Gear Up for Growth

Weiner: Leadership Lessons from a Billion-Dollar Builder | Gear Up For Growth

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Great firms are built, not bought.

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Gear Up for Growth
With Jean Caragher
For CPA Trendlines

In this episode of Gear Up for Growth, host Jean Caragher sits down with Jeffrey Weiner, former CEO and Chairman of Marcum LLP and current Senior Advisor at CBIZ. Weiner shares candid insights from his 40-year leadership journey, explaining how a Long Island accounting firm with seven employees and $300,000 in revenue became a $1.3 billion national powerhouse—before merging with CBIZ.

Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and efficient growth in today’s competitive landscape. More Gear Up for Growth here.

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“Back in 1981, I didn’t even know what $1.3 billion was,” Weiner quips. “But I always knew I wanted to build something.”

Over the decades, Weiner redefined what it meant to lead in public accounting, emphasizing trust, talent, and strategic growth. Rather than micromanaging, he viewed his role as “architect,” guiding the firm’s culture, empowering top-tier professionals, and letting his team do what they did best. “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room,” he said.

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Helwig: Strategic Internal Comms Power Growth & Retention | Gear Up For Growth

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Keep employees engaged and connected with transparency and beauty.

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Gear Up for Growth
With Jean Caragher
For CPA Trendlines

“In many organizations, there’s a great gulf in between employees doing the work, with no idea of the conversations happening with clients or recruits,” says Debra Helwig, Internal Communications and Events Director at Pinion, during her appearance on Gear Up for Growth, hosted by Jean Caragher of Capstone Marketing.

“Internal communication can help bridge that gap and make sure the story makes sense to everyone, and that it’s consistent.” 

More Gear Up for Growth here. | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here

Helwig shares two critical takeaways for CPA firm leaders.  

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Garrett: Embrace Your ‘And;’ Transform Firms | Gear Up For Growth

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Your job title doesn’t define you. Your ‘and’ does. 

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Gear Up for Growth
With Jean Caragher
For CPA Trendlines

“If we make sure that people are doing their ‘ands,’ they’re going to accidentally do their best work,” says John Garrett, author of “What’s Your ‘And’?” and stand-up comedian. During his appearance on Gear Up for Growth, hosted by Jean Caragher of Capstone Marketing, the self-described “recovering CPA” says, “They’re going to accidentally stay. You’re going to attract more talent. You’re going to attract more clients. Everything good is going to happen from that.”.  

More Gear Up for Growth here. | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here

Garrett says your job title doesn’t define you, your “and” does. An “and” is a passion, hobby, or interest outside of work that makes people unique and memorable. “You’re not a CPA; you’re a human being that does accounting work. You’re bigger and better than a tiny, little job title,” he explains. 

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Tyree: Cracking the Code for Successful M&As | Gear Up For Growth

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Trust, values, and local connections are fueling the national rise of one of accounting’s newest Top 50 firms.

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Gear Up for Growth
With Jean Caragher
For CPA Trendlines

4ImpactData: 10X Your Advisory. Not Your Headcount

“If we say we’re going to do something, we’re going to do it. And that’s how you build trust,” says Josh Tyree, president of Sorren, during an episode of Gear Up for Growth. Host Jean Caragher, president of Capstone Marketing, sat down with Tyree to discuss how the newly-formed Top 50 firm – created by the combination of 13 BDO Alliance firms – is navigating large-scale integration while laying the foundation for national growth. 

More Gear Up for Growth here. | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here

The conversation reveals two critical lessons for CPA firms considering mergers or expansion.

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Schwedelson: Stop Playing It Safe | Gear Up For Growth

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Four key strategies show how firms can lead with value.

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Gear Up for Growth
With Jean Caragher
For CPA Trendlines

4ImpactData: 10X Your Advisory. Not Your Headcount

“Firms can’t afford to hide behind best practices or boring templates anymore,” says Jay Schwedelson, president and CEO of Outcome Media and host of the top-rated marketing podcast “Do This, NOT That,” during his appearance on Gear Up for Growth with Jean Caragher.

More Gear Up for Growth here. | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here

“It’s time to be bold, be human, and make sure you’re showing up where your prospects are actually searching, especially in AI,” he adds.

Schwedelson delivers four urgent takeaways for CPA firm leaders. READ MORE →

Kassi Rushing: Leadership Gaps, Not Motivation Gaps, Hold Firms Back | Gear Up For Growth

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Developing “power skills” like trust and coaching are critical.

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Gear Up for Growth
With Jean Caragher
For CPA Trendlines

Employee experience is no longer optional; it’s a strategic imperative, says Kassi Rushing, CEO and owner of Kassi Rushing Consulting. Appearing on Gear Up for Growth—hosted by Jean Caragher, president of Capstone Marketing, and powered by CPA Trendlines—Rushing shares practical insights for firms aiming to attract and retain top talent.

More Gear Up for Growth here. | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here

The episode highlights two critical shifts firms must embrace:

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Waga: Storytelling Drives Recruiting | Gear Up for Growth

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Connect to top talent with real experiences.

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Gear Up for Growth
With Jean Caragher
For CPA Trendlines

In the latest episode of Gear Up for Growth, powered by CPA Trendlines, Jean Caragher, president of Capstone Marketing, speaks with Karen Waga, chief marketing officer of WilkinGuttenplan CPAs & Advisors, about the firm’s award-winning recruiting campaign, which resonated deeply with job seekers, employees, and peers across the profession.

More Gear Up for Growth here. | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here

Waga says the campaign was built entirely on real employee experiences and candid storytelling, leveraging the firm’s flexible, people-first culture. The campaign offered a compelling and authentic view of life at WilkinGuttenplan from summer Fridays to paternity leave and personal caregiving.

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From Zero to Auditor in 3 Days | Gear Up For Growth

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The immersive experience transforms recruiting from a guessing game into a hands-on, culture-rich audition.

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Gear Up for Growth
With Jean Caragher
For CPA Trendlines

In the latest episode of Gear Up for Growth, powered by CPA Trendlines, Jean Caragher, president of Capstone Marketing, spoke with co-creators of JLK Rosenberger LLP’s innovative student recruitment program, Audit 500, which combines real-world experience with relationship-building to deliver extraordinary results – and some unexpected emotional impact. 

More Gear Up for Growth here. | More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More Gear Up for Growth | | More CPA Trendlines videos and podcasts here

Originally created to address a gap between academic theory and audit practice, the Audit 500 is a fast-paced, three-day simulation that gives accounting students a hands-on experience of what it’s like to be an auditor. From testing cash and fixed assets to engaging with a mock CFO, participants work side-by-side with the firm’s staff, simulating the dynamics of a true engagement team. 

“We get to evaluate students in a much more meaningful way than a traditional interview ever could,” said Ani Zadorian, partner at JLK Rosenberger and co-creator of the program. “At the same time, they get to see our culture and decide if they see themselves growing here.”

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Anshul Agrawal: Gain a Competitive Edge Through Direct Ownership Offshoring | Gear Up For Growth

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Get more control, greater flexibility, and a path to smarter growth.

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Gear Up for Growth
With Jean Caragher
For CPA Trendlines

In this episode of Gear Up for Growth, powered by CPA Trendlines, Anshul Agrawal, founder of June15 Consulting, shares how direct ownership offshoring is helping CPA firms unlock long-term value and sharpen their competitive edge. 

Gear Up for Growth spotlights the best strategies for smart and effficient growth in today’s competitive landscape. Gear Up for Growth every Friday here.

More Jean Caragher here | Get her best-selling handbook, The 90-Day Marketing Plan for CPA Firms, here | More Gear Up for Growth

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“Direct ownership offshoring is no longer just for the Top 100 firms,” Agrawal explains. “Whether you’re a solo practitioner or a mid-sized firm, the model gives you full control of your offshore team without the middlemen – and that changes everything.” 

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