Today's Features
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS

Thirteen Reasons Why Accounting Firms Merge

Executive woman and man in business meeting

Check your motivation, then create your strategy.

By Marc Rosenberg
CPA Firm Mergers: Your Complete Guide

Why do firms merge?

Whether you’re looking to acquire a smaller firm, merge upward into a larger one or join forces with an equal, answering this basic question honestly and objectively is key to laying the groundwork for a successful merger.

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In the chart below, the main reasons that firms seek mergers are listed. Some of these objectives will benefit all parties across the board, while others provide the greatest advantage to one or the other of the merger partners based on their unique situation.
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PODCAST

Werner: Retain Talent AND Reduce Taxes | Quick Tax Tip

The PFML federal tax credit is no longer temporary. Here’s how to claim it, avoid pitfalls, and support your workforce.

Sponsored by “It’s Not Just the Numbers: How to Move Beyond the Numbers and Deliver Real Value for Your Clients”
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Quick Tax Tip
With Art Werner
CPE Today

If you’ve been taking advantage of the federal Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) credit, here’s some good news: It’s no longer set to expire. Thanks to recent legislation, the enhancement of this credit is now permanent—a significant win for employers who want to support their staff without taking a major financial hit.

Click here for more Art Werner

Catch more Art Werner, Wednesday, Sept. 3, for Tax Rumors, Episode 3, with CPA Steve Yoss, and hosted by CPA Trendlines’ Rick Telberg.

In the latest Quick Tax Tip episode, tax expert Art Werner breaks down exactly what this means for your business, how you can qualify, and the rules you must follow to keep this benefit in play.

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CLIENT SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Baker: Find True Purpose to End Burnout | The Disruptors

CPAs can help guide four types of client transformation – and break through their own listlessness.

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Sponsored by the Center for Accounting Transformation’s Small Office/Home Office Cybersecurity Protection Package–
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The Disruptors
With Liz Farr

Ron Baker has been pushing accountants to change how they think and how they operate their businesses for decades, starting more than 20 years ago by ditching the timesheet, and followed recently by adopting a subscription approach to services. Now that more than half of CAS firms have abandoned hourly billing, according to the latest CPA.com CAS benchmark survey, it’s time for accountants to move from providing services to guiding transformations.    

CPA TRENDLINES CELEBRATES:The 100th Episode of The Disruptors

MORE STREAMING: Brolin: The W.I.N. Leadership Formula | Gertrudes: How EOS & “Unreasonable Hospitality” Reshaped GrowthLab | Vilms: The Power of People in a Tech-Driven World | Dickerson: From Diagnosis to Disruption | Kapilovich: Treat People Like People | Martha Yasso: From Wall Street to Main Street | Jackie Meyer: Tax Plans in 90 Seconds? Believe It  | Erica Goode: Build a $200K Firm in 15hrs/Week | Randy Crabtree: Live at the Intersection of Passion & Skill |McClelland and Telka: Women Ready to Rewrite the Rules of Accounting | Jacob Schroeder: AI Won’t Replace Accountants—But It Will Reveal Who’s Replaceable | Ditching Corporate America: The Bold Story Behind PBS Accounting’s Rapid Rise | Jean Zick: Happy Team = Happy Clients | Breslin & Greathead: Be a Client Advocate | Dominic Piscopo: Clear Pay=Bargaining Power | Debbie Kilsheimer: Stop Thinking Small |

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Baker’s latest endeavor with co-founder Ed Kless, Threshold, aims to support accountants and other professionals in moving into the transformation economy. Threshold is a membership community where professionals can receive guidance, attend meetings and webinars, and learn from each other.  

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PODCAST

Yoss: Let QBO Handle Repetition | Quick Tech Talk

Automate common workflows, ensure accuracy, and free your time for higher-value work.

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Quick Tech Talk
With Steve Yoss
CPE Today

For years, QuickBooks Online (QBO) has been a go-to accounting platform for small and midsized businesses. Now, its Advanced Edition takes efficiency to a whole new level by introducing robust workflow automation features designed to eliminate repetitive tasks and keep financial professionals focused on what matters most.

MORE Steve Yoss here | MORE TECH

Imagine never having to manually send invoice reminders, route approvals, or post recurring journal entries again. With QBO Advanced, automation handles it for you. The platform now offers:

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GROWTH STRATEGIES

Fogelman, Maksymiw: Raise Rates, Harness AI | Holistic Guide to Wealth Management

Firms that prioritize outcomes over hours are better positioned to innovate, retain clients, and empower teams.

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By Rory Henry CFP®, BFA™
For CPA Trendlines

On the latest episode of The Holistic Guide to Wealth Management, Loren Fogelman, founder of Business Success Solutions, and Mike Maksymiw, CPA, Executive Director of Aprio Firm Alliance, share strategies for firm growth, profitability, and sustainability. Their discussion covers value-based pricing, client relationships, team culture, leadership authenticity, and the role of technology in shaping the accounting profession’s future.

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Fogelman argues that firms often avoid raising rates out of fear of alienating long-time clients, but that reluctance undervalues their services. She stresses that a structured approach to rate increases allows firms to retain most clients while improving profitability.

The first step, she explains, is identifying which clients are profitable and which ones drain resources. By focusing on “what’s behind the money,” firms can better understand client goals and position themselves as consultants rather than technicians.

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