The Big 4 Transparency Podcast

In Episode 107 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Harris Felton shares his journey from a traditional accounting career to launching his own practice focused on short-term rentals. We explore niche selection, overcoming mental barriers, and leveraging community support to succeed as an entrepreneur. Check out our sponsor: getcanopy.com Connect with Harris: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/har...

In Episode 106 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Rohit Chande, CEO of Count, discusses the strategic use of AI in professional services, the future of accounting firms, and how private equity is transforming the industry through technology and long-term investment strategies. Check out our sponsor: getcanopy.com Connect with Rohit: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rohitchande/ Get in touch w...

In Episode 105 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, guest Nate Boaz, co-founder of Kinavic Leadership Acceleration, discusses how leadership development and strategic talent management are transforming professional services firms. Topics include succession planning, leadership archetypes, leveraging AI for productivity, and building effective leadership teams to drive growth and retention. Check out...

In Episode 104 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Demetrice Branch and Linc Ashby discuss what sets Weaver apart after being ranked #3 on Big 4 Transparency’s list of firms with the highest job satisfaction. They get into the weeds of coaching and their philosophy around managing talent at the firm. Check out our sponsor: liveoak.bank/big4 Connect with Demetrice and Link: Demetrice: https://www.li...

In Episode 103 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Michael Hoover, Chief Growth and Strategy Officer at Bennett Thrasher, shares insights on organic growth strategies, talent acquisition, and technological innovation in the accounting industry. Discover how a focus on independence, strategic tech investments, and talent development drives sustained success. Check out our sponsor: liveoak.bank/big4...

In Episode 102 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Eddy Gramajo shares his journey from Big Four accounting to industry roles, the evolving role of AI in finance, and practical advice for accountants looking to leverage technology and advocate for themselves. Connect with Eddy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eddy-gramajo/ Big 4 Resume Scoring: https://resume.gramajo-consulting.com/ Get in to...

In Episode 101 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, host Dominic Piscopo interviews Rachel Farris, founder of a niche CPA practice, shares her journey into Puerto Rican residency, the tax incentives involved, and her innovative AI tools for tax research. Discover how she built her expertise, generated leads, and expanded into AI-driven solutions for small firms. Connect with Rachel: LinkedIn: https:...

In Episode 100 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, host Dominic Piscopo interviews Justin Shelman, a tax partner at Prosperity Partners, shares his journey from becoming a partner after boomeranging, to navigating the complexities of private equity investments in the accounting industry. He discusses the impact of technology on firm growth, the importance of mentorship, and the strategies for succe...

In Episode 99 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, host Dominic Piscopo interviews Stuart Ferguson, the president of Stout Strategy and former managing partner of Pointe Advisory. They discuss the recent acquisition of Pointe Advisory by Stout, the role of data analytics in consulting, and the importance of strategic focus for CPA firms. Stuart shares insights on the M&A process, the challenges...

In Episode 98 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, founder and CEO of Optimum Strategies, discusses the complexities of consulting for CPA firms. He emphasizes the importance of strengthening firms through assessments, navigating mergers and acquisitions, and understanding compensation dynamics. Ira shares insights on the challenges faced by younger partners, the impact of private equity on the indu...

In Episode 97 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Tim Brackney, CEO of Springline Advisory, discusses the innovative approach of his firm in the accounting industry, focusing on a growth thesis rather than quick flips typical of private equity. He shares his journey to becoming CEO, the importance of cultural alignment, and the strategic decisions behind their measured growth approach. Tim also exp...

In Episode 96 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Chad Huebsch, CEO of Blueprint Tax Advisors, shares his journey from working in SALT to founding his own tax advisory firm. He discusses the challenges and lessons learned in transitioning from employee to entrepreneur, the importance of focusing on client relationships, and the strategies he employed to grow his business. Chad also emphasizes the v...

In Episode 95 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Dominic welcomes back Jaimie Nichols, a former guest, to discuss her journey as a solopreneur in the accounting field. Jaimie reflects on her decision to leave her firm, the challenges she faced, and the growth of her business over the past two years. She shares insights on her tech stack, client selection, work-life balance, and the importance of b...

In Episode 94 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Dominic sits down Jeremy Dubow, co-founder and CEO of Prosperity Partners to discuss his journey with starting the firm, what has changed over the 20+ years he’s operated his firm, and what ultimately drove the decision to take on Private Equity investment. They also dive deep into Jeremy’s talent strategy, and how he’s elevating the bar for retaini...

In Episode 93 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Dominic sits down with Matt Tait, CEO of Decimal, to unpack how accounting firms can scale profitably without burning out their founders. Matt shares how Decimal evolved from a modern CAS firm into a franchised “firm-in-a-box,” helping entrepreneurs launch and grow accounting firms with enterprise-grade infrastructure, standardized tech stacks, and...

In Episode 92 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, host Dominic Piscopo covers the Private Equity Summit 2025 hosted by Accounting Today. He shares a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most important conversations regarding Private Equity in accounting that happened at the conference, and shares the highlights of his keynote and panel presentations. Get in touch with me: Website: https://www.big4...

In Episode 91 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Craig Fouts, a partner at Align Tax Consulting, shares insights into the world of specialty tax consulting, focusing on R&D tax credits and cost segregation. Craig discusses his journey into this niche field, the strategic decisions behind Align's service offerings, and the importance of building relationships with CPA firms. He also highlights...

In Episode 90 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Dominic Piscopo sits down with former colleague Stewart Spiers to discuss his journey from Deloitte to a smaller firm, TAAG. Stewart shares insights into his passion for working with small and medium-sized businesses, the challenges of the big 4 environment, and his decision to seek a more entrepreneurial path. Tune in to hear about the agility and...

In Episode 89 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, host Dominic Piscopo speaks with Chris Williams, CEO of System Six, discussing the growth of his CAS business, the recent acquisition of a tax practice, and the strategies involved in integrating new teams. Chris shares insights on financing acquisitions through SBA loans, the importance of trust in business transactions, and the unique challenges f...

In Episode 88 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, host Dominic Piscopo speaks with Jody Padar, known as the Radical CPA, who shares her journey from being a firm owner to a tech innovator in the accounting space. She discusses the importance of technology, particularly AI, in transforming the accounting profession and emphasizes the need for empathy and advisory skills in client relationships. Jody...

In Episode 87 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, I talk through my entire thought process around setting up an accounting firm. I’ve had a lot of similar conversations lately, and wanted to share the 6 steps I would follow to plan my firm, choose a niche, and start building up a customer base. Get in touch with me: Website: https://www.big4transparency.com/ Newsletter: https://big4transparency.bee...

In Episode 86 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, host Dominic Piscopo speaks with Jen Cryder, the CEO of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs. Jen shares about her role, and pushing the boundaries of what a state society can mean for the accounting profession - digging into their acquisition of CPA Crossings and investment into XcelLabs. Dominic and Jen also cover how she’s pushed to be entrepreneur...

In Episode 85 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, host Dominic Piscopo speaks with Owen Pryor and Steve Blake from Evans May Advisory. They discuss the unique synergies between their advisory and wealth management services, emphasizing a client-centric approach that alleviates burdens from clients. The conversation covers their growth strategies, niche markets, innovative pricing models, and the im...

In Episode 84 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, host Dominic Piscopo speaks with Mark Gallegos, a partner at Porte Brown, about his extensive experience in tax legislation and public accounting. Mark shares insights into his role as a tax expert, the importance of effective communication in the field, and the opportunities presented by the new HR1 tax legislation. He discusses his personal journe...

In Episode 83 of the Big 4 Transparency Podcast, Joe Manganelli shares his journey from engineering to finance, detailing his entrepreneurial aspirations that led to the founding of Calculate, an outsourced accounting practice. He discusses the challenges of building the business, the decision to sell it, and the transition to his new venture, Amalgam, which aims to streamline accounting processes...