The Unique CPA

What happens when an IT pro with an entrepreneurial streak transforms a side hustle into a thriving accounting firm? On Episode 226 of The Unique CPA , Tony Proctor, founder and principal of Proctor & Associates, talks to Randy about how he built Proctor & Associates from the ground up, navigated the high-stakes acquisition of a legacy practice, and brought tech-driven innovation to traditional ac...

Episode 225 of The Unique CPA features Amy Franko, the author of the Amazon Bestseller The Modern Seller and a leading expert in sales strategy for professional services. Though covering a broad range of topics, Randy dives deep with Amy into the challenges and opportunities accounting firms face when building a strong sales and growth culture, noting that sales is often an afterthought in the pro...

Gail Perry, Editor-in-Chief of CPA Practice Advisor Magazine, joins Randy Crabtree on Episode 224 of The Unique CPA. Gail's fascinating four-decade career began as an aspiring musician, shifted to journalism, and ultimately led her to become a CPA, author of 34 books, and the owner of a small tax practice in Indianapolis. She shares stories of her early influences, her journey through diverse role...

Randy Crabtree welcomes Alex Drost, Managing Principal of Connection Builders, to discuss the evolving landscape of private equity in the accounting profession on Episode 223 of The Unique CPA. They delve into Alex's background in investment banking and his insights into how private equity is transforming accounting, and they spend time going over the increasing prevalence of PE-backed firms, the...

Courtney De Ronde, co-founder and CEO of Forge Financial and Management Consulting, joins Randy for Episode 222 of The Unique CPA . Courtney's groundbreaking approach to the accounting profession, with an emphasis on physical and mental well-being, efficiency, and a healthy work-life balance, takes center stage as she shares her journey from working nights and weekends to implementing practical st...

Randy Crabtree welcomes Nick Boscia, The Balanced CPA, to Episode 221 of The Unique CPA. Perhaps unsurprisingly considering that moniker, Nick, like Randy, is a big advocate of maintaining balance in your work and personal life, and they focus their discussion on using modernization and technology to improve that balance. Nick joined his father's CPA firm after several years at the Big Four and wh...

We have a very special Episode 220 of The Unique CPA for our listeners, focused on the massive changes brought about by the newly passed Reconciliation bill. Michael Warady moderates a discussion between Randy Crabtree and Phil Williams, and these Tri-Merit experts provide insights on immediate expensing for R&D, adjusting cost segregation strategy in light of permanent 100% bonus depreciation , t...

We're looking forward to Bridging the Gap 2025 at The Unique CPA, and on Episode 219, Randy sits down with Denise Thomas, founder of the Effective Communication Coach, about her journey into effective communication and leadership. With over two decades of experience working with Fortune 500 companies and educational institutions, Denise shares insights on the importance of effective communication...

On Episode 218 of The Unique CPA , Randy Crabtree concludes the ongoing CAS block by welcoming Jeremy Estey, founder of AmberSky Marketing. They diverge from the pure CAS discussions of the first two episodes of the block, turning their focus to digital marketing for accounting firms, with an emphasis on niche marketing and SEO. Jeremy has built his digital marketing expertise first through foundi...

We continue our special CAS block on The Unique CPA as Kane Polakoff, the Client Advisory Services Practice Leader at CohnReznick, joins Randy on Episode 217. Kane has nearly three decades of experience in starting CAS practices, and they discuss the evolution, challenges, and best practices in building and managing CAS. Kane goes into significant detail on the importance of integrating technology...

Episode 216 of The Unique CPA kicks off a three-episode CAS block, starting with Randy Crabtree's conversation with Christine Triantos. Christine, who has over 30 years of experience as one of the trailblazers of CAS within the profession, discusses its fundamentals, differentiating it from traditional accounting services like bookkeeping and write-ups. She highlights the importance of proactive g...

Randy Crabtree welcomes Terrell Turner back to The Unique CPA for his third appearance in anticipation of the upcoming Bridging the Gap Conference 2025 in Denver, Colorado, July 22nd-24th. Terrell will be interviewing several participants this year as well as giving his own talk, as he did each of the first two years, and he and Randy take this opportunity to discuss the history and unique aspects...

Randy Crabtree connects with Carlos Garcia, co-founder of the Reframe Conference with his brother, former Unique CPA guest Hector, on Episode 214. Carlos's focus is on transforming how accounting professionals communicate with clients by promoting confidence and clear messaging. Sporting a certification in the "Exactly What to Say" methodology, which aids accountants in becoming strategic partners...

Mike Whitmire returns to The Unique CPA to share his unique perspective on the profession on Episode 213. The co-founder and CEO of FloQast, Mike talks to Randy about the expansion and shift in responsibilities for controllers and others within accounting, going beyond traditional functions to include operational efficiency and strategic planning. Focusing on the impact of technology and AI in aut...

On Episode 212 of The Unique CPA, Randy Crabtree digs into an extraordinary alternative firm model with Jacob Schroeder, the founder and CEO of Ascend Consulting. In addition to balancing multiple businesses, Jacob's entrepreneurial journey has been informed by his passion for innovation and invention in the context of the accounting profession. Jacob's bold move to split Ascend Consulting into th...

Randy Crabtree goes in-house with Tri-Merit's Barry Devine, a veteran in the specialty tax incentive space, on Episode 211 of The Unique CPA . Renewable energy tax credits have come to the forefront as a way for nonprofits to fund community-strengthening projects, and Barry pulls from his extensive experience in leveraging these credits and incentives to illustrate the incredible opportunities tha...

Randy Crabtree connects with business development specialist Chris Cocca on Episode 210 of The Unique CPA . The President of Strategic Sales and former actively practicing CPA, Chris now specializes in helping accounting firms grow and scale by identifying and leveraging their rainmakers, implementing effective business development processes, and formalizing sales methodologies. Focusing on effici...

Randy Crabtree welcomes Geni Whitehouse, an influential figure in the accounting profession known for her diverse roles including founder of The Impactful Advisor, ITA president, and winery consultant, on Episode 209 of The Unique CPA . Geni talks about things that made a difference in her career trajectory, highlighting her transition from an uninspired CPA to a passionate advocate for enhancing...

Questian Telka and Nancy McClelland join Randy on Episode 208 of The Unique CPA to discuss their new podcast, She Counts , aimed at addressing the unique experiences of women in the accounting profession. The podcast will focus on authentic conversations with subject matter experts and leaders in the profession, with discussions about breaking through isolation, challenging industry norms, both pr...

Randy hosts a very special Episode 207 of The Unique CPA, with now three-time guest Dawn Brolin. Dawn, the "Designated Motivator," discusses her latest book, The Elevation of Empathy: Leading for the W.I.N., and she delves into how empathy transforms leadership, organizational culture, and mental health. Dawn's impactful personal stories about dealing with leaders who lack empathy highlights the i...

Randy Crabtree is joined by Annette Wehrli of Effectivity Consulting on Episode 206 of The Unique CPA to talk about aligning business strategy with people strategy. They discuss the significant challenge many accounting firms face: transitioning professionals from technical experts to effective leaders, the importance of identifying the right leadership types and styles, and the need for a balance...

Randy Crabtree concludes his conversation on community with Nancy McClelland, The Dancing Accountant, on Episode 205 of The Unique CPA . They focus particularly on the vital role bookkeepers play in the accounting world, and the importance of collaboration between them and tax professionals. This, along with creating effective systems, are keys to building a culture of shared resources, proper com...

Randy Crabtree kicks off a two part conversation with Nancy McClelland, the Dancing Accountant, on Episode 204 of The Unique CPA . Their discussion will conclude the series on the impact of community in the accounting profession, where they delve into Nancy's journey from bookkeeping to becoming a CPA and the evolution of her business and identity. Nancy shares her insights on how pivotal relation...

Randy continues his focus on community in accounting with Yuri Kapilovich on Episode 203 of The Unique CPA . Also known as #TheFunCPA, Yuri shares his mission to redefine accounting, making it more dynamic and engaging through his social media content, networking events, and YouTube series. Discussing his journey of building a full-service accounting firm with a focus on work-life balance, Yuri ex...

Logan Graf returns to The Unique CPA to continue the show's focus on community in the accounting profession on Episode 202. The owner of Graf Tax and founder of Counter, Logan talks to Randy about the community he's built with Counter, which was inspired by his YouTube channel and the transparency he had around sharing his financials there. This had prompted a lot of questions for many people arou...