matt criss: forget the grind; grow intentionally | gear up for growth

stop drifting and start leading.


this is a preview. the complete 1-hour video episode, with commentary and transcript, is first available exclusively to pro members | go pro here

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gear up for growth
with jean caragher
for 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间

in a high-stress profession like accounting, intentional growth isn’t just helpful—it’s necessary. in this episode of gear up for growth, business coach and author matt criss joins host jean caragher to share how accountants can build resilience, reflection, and renewed purpose by growing with intention.

gear up for growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today’s competitive landscape. more gear up for growth heremore jean caragher here | get her best-selling handbook, the 90-day marketing plan for cpa firms, here | more 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 videos and podcasts here

as the author of conscious growth, moss adams executive criss brings decades of insight and a refreshing perspective: that growth shouldn’t be accidental. in this inspiring conversation, criss dives deep into the principles behind his book and shares how cpas and firm leaders can grow consciously—not just to advance their careers but to lead more fulfilling lives.

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marketers to ceos: the expanding role of growth leaders in accounting | gear up for growth

strategic thinking, curiosity, and innovation can turn traditional marketing roles into firm leadership opportunities.

this is a preview. the complete 1-hour video episode, with commentary and transcript, is first available exclusively to pro members | go pro here
sponsored by 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 pro membership, where accounting pros go pro  – see today’s special offer

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gear up for growth
with jean caragher
for 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间

in a special episode of gear up for growth, host jean caragher hands the mic to guest facilitator sarah dobek, president of inovautus consulting, to lead an inspiring conversation about career opportunities in accounting marketing.

joining the panel are four powerhouse leaders whose diverse journeys showcase just how far the profession has evolved:

gear up for growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today’s competitive landscape. more gear up for growth heremore jean caragher here | get her best-selling handbook, the 90-day marketing plan for cpa firms, here | more 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 videos and podcasts here

  • julie tucek, marketing director at legacy professionals;

  • eric majchrzak, ceo of beachfleischman;

  • carrie steffen, co-founder and president of the whetstone group, recently announced as the next ceo of the iowa society of cpas; and

  • jamie thomas, principal, growth and marketing at bdo usa

together, they offer a behind-the-scenes look at how accounting marketing has transformed from simple communications and event planning to a strategic, growth-driving powerhouse within firms—and where it’s heading next.

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expert panel: secrets to staying relevant | gear up for growth

hall of fame leaders share the lessons, mistakes, and trends shaping the future of firm growth.

sponsored by “turbocharge your profits: how to thrive in the new economy,” by frank stitely, cpa, cva  – see today’s special offer

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gear up for growth
with jean caragher
for 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间

in a special episode of gear up for growth, four hall of fame members from the association for accounting marketing (aam) reunite to reflect on how accounting marketing evolves—and to deliver advice for today’s growth leaders.

host jean caragher, president of capstone marketing, is joined by brian falony, retired accounting marketing executive; allan koltin, ceo of koltin consulting group and facilitator; mitchell reno, principal and director of client experience at rehmann; and michelle river, ceo of fore, llc.

gear up for growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today’s competitive landscape. more gear up for growth every friday heremore jean caragher here | get her best-selling handbook, the 90-day marketing plan for cpa firms, here | more 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 videos and podcasts here

together, they look back at how the profession has transformed over 35 years—and look ahead to what firms must do to survive and thrive in a radically different marketplace. read more →

matt dixon: how top rainmakers win clients | gear up for growth

doing great work is no longer enough to ensure client retention.

 

sponsored by “turbocharge your profits: how to thrive in the new economy,” by frank stitely, cpa, cva  – see today’s special offer

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gear up for growth
with jean caragher
for 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间

in a rapidly shifting business landscape, professional services firms face increasing pressure to develop new business while maintaining client loyalty. in this gear up for growth episode hosted by jean caragher of capstone marketing, guest matt dixon shares insights from his forthcoming book, “activator advantage: what today’s rainmakers do differently.” dixon, a founding partner of dcm insights and a renowned sales researcher, detailed how top-performing professionals distinguish themselves through proactive engagement and strategic relationship-building.

gear up for growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today’s competitive landscape. more gear up for growth every friday heremore jean caragher here | get her best-selling handbook, the 90-day marketing plan for cpa firms, here | more 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 videos and podcasts here

dixon’s research, based on a study of nearly 3,000 partners in professional services firms—including accountants, lawyers, and consultants—identifies five distinct business development profiles:

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becky livingston: use ai to boost marketing & client engagement | gear up for growth

level up thought leadership and advisory services.

sponsored by “turbocharge your profits: how to thrive in the new economy,” by frank stitely, cpa, cva  – see today’s special offer

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gear up for growth
with jean caragher
for 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间

the latest episode of gear up for growth, hosted by jean caragher of capstone marketing and powered by 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间, featured an insightful discussion with becky livingston, founder and ceo of penheel marketing, on the role of artificial intelligence (ai) in cpa firm marketing. the conversation centered around two key takeaways: ai’s ability to enhance thought leadership efforts and its role in shifting cpas toward more strategic client advisory services.

download becky livingston’s free ai marketing tool guide here

gear up for growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today’s competitive landscape. more gear up for growth every friday heremore jean caragher here | get her best-selling handbook, the 90-day marketing plan for cpa firms, here | more 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 videos and podcasts here

marketing research shows that high-growth cpa firms prioritize thought leadership through blogging, white papers, and public speaking. ai tools such as chatgpt, perplexity, and jasper are revolutionizing this space by enabling firms to generate high-quality content efficiently. these tools allow cpas to personalize content for niche audiences, optimize seo strategies beyond traditional search engines, and streamline content creation to maintain a consistent and authoritative online presence.

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mark koziel: the future of the profession | gear up for growth

mark koziel calls for cpa firm transformation amid industry disruption.

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originally published in september 2024

gear up for growth
with jean caragher
for 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间

mark koziel, newly appointed president and ceo of the association of international certified professional accountants (aicpa & cima), recently appeared on the gear up for growth podcast, reflecting on his tenure as ceo of allinial global and the challenges facing the accounting profession. koziel, who spent 14 years in leadership roles at aicpa before joining allinial global, emphasized the urgent need for firms to rethink their business models in response to industry shifts.

more 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间  podcasts here | more jean caragher here

in his conversation with host jean caragher, koziel outlined how external pressures, including hybrid workforces, private equity investment, and shifting talent expectations, are reshaping cpa firms. he argued that while the covid-19 pandemic accelerated these changes, the profession was already moving in this direction.

“firms were always capable of hiring talent beyond their geographic boundaries, but it took a pandemic for them to act on it,” koziel said. “we now have a hybrid profession that is adjusting to these realities.” read more →

sarah elliott: conscious coaching secures independence | gear up for growth

leaders must empower others, share leadership, and foster an inclusive culture to ensure long-term success.

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gear up for growth
with jean caragher
for 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间

in a rapidly evolving profession where mergers, acquisitions, and private equity investments dominate headlines, many cpa firms face a critical choice: sell, merge, or remain independent. for firms determined to chart their own course, leadership is the key to survival and success.

gear up for growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today’s competitive landscape. more gear up for growth every friday here | more capstone conversations with jean caragher every monday | more jean caragher here | get her best-selling handbook, the 90-day marketing plan for cpa firms, here | more 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 videos and podcasts here

sarah elliott, co-founder and principal of intend2lead llc, joins jean caragher on the “gear up for growth” podcast to discuss how conscious leadership can help cpa firms maintain independence, foster innovation, and develop future leaders. her insights underscore a fundamental shift in leadership—one that requires vision, empowerment, and adaptability.

according to elliott, firms that want to remain independent need to cultivate three critical leadership qualities:

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bill sheridan: adapt or be left behind | gear up for growth

focus on your clients…or someone else will.

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gear up for growth
with jean caragher
for 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间

bill sheridan, chief communications officer at the maryland association of cpas, believes cpa firms must embrace change to stay competitive. as technology automates compliance work, firms that focus on client advisory services will be the ones that thrive.

“our clients’ expectations are changing, and they are looking for more than just traditional compliance services,” sheridan says. “the firms that recognize this shift and focus on client advisory services will be the ones that thrive.”

gear up for growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today’s competitive landscape. more gear up for growth every friday here | more capstone conversations with jean caragher every monday | more jean caragher here | get her best-selling handbook, the 90-day marketing plan for cpa firms, here | more 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 videos and podcasts here

sheridan emphasizes that while automation is transforming the accounting industry, it is not eliminating the need for cpas. instead, it is creating opportunities for professionals to enhance their roles.

“technology isn’t the biggest threat to cpa firms,” sheridan explains. “the real danger is failing to prioritize client relationships.” he drew a powerful comparison to the retail industry: “amazon didn’t kill retail—bad customer service did. the same applies to cpas. if we stop being client-focused, we’ll become irrelevant.”

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amy vetter: strategies for transforming workplace culture | gear up for growth

failure to address corporate climate can critically impact talent recruitment and retention.

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gear up for growth
with jean caragher
for 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间

amy vetter, ceo of the b3 method institute, discusses how accounting firms can transform workplace culture, reduce stress, and empower leaders to create a thriving work environment on the latest gear up for growth episode.

“a thriving workplace culture starts with strong leadership, clear communication, and a commitment to values,” vetter says. “when leaders empower employees and lead with transparency, firms can create an environment where people feel supported and engaged.” 

gear up for growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today’s competitive landscape. more gear up for growth every friday here | more capstone conversations with jean caragher every monday | more jean caragher here | get her best-selling handbook, the 90-day marketing plan for cpa firms, here | more 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 videos and podcasts here

vetter highlights the importance of setting boundaries to reduce stress. “we carry belief systems from when we started our careers—like feeling guilty for leaving the office at a reasonable hour, vetter explains, “but no one is actually judging you for setting healthy boundaries. communicating expectations and structuring your day can help reduce unnecessary stress.” 

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tim allen: serendipitous specialization leads to success | gear up for growth

full commitment is critical in niche accounting.

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gear up for growth
with jean caragher
for 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间

in the world of accounting, niche specialization is often a deliberate strategy. for tim allen, cpa, however, his journey into winery finance was more serendipitous than strategic. with over 30 years of experience—including time at a big 4 firm, leadership roles at multiple wineries, and now managing a successful boutique firm exclusively dedicated to the wine industry—allen has carved out a unique space for himself and his team.

“i didn’t set out to specialize in wineries—it just happened,” allen says. “but looking back, every step led me here.”

gear up for growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today’s competitive landscape. more gear up for growth every friday here | more capstone conversations with jean caragher every monday | more jean caragher here | get her best-selling handbook, the 90-day marketing plan for cpa firms, here | more 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 videos and podcasts here

allen’s accounting came unexpectedly during his tenure at deloitte’s san francisco office. while his colleagues gravitated toward high-profile clients, tim found himself drawn to wineries—clients that others overlooked. the opportunity allowed him to work closer to his family in santa rosa while developing a deep understanding of the industry’s financial intricacies.

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michelle golden-river: break the billable hour | gear up for growth

firms that price for time rather than value are holding themselves back.

gear up for growth
with jean caragher
for 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间

for decades, accountants have relied on billable hours, tracking time spent on client work and invoicing accordingly. however, according to michelle golden-river, ceo of fore llc, this model is fundamentally flawed.

“accountants have taken their cost structure—allocating hours to clients and projects—and turned that into their revenue model,” she explains. “they’re not supposed to be the same thing.”

gear up for growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and effficient growth in today’s competitive landscape. more gear up for growth every friday here.more capstone conversations with jean caragher every monday | more jean caragher here | get her best-selling handbook, the 90-day marketing plan for cpa firms, here | more 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 videos and podcasts here

despite the evident inefficiencies, many firms remain resistant to change. david yeghiaian, chief strategy officer for kerberrose, noted that the biggest hurdle is uncertainty: “they’re just not used to it. there’s a fear of getting the pricing wrong—what if i estimate too low? what happens if a client expects more than i anticipated?”

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kristen rampe: accountability and simplicity in partner comp drive success | gear up for growth

“compensation is one tool, not the tool, to change behaviors and outcomes.”

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gear up for growth
with jean caragher
for 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间

kristen rampe, managing partner of rosenberg associates, spotlights two key drivers for cpa firm success: accountability and simplicity in partner compensation systems. 

gear up for growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today’s competitive landscape. more gear up for growth every friday here | more capstone conversations with jean caragher every monday | more jean caragher here | get her best-selling handbook, the 90-day marketing plan for cpa firms, here | more 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 videos and podcasts here

rampe shares insights from rosenberg associates’ recent report, “partner compensation: why accountability matters,” revealing a strong correlation between accountability and firm profitability. according to the report, firms with high accountability systems reported an average income per partner of $617,000, compared to $411,000 in firms with low accountability. 

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