Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Modern CPA Success Show
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Titre
Date
Durée
How to Behave Like a Business Owner with Chris Papin
09 Dec 2025
00:52:06
Being the boss doesn’t automatically make you a business owner. Running a business requires you to think differently, act strategically, and lead with clarity.
Chris Papin, CPA, Attorney & Business Advisor at Papin Speaks, talks about what it really means to behave like a business owner. From facing hard truths about failed marketing to balancing emotional attachment with accountability, Chris shares how small business owners can shift their mindset and take ownership at a higher level. He breaks down how to build processes, set priorities, make tough calls, and communicate with more intention. This is a must-listen for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the day-to-day and ready to get back in control. Tune in to the full episode here: ▶️ "Chris Papin and how to "Behave Like a Business Owner"
Chris Papin: "Many owners default to what feels easy or fun, but behaving like a business owner means facing hard truths and making disciplined decisions."
Tom Wadelton: "The phrase 'financially speaking' helps ground tough conversations in facts. When clients resist hard decisions, math makes the reasoning clear and harder to dispute."
Adam Hale: "Managing difficult conversations is something people only learn after doing it poorly. Avoiding direct conversations always comes back later."
Chris Papin is a licensed Attorney and Certified Public Accountant based in Oklahoma, specializing in advising closely held businesses and their owners. With a dual focus on legal structure and financial health, he guides entrepreneurs through startup formation, business development, and strategic tax planning. Chris brings a unique perspective to client advisory by helping business owners think and act like true operators, not just service providers. As a trusted advisor, Chris empowers business owners to behave like CEOs and lead with clarity.
The Modern CPA Success Show is the go-to podcast for accounting firm owners eager to enhance profitability and master Virtual CFO services. This podcast leverages combined expertise in delivering top-tier Virtual CFO services across North America.
Tom Wadelton is a Virtual CFO at Anders, bringing over 20 years of financial expertise from his tenure at a Fortune 500 company. He has exten
Recruiting for CPA Firms with Will Spengler
13 Oct 2025
00:43:57
Bringing in the right people can transform your CPA firm. Hiring is a strategic move that drives your growth. If you're looking to make smarter hiring decisions, this episode is for you.
Will Spengler, founder of Frederick Fox, shares how his team finds strong controller and finance candidates in markets like Dallas, and what firms should do to stay competitive. You’ll get insights into how recruiting agencies work, what mistakes firms make when hiring, why public accounting backgrounds are still in high demand, and how remote work and compensation expectations are shifting the talent game. Tune in NOW! ▶️ Recruiting for CPA Firms with Will Spengler
Will Spengler: "Small CPA firms must weigh the opportunity cost of time when positions remain unfilled. The potential growth, efficiency, and profitability lost often outweigh recruiter fees."
Tom Wadelton: "Remote work is now a differentiator. Firms that remain flexible and open to remote arrangements have access to a wider pool of talent."
Adam Hale: "In recruiting for CPA firms, candidates with public accounting experience, particularly in audit, are often preferred since that background provides exposure to diverse industries and scenarios."
Will Spengler is a passionate leader in agency recruiting and the driving force behind Frederick Fox, a top-tier executive search community. As an innovator and entrepreneur, Will specializes in contractor solutions, direct hires, and retained executive search—delivering unmatched recruiting results for CPA firms and beyond. With a team of 45+ seasoned recruiters and over 610 active clients, he brings scale, speed, and strategy to every search.
The Modern CPA Success Show is the go-to podcast for accounting firm owners eager to enhance profitability and master Virtual CFO services. This podcast leverages combined expertise in delivering top-tier Virtual CFO services across North America.
Tom Wadelton is a Virtual CFO at Anders, bringing over 20 years of financial expertise from his tenure at a Fortune 500 company. He has extensive experience spa
Defining Service Packages: A Comprehensive Guide for Modern Accounting Firms
11 Nov 2024
00:17:32
"If you want to understand your pricing, I need to know what your service packages are. If you want to understand how you're going to onboard a client, I need to know what your service package is." - Adam Hale
The finer details of this episode: ● Importance of service packages for accounting firms, focusing on clarity in offerings, pricing, and alignment with target client segments to enhance relevance and value.
● Structuring service packages using a "small, medium, large" model to cater to different client needs, manage resources, and improve client onboarding and communication.
●Overcoming challenges in creating service packages, including transitioning existing clients, ensuring pricing transparency, and utilizing technology like AI tools for development.
Timestamps Welcome to the Modern CPA Success Show (00:00:00) Introduction to the podcast's mission and focus on innovative accounting insights.
Discussion on Service Packages (00:00:22) Tom and Adam explain the importance of service packages for CAS and CFO services.
Clarity in Deliverables (00:00:50) Emphasis on the need for clarity in service delivery through defined service packages.
Marketing and Client Attraction (00:01:51) Aligning service packages with target client demographics for effective marketing.
Access and Time Considerations (00:02:46) Discussion on the importance of access frequency in determining service package pricing.
Team Understanding of Packages (00:04:48) How defined packages help team members understand client onboarding and service delivery.
Pricing and Scope Management (00:05:04) The role of service packages in managing client expectations and pricing structures.
Refining Onboarding Processes (00:06:40) Importance of revisiting service packages during onboarding to clarify responsibilities.
Promoting the Virtual CFO Playbook (00:07:02) Advertisement for the Virtual CFO Playbook and its benefits for accounting firms.
Psychology of Package Creation (00:07:44) Discussion on why many firms hesitate to create service packages and how to overcome this.
Overcoming Writer's Block (00:08:39) Tom and Adam share insights on getting started with service package development.
Client-Centric Package Development (00:10:05) Strategies for brainstorming and organizing service packages based on client needs.
Learning from Other Firms (00:11:05) Encouragement to review other firms' packages for inspiration without copying directly.
Transitioning to New Packages (00:12:11) Advice on implementing new service packages without alienating existing clients.
Testing New Packages (00:12:41) The importance of prospectively evaluating service packages and client relationships.
Initial Pricing Transparency (00:13:52) Benefits of presenting clear pricing options during the initial client call.
Utilizing AI in Package Development (00:16:13) Exploration of using AI tools to brainstorm and refine service packages.
Continuous Package Improvement (00:16:47) Encouragement to regularly update service packages to meet evolving client needs.
Closing Remarks (00:17:04) Final thoughts on the importance of service packages and an invitation for further discussion.
Developing Systems to Scale Your Business with David Jenyns (Part 2)
02 Jun 2021
00:31:34
“That's what systems do. They enable you to solve problems once, and then the business over can move over to the next problem which should be a higher level” - David Jenyns
The finer details of this episode
The need for a Business Systems Champion in your organization
How systems shape business cultures
The impact and change systems bring to a business
Getting your teams onboard with changes in business systems
Developing Systems to Scale Your Business with David Jenyns (Part 1)
17 May 2021
00:24:50
“All the business owners that I chat with, every single one of them, I don't think we'd ever had a discussion where we haven't come to the conclusion that business systems are important.” - David Jenyns
The finer details of this episode
Why business systems are important
How SYSTEMology is different from process improvement practices
What business owners should do to get started
Key practices to adopt for better business systems
How Octavia Conner Made Her Clients Say Yes to Profits
03 May 2021
00:25:21
"In order to generate profit the correct way you need to have cash flow in your business...So one of the ways that we help our business owners is that we tell them 'The ultimate goal is for you to say yes to profits.'” - Octavia Conner
The finer details of this episode
Say Yes To Profit and Octavia's amazing backstory
How she defined what needed to be done to scale her business
What challenges she faced and how she overcame it
Tried and tested tips to build your own VCFO services
How to Build a Flexible, Engaged, and Successful Workplace with Frank Cottle
19 Apr 2021
00:33:57
"The one word that every major employer, or every major business, or governmental entity is using right now is agility. They started using that in 2017, 2018, 2019, they started using the word but they weren't taking action and that's the big difference” - Frank Cottle
The finer details of this episode
Deep dive into the difference of the workforce through the years
The Playbook That Inspired the Growth of Oberlander & Co.
07 Apr 2021
00:29:52
"I feel like we're colleagues, so you know it's like a real firm and we work together and they help us a lot besides actually taking the course that has helped us a lot in setting the framework."- Jacob Oberlander
The finer details of this episode
How the VCFO Playbook Course influenced Oberlander & Co.
Highlighting the practices that Oberlander & Co. adopted
Importance of implementing a solid Onboarding process and Pipeline Meetings
Spooktacular Showdown: A Halloween Movie Draft Special
31 Oct 2024
00:47:12
In this special episode of The Modern CPA Success Show, four speakers with Halloween-themed personas—Jamie Nightmare, Hannah Hexed Hood, Adam Haunted Hale, and Joey Killing Kenny—engage in a lively draft-style discussion about their favorite Halloween movies. Jamie, the enthusiastic host, sets the stage and outlines the draft rules. Hannah humorously admits her limited horror movie experience, while Adam and Joey share their deep knowledge and personal anecdotes. The conversation is filled with playful banter and passionate debates as they each select and defend their top horror film picks, creating an engaging and entertaining Halloween-themed episode.
The Future of Virtual CFO Services with Rick Telberg of CPA Trendlines
04 Jan 2021
00:27:06
Quote
“If we write about what people are talking about, then people are going to talk about what we write about.” - Rick Telberg
The finer details of this episode
How Rick curated his content for CPA Trendlines
Trends in the Virtual CFO space
What could potentially hold CPA firms back from going virtual
Why you should seriously consider offering VCFO work considering the current landscape
What type of firm is best for offering VCFO services
Benefits of hiring a project manager to do our client onboarding at Summit CPA
“A lot of meetings are ruled by too many subjective opinions and egos, so it’s important to bring in actual objective measures of progress.” - Tom Barrett
The finer details of this episode
Where Summit CPA has been and where we are going with our meetings
What makes a good meeting
Why people hate meetings so much
How to prevent team members from being distracted during meetings
Healthy conflict and how that can be a good thing in meetings
Creating a meeting agenda and why that is absolutely necessary
The power in naming your meetings
The IDS structure and how you can use it to talk through issues
The role of meeting moderators and why you need one
Getting the Right People into the Right Seats with Tom Barrett
02 Nov 2020
00:30:52
Quote
“The key to keeping employees happy is to get the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats.” - Tom Barrett
The finer details of this episode
How to keep your employees happy
Using accountability charts to get everyone into “the right seat”
Processes for transitioning and onboarding employees into their roles
Making sure that everyone gets into seats that fit their strengths
Seeing people’s potential for leadership or supervising
Tips for the interview process to assess potential new team members
The importance of solidifying your company values when it comes to getting teammates into the right seat
Family Office Integration with VCFO Services with Michael Frost from Heritage
14 Sep 2020
00:32:31
Quote
“You have four professionals under one roof, so if you can’t genuinely respect and understand everyone’s industry, you are going to have a hard time implementing family services into your office” - Michael Frost
The finer details of this episode
Why bringing in a family office may be a good compliment to what you are doing as a VCFO
Where to start with moving towards a family office
The relationship the CPA firm has with the other professionals
How building a family office creates a better client experience
How professionals are able to serve each other within a family office
Best practices for onboarding a client onto a family practice
Questions to ask to determine if someone is going to be a successful partner
How Client Accounting Services Are Redefining the Role of Accountants in Business Growth
28 Oct 2024
00:21:13
"They swapped out ‘accounting’ for ‘advisory’ in CAS, but I still believe it’s 'client accounting and advisory services.' At scale, especially with small businesses, it’s hard to separate the two. You need a foundational understanding of their accounting model to help architect it in a way that truly tells their story." – Adam Hale
The finer details of this episode:
The shift from compliance work to advisory roles in accounting.
Differences between traditional accounting firm structures and mature CAS practices.
Importance of leveraging resources and delegating tasks within accounting firms.
Financial metrics and profitability considerations in CAS practices.
The concept of selling access rather than time in service pricing.
The role of regular meetings in managing client expectations and scope creep.
Adoption of a corporate-like structure for improved efficiency and adaptability.
The impact of a subscription model on client relationships and service delivery.
Strategies for accounting firms to remain competitive in a changing industry.
Timestamps: Welcome and Introduction (00:00:00) The host introduces the podcast and its mission to provide insights for accounting firms.
Overview of CAS (00:00:22) Tom and Adam discuss Client Accounting Services (CAS) and advisory services, highlighting their significance.
Defining CAS (00:00:46) Adam explains the evolution of CAS from "Client Accounting Services" to "Client Accounting and Advisory Services."
Importance of Accounting in CAS (00:01:02) Adam emphasizes understanding accounting models for effective advisory services, especially for small businesses.
Traditional vs. CAS Structures (00:01:52) Discussion on differences between traditional accounting firms and mature CAS practices, focusing on corporate structure.
Leveraging Resources in CAS (00:02:06) Adam talks about the importance of leveraging resources and delegating tasks for scaling CAS practices.
Transitioning from Traditional Models (00:03:29) Tom shares challenges faced by accounting firms transitioning from traditional models to more scalable structures.
Financial Metrics in CAS (00:04:35) Adam discusses financial metrics, contrasting traditional firm profitability with CAS models and their structures.
Understanding Profit Margins (00:06:19) Tom and Adam analyze profit margins in CAS compared to traditional firms, aiming for higher profitability.
Building Client Relationships (00:09:24) Tom highlights the importance of long-term relationships with clients for smoother operations and better service.
Delegation and Offshoring (00:10:06) Discussion on the necessity of delegating work and utilizing offshore teams to enhance efficiency.
Measuring Performance in CAS (00:11:59) Adam explains the shift from traditional hourly metrics to responsibility-based performance measures in CAS.
Book of Business Targets (00:12:57) Tom and Adam discuss the importance of setting clear book of business targets for team members.
Compensation Structure in CAS (00:13:39) Adam outlines how compensation structures differ in CAS, focusing on book of business rather than hours worked.
Efficiency Over Hours (00:16:32) Tom advocates for valuing efficiency and client satisfaction over the n
Delegation Tips with Emily Morgan from Delegate Solutions
17 Aug 2020
00:27:51
Quote
“We need to be committed to the boring stuff in our business because it is the backbone of how everything runs.” - Emily Morgan
The finer details of this episode
Tips for small businesses on delegating their admin tasks
Advantages of having a virtual assistant
How to start delegating some of your admin work in your business
How to get comfortable letting go of tasks in your business
What the day-to-day looks like working with a virtual assistant
“We are trying to learn about a candidate, know how they are going to fit into the culture, and know how they are going to do the job in a very small amount of time.” - Zach
The finer details of this episode
How Summit CPA has struggled in the past with hiring
The hiring assessments that Zach introduced to Summit CPA
Why Emotional Intelligence is such an important factor in a potential employee
How the EQ assessment works and how to read the results
The Kolbe assessment and how to use it in your hiring process
Unlocking Profitability: Embrace Advisory Services and Client-Centric Solutions with Simon Severino
14 Oct 2024
00:44:16
“If you're only working in the business, you're doing it wrong. Cut your activities in half. You have to free up time to think about the business, to work on the business.” – Simon Severino
The finer details of this episode: • Transition from traditional tax-based practices to advisory-oriented services in accounting. • Challenges faced by accounting firms in defining and marketing their services. • Importance of understanding client needs and delivering tailored solutions. • Decoupling time from value in professional services to enhance profitability. • Strategies for effectively packaging and pricing advisory services. • The role of marketing in differentiating accounting firms in a competitive landscape. • Implementing structured approaches like "Strategy Sprints" for business growth. • Identifying operational constraints and improving processes for better service delivery. • Building long-term client relationships to foster loyalty and satisfaction. • Emphasizing the need for continuous improvement and agile responses to market demands.
“For us, it’s about a long-term relationship. It’s about being a part of our client’s business for years to come, not just about cranking out one tax return.” - Adam Hale
The finer details of this episode
How we sell our services through education.
Why you should give away as much information as possible to your client base.
How to position yourself as the subject matter expert.
Why finding a niche is valuable.
What to consider when choosing your ideal client.
What the Summit CPA sales process looks like.
How Summit CPA’s sales process is unique and why it works so well.
Mastering Excel: Essential Skills and Strategies to Boost Efficiency with Jeff Lenning
30 Sep 2024
00:41:46
“I love Excel. It's helped me save so much time over the years, and when I began thinking about Excel more like an employee that I can delegate stuff to, it helped me save an incredible amount of time.” – Jeff Lenning
The finer details of this episode: • Strategies for leveraging Excel to improve efficiency • Continuous learning and development in Excel • Common pitfalls and challenges in Excel usage • Mindset shift from "if" to "how" in using Excel • Role of AI in enhancing Excel skills • Structure and offerings of Excel University • Key Excel functions and features for accountants • Real-world applications and case studies using Excel • Importance of presentation skills in Excel reporting
Timestamps: Introduction to the Episode (00:00:00) Overview of the podcast's mission to provide insights on innovative tools and strategies in accounting.
Guest Introduction (00:00:22) Tom introduces Jeff, a Microsoft MVP and founder of Excel University, highlighting his career background.
Why Excel University? (00:01:18) Jeff explains his passion for Excel and how it transformed his workflow efficiency.
Continuous Improvement in Excel (00:02:27) Discussion on the iterative process of optimizing Excel workbooks for efficiency and accuracy.
The "Last Year" Trap (00:04:06) Jeff addresses how accountants often stick to familiar methods without seeking improvements.
Mindset Shift in Excel Usage (00:05:53) Jeff shares his approach of asking "how" instead of "if" when automating tasks in Excel.
Learning with AI Tools (00:07:00) Jeff discusses the benefits of using AI to enhance Excel skills and troubleshoot formulas.
Excel University Experience (00:09:02) Overview of the structured learning approach at Excel University, focusing on sequential knowledge building.
Continuing Education Credits (00:11:44) Information on CPE credits offered through Excel University’s programs.
Focus on Presentation Skills (00:12:11) Discussion on improving both functionality and presentation of Excel reports for better client communication.
Charting in Excel (00:14:16) Tom and Jeff discuss the challenges of formatting charts in Excel for effective presentations.
Key Excel Functions for Accountants (00:15:25) Jeff highlights essential Excel functions that every accountant should master.
Power Query's Benefits (00:16:59) Jeff explains how Power Query automates data processing, saving time and improving efficiency.
Real-Time Data Refresh (00:18:07) Benefits of using Excel for live updates during client meetings, enhancing responsiveness.
The Impact of Spreadsheets (00:19:01) Discussion on the historical significance of spreadsheets in making personal computers indispensable.
Microsoft's Ongoing Investment in Excel (00:19:51) Discussion on Microsoft's continuous updates and new features in Excel.
Learning Excel Functions (00:20:17) Importance of learning new Excel functions beyond the basics through courses and online resources.
YouTube Channel Promotion (00:20:38) Jeff shares his YouTube channel for quick Excel tips and updates.
Se
Becoming the firm of the future
28 Nov 2019
00:27:32
“They don’t feel like they have to guess while they grow. There’s a concrete plan.” - Jake Grimm
The finer details of this episode
Why Adam thinks Summit is the firm of today.
What Summit CPA is doing with tech to be efficient.
“If we want to make an impact in the industry, if we want to change the way everyone is thinking, then we have to get our peers to do the same.” - Adam Hale
The finer details of this episode
Jody and Adam share how they got into the accounting industry
What Jody wanted to differently when starting Summit CPA
Moving from an hourly model to value-based pricing and achieving a negative AR
The type of services that Summit CPA provides to clients
How Summit CPA helps accountants go virtual
What role does core values play in the organization