Recorded live at the AICPA's ENGAGE 2026, Erin Hartman, CPA, Senior Manager – Firm Services, sits down with Cheryl Rhode, CPA, Partner at West Rhode & Roberts, where she explains how she is intentionally developing the next generation of firm leaders and why she brings them to ENGAGE to help build their networks and broaden their perspective beyond the walls of the firm.

As Chair of a Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) Small Firm Networking Group, Cheryl also shares the broader value of learning alongside peers. The conversation covers how her firm adapts to change, develops talent, and stays focused on a shifting profession.

Cheryl also discusses AI's potential to create efficiencies and why accounting remains a dynamic career grounded in continuous learning. Whether you're developing future leaders, strengthening your talent pipeline, or preparing for what's next, this episode offers practical insights for firm leaders of all sizes.

Thanks for listening. It takes just a couple of minutes to share your feedback. You can also contact us directly at [email protected]

To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes.

Continue the conversation beyond this episode in the Engage365 PCPS Community, where members can connect with peers, share ideas, access exclusive resources, and discover what's working across firms like yours.

This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at [email protected]

Many firm leaders are evaluating their ownership and capital models, which includes considering the option of bringing in outside strategic investors. But many firms continue to choose independence as a strategic path.

In this episode, Andrea Wright, CPA, Partner at Johnson Lambert LLP, shares how her firm defines independence through the lens of culture and long-term investment. She explains how that perspective influences decision-making and why the firm reevaluates its direction each year.

The conversation also explores how Johnson Lambert thinks about niche service offerings, talent development, succession planning, transparency, and technology investment.

We take a thoughtful look at what it takes to sustain this model and consider these fundamental questions: What are you willing to invest, and why does it matter now?

Thanks for listening. It takes just a couple of minutes to share your feedback. You can also contact us directly at [email protected]

To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes.

Continue the conversation beyond this episode in the Engage365 PCPS Community, where members can connect with peers, share ideas, access exclusive resources, and discover what's working across firms like yours.

This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at [email protected]

In this episode, Laura Crowley, Partner at Citrin Cooperman and member of the AICPA's Women's Initiatives Executive Committee, and Mandy Gallagher, Lead Manager of Women's Initiatives at the AICPA, discuss what it really takes to build a firm where women advance and why every firm that does comes out stronger.

Laura and Mandy share practical strategies on sponsorship, leadership development, and retention, drawing on real-world examples from across the accounting and finance profession.

Walk away with concrete steps to build a more inclusive and competitive firm.

To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes.

Explore the Sponsorship Success Toolkit, which includes guidance on building an effective sponsorship program.

Thanks for listening. It takes just a couple of minutes to share your feedback. You can also contact us directly at [email protected]

This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at [email protected]

What does successful growth really look like for today's firms? In this episode, Sarah Krom, CPA, MST, Managing Partner of SKC & Co. CPAs, LLC, explores how firm leaders can scale intentionally without sacrificing culture, people, or purpose.

Sarah shares how SKC approaches growth by focusing on other factors beyond revenue and headcount. From launching new service lines to navigating change through overcommunication, this conversation offers practical insight for any firm or organization looking to grow while protecting what makes their firms thrive.

To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes.

Thanks for listening. It takes just a couple of minutes to share your feedback. You can also contact us directly at [email protected]

This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at [email protected]

Lauren Baptiste, founder of Acheloa Wellness, explores how burnout is more than just exhaustion; it's a systemic challenge affecting professionals at every level.

Lauren highlights the new PCPS Burnout Prevention Toolkit, a practical resource designed to help individuals, firms, organizations, and the profession combat burnout before it starts. Lauren shares her personal journey, actionable strategies for creating healthier work cultures, and quick wins you can implement today.

Whether you're a leader looking to support your team or a professional seeking balance, this conversation offers tools to thrive, not just survive.

We're back with another special compilation of conversations offering insights relevant for preparing for busy season. Jaimie Boyd from the AICPA® Firm Services team shares highlights from conversations we've had over the past year with practitioners who are applying the fundamental concepts of the Transforming Your Business Model initiative to their day-to-day operations.

From scheduling systems that help tame tax season to the power of virtual teams and intentional client selection, these stories offer practical insights and motivation for firms preparing for busy season and anyone seeking to modernize their practice without sacrificing well-being. You don't want to miss this episode as you prepare for busy season.

For the full episodes and resources, check out the following:

• TfP 012. Creating Balance Without Losing Business
• TfP 014. Building Balance in a Virtual Firm
• TfP 010. Leading with Authenticity and Vulnerability
• TfP 006. Starting your own firm and growing the right client base
• TfP 013. When Purpose Meets Innovation
• TfP 011. The Influence of Coaching on Firm Growth
• AICPA Town Hall: DC updates, hiring insights and better tax season planning
• PCPS Right-Sizing Your Client Base Toolkit
• PCPS Outsourcing for CPA Firms Toolkit
• PCPS Future Talent Trend Toolkit

To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes.

Thanks for listening. It takes just a couple of minutes to share your feedback. You can also contact us directly at [email protected]

This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at [email protected]

Ready to turn data into your firm's competitive edge? This episode reveals how firm leaders are leveraging the National Management of an Accounting Practice (MAP) Survey, from the AICPA Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) and CPA.com, to drive smarter decision-making and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving profession.

Shayna Chapman, CPA.CITP, CGMA, CEO, Founder of Shaynaco LLC, and Brent Forbush, Managing Partner of Forbush & Associates, share practical insights on how to best use benchmarking data from the MAP Survey. The conversation highlights the importance of technology investment, especially AI, and the value of segmenting survey data for actionable comparisons.

They share the key metrics that have helped their firms, encouraging others not to be overwhelmed by the breadth of available data. Lastly, the episode offers a forward-looking discussion on trends shaping the profession and insight into how participation in the MAP Survey can be a catalyst for transformation.

The 2025 MAP Survey results and executive summary are now available, offering actionable data and practical takeaways for firms of all sizes. Download today!

To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes.

This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at [email protected]

In this episode of Transforming: Tales of Business Model Evolution, Suzanne Forbes, CPA, Managing Partner of James Moore, explores why governance must evolve as your firm grows, why it's essential to revisit partner compensation, and how to guide your team through transitions.

Suzanne also highlights ways to build a strong, connected culture for remote employees. Looking ahead, she expresses excitement about the future of the profession, highlighting the potential for meaningful impact in having an increased advisory role. Tune in, subscribe, and visit our podcast home page for more episodes.

To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes.

This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at [email protected]

Kelly Rohrs, CPA, Founder of K. Rohrs, CPA, P.C., shares the journey of launching her firm from concept to reality. Listeners will gain insight into how she structures client relationships, manages expectations during high volume periods, and fosters talent retention through flexibility and trust.

Kelly offers practical advice for firm owners looking to break away from traditional models, emphasizing the power of small, intentional changes. Tune in to hear how she's redefining what it means to operate a modern CPA firm.

To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes.

This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at [email protected]

Live from ENGAGE 2025, Erin Hartman, CPA, Senior Manager – Firm Services, sits down with Argel Sabillo, CPA, Cofounder and Chief Executive Officer of HeyApril Inc, to discuss the ways he is reshaping the profession and leaving tradition behind. With a client base rooted in internet-based startups and small businesses, HeyApril offers full-scale, end-to-end accounting services. Argel shares how his journey has been defined by bold leaps of faith, innovation, and community impact.

Argel offers practical insights on value-based pricing, subscription models, and tech stack optimization, while passionately advocating for firms to niche down and align their business models with mission and outcome, not just services. He also previews HeyApril's next frontier: using Large Language Models (LLMs) to turn client data into real-time, actionable insights. This is an episode packed with inspiration, strategic guidance, and a glimpse into the accounting firm of the future.

To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes.

This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at [email protected]

Brenda Cannon, Partner at Cannon & Associates, CPAs, shares how her firm rethought busy season by scheduling every tax return to prepare and control the workflow.

From setting clear boundaries and prioritizing ideal relationships, to encouraging clients to file extensions, Brenda breaks down how intentional change can create a healthier, more sustainable work environment. Tune in to learn how to normalize a better busy season.

To find out more about transforming your business model, explore our business model transformation resources at aicpa-cima.com/tybm. You'll also see a link there to all of our previous podcast episodes.

This is a podcast from AICPA & CIMA, together as the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. To enjoy more conversations from our global community of accounting and finance professionals, explore our network of free shows here. Your feedback and comments welcomed at [email protected]