Pulse of the Practice

Follow Pulse of the Practice
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Join hosts Will Hill and Paul Miller as we have real and relevant conversations around the challenges and opportunities tax and accounting firms are encountering every day. Done with an upbeat tone, we look to provide you with inspiration and actionable ideas to help tackle these challenges and oppo…

Will Hill


    • May 13, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 22m AVG DURATION
    • 220 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Pulse of the Practice with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Pulse of the Practice

    The Intersection of Wealth Management and Tax Planning

    Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 33:44


    SummaryIn this episode, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller engage with Michael Foguth, a prominent figure in the financial services industry. They discuss Michael's journey into financial services, the importance of tax planning, current trends in wealth management, and the role of AI in enhancing client relationships. The conversation emphasizes the need for collaboration between financial advisors and tax professionals to provide comprehensive services to clients. Michael shares insights on how to educate clients about financial strategies and the future of advisory services in a rapidly changing landscape.TakeawaysMichael Foguth's journey into financial services was inspired by personal experiences with financial literacy.The importance of tax planning is often overlooked in favor of tax preparation.AI will enhance efficiency in financial services but will not replace the human element.Collaboration between financial advisors and tax professionals is crucial for client success.Clients need to understand the value of financial strategies beyond just costs.Financial literacy should be a priority in education to empower individuals.The future of financial advisory services lies in integrating various financial services for clients.Understanding client emotions is key to effective financial advising.The financial services industry is evolving, and firms must adapt to stay relevant.Planning for taxes should be a year-round process, not just at tax time.Keywordsfinancial services, wealth management, tax planning, Michael Foguth, AI in finance, collaboration, financial literacy, retirement planning, advisory services, family office

    The Challenge of Balancing Technology and Client Needs

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 27:52


    SummaryIn this conversation, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller discuss the complexities of client management in the advisory sector, emphasizing the importance of proactive engagement and understanding the annual client cycle. They explore the challenges of balancing technology with client needs, the significance of routine communication, and the necessity of shifting mindsets regarding tax preparation. The discussion highlights strategies for building successful client relationships and managing expectations throughout the year.TakeawaysTechnology can be a double-edged sword in client management.Learning to say no is crucial for prioritizing tasks.Client relationships are ongoing and require continuous engagement.Tax filing should be a routine part of a larger process.Proactive communication can prevent last-minute rushes.Understanding the annual client cycle is essential for effective management.Routine check-ins can alleviate end-of-year stress.Clients often view tax preparation as just another step in the process.Effective client management requires clear scope and engagement definitions.Building a knowledge base can enhance client communication and service.Keywords: technology, client management, annual cycle, proactive engagement, communication, tax preparation, client relationships, advisory services, workflow, business strategy

    Evolving Client Engagements & Meetings

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 15, 2025 25:40


    In this conversation, Mo and Paul discuss the challenges of navigating tax season, the evolving nature of client engagements, and the generational shifts in client expectations. They explore the role of meetings in client relationships, emphasizing the need for effective communication and understanding client dynamics. The discussion highlights the importance of adapting to new client behaviors and the necessity of balancing traditional practices with modern expectations.Navigating tax season can be challenging but rewarding.Younger clients often prefer electronic communication over in-person meetings.Generational shifts are changing client expectations in the tax industry.Meetings should focus on knowledge transfer rather than routine tasks.Clients today are more dismissive of their financial responsibilities.Effective communication is key to understanding client needs.Legacy clients may require different engagement strategies than new clients.The role of technology in client interactions is increasingly important.Firms must adapt to changing client dynamics to remain competitive.Team collaboration is essential in managing client relationships.Keywords: tax season, client engagement, generational shifts, meetings, client dynamics, tax returns, electronic communication, legacy clients, firm culture, client expectations

    The Future of Advisory Services: Embracing AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 25:30


    In this episode, Mo and Paul discuss the evolving landscape of advisory services in the context of AI and technology. They explore how AI tools like ChatGPT are being integrated into client interactions, the importance of maintaining a human element in advisory roles, and the future implications for professionals in the industry. The conversation highlights the need for advisors to adapt to changing client expectations and the potential for AI to enhance, rather than replace, the advisory relationship.AI is becoming increasingly efficient in client interactions.Advisors must focus on implementation, not just information.The human element in advisory services remains crucial.Clients are using AI for financial advice more frequently.Advisory roles will evolve with technology advancements.AI can serve as a valuable tool for advisors.Understanding client needs is essential in a tech-driven world.The pace of change in the industry is accelerating.Advisors should embrace AI to enhance their services.Starting to use AI tools can lead to significant efficiencies.

    Why Should I Reset a Relationship?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2025 31:07


    Paul and Mo discuss how important it is to reset a client relationship and provide tips on how to do that on a regular basis. 

    2025 Kickoff!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 22:08


    Paul and Mo are back to check on the pulse of the practice!

    A Year in Review

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2024 26:01


    It's bittersweet moment as Paul and Mo reflect on key moments this year and what they're looking forward to in 2025. 

    Are Your Ready to Advise?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 9, 2024 12:22


    Paul and Mo discuss the new AI-powered tech with Ready to Advise during Thomson Reuters SYNERGY. 

    What does the number 200 mean?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 10:12


    Mo surprises Paul with a special Pulse of the Practice Anniversary announcement.

    SafeSend

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 23:31


    Paul and Mo are joined by Adrian Johnson, Chief Product Officer with SafeSend. They discuss how the use of technology has helped many firms address challenges within their workflow, both on the front-end and on the back-end, and how this is an ongoing evolution and growth.

    BDO Alliance USA

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 26:26


    Paul and Mo are joined by Michael Horwitz, Executive Director of BDO Alliance USA. They discuss recent trends in the profession, challenges, and opportunities.

    Evaluating Relationships

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2024 26:02


    Paul and Mo have a casual conversation about tax deadline, challenging relationships, evaluating and grading those relationships, and how to communicate scope changes to clients. 

    Beyond the Tax Return

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 26:02


    In this week's episode, Paul and Mo are joined by Brady Lievens, Chief Revenue Officer with Protection Plus. They discuss notices and audits and how Protection Plus partners with, and offers Tax and Accounting firms defense services.

    Back to School!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 4, 2024 25:32


    In this week's episode, Mo goes back in time.. into the school days, and asks Paul about student loans and tax and planning stragies.

    A Firm's Acquistions and a Leader's Coaching Mindset

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 22:18


    Paul and Mo are joined by Thomas J (TJ) Sabotka, Managing Partner of O'Brien Shortle Reynolds & Sabotka, PC. TJ shares his firm's journey, acquisitions, and how being the leader of change and having a coaching mindset are both important contributors to his success. 

    A Firm's Acquistions and a Leader's Coaching Mindset

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 22:17


    Paul and Mo are joined by Thomas J (TJ) Sabotka, Managing Partner of O'Brien Shortle Reynolds & Sabotka, PC. TJ shares his firm's journey, acquisitions, and how being the leader of change and having a coaching mindset are both important contributors to his success. 

    A Progessive Firm's Perspective

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 32:25


    In this week's episode, Paul and Mo are joined by Tim Petrey, the CEO of HD Growth Partners. They have a discussion around the challenges and opportunities in the past, the current, and the future accounting firm. 

    A Progessive Firm's Perspective

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 32:26


    In this week's episode, Paul and Mo are joined by Tim Petrey, the CEO of HD Growth Partners. They have a discussion around the challenges and opportunities in the past, the current, and the future accounting firm. 

    Live from 2024 Advisory Symposium

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 62:38


    Paul and Mo go LIVE from Carlsbad, CA during the Thomson Reuters annual Advisory Symposium, interacting with a live audience for the first time, and bringing them an exciting conversation with Tom Hood, CPA, CITP, CGMA. Tom is currently the EVP Business Growth & Engagement for AICPA-CIMA and the Business Learning Institute. He was named in the top three most influential people in accounting by Accounting Today Magazine for the eleventh year. His focus is elevating and accelerating the role of CPAs and CGMAs in corporate and management accounting.

    Live from 2024 Advisory Symposium

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2024 62:39


    Paul and Mo go LIVE from Carlsbad, CA during the Thomson Reuters annual Advisory Symposium, interacting with a live audience for the first time, and bringing them an exciting conversation with Tom Hood, CPA, CITP, CGMA. Tom is currently the EVP Business Growth & Engagement for AICPA-CIMA and the Business Learning Institute. He was named in the top three most influential people in accounting by Accounting Today Magazine for the eleventh year. His focus is elevating and accelerating the role of CPAs and CGMAs in corporate and management accounting.

    Guilty Feelings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 30:06


    To guilt or not to guilt! In this week's episode, Paul and Mo have a discussion on a specific prospective client situation, and the conflict between the feeling of guilt and the right time to say No.

    Guilty Feelings

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 30:05


    To guilt or not to guilt! In this week's episode, Paul and Mo have a discussion on a specific prospective client situation, and the conflict between the feeling of guilt and the right time to say No.

    BOI

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 27:40


    Paul and Mo are joined by Nathan Nelson, Attorney and Co-Founder of Virtus Law, as they have a part 2 discussion around the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting rules and managing client information. 

    BOI

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 27:41


    Paul and Mo are joined by Nathan Nelson, Attorney and Co-Founder of Virtus Law, as they have a part 2 discussion around the Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting rules and managing client information. 

    First Partner Summit Experience of 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 26:09


    Paul and Mo have a discussion around their experience of the first Partner Summit in 2024! They recall some highlights from the event and how the mindset of many peers in the profession has shifted into understanding advisory and realizing value.  

    First Partner Summit Experience of 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 33:56


    Paul and Mo have a discussion around their experience of the first Partner Summit in 2024! They recall some highlights from the event and how the mindset of many peers in the profession has shifted into understanding advisory and realizing value.  

    The IRS Operating Plan for Audits

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 33:56


    Paul and Mo have a discussion about the IRS ramping up its enforcement efforts and the operating plans for more audits. They also discuss initiatives that could be done to make sure clients have all their paperwork in order. 

    The IRS Operating Plan for Audits

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 23:10


    Paul and Mo have a discussion about the IRS ramping up its enforcement efforts and the operating plans for more audits. They also discuss initiatives that could be done to make sure clients have all their paperwork in order. 

    Post Deadline Development

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2024 33:55


    What do firms do after the April deadline? Other than maintenance work, do firms have a retrospective, staff development plan, key initiatives, etc.? In this week's episode, Paul and Mo discuss post deadline development and initiatives.  

    Post Deadline Development

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2024 33:56


    What do firms do after the April deadline? Other than maintenance work, do firms have a retrospective, staff development plan, key initiatives, etc.? In this week's episode, Paul and Mo discuss post deadline development and initiatives.  

    Managing Stress During Deadlines

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2024 33:56


    In this week's episode, Paul and Mo have a discussion around deadlines and the unnessary stress that it brings sometimes, and how to manage that between staff and clients.

    Managing Stress During Deadlines

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2024 33:55


    In this week's episode, Paul and Mo have a discussion around deadlines and the unnessary stress that it brings sometimes, and how to manage that between staff and clients.

    Relationiship Challenges

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 33:57


    In this week's special episode… what makes it special you ask? They're on video! Paul talks about a common client relationship challenge when other professionals are involved in a transaction. 

    Relationiship Challenges

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 33:55


    In this week's special episode… what makes it special you ask? They're on video! Paul talks about a common client relationship challenge when other professionals are involved in a transaction. 

    Staying Positive

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2024 24:17


    In this week's episode, Paul and Mo are joined by Julia Hampton, CPA. They discuss client and staffing challenges, and the importance of change and thinking different for a better work life balance. 

    An Advisory Consultant's Perspective

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2024 27:20


    This week, Paul and Mo are joined by Bryan Amberg, Business Advisory Consultant with Thomson Reuters Professional Services, and hear his perspective and experience working with firms in an advisory capacity. 

    Overcoming Challenges

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 26:15


    Paul and Mo are joined by Brad Tafoya with Tafoya, Barrett, and Associates in Durango, CO. They discuss firm challenges with staffing and bandwidth, and how Brad was able to overcome those challenges by implementing advisory first mindset. 

    Be Comfortable with being Uncomfortable

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 12, 2024 29:32


    In this week's episode, Paul and Mo are joined by Nick Magone, with Magone & Company in New Jersey. Nick shares insight on how building confidence, taking time to understand client needs, and starting even when uncomfortable, are all important factors in allowing him to keep growing his firm and moving forward in his journey. 

    Keeping it in the Family

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2024 20:58


    In this week's episode, Paul and Mo are joined by Jennifer DeJesus with DeJesus & Associates PC. Jennifer shares her experience running a small accounting firm and how change is implemented with family only working at the firm.  

    Tax Planning

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2024 26:26


    Paul and Mo have a discussion around financial advisors shifting to tax planning and how that could impact the profession. 

    2024 Kickoff!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2024 29:17


    And just like that… 2024 is here! Paul and Mo are back at it to check on the pulse of the practice. 

    Catching Up

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2023 26:56


    Paul and Mo have a lot to catch up on! This week they share their thoughts on trends from the last couple of events they've been to. 

    SYNERGY 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 8:01


    Special Edition from SYNERGY 2023 broadcast booth.

    SYNERGY 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2023 8:02


    Special Edition from SYNERGY 2023 broadcast booth.

    Trends in the Profession

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023 27:13


    Paul and Mo have a discussion around trends in the profession and possible steps we can take to address some of the challenges. 

    FinCEN - Beneficial Ownership Information Reporting Rule

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2023 23:22


    This week Paul and Mo are joined by Nathan Nelson, Attorney and Co-Founder of Virtus Law, to discuss the beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting rules.

    New Staff & Flexible Work Environments

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023 28:51


    Paul and Mo have a discussion around new staff expectations, flexible work environments, hybrid/remote, and more. 

    Client Onboarding

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 30:28


    This week Paul and Mo talk about client onboarding; the initial phase of internal client onboarding, the client facing advisory onboarding, and the next phase of client onboarding to ensure value recognition and measure success and progress in the relationship. 

    Deadline Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2023 25:25


    Paul and Mo have a discussion around deadlines, both internal and external, and managing client relationship and expectations. 

    The ideal persona of the future

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2023 27:34


    Paul and Mo have a discussion around re-establishing the future ideal client persona to work with.

    Confidence and Profitability

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2023 21:04


    This week Paul and Mo are joined by Trisha Floyd, CPA, owner of Ramos & Floyd CPA's LLC. Trisha takes us through her journey of buying an accounting firm, analyzing her book of business, and implementing advisory services to drive profitability. 

    Claim Pulse of the Practice

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel