Transforming: Tales of Business Evolution

Lexy Kessler, CPA, CGMA is the Partner-In-Charge of Aronson LLC's Government Contract Services Group in Washington, DC. Lexy shares her firm's successes and surprises in their journey to working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about Aronson LLC at www.aronsonllc.com. Learn more about Lexy at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexykessler .

Karen Stanley, CPA and Audit Partner with Langdon & Company, LLP in Garner, NC shares her firm's successes and surprises in their journey from a traditional, local CPA firm to working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about Langdon & Company, LLP at www.langdoncpa.com .

Liz Mason, CPA is a serial-entrepreneur. Her passion for accounting started when she was just seven years old and now has successfully launched four brands in the accounting, tax, and HR space. She shares the story of what got her here and what's next for her plan of #CPAworlddomination. Learn more about High Rock Accounting at highrock.co . Information about High Rock's Nucleus program is availab...

Jeff Wilson II, CPA, PFS, CFE, CGMA, CDFA® started his career at a Big 4 firm and now has his own firm with seven people on staff. He talks about his path to becoming a firm owner, the struggles he overcame and the advice he'd give to himself if he were starting over. Learn more about Jeff's firm at wiicpas.com .

Christine DeAngelis, CPA is a working mom who owns three businesses. She talks about her journey from marketing student to CPA to CEO, and everything in between. Christine's businesses:  epiphanygroupinc.com cultivateconsulting.co bamboowellness.isagenix.com

Josh Lance, CPA, CGMA, shares his insights about running a completely virtual practice, covering everything from how he hires the right staff to where the mail gets delivered. Learn more about Josh's firm at lancecpa.com . Additional resources: PCPS "Remote team building and culture" toolkit at AICPA.org/PCPS "It Doesn't Have to Be Crazy at Work" by Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson "Remote:...

When you multitask, you might think you're getting more done. In reality, you spend more time on the jobs than you would if you focused on each separately and completely. Getting in the present and ignoring distractions will help you focus on what you need to do. Working on one activity at a time will make you more productive. This meditation will show you how.

What's happening inside you? Most of us are only aware of what's happening on the surface. Through meditation, you can better connect to your body and mind. The understanding that results from this exploration can inform the experience you create for others, making you more receptive, calm and accepting. Your work and your personal life will both benefit.

Making time for self-care is crucial not only to your well-being, but also for how you interact with those around you. This meditation helps you find mental peace, bringing you greater focus in your day.

Your internal wellness can affect the people around you, as well as how you feel about them. In this meditation, called a "loving kindness" meditation, you'll get better centered and able to show up for your day with the energy you want.

Trying to do too much at once can sap your energy. If you're multitasking or not allowing yourself enough of a break between tasks, you could be robbing yourself of much-needed focus. This meditation helps you regain focus and improve your productivity.

Understand mindfulness and what it means in the context of a busy time at work. Reducing your stress, increasing your awareness without judgement and your presence in the moment are the goals of this guided meditation. The result? You can enjoy a productive day while also being aware of and mastering your emotions.

Matthew Wilson, CPA, CGMA and Maya Ivanova, CPA, CGMA of Wilson Ivanova CPAs share advice on how to stay up-to-speed on accounting standards changes that are effective or will soon be effective. 

British management accountant, Barry Dovey, FCMA, CGMA, shares how offering a menu of services can help firms reduce hours and add value for their clients.

Carl Peterson, CPA, CGMA, of the AICPA and Matt Towers of CPA.com discuss the results of the 2019 PCPS CPA Firm Top Issues Survey. Key concerns for small firms include finding qualified staff, keeping up with tax law changes and managing privacy and security risks.

Bernie Ackerman, CPA/PFS, CGMA, and his son, Jason Ackerman, CPA, CGMA, talk about how they've abandoned the timesheet and successfully implemented value pricing in their firm.

Julie Killian, CPA, CGMA of Clayton McKervey talks with Bob Durak, CPA, CGMA, of the AICPA about her firm's experience transitioning clients to using the Financial Reporting Framework for Small- and Medium-Sized Entities (FRF for SMEs). Learn more at AICPA.org/frf-smes

Dominique Molina, CPA, talks with Carl Peterson, CPA, CGMA, of the AICPA about how shifting to a value pricing model helped her tax firm increase the value of its services, reduce hours and strengthen its bottom line.

Ever wonder how your firm measures up? Curious about average fees in your area or around the country? Maybe you'd like to learn what average compensation looks like? Carl Peterson, CPA, CGMA, Vice President of Small Firm Interests and Joel Olbricht, CPA, CGMA, Chair of the PCPS Executive Committee discuss the AICPA National MAP survey, and how its information can help you answer these and many oth...

Carl Mayes, CPA, talks with Lindsay Patterson, both of the AICPA, about the role of risk assessment in audit quality. They share advice for small firms and point out helpful resources.

A small, Midwestern firm is implementing some forward-thinking strategies to stay ahead of the curve. Amber Goering, CPA, CGMA, of Goering and Granatino in Overland Park, Kansas, talks with Carl Peterson, CPA, CGMA, of the AICPA, about her firm's recent growth and plans for the future. 

Dov Zaidman, CPA/CITP, CGMA, Managing Partner of ZBS Group in Plainview, New York, talks with Carl Peterson, CPA, CGMA, of the AICPA, about how his firm has successfully merged and acquired sole practitioners nearing retirement. Dov shares insight on leading a growing practice and integrating offices in two locations.

How did Chris Farmand, CPA, CITP, become the CPA of choice to so many craft breweries across the country? Lindsey Curley of the AICPA talks to Chris, CEO of Small Batch Standard and Managing Shareholder of Chris Farmand + Company in Jacksonville, Florida, about how he built up his CPA practice among such a niche industry.  

Johanna Sweaney Salt, CPA, CGMA, partner at Gray, Salt & Associates LLP in Claremont, Calif., talks with Lisa Simpson, CPA, CGMA, of the AICPA about how supporting a strong firm culture is one of the keys to a successful practice. Johanna believes it's important to listen to and trust not only your partners, but your staff, too. Empowering your associates to offer and initiate innovative ideas can...

Gabby Luoma, CPA, owner of GMLCPA in Tucson, Ariz., talks with Heather O'Connor of the AICPA about her philosophy on building a strong culture for her virtual firm.