Many Firms Have Already Lost the Battle with Succession

Doomed by outdated retirement formulas.

By Carl George
The Rosenberg MAP Survey

Firms are continuing to struggle with succession of the partner group exiting the profession.

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While I would hope these issues are being resolved, I really wonder if it’s not too late for many.

Posted on December 25, 2016

Carl George

About the Author

Since his retirement from CliftonLarsonAllen in December 2012, Carl George continues his work on practice management issues as a consultant to CPA firms through Carl George Advisory, LLC, formed in January 2013.

When Carl started with Clifton Gunderson in 1971, the total firm value was $1.8 million, and when he stepped out of the CEO role in a planned succession in 2009, Clifton's volume was $250 million. Carl served 13 years as COO and 16 years as CEO of Clifton Gunderson, with his last three years as Senior Executive Partner focused on CPA firm acquisitions and consulting with CPA firms. Carl was part of the team that completed the CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) merger (combined volume of $550 million) in January 2012.

As CEO for Clifton Gunderson, Carl was recognized numerous times by Accounting Today as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting. He is a former board member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and is passionate about solving the nation's financial literacy crisis, having chaired the AICPA National CPA Financial Literacy Commission for five years. He also served on the AICPA MAP committee for six years, three as chair, and has served as a speaker or moderator at many conferences and retreats on practice management issues and solutions.

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