The Unique CPA

On Episode 52 of The Unique CPA, Randy talks to Craig Tobin of Tri-Merit about his Cost Segregation analysis services. With various tax laws becoming favorable, the opportunities for putting assets into a shorter life class, for lookbacks, and for other beneficial tax strategies are bigger than ever. Randy starts off this episode by sharing more information about The Unique CPA Virtual Conference,...

On episode 51 of The Unique CPA , Randy talks to Nellie Akalp, the founder and CEO of CorpNet, a legal filing company with services available in all 50 states. CorpNet can assist with filings to start a business, grow or expand a business, or make changes to a business. CorpNet also assists with compliance, winding up/dissolution, and other filing services. Get the full show notes and more resourc...

Randy returns in episode 50 of The Unique CPA to discuss new guidance from the IRS on the Employee Retention Credit. He talks about IRS Rev Proc 2021-33 (PPP loans, Restaurant Revitalization, Shuttered Venues, cash or accrual accounting) and IRS Notice 2021-49 (more on Shuttered Venues and Restaurant Revitalization), in addition to wage and employee counting methods that may apply to restaurants o...

Episode 49 of The Unique CPA is a look back at Randy's conversation in Episode 6 with Richard Kopelman, CEO of Aprio, LLP. Richard heads Aprio's CPA-led advisory services, and in this Unique CPA Rewind, he talks to Randy about how vital it is to be a trusted advisor to your clients. The events since the episode aired have truly pushed this facet of the account-client relationship to the forefront....

On episode 48 of The Unique CPA , we revisit Randy's conversation with Founder and Managing Director of Lance CPA Group, Joshua Lance. Josh created a truly unique CPA firm—an entirely virtual practice with its 14 employees spread across the country, which provides accounting and consulting services only to craft breweries and digital agencies. Given the events of the past 18 months, Josh's insight...

Randy continues his analysis of the Employee Retention Credit on Episode 47 of The Unique CPA . His focus this time is on the restaurant industry, arguably the hardest hit industry in the country due to Covid. His deep dive into various opportunities tax preparers have to help their restaurant clients will be useful to anyone looking to maximize benefits to those clients. Get the full show notes a...

The Employee Retention Credit, or ERC, saw significant expansion for 2021. Randy Crabtree talks about various ways for your clients to qualify for the credit, how much benefit they can receive, and how the credit interplays with other credits available, with a particular focus on the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

On Episode 45 of The Unique CPA , Randy talks to Justin Elanjian , Partner-in-Charge of PPP & ERC Services at Aprio . Justin discusses how he navigated uncertainty and evolving guidelines while growing a new segment of the business that helps clients access COVID-19 relief funds. He shares some advice on the importance of thinking proactively and pursuing one's passions, and he talks about what's...

On episode 44 of The Unique CPA , Randy is joined by Caleb Jenkins of RLJ Financial Services . They discuss Caleb's early start in entrepreneurship and accounting as a child. Caleb shares his insights on the growing Client Accounting Services sector and his experiences with SALT Microfinance Solutions , highlighting the importance of giving back.  Get the full show notes and more resources at TheU...

On episode 43 of The Unique CPA , Randy is joined by Geraldine Carter of the Smart Strategy for CPAs podcast, on which Randy was a recent guest. Geraldine's company, She Thinks Big Coaching , specializes in helping CPA firms find their niche in order to do more profitable, more efficient, better work for their clients. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com

On episode 42 of The Unique CPA, Randy welcomes Kristen Rampe, whose company, Rampe Consulting, specializes in vital big picture issues for firms, including partner compensation, partner agreements, and strategic retreat facilitation. Kristen discusses the importance of getting these elements right in order to boost partner trust, accountability, and promote fairness from within a firm's structure...

Randy talks to Deb Russell about her work in disability inclusion. Her company works to educate and provide resources to help companies employ more people with disabilities. Previously, Deb helped Walgreens in their drive for disability inclusion, leading to an increase in hiring until disabled workers made up 10% of Walgreens' workforce. Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA....

Especially in the midst of what may be the longest tax season in history, CPAs are feeling especially pressured, burnt out and in need of some serious R&R. On Episode 40 of The Unique CPA , Randy talks to Eva Medilek about maintaining balance in one's life, even while striving for high achievement. She stresses the importance of not losing sight of your "why," whatever it may be, in the midst of t...

On episode 39 of The Unique CPA , Randy Crabtree talks to Doug Veliky, Chief Strategy Officer of craft brewery Revolution in Chicago. Doug's unusual career path started in public accounting. After being knocked back for several positions which could have combined accounting with his love of craft beer, he started an Instagram account and a blog about craft beer for fun. These ultimately helped him...

Fractional CFOs are a relatively new, fast-growing, and unique segment of the financial space. Randy talks to Terrell Turner of TLTurner Group, a fractional CFO firm that offers a wide array of services to business owners in various industries. Terrell is also the host of The Business Talk Library podcast, a series of over 200 shows and resources  for business owners, entrepreneurs and professiona...

Randy talks to Barry Devine of Tri-Merit about the incredible opportunities available with the Employee Retention Credit, or ERC, in 2021. They explain the big changes that occurred with the two most recent stimulus bills—which expanded the amount of credit available to businesses—how excess credit exceeding payroll tax liability goes back into the business as cash, and talk about potential interp...

On our new Nuts and Bolts series, Randy talks to Tom Parker and Layne Bodily, cofounders of FBP CPA . Tom and Layne started FBP with Tyler Fates in 2020 in Itasca, Illinois, with an eye towards establishing a modern accounting firm. Randy will have Tom, Layne and Tyler on in the future to check on the progress of their firm, and provide insights as to what has worked, what hasn't, and where the fi...

On episode 35 of The Unique CPA, Randy has the opportunity to talk with Greg Skoda, one of two people who have built an accounting firm with a valuation in excess of $600 million. They discuss Greg's firm building exploits, and the regulatory and personal challenges Greg faced while building CBIZ over a frenetic two year period in the 90s. They also talk about Skoda Minnotti, the latest firm Greg...

Randy talks with Matt Wheeler, Managing Partner of Wheeler Accountants and co-host of the Avocado Toast podcast, about his unique approach to promoting financial literacy. Through his podcast and other initiatives, Matt advocates for education, since people don't know just how much financial support and advice they need. The more they learn, the more likely they are to seek out professional accoun...

On Episode 33, Randy talks with Mark Koziel, CEO of Allinial Global, who discusses the unique challenges (and advantages) of taking over that role in the midst of the pandemic, accounting firms' status as "the ultimate trusted advisor" to the companies they serve, the need for cooperation among accounting firms as technology and automation transform the profession, the importance of correctly pric...

Randy talks to Bob Lewis, who was recently named one of Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting, about how CPA firms must position themselves to adapt to changes—especially as Covid rages on. Bob gives his insights into the best ways to develop prospects and referral sources, cross-selling strategies, the importance of a market niche, and the best ways for firms to positio...

Randy is joined by Mike Pine, founder of Pine & Company CPAs, to discuss the evolution of Mike's practice. After cutting his teeth on tax in the Big Four accounting world, Mike started his own practice, subsequently merging with another firm. Since then, he has focused on low employee turnover and high client retention. He explains how he accomplished this, and how flexibility kept him able to res...

In business, especially in the world of accounting, people are often boiled down to what they bring to a firm, but not who they are. Emmy nominated writer and "Catalyst for Corporate Change" John Garrett, himself a podcast host and author, talks to Randy about the importance of having interests, hobbies and passions outside of work. He explains how they make you a better professional, and how for...

One of the hottest topics in the financial world today is Data Analytics. But how does a CPA firm start utilizing analytics in its own practice, or even offer Data Analytics services to its clients? Randy talks to Jeremy Clopton, director at Upstream Academy, about the role Data Analytics can play in your firm, especially as AI and machine learning loom large—and about the future of the accounting...

The Covid pandemic has prompted many businesses, especially accounting firms, to take stock of who and they are, where they are going, and what they need to do to continue to be successful in a changed world. Randy talks with Jon Hubbard of Boomer Consulting , who specializes in helping firms identify branding opportunities, assess their strengths, and using the eight step process known as the Fir...