Everything CPA and Private Equity with Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl

Is your firm’s biggest growth challenge finding the right people?
For many CPA firms, talent—not clients—is the biggest barrier to growth. Looking beyond your local market can expand your talent pool, increase capacity, and help your firm scale.
In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, hosts Philip Whitman, CPA and David Wolfskehl are joined by David Pence, Melissa Pinedo, and Ely Lim to discuss how CPA firms are building successful global teams across Latin America and the Philippines.
In this episode, you will be able to:
Learn how global hiring can solve staffing shortages and support firm growth.
Compare the advantages of hiring talent in Latin America and the Philippines.
Discover how to integrate offshore professionals into one unified firm culture.
Explore how global talent can reduce costs while expanding capacity.
Understand key considerations around compliance, security, and workforce management.
 
Listen now on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to Everything CPA & Private Equity for more conversations shaping the future of the accounting profession!
 
#CPAFirms #GlobalTalent #Offshoring #AccountingLeadership #FirmGrowth

Is your firm preparing for the future—or falling behind?
 
In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, David Wolfskehl sit down with Calvin Harris, CPA, CEO of the New York State Society of CPAs, to discuss the biggest trends impacting the profession and the leadership mindset firms need to succeed in the years ahead.
 
In this episode, you will be able to:
 
* Understand the major forces transforming the CPA profession and what they mean for your firm.
* Learn why adopting a future-focused mindset is one of the most important leadership skills today.
* Discover how AI, offshoring, and private equity can become opportunities instead of obstacles.
* See why investing in your people, technology, and professional network is essential for long-term growth.
* Gain practical insights to help your firm adapt, innovate, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing market.
 
The firms that thrive tomorrow are the ones making intentional decisions today. Listen now on your favorite podcast platform and subscribe to Everything CPA & Private Equity for more conversations with the leaders shaping the future of the accounting profession!
 
#CPAFirms #AccountingLeadership #ArtificialIntelligence #PrivateEquity #FutureOfAccounting

Are your people thriving, or are they quietly burning out?
In this episode of Everything CPA and Private Equity, Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl sit down with Amy Vetter, CPA, CEO of The B3 Method Institute, to discuss one of the most important—and often overlooked—drivers of firm success: people.
 
In this episode, you will be able to:
• Understand how fulfillment and employee engagement impact firm profitability• Learn how to measure the ROI of culture, leadership, and wellness initiatives• Discover why top performers are often the most at risk for burnout• Explore strategies for improving retention, innovation, and team alignment• See how firms can create sustainable growth while reducing workload and turnover
 
The firms that win in the future won’t just invest in technology. They’ll invest in their people.
 
Listen now to the full episode!
 
#EverythingCPAandPE #AmyVetter #CPAFirmGrowth #AccountingLeadership #FirmCulture

How do you scale a firm without losing its culture?
 
In this episode of Everything CPA and Private Equity, Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl sit down with Erin McAuley, Chief People Officer, Springline Advisory, to discuss why people strategy has become a competitive advantage in today’s accounting profession. From culture due diligence to leadership development and employee ownership, Erin shares how firms can grow while preserving the relationships and values that made them successful in the first place.
 
In this episode, you will be able to:
• Understand why your people strategy should be your business strategy• Learn how the “Big Small Firm” model creates opportunities for both clients and employees• Discover how culture assessments help identify the right growth and partnership fit• Explore innovative approaches to leadership development, retention, and career mobility• See how employee ownership programs can create stronger engagement and long-term commitment
 
Listen now to learn how leading firms are scaling with purpose, preserving culture, and building the next generation of firm leaders!
 
#EverythingCPAandPE #CPAFirmGrowth #PeopleStrategy #AccountingLeadership #TalentDevelopment #FirmCulture 

Are you evaluating your firm’s future but unsure which growth and ownership model is right for you?
 
In this episode of Everything CPA and Private Equity, Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl sit down with Josh Funk of Crete Professionals Alliance to discuss a different approach to CPA firm growth, ownership, and partnership.
 
In this episode, you will be able to:
• Understand the difference between partner equity and traditional private equity models.• Learn how CPA firms can maintain entrepreneurial independence while accessing additional resources.• Discover how local ownership and culture can be preserved during growth.• Explore how technology partnerships are helping firms prepare for the future.• Gain insights into the opportunities and challenges shaping the next generation of CPA firms.
 
Listen now to hear Josh’s perspective on the evolving CPA landscape and what it means for firm leaders planning for growth, succession, and long-term value!
 
#EverythingCPAandPE #CPAFirms #PrivateEquity #PartnerEquity #AccountingIndustry

Thinking about building a more valuable CPA firm—but not sure where to start?
 
In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, Phil Whitman and David Wolfskehl sit down with Mark Martukovich of Business Advisory & Accounting Partners to discuss how shifting from transactional accounting work to structured advisory services transformed his firm’s value, predictability, and growth potential.
 
In this episode, you will be able to:
• Learn how advisory services can increase firm value and predictability
• Understand why recurring revenue changes the way firms are valued
• Discover how to systematize advisory work instead of delivering it ad hoc
• Identify simple ways to start introducing advisory services to clients
• See how long-term planning can create more leverage in M&A conversations
 
Listen to this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity to learn how intentional growth and advisory-driven strategy can reshape the future of your CPA firm!
 
#EverythingCPAandPE #CPAFirmLeadership #AdvisoryServices #CPAFirmGrowth #PrivateEquityInAccounting

Thinking about a deal—but not sure what the process actually looks like?
 
In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, host, David Wolfskehl and guest, Dave Kells walk through a real transaction—from the very first conversation to signing an LOI—sharing what firms actually experience, learn, and decide along the way.
 
This isn’t theory. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how a firm navigates education, evaluates options, and ultimately reaches clarity in one of the biggest decisions they’ll make.
 
In this episode, you will be able to:
 
• Understand how a CPA firm moves from initial curiosity to signing an LOI
• Learn what the early conversations look like and why education is critical
• Discover how firms evaluate different buyer models and compare offers
• See why having multiple LOIs changes both clarity and negotiating power
• Identify what happens during busy season when a firm is actively pursuing a deal
 
Listen to this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity to get a real-world view of what it takes to navigate a CPA firm transaction—from first call to LOI!
 
#EverythingCPAandPE #CPAFirmLeadership #MergersAndAcquisitions #PrivateEquityInAccounting #FirmGrowth

Not every CPA firm receives the same offer—and the difference often comes down to one thing: how the firm is run.
 
In this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity, Phil Whitman, David Wolfskehl, and Dave Kells break down why some firms receive exciting offers while others feel underwhelmed—and what firm leaders can do to change that. As private equity continues to reshape the accounting profession, the focus has shifted from top-line revenue to EBITDA, efficiency, and operational fundamentals. The firms that understand this shift are positioning themselves for significantly stronger outcomes.
 
In this episode, you will be able to:
• Understand why private equity now evaluates CPA firms based on EBITDA rather than just gross revenue
• Learn how operational fundamentals like pricing, time capture, and client selection impact firm valuation
• Discover how offshoring, technology, and better processes can improve profitability
• See why some firms receive strong offers while others struggle to reach the LOI stage
• Identify practical steps your firm can take today to increase value before pursuing a transaction
 
Listen to this episode of Everything CPA & Private Equity to learn how to move from being a good CPA firm to becoming a truly valuable one.
 
#EverythingCPAandPE #CPAFirmLeadership #PrivateEquityInAccounting #FirmValuation #FutureOfAccounting