of the National Capital Club Managers Association and a member of the Washington Metropolitan Club Controllers Chapter of the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) and served as President of the Chapter. Kevin’s professional memberships include the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ (AICPA) Tax Division. His involvement with the AICPA includes being a former member of the Tax Executive Committee, a former Chairman of the Tax Division Communications Committee and a former member of the National Conference of Lawyers and Certified Public Accountants, a joint committee of the American Bar Association and the AICPA. In addition to being active with the AICPA, Kevin is a member of the Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Federal Bar Association, the District of Columbia Bar Association Tax Section, and the Virginia Bar. Kevin received a Juris Doctorate from the Washington College of Law at American University in Washington, D.C. and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island. He is licensed to practice in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and Texas. In addition, he has also earned the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation. Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

Looking to bring more mindfulness into your practice or business? Not sure why it matters? In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, host Hugh Duffy talks with CPA, yogi and technologist Amy Vetter about a variety of topics impacting small accounting firms and beyond. From her thoughts on the term “trusted advisor” to why knowing your purpose is crucial in client work, to the impact of AI and machine technology in firms, you won’t want to miss this! Amy Vetter LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook Amy Vetter is a CPA, Yogi and Technologist. She is the CEO of The B3 Method Institute, a corporate board member, and a transformative keynote speaker on Business, Balance & Bliss, the mindful use of technology, and the latest technology trends and their impact on financial professionals. Amy has authored two books, including Business, Balance & Bliss®: How the B3 Method Can Transform Your Career and Life. Her second book,  Integrative Advisory Services: Expanding Your Accounting Services Beyond the Cloud, is published by Wiley. It is the CPA and accounting professional’s guide to the future of delivering advisory services to their stakeholders with the rise of technology-driven DIY financial services. Amy has been recognized repeatedly as one of the “Most Powerful Women in Accounting” by the AICPA and CPA Practice Advisor, and as a “Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting” by Accounting Today. Amy regularly shares her insights as a contributor to the AICPA’s Journal of Accountancy, Accounting Today, CPA Practice Advisor as well as  Inc.com and Entrepreneur.com. Learn more at www.amyvetter.com and follow @AmyVetterCPA on social media.     Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, host Hugh Duffy talks with this year’s president of AAM, Craig Browning. Hear the latest marketing trends from Craig’s perspective, what makes his north Virginia firm unique and the reason why they embrace working remotely. Craig Browning President (2018-2019), Director of Marketing and Personnel, KWC CPAs LinkedIn  Craig Browning is the Director of Marketing and Personnel at KWC CPAs. Craig is responsible for managing all aspects of the firm's marketing and business development initiatives and recruiting activities. He works closely with niche teams to achieve the goals of the firm's long-term vision by developing a culture of responsive solutions for their clients. He is currently the President of the Association For Accounting Marketing (AAM). Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

Segment or niche? In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, host Hugh Duffy talks with Gale Crosley, owner of growth consulting firm, Crosley + Company all about small and large firm growth, why it pays to specialize and the glue that holds segments together. In this episode, you’ll learn about what Gale calls “revenue segmentation” and how that can help you build out your specialization, what areas need more CPA-power (hint: crypto consulting and AI consulting) and why it takes three years to gain traction in carving out a niche. Join us! Gale Crosley Crosley+Company Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook   Gale Crosley, CPA, has received the accounting profession’s “The Advisory Board Hall of Fame.” She was selected one of the 10 Most Recommended Consultants in the Inside Public Accounting BEST OF THE BEST for 14 years, and one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting by Accounting Today for 13 years. She consults with mid-market accounting firms, assisting managing partners, to effectively increase their firm’s revenues. She guides them through development of the best strategies to achieve aggressive revenue growth objectives. Gale’s years of experience features a unique combination as a practicing CPA at Arthur Andersen, PwC, and a local CPA firm. She has also held senior management roles in the cutting edge technology environment with IBM, and several start-up technology companies. Gale has helped hundreds of large and large-thinking firms, both domestic and international, create high growth cultures, driving revenue from all aspects of the firm. She is an honors accounting graduate from the University of Akron, Ohio, and winner of the Simonetti Distinguished Business Alumni Award. Gale is a licensed CPA in Ohio and Georgia, a member of the AICPA, the Ohio Society and Georgia Society of CPAs, and is on the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of Accountancy. Her cornerstone book, At the Crossroads, chronicles the challenges and successes of a fictional CPA firm struggling with growth.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

What’s it take to build a seven-figure business early on in your career? A highly specialized niche and a deep understanding of what makes content marketing successful. In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, host Hugh Duffy talks with Brandon Hall, owner and CEO of The Real Estate CPA. Brandon talks about his experience in the syndication and real estate fund space, why his clients all must own at least five properties and the power of podcasting. Join us! Brandon Hall CPA Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook Brandon is a 28-year-old Certified Public Accountant, national speaker, and Founder/CEO of Hall CPA PLLC (branded as The Real Estate CPA). He works with real estate investors, syndicates, and private equity funds to optimize tax positions and streamline accounting and business functions. Brandon invests in multi-family real estate personally and through his capital group, Naked Capital. Brandon worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young prior to launching his firm in 2016. The firm has grown into a seven-figure business while being 100% virtual and currently has 13 employees across eight different states as well as 350+ real estate clients. Brandon was named 40 Under 40 by CPA Practice Advisor in 2018.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

What do CPAs and accountants underestimate when it comes to marketing? According to Sarah Johnson Dobek, founder and president of Inovautus Consulting, the answer to that question is social media, in particular, LinkedIn and a “block and tackle” approach to business development. In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, Hugh Duffy talks with Sarah about her growth consulting firm, which works with public accounting firms in the $5 million to $40 million in revenue range. In Sarah’s experience, the biggest opportunity for small firms to grow is in diversifying their services, moving away from solely compliance-driven work and becoming a forward-looking firm. Tune in to hear more about Sarah’s work approach, what Top 100 firms are doing the best advertising and to find out what industry she sees as similar to the ever-growing cannabis sector.   Guest Bio: Sarah Johnson Dobek, founder & president  Twitter  | Facebook Sarah Johnson Dobek is President and Founder of Inovautus Consulting, a national consulting firm that develops strategies, programs, and training designed to help accounting firms grow faster and in the right direction. Sarah and her team work with firms to assess their growth goals and execute practical marketing and business development plans. With her unique background in operations, human resources, practice management, and marketing, Sarah delivers insightful, practical advice that guides organizations down the right path toward achieving the growth they desire. Sarah’s ability to understand where an organization is starting from, coupled with her disciplined approach to best practices, drives results for firms and helps them to evolve. Prior to forming Inovautus, Sarah was the Director of Marketing for a Chicago-based accounting firm and the Director of Consulting Services at PDI Global, where she learned the nuts and bolts of public accounting firms and the importance of aligning marketing, people, and practice management strategies to achieve growth. Sarah is a sought-after speaker for conferences, board meetings, and professional service associations and societies. She is a thought leader appearing throughout the profession through articles, podcasts, and videos in Accounting Today, CPA Society publications, the AICPA Journal, CPA Practice Advisor, and more. Having been named a “Top 100 Most Influential Person” by Accounting Today in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, and 2018, and a two-time “Top 20 Under 40 Vendor” by CPA Practice Advisor, Sarah is without a doubt glued into the profession. Living and breathing her passion, she’s also a member and former board member of the Association for Accounting Marketing (AAM) and the past President and member of the CPA Consultants Alliance.  

What’s it like working in the craft beer industry? In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, Hugh talks with Kevin Mikeworth of Beer CPA in Cornelius, North Carolina about the successful niche practice he owns with his wife, Laura. Learn why it takes most brewery owners three to five years to get up and running, what team of professionals a brewer should hire, and how they got their first customer. Join us! Kevin Mikeworth CPA Twitter Kevin Mikeworth is a graduate of Millikin University of Decatur, Illinois and holds a BS in Marketing. Kevin gained years of valuable and diverse business experience by holding key positions in numerous sales, managerial, and ownership positions in food service, advertising, and financial services. Today at Laura M. Mikeworth, CPA, P.A., he advises Lake Norman area clients on business strategies for growth, accounting services, tax coaching and planning services, tax preparation, business startup and consulting that works with their personal, business and long-range goals. After business hours you will more than likely find Kevin on a mountain train, in a kayak or just floating around Lake Norman.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com

In this episode of Accounting Marketing Doesn’t Suck, Hugh Duffy talks to Angie Grissom, president of The Rainmaker Companies, all about firm differentiation, growth and the industry shift from compliance-based services to advisory. Tune in to hear Angie talk about how marketing and firm leadership need to be on the same page when it comes to strategic planning, why face-to-face meetings with top clients is one of the most overlooked tactics for retention and why it’s an exciting time in to be in the accounting industry. Join us! Angie Grissom President, The Rainmaker Companies Twitter | Facebook Angie Grissom serves as president of The Rainmaker Companies. She advanced from her previous position as director of consulting, which she held for over 10 years. Her role in the firm involves high-level strategy, thought leadership, consulting, and program and curriculum development. She transforms the lives of clients through innovation, goal setting, coaching, training, and accountability development. Angie is consistently recognized as one of the most influential people in the accounting industry. She is a frequent presenter at national and international conferences and a regular contributor to publications. She was published in a national “Ask Angie” column for several years and is the “She” in Accounting Today’s column known as “He Said, She Said.” This column debates issues in the accounting industry ranging from leadership to generational differences. Her reputation and passion are renowned and she brings all this to her role at The Rainmaker Companies. Prior to joining Rainmaker, Angie worked in organizational management, sales, and human resources. She earned her BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing and Pre-Law at Middle Tennessee State University and has completed master’s-level work with an MBA emphasis. She is married with two sons.   Accounting Marketing Doesn't Suck is produced by Build Your Firm, leaders of marketing for accountants. Questions or Feedback? Email us at podcast@buildyourfirm.com