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CPA PE Deal Tracker™: 57% Say PE Threatens the CPA Brand. But They’ll Take the Money.

Thirteen firms rolled up in May, 92 this year.

Most CPAs are concerned that private equity is undermining the CPA profession’s reputation for independence and objectivity. Only 10% say PE will have little or no impact. Fewer still can say PE will improve client service. (CPA Trendlines)

By CPA Trendlines

It’s a toss-up between CPAs opposed to PE and those unopposed. (CPA Trendlines)

As the CPA Trendlines CPA PE Deal Tracker™ adds 13 more closings for the month of May, a new survey shows accountants worrying about PE tarnishing the image and reputation of the profession. But half say they might take the money anyway.

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Nearly half of the professionals surveyed— 49.5 percent — describe themselves as decidedly opposed to private equity investment: fiercely independent, not interested, never ever.

The rest, a bare but discernible majority, are not. They would do a deal for the right price. Or they are already in play. Or have already done a deal.

“It only makes sense to keep our options open,” says Michael Royer of Royer Advisors and Accountants in Falmouth, Maine. He is not opposed, and he is not sold, adding “it’s still a personal business — and we don’t know the full impact of AI.”

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Chase Damiano: Good Operations Means Defining How the Hand-Offs Happen | The Disruptors

When leaders neglect to delegate, chaos reigns.

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The Disrupters
With Liz Farr
For CPA Trendlines

Chase Damiano, founder of Human at Scale, says that operations are the missing piece for many firms. “It’s sort of this bridge or glue that allows a business and a team to function well together,” he says. “I see it as the intersection of people and process and technology and culture.” What that looks like in practice, he said, is a firm where the team is happy, clients are satisfied, work is delivered on time and at high quality, and the owner has the freedom to focus on strategy and growth and has the time to spend on non-work things like family.   

MORE DISRUPTORS: Candy Bellau: The $350 Pricing Mistake that Nearly Broke this Boutique Firm | The Disruptors | Poe: What P.E. Really Wants from Firms | The Disruptors  | Blake Oliver: Build a Biz that Runs Without You | Daiber: Use Succession as a Growth Strategy | Cannon: Busy Season is Self-Inflicted | Carroll: When One Person Can Break the FirmRampe: Build a Roadmap Even When the Road’s Not There | Chang: Killing SALY, One Agent at a Time |

MORE CPA Trendlines Streaming Network

While many consulting firms “might just drop in the deliverables and then leave it up to the team to integrate that on their own,” Human at Scale has a different approach. “We actually embed within the accounting firm, we implement, and we execute alongside of the CEO and their team,” Damiano explains.   READ MORE →

Art Werner: Intro to Trump Accounts | Quick Tax Tip

Trump Accounts provide new opportunities for families, employees and closely held businesses.

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Quick Tax Tip
With Art Werner
CPE Today

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Tax expert Art Werner is launching a series of tax tip videos focused on Trump accounts.

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In the series, he provides a comprehensive overview of how these accounts work, how they compare to other investment options, the tax advantages they offer, potential issues practitioners should be aware of, and related fringe-benefit opportunities.

The goal is to help advisors become knowledgeable enough to confidently guide clients and evaluate whether Trump accounts may be a beneficial planning opportunity.

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Ten Tax Issues That Add New Revenue

Plus four “how much” questions you can put numbers to.

By Ed Mendlowitz
How to Build a Stronger Tax Practice

As you see each tax prep client you should keep a list of additional services you can offer them. Also, continue this list when you review each return.

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I prepare a list of follow-up items during a tax season on my Microsoft Outlook task list. These items are entered as the issue or idea arises. It is simple, quick and very satisfying. The next job will be to make the time to follow up with the client, and do your “good deed.”
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