Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm This audiobook is more than a guide to building a sustainable accounting firm; it's an invitation to rediscover why you became an accounting professional. It's a roadmap for stepping off the transactional treadmill and into the transformation economy, where relationships thrive, lives change, and legacies are built. Professions aren't transformed by sweeping mandates or top-down reform decreed by professional bodies. They are remade by bold individuals who dare to reimagine what's possible. As you listen to this book, I encourage you to embrace the challenge. Be the change you seek for your firm and your profession. Because the future of accounting isn't something to observe—it's something to build. Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm illuminates the path forward. You'll meet some of the pioneers who are blazing the trail of new business models that challenge the fossilized status quo, while leaving behind maps for the curious. Whatever the design, the bold leap into the unknown is yours to create. One day, posterity will thank you. © 2026 Earmark Media LLC 71bc502f-8df9-59f9-b3e0-b331078d66ba yes Blake Oliver, CPA en Mon, 26 Oct 2026 07:06:04 -0700 Mon, 26 Oct 2026 07:07:40 -0700 https://www.blakeoliver.com https://img.transistorcdn.com/_PBSiFnjrpleQV0vF-K3wisthz6Gx59oNFiZuCKe1WQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9kMTQ4/NjE2ZmIwNjc0YmRm/YWI4YjBkMWE2M2Vj/ODU0Ny5wbmc.jpg Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm https://www.blakeoliver.com serial Blake Oliver, CPA This audiobook is more than a guide to building a sustainable accounting firm; it's an invitation to rediscover why you became an accounting professional. It's a roadmap for stepping off the transactional treadmill and into the transformation economy, where relationships thrive, lives change, and legacies are built. Professions aren't transformed by sweeping mandates or top-down reform decreed by professional bodies. They are remade by bold individuals who dare to reimagine what's possible. As you listen to this book, I encourage you to embrace the challenge. Be the change you seek for your firm and your profession. Because the future of accounting isn't something to observe—it's something to build. Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm illuminates the path forward. You'll meet some of the pioneers who are blazing the trail of new business models that challenge the fossilized status quo, while leaving behind maps for the curious. Whatever the design, the bold leap into the unknown is yours to create. One day, posterity will thank you. This audiobook is more than a guide to building a sustainable accounting firm; it's an invitation to rediscover why you became an accounting professional. accounting, continuing professional education, CPE Earmark Media LLC No No Foreword Foreword bonus 2a7fa600-8d7c-475e-a7b0-195197ce1f2d https://share.transistor.fm/s/79eb4709 In this foreword, pricing expert Ronald J. Baker argues that the fee-for-service model has pulled accounting away from its purpose. Drawing on concierge medicine, he calls on firms to build lasting, transformational client relationships instead of selling transactions.
 
Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> In this foreword, pricing expert Ronald J. Baker argues that the fee-for-service model has pulled accounting away from its purpose. Drawing on concierge medicine, he calls on firms to build lasting, transformational client relationships instead of selling transactions.
 
Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:49:05 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 379 In this foreword, pricing expert Ronald J. Baker argues that the fee-for-service model has pulled accounting away from its purpose. Drawing on concierge medicine, he calls on firms to build lasting, transformational client relationships instead of selling transactions.
 
Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Introduction: Why I Wrote This Book 1 1 Introduction: Why I Wrote This Book full 0601f152-622e-49bf-a7ee-c16113b0c1e5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/0b48e7da Blake Oliver, CPA, explains why he left a mid-size accounting firm frustrated by the billable hour, and what he learned at a software startup about SaaS metrics like recurring revenue, churn, and customer lifetime value. He argues that hourly billing punishes efficiency and will break down as AI speeds up accounting work. He makes the case that subscription pricing and productized services can make firms more profitable, less prone to burnout, and worth several times more when sold.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Blake Oliver, CPA, explains why he left a mid-size accounting firm frustrated by the billable hour, and what he learned at a software startup about SaaS metrics like recurring revenue, churn, and customer lifetime value. He argues that hourly billing punishes efficiency and will break down as AI speeds up accounting work. He makes the case that subscription pricing and productized services can make firms more profitable, less prone to burnout, and worth several times more when sold.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:49:30 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 1938 Blake Oliver, CPA, explains why he left a mid-size accounting firm frustrated by the billable hour, and what he learned at a software startup about SaaS metrics like recurring revenue, churn, and customer lifetime value. He argues that hourly billing punishes efficiency and will break down as AI speeds up accounting work. He makes the case that subscription pricing and productized services can make firms more profitable, less prone to burnout, and worth several times more when sold.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA My Personal Story 2 2 My Personal Story full 62c3ac52-ade4-4300-89b8-2787aa40b9a4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/e259534c Blake Oliver traces his unconventional path from cello performance major to CPA, sharing how a demanding music teacher taught him that focused, deliberate practice beats sheer hours, a lesson he applies to accounting’s billable-hour culture. He describes building a 12-person remote bookkeeping firm on fixed monthly fees, selling it to a CPA firm, and moving into tech, where SaaS metrics showed him how outdated traditional accounting education and GAAP can be.

Want CPE credit for selected episodes of Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Blake Oliver traces his unconventional path from cello performance major to CPA, sharing how a demanding music teacher taught him that focused, deliberate practice beats sheer hours, a lesson he applies to accounting’s billable-hour culture. He describes building a 12-person remote bookkeeping firm on fixed monthly fees, selling it to a CPA firm, and moving into tech, where SaaS metrics showed him how outdated traditional accounting education and GAAP can be.

Want CPE credit for selected episodes of Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:49:48 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 1388 Blake Oliver traces his unconventional path from cello performance major to CPA, sharing how a demanding music teacher taught him that focused, deliberate practice beats sheer hours, a lesson he applies to accounting’s billable-hour culture. He describes building a 12-person remote bookkeeping firm on fixed monthly fees, selling it to a CPA firm, and moving into tech, where SaaS metrics showed him how outdated traditional accounting education and GAAP can be.

Want CPE credit for selected episodes of Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 1.1: Changing the Revenue Model for Accounting Firms 3 3 Section 1.1: Changing the Revenue Model for Accounting Firms full 8fddc6b0-9024-44f0-a165-2843b4bdfb20 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ca544db6 Drawing on his conversation with pricing expert Ron Baker, Blake explains why accounting firms should move past hourly billing and even value pricing to a subscription model that prices the client relationship rather than the scope of work. He compares the idea to concierge medicine and Design Pickle’s unlimited design service, and also covers niching, client portfolios, and charging a percentage of client revenue. The goal is a better client experience, less staff burnout, and a firm worth far more when it’s time to sell.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Drawing on his conversation with pricing expert Ron Baker, Blake explains why accounting firms should move past hourly billing and even value pricing to a subscription model that prices the client relationship rather than the scope of work. He compares the idea to concierge medicine and Design Pickle’s unlimited design service, and also covers niching, client portfolios, and charging a percentage of client revenue. The goal is a better client experience, less staff burnout, and a firm worth far more when it’s time to sell.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:50:04 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 2224 Drawing on his conversation with pricing expert Ron Baker, Blake explains why accounting firms should move past hourly billing and even value pricing to a subscription model that prices the client relationship rather than the scope of work. He compares the idea to concierge medicine and Design Pickle’s unlimited design service, and also covers niching, client portfolios, and charging a percentage of client revenue. The goal is a better client experience, less staff burnout, and a firm worth far more when it’s time to sell.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 1.2: How Modern Accounting Firms Set Prices 4 4 Section 1.2: How Modern Accounting Firms Set Prices full 1c8f7f2b-1dc4-4953-b9d6-da407c44a0c5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/b42b308c  Blake walks through how to move an existing practice to subscription pricing: pick the services that fit, segment clients, and build three simple pricing tiers. CPA Logan Graf shares how he designs his packages, gets most clients to pay 100% upfront, and raised prices by over 50% for underpriced clients while losing only a handful.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]>  Blake walks through how to move an existing practice to subscription pricing: pick the services that fit, segment clients, and build three simple pricing tiers. CPA Logan Graf shares how he designs his packages, gets most clients to pay 100% upfront, and raised prices by over 50% for underpriced clients while losing only a handful.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:50:17 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 844  Blake walks through how to move an existing practice to subscription pricing: pick the services that fit, segment clients, and build three simple pricing tiers. CPA Logan Graf shares how he designs his packages, gets most clients to pay 100% upfront, and raised prices by over 50% for underpriced clients while losing only a handful.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 1.3: Systematize Your Marketing 5 5 Section 1.3: Systematize Your Marketing full bee2792b-6722-4356-a335-240a76c83ba6 https://share.transistor.fm/s/226257d1 In this chapter, Blake profiles two CPAs who built thriving niche firms through generous, systematized content marketing. Sandra York, the Fit Money Coach, used free advice on Instagram to land nearly 100 health and fitness clients without spending anything on ads. Brandon Hall, the Real Estate CPA, combines a podcast, a 20,000-member Facebook group, and online courses to draw around 400 inquiries a month and grow his firm at 40% a year.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> In this chapter, Blake profiles two CPAs who built thriving niche firms through generous, systematized content marketing. Sandra York, the Fit Money Coach, used free advice on Instagram to land nearly 100 health and fitness clients without spending anything on ads. Brandon Hall, the Real Estate CPA, combines a podcast, a 20,000-member Facebook group, and online courses to draw around 400 inquiries a month and grow his firm at 40% a year.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:50:38 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 2633 In this chapter, Blake profiles two CPAs who built thriving niche firms through generous, systematized content marketing. Sandra York, the Fit Money Coach, used free advice on Instagram to land nearly 100 health and fitness clients without spending anything on ads. Brandon Hall, the Real Estate CPA, combines a podcast, a 20,000-member Facebook group, and online courses to draw around 400 inquiries a month and grow his firm at 40% a year.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 2.1: Motivating People and Aligning Compensation with Billing 6 6 Section 2.1: Motivating People and Aligning Compensation with Billing full fcdd4819-6520-4f1a-852f-503f535b5864 https://share.transistor.fm/s/287fa7b2 Blake tackles the accounting profession’s staffing crisis, arguing that firms moving to fixed-fee or subscription billing need to stop paying staff based on billable hours. Using Summit CPA Group as an example, he shows how a book-of-business compensation model and fully remote work let people choose how much they work, which keeps working parents and career-level professionals engaged instead of pushing them out.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Blake tackles the accounting profession’s staffing crisis, arguing that firms moving to fixed-fee or subscription billing need to stop paying staff based on billable hours. Using Summit CPA Group as an example, he shows how a book-of-business compensation model and fully remote work let people choose how much they work, which keeps working parents and career-level professionals engaged instead of pushing them out.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:50:50 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 573 Blake tackles the accounting profession’s staffing crisis, arguing that firms moving to fixed-fee or subscription billing need to stop paying staff based on billable hours. Using Summit CPA Group as an example, he shows how a book-of-business compensation model and fully remote work let people choose how much they work, which keeps working parents and career-level professionals engaged instead of pushing them out.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 2.2: What It’s Like to Work at a Virtual CFO Firm 7 7 Section 2.2: What It’s Like to Work at a Virtual CFO Firm full ce9fe0b5-2a6d-4f60-ad80-8c8521047651 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ef8c8132 Virtual CFOs Hannah Hood and Joey Kinney describe what working at Summit CPA Group is like: forward-looking forecasting with a varied mix of clients, flexible and fully remote schedules, and a firm willing to hire them part-time. Blake also looks at why traditional firms resist this model, citing untrained managers, sunk costs in office space, and a habit of measuring hours instead of results.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Virtual CFOs Hannah Hood and Joey Kinney describe what working at Summit CPA Group is like: forward-looking forecasting with a varied mix of clients, flexible and fully remote schedules, and a firm willing to hire them part-time. Blake also looks at why traditional firms resist this model, citing untrained managers, sunk costs in office space, and a habit of measuring hours instead of results.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:51:00 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 543 Virtual CFOs Hannah Hood and Joey Kinney describe what working at Summit CPA Group is like: forward-looking forecasting with a varied mix of clients, flexible and fully remote schedules, and a firm willing to hire them part-time. Blake also looks at why traditional firms resist this model, citing untrained managers, sunk costs in office space, and a habit of measuring hours instead of results.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

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Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
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]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 2.3: Franchise Model: Alternative to the Partnership Model 8 8 Section 2.3: Franchise Model: Alternative to the Partnership Model full 769303f8-ba5c-4d77-92bf-219e791b8008 https://share.transistor.fm/s/de55d60d Blake reviews some alternatives to the grueling partner track through Dark Horse CPAs, where CEO Chase Birky’s accelerator program turns managers into principals with their own $200,000 books of business. Principals earn 40–50% of their book’s revenue plus stock options, and the firm’s C-corp structure lets it share equity down to staff and buy back vested shares, offering real earning potential without sacrificing family and health.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> Blake reviews some alternatives to the grueling partner track through Dark Horse CPAs, where CEO Chase Birky’s accelerator program turns managers into principals with their own $200,000 books of business. Principals earn 40–50% of their book’s revenue plus stock options, and the firm’s C-corp structure lets it share equity down to staff and buy back vested shares, offering real earning potential without sacrificing family and health.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:51:10 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 506 Blake reviews some alternatives to the grueling partner track through Dark Horse CPAs, where CEO Chase Birky’s accelerator program turns managers into principals with their own $200,000 books of business. Principals earn 40–50% of their book’s revenue plus stock options, and the firm’s C-corp structure lets it share equity down to staff and buy back vested shares, offering real earning potential without sacrificing family and health.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 2.4: How to Incentivize People Beyond Hours 9 9 Section 2.4: How to Incentivize People Beyond Hours full bf63fe28-0845-4982-a796-1090fc287c5a https://share.transistor.fm/s/d4f3d3a0 Blake discusses some ways to reward accountants for results rather than hours, starting with Summit CPA Group’s model, which pays a national-average base salary plus variable pay tied to the book of business each person manages. BDO USA CEO Wayne Berson then explains how the firm’s employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) gives every employee a growing ownership stake, cuts turnover, and offers real tax benefits.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

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Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Blake discusses some ways to reward accountants for results rather than hours, starting with Summit CPA Group’s model, which pays a national-average base salary plus variable pay tied to the book of business each person manages. BDO USA CEO Wayne Berson then explains how the firm’s employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) gives every employee a growing ownership stake, cuts turnover, and offers real tax benefits.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
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Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:51:46 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 439 Blake discusses some ways to reward accountants for results rather than hours, starting with Summit CPA Group’s model, which pays a national-average base salary plus variable pay tied to the book of business each person manages. BDO USA CEO Wayne Berson then explains how the firm’s employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) gives every employee a growing ownership stake, cuts turnover, and offers real tax benefits.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 2.5: Give Employees Flexibility About How Much, Where and When to Work 10 10 Section 2.5: Give Employees Flexibility About How Much, Where and When to Work full 02ce7bb6-ab2d-4f49-9d53-e7180263dabe https://share.transistor.fm/s/b0365f07 Eric Fraint, founder of Your Part-Time Controller, LLC (YPTC), explains how his firm grew from a solo practice into a Top-100 firm of about 400 people serving nonprofits as outsourced controllers and CFOs. He describes how COVID pushed YPTC from mostly on-site work to remote work that now reaches clients in over 40 states. He also makes the case, unusual in this audiobook, for keeping hourly billing and timesheets, which nonprofit clients understand and which help him staff engagements.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
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Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> Eric Fraint, founder of Your Part-Time Controller, LLC (YPTC), explains how his firm grew from a solo practice into a Top-100 firm of about 400 people serving nonprofits as outsourced controllers and CFOs. He describes how COVID pushed YPTC from mostly on-site work to remote work that now reaches clients in over 40 states. He also makes the case, unusual in this audiobook, for keeping hourly billing and timesheets, which nonprofit clients understand and which help him staff engagements.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:51:57 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 622 Eric Fraint, founder of Your Part-Time Controller, LLC (YPTC), explains how his firm grew from a solo practice into a Top-100 firm of about 400 people serving nonprofits as outsourced controllers and CFOs. He describes how COVID pushed YPTC from mostly on-site work to remote work that now reaches clients in over 40 states. He also makes the case, unusual in this audiobook, for keeping hourly billing and timesheets, which nonprofit clients understand and which help him staff engagements.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 2.6: Offshoring 11 11 Section 2.6: Offshoring full 35794bdd-9b04-4c70-8283-fcc2f30b1f3c https://share.transistor.fm/s/8266c82e Argel Sabillo, CPA, Founder of DTLA CPA, a firm serving startups, shares what he learned building a 15-person offshore team in the Philippines. He explains why he made the offshore staff client-facing so U.S. review wouldn’t hold up the work, how he hires for retention, and why he lets his team work local hours. He also argues that the savings from offshoring should go back into training and process improvement, not straight into the owner’s pocket.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
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Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> Argel Sabillo, CPA, Founder of DTLA CPA, a firm serving startups, shares what he learned building a 15-person offshore team in the Philippines. He explains why he made the offshore staff client-facing so U.S. review wouldn’t hold up the work, how he hires for retention, and why he lets his team work local hours. He also argues that the savings from offshoring should go back into training and process improvement, not straight into the owner’s pocket.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:52:08 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 604 Argel Sabillo, CPA, Founder of DTLA CPA, a firm serving startups, shares what he learned building a 15-person offshore team in the Philippines. He explains why he made the offshore staff client-facing so U.S. review wouldn’t hold up the work, how he hires for retention, and why he lets his team work local hours. He also argues that the savings from offshoring should go back into training and process improvement, not straight into the owner’s pocket.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 2.7: Managing Remote Teams 12 12 Section 2.7: Managing Remote Teams full 7845257b-83c2-4c7d-b6c0-33f30deac8a0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/2890657f In this chapter, Blake explores how to manage a fully remote accounting team, starting with Summit CPA Group’s team-based approach to serving each client. Scott Orn, former COO of Kruze Consulting, explains how remote hiring lets his firm recruit great accountants from anywhere, why he hires for emotional intelligence and comfort with technology, and how a culture of trust, collaboration, and family-first flexibility keeps a distributed team thriving.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> In this chapter, Blake explores how to manage a fully remote accounting team, starting with Summit CPA Group’s team-based approach to serving each client. Scott Orn, former COO of Kruze Consulting, explains how remote hiring lets his firm recruit great accountants from anywhere, why he hires for emotional intelligence and comfort with technology, and how a culture of trust, collaboration, and family-first flexibility keeps a distributed team thriving.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:52:19 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 749 In this chapter, Blake explores how to manage a fully remote accounting team, starting with Summit CPA Group’s team-based approach to serving each client. Scott Orn, former COO of Kruze Consulting, explains how remote hiring lets his firm recruit great accountants from anywhere, why he hires for emotional intelligence and comfort with technology, and how a culture of trust, collaboration, and family-first flexibility keeps a distributed team thriving.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 3.1: Building and Upgrading Your Tech Stack 13 13 Section 3.1: Building and Upgrading Your Tech Stack full f6cd3c0f-83d2-4609-a75c-a8189e389cf5 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a5f0ce80 Blake Oliver explains how to build a lean, scalable tech stack for a subscription-based firm, starting with the point that documented processes have to come before any software. He covers workflow and proposal tools, standardizing on one general ledger, and choosing banking, bill pay, and payroll apps, and he argues that fewer apps, simple integrations, and a COO who owns your processes are what let a firm grow.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

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Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
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Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> Blake Oliver explains how to build a lean, scalable tech stack for a subscription-based firm, starting with the point that documented processes have to come before any software. He covers workflow and proposal tools, standardizing on one general ledger, and choosing banking, bill pay, and payroll apps, and he argues that fewer apps, simple integrations, and a COO who owns your processes are what let a firm grow.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:52:45 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 1805 Blake Oliver explains how to build a lean, scalable tech stack for a subscription-based firm, starting with the point that documented processes have to come before any software. He covers workflow and proposal tools, standardizing on one general ledger, and choosing banking, bill pay, and payroll apps, and he argues that fewer apps, simple integrations, and a COO who owns your processes are what let a firm grow.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 3.2: How Niching Simplifies Operations 14 14 Section 3.2: How Niching Simplifies Operations full 79f96346-a3a5-43ac-bf25-3bc019ec9044 https://share.transistor.fm/s/468cb925 Blake Oliver argues that niching simplifies everything from pricing to operations, using firms built around a single client type. Michael Allen, CPA, explains how a standard chart of accounts for Keller Williams real estate agents let him automate about 98% of transaction coding and profitably serve nearly 100 clients at $199 a month. Brittany Brown of LedgerGurus shares how e-commerce sales tax became her firm’s specialty, and the section revisits how Sandra York and Brandon Hall grew their niche practices through social media and online courses.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

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Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
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]]> Blake Oliver argues that niching simplifies everything from pricing to operations, using firms built around a single client type. Michael Allen, CPA, explains how a standard chart of accounts for Keller Williams real estate agents let him automate about 98% of transaction coding and profitably serve nearly 100 clients at $199 a month. Brittany Brown of LedgerGurus shares how e-commerce sales tax became her firm’s specialty, and the section revisits how Sandra York and Brandon Hall grew their niche practices through social media and online courses.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:52:55 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 921 Blake Oliver argues that niching simplifies everything from pricing to operations, using firms built around a single client type. Michael Allen, CPA, explains how a standard chart of accounts for Keller Williams real estate agents let him automate about 98% of transaction coding and profitably serve nearly 100 clients at $199 a month. Brittany Brown of LedgerGurus shares how e-commerce sales tax became her firm’s specialty, and the section revisits how Sandra York and Brandon Hall grew their niche practices through social media and online courses.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 3.3: New Client Onboarding 15 15 Section 3.3: New Client Onboarding full f01c6980-7be8-47ee-931b-33a46d2f53d0 https://share.transistor.fm/s/05183d9b Korey Cournoyer, formerly of GrowthLab Financial, explains how to automate new client onboarding the right way: map your current process first, mark the manual steps and pain points, and only then choose tools. He compares Zapier, Make, and Process Street, and shows how smooth, well-prepared onboarding sets the tone for the whole client relationship and frees firm owners to focus on higher-value work.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
blakeoliver.com 

]]> Korey Cournoyer, formerly of GrowthLab Financial, explains how to automate new client onboarding the right way: map your current process first, mark the manual steps and pain points, and only then choose tools. He compares Zapier, Make, and Process Street, and shows how smooth, well-prepared onboarding sets the tone for the whole client relationship and frees firm owners to focus on higher-value work.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:53:04 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 1235 Korey Cournoyer, formerly of GrowthLab Financial, explains how to automate new client onboarding the right way: map your current process first, mark the manual steps and pain points, and only then choose tools. He compares Zapier, Make, and Process Street, and shows how smooth, well-prepared onboarding sets the tone for the whole client relationship and frees firm owners to focus on higher-value work.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://earmarkcpe.com/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm/

Get your physical copy of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
https://store.bookbaby.com/book/building-a-sustainable-accounting-firm1

Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
https://accounting.show

Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 3.4: Quality Control and Quality Management 16 16 Section 3.4: Quality Control and Quality Management full 7e95a395-26eb-4864-b913-4e696fffa0c8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/df9c718a John Rea, founder and CEO of Scrutinize, and Rachel Fisch, Co-founder of Nooma, explain why quality management is key to growing an accounting firm without letting standards slip. They cover how to define realistic, written quality standards, how to review exceptions instead of every transaction, and how cutting rework (which can eat up 30% of a team’s time) frees up capacity. Blake Oliver also shares how skipping quality control at his own firm cost him a major client.

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]]> John Rea, founder and CEO of Scrutinize, and Rachel Fisch, Co-founder of Nooma, explain why quality management is key to growing an accounting firm without letting standards slip. They cover how to define realistic, written quality standards, how to review exceptions instead of every transaction, and how cutting rework (which can eat up 30% of a team’s time) frees up capacity. Blake Oliver also shares how skipping quality control at his own firm cost him a major client.

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]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:53:40 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 1248 John Rea, founder and CEO of Scrutinize, and Rachel Fisch, Co-founder of Nooma, explain why quality management is key to growing an accounting firm without letting standards slip. They cover how to define realistic, written quality standards, how to review exceptions instead of every transaction, and how cutting rework (which can eat up 30% of a team’s time) frees up capacity. Blake Oliver also shares how skipping quality control at his own firm cost him a major client.

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Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

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]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 3.5: Marketing as CapEx vs. Operating Expense 17 17 Section 3.5: Marketing as CapEx vs. Operating Expense full f1870ffe-cac6-4ebe-9884-fabf8cbae965 https://share.transistor.fm/s/2813f36f Blake argues that subscription-based accounting firms should view marketing as an investment in future cash flow, the way SaaS companies do, rather than as a routine operating expense. He walks through calculating customer acquisition cost and lifetime value, and suggests splitting the P&L into recurring and non-recurring expenses so firms can see their true profitability and stop underinvesting in marketing. He ties it together with Peter Drucker’s idea that a business’s purpose is to create a customer.

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]]> Blake argues that subscription-based accounting firms should view marketing as an investment in future cash flow, the way SaaS companies do, rather than as a routine operating expense. He walks through calculating customer acquisition cost and lifetime value, and suggests splitting the P&L into recurring and non-recurring expenses so firms can see their true profitability and stop underinvesting in marketing. He ties it together with Peter Drucker’s idea that a business’s purpose is to create a customer.

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]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:53:50 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 984 Blake argues that subscription-based accounting firms should view marketing as an investment in future cash flow, the way SaaS companies do, rather than as a routine operating expense. He walks through calculating customer acquisition cost and lifetime value, and suggests splitting the P&L into recurring and non-recurring expenses so firms can see their true profitability and stop underinvesting in marketing. He ties it together with Peter Drucker’s idea that a business’s purpose is to create a customer.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 4.1: Building Services and Systems So You Can Have a Life 18 18 Section 4.1: Building Services and Systems So You Can Have a Life full 58fb9d63-000b-467b-bbb4-9e1748c20dee https://share.transistor.fm/s/58bc45d2 Blake shares how a failed music career led him to accounting and to a firm built around work-life balance. He explains how to find and document your firm’s repetitive tasks so you can automate, delegate, or offshore them. He also covers which practice management features actually matter, how to get documents from clients more easily, and why time saved and client experience are better measures of success than billable hours.

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]]> Blake shares how a failed music career led him to accounting and to a firm built around work-life balance. He explains how to find and document your firm’s repetitive tasks so you can automate, delegate, or offshore them. He also covers which practice management features actually matter, how to get documents from clients more easily, and why time saved and client experience are better measures of success than billable hours.

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]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:53:59 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 1338 Blake shares how a failed music career led him to accounting and to a firm built around work-life balance. He explains how to find and document your firm’s repetitive tasks so you can automate, delegate, or offshore them. He also covers which practice management features actually matter, how to get documents from clients more easily, and why time saved and client experience are better measures of success than billable hours.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

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]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 4.2: Measuring Capacity: Bigger Isn’t Necessarily Better 19 19 Section 4.2: Measuring Capacity: Bigger Isn’t Necessarily Better full d1abc2e7-0df4-4914-b55a-965ba7ba982e https://share.transistor.fm/s/e58ef683 Keila Hill-Trawick, CPA, founder of Little Fish Accounting, explains why she chose to build a deliberately small firm instead of chasing growth for its own sake. She describes dropping back-office services and stand-alone tax work in favor of fewer, higher-paying, year-round clients. She also covers how clear job descriptions, an organizational chart, and outsourcing IT, HR, and legal let her step out of client work while keeping balance for herself and her team.

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]]> Keila Hill-Trawick, CPA, founder of Little Fish Accounting, explains why she chose to build a deliberately small firm instead of chasing growth for its own sake. She describes dropping back-office services and stand-alone tax work in favor of fewer, higher-paying, year-round clients. She also covers how clear job descriptions, an organizational chart, and outsourcing IT, HR, and legal let her step out of client work while keeping balance for herself and her team.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

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]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:54:08 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 382 Keila Hill-Trawick, CPA, founder of Little Fish Accounting, explains why she chose to build a deliberately small firm instead of chasing growth for its own sake. She describes dropping back-office services and stand-alone tax work in favor of fewer, higher-paying, year-round clients. She also covers how clear job descriptions, an organizational chart, and outsourcing IT, HR, and legal let her step out of client work while keeping balance for herself and her team.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

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]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 4.3: How to Maximize the Value of Your Firm 20 20 Section 4.3: How to Maximize the Value of Your Firm full 0ce3e1db-e81c-48ee-a124-e2b722108479 https://share.transistor.fm/s/a213b9ca M&A advisor Charles Bedard explains why subscription-based, tech-enabled firms can sell for 1.5 to 2 times revenue while traditional hourly firms often get a fraction of that, and why they attract far more buyers, including private equity. He covers the valuation metrics buyers use, such as EBITDA multiples, the “rule of 40,” and revenue per employee. He also urges owners to plan their exit years, starting with a simple fix like billing clients upfront or on a recurring basis.

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]]> M&A advisor Charles Bedard explains why subscription-based, tech-enabled firms can sell for 1.5 to 2 times revenue while traditional hourly firms often get a fraction of that, and why they attract far more buyers, including private equity. He covers the valuation metrics buyers use, such as EBITDA multiples, the “rule of 40,” and revenue per employee. He also urges owners to plan their exit years, starting with a simple fix like billing clients upfront or on a recurring basis.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

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]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:54:18 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 1110 M&A advisor Charles Bedard explains why subscription-based, tech-enabled firms can sell for 1.5 to 2 times revenue while traditional hourly firms often get a fraction of that, and why they attract far more buyers, including private equity. He covers the valuation metrics buyers use, such as EBITDA multiples, the “rule of 40,” and revenue per employee. He also urges owners to plan their exit years, starting with a simple fix like billing clients upfront or on a recurring basis.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

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Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Section 4.4: Selling Your Firm 21 21 Section 4.4: Selling Your Firm full 28afdbd3-e837-4a83-bce1-cda71156a65b https://share.transistor.fm/s/5102cf41 Michael Ly, Founder of Reconciled, and Brandon Poe of Poe Group Advisors share what owners need to know before selling a firm, from timing the sale before burnout sets in to preparing years ahead. They explain how recurring fixed-fee billing, a firm that doesn’t depend on the owner, strong cash flow, and low churn can push valuations well above one times revenue. They also cover deal terms, earnouts, non-competes, and common seller mistakes that can sink a deal.

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]]> Michael Ly, Founder of Reconciled, and Brandon Poe of Poe Group Advisors share what owners need to know before selling a firm, from timing the sale before burnout sets in to preparing years ahead. They explain how recurring fixed-fee billing, a firm that doesn’t depend on the owner, strong cash flow, and low churn can push valuations well above one times revenue. They also cover deal terms, earnouts, non-competes, and common seller mistakes that can sink a deal.

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Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

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]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:54:31 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 1710 Michael Ly, Founder of Reconciled, and Brandon Poe of Poe Group Advisors share what owners need to know before selling a firm, from timing the sale before burnout sets in to preparing years ahead. They explain how recurring fixed-fee billing, a firm that doesn’t depend on the owner, strong cash flow, and low churn can push valuations well above one times revenue. They also cover deal terms, earnouts, non-competes, and common seller mistakes that can sink a deal.

Want CPE credit for this episode?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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Check out The Accounting Podcast to join a dynamic community exploring new ideas every week:
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Visit my website for more insights and updates on the profession’s evolution:
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]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA Conclusion 22 22 Conclusion full ec35f209-0442-4338-b5fc-fcf4ad2ae40a https://share.transistor.fm/s/96e31298 Blake closes by reflecting on his path from classical musician to CPA and encouraging accountants to build firms around recurring revenue, standardized processes, and client experience instead of the billable hour.

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]]> Blake closes by reflecting on his path from classical musician to CPA and encouraging accountants to build firms around recurring revenue, standardized processes, and client experience instead of the billable hour.

Want CPE credit for selected episodes of Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

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Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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]]> Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:54:39 -0700 Blake Oliver, CPA Blake Oliver, CPA 246 Blake closes by reflecting on his path from classical musician to CPA and encouraging accountants to build firms around recurring revenue, standardized processes, and client experience instead of the billable hour.

Want CPE credit for selected episodes of Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm?

Subscribe to Earmark here: https://www.earmark.app/subscription

Find all the CPE courses here: Earmark Channel - Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm

Download the free PDF of "Building a Sustainable Accounting Firm" here:
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]]> accounting, continuing professional education, CPE No Blake Oliver, CPA