Everything CPA and Private Equity with Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl

Is your firm’s biggest growth challenge finding the right people? For many CPA firms, talent—not clients—is the biggest barrier to growth. Looking beyond your local market can expand your talent pool, increase capacity, and help your firm scale. In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, hosts Philip Whitman, CPA and David Wolfskehl are joined by David Pence, Melissa Pinedo, and Ely L...

Is your firm preparing for the future—or falling behind?   In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, David Wolfskehl sit down with Calvin Harris, CPA, CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, to discuss the biggest trends impacting the profession and the leadership mindset firms need to succeed in the years ahead.   In this episode, you will be able to:   * Understand the major for...

Are your people thriving, or are they quietly burning out? In this episode of Everything CPA and Private Equity, Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl sit down with Amy Vetter, CPA, CEO of The B3 Method Institute, to discuss one of the most important—and often overlooked—drivers of firm success: people.   In this episode, you will be able to: • Understand how fulfillment and employee engagement impact...

How do you scale a firm without losing its culture?   In this episode of Everything CPA and Private Equity, Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl sit down with Erin McAuley, Chief People Officer, Springline Advisory, to discuss why people strategy has become a competitive advantage in today’s accounting profession. From culture due diligence to leadership development and employee ownership, Erin shares...

Are you evaluating your firm’s future but unsure which growth and ownership model is right for you?   In this episode of Everything CPA and Private Equity, Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl sit down with Josh Funk of Crete Professionals Alliance to discuss a different approach to CPA firm growth, ownership, and partnership.   In this episode, you will be able to: • Understand the difference between...

Thinking about building a more valuable CPA firm—but not sure where to start?   In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl sit down with Mark Martukovich of Business Advisory & Accounting Partners to discuss how shifting from transactional accounting work to structured advisory services transformed his firm’s value, predictability, and growth poten...

Thinking about a deal—but not sure what the process actually looks like?   In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, host, David Wolfskehl and guest, Dave Kells walk through a real transaction—from the very first conversation to signing an LOI—sharing what firms actually experience, learn, and decide along the way.   This isn’t theory. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how a firm navi...

Not every CPA firm receives the same offer—and the difference often comes down to one thing: how the firm is run.   In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, Phil Whitman, David Wolfskehl, and Dave Kells break down why some firms receive exciting offers while others feel underwhelmed—and what firm leaders can do to change that. As private equity continues to reshape the accounting pr...

Are CPA firm leaders underestimating how complex these deals really are?   In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl break down the real lessons from 22+ investor meetings in a single month—and why “the multiple” is only one small scoop in a much bigger ice cream shop.   With 31 flavors, 12 cones, and endless toppings, today’s transactions are more nu...

Are firms overlooking what truly matters long term?   In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl sit down with Nishaad Ruparel, President of Ascend, to unpack one of the most misunderstood parts of private equity conversations: equity quality—and why ownership structure matters.   In this episode, you will be able to: • Understand why equity quality ma...

Are CPA firms truly prepared for what 2026 will bring—or are they underestimating what’s coming next?   In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl look ahead to 2026 and beyond, breaking down what CPA firm leaders must understand now as private equity activity accelerates, models diversify, and competition intensifies.   In this episode, you will be ab...

Feeling overwhelmed by all the private equity noise—and not sure what it really means for your firm?   In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl sit down with Dave Kells to recap Accounting Today’s PE Summit, break down what they’re seeing in the market, and talk frankly about how firm leaders can get educated before a term sheet hits their inbox.   I...

Worried your clients will ask, “Why didn’t you tell me about Bitcoin sooner?” In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl sit down with Mike Williams of TrueVestments to unpack the Bitcoin Legacy Fund—what it is, why Wall Street is leaning in, and how CPA firms can educate and protect high-net-worth clients while still managing risk.   In this episode,...

The October 15 tax deadline is behind you — but what now? After months of nonstop work, long nights, and extension filings, many CPA firm leaders finally exhale… only to face the real question:   Now that the rush is over, is your firm actually ready for what comes next?   In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity,  Philip Whitman, CPA ,  David Wolfskehl , and  David E. Kells Jr.  bre...

What happens when private equity meets the most specialized corners of the CPA world—valuation, forensics, litigation, and advisory? A whole new set of opportunities emerges.   In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, hosts Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl unpack how niche-focused firms are finding their place in today’s PE-driven market—and why their expertise is more valuable than...

Why would a thriving CPA firm take outside investment? In this episode of Everything CPA and Private Equity, hosts Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl sit down with Joe Damiano of Sax to unpack why even a highly profitable, fast-growing firm chose a minority private equity partner.   In this episode, you will be able to: • Learn why deal flow—not just capital—was the catalyst for Sax’s decision • See...

Are CPA firms clinging too tightly to being “fiercely independent”? In this episode of Everything CPA and Private Equity, hosts Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl sit down with former Baker Tilly CEO Alan Whitman to unpack what it really takes to scale in today’s profession.   In this episode, you will be able to: • Understand why “good enough” thinking holds firms back from real growth • Learn how...

Is your firm’s outdated tech holding back growth—and lowering valuation?   Tech isn’t just a back-office tool anymore—it’s a growth driver in private equity deals. In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, hosts Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl sit down with Joe Carufe of Karbon to explore how the right tech stack transforms firms before and after a PE transaction.   In this episode,...

Are smaller CPA firms being overlooked in the private equity wave?   In this episode of Everything CPA and Private Equity, hosts Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl break down why firms under $3M are finding new opportunities in today’s market—and why it’s not just the large firms that PE is after.   In this episode, you will be able to: • Understand why over 200+ PE groups are looking at CPA firms—a...

Think private equity is only chasing the biggest players in the industry? Think again. In this episode of Everything CPA and Private Equity, Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl break down how firms under $3M in revenue are closing PE-backed deals — and why the opportunities have never been better for smaller practices.   In this episode, you will be able to: Understand why PE firms and family offices...

Worried about the impact of private equity in accounting? You’re not alone—but the fear often doesn’t match the facts. In this episode, Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl are joined by Terry Putney for a no-fluff conversation on what’s really happening in the profession—and what leadership teams need to know.   In this episode, you will be able to: Understand why the “PE = cost-cutting” narrative do...

What Happens When PE Is Led by Operators—Not Just Investors? In this episode of Everything CPA and Private Equity, Phil and David sit down with Sanjay Agarwal, CEO of Occams Elevate, to explore a new model of growth capital built by CPAs, for CPAs.   In this episode, you’ll be able to: Understand how operator-led PE platforms differ from traditional investor-only models Learn why Occam’s Elevate p...

Is your firm ready for private equity—or just reacting to a phone call? In this episode of Everything CPA and Private Equity, hosts Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl are joined by guest David Kells, leader of WTA’s Profit Team, to uncover what really separates high-value deals from short-sighted decisions.   In this episode, you’ll be able to: Understand why meeting 1 or 2 PE firms is never enough...

How can minority investments transform CPA firms—and what role does Bitcoin play in the future of finance?   In this episode of Everything CPA and Private Equity, Mike Williams, Managing Partner of TruVestments, shares how his team is helping CPA firms scale, retain control, and lead clients into the next generation of financial strategy.   In this episode, you’ll be able to: Understand how minori...

What happens when a CPA sees the gap—and decides to build the solution?   In this episode of Everything CPA and Private Equity, Josh Funk, Chief Development Officer at Crete Professionals Alliance, shares how his journey from firm owner to PE-backed leader is transforming how CPA firms grow, scale, and lead in today’s market.   In this episode, you will be able to: Learn how Josh took Crete PA fro...