In this episode, Dawn Howard hosts Patrick O'Donnell to explore effective strategies for SMB growth. They discuss how to leverage relationships, safeguard your reputation, and build trust to ensure sustainable success.

•The importance of focusing on value creation before pitching products during workshops

•Building alignment within teams through coaching models tailored for owners and sales leaders

•The role of AI in enhancing sales productivity, lead generation, and coaching practices

•How servant leadership drives growth without burnout

•Practical methods to integrate technology like CRM and AI for operational excellence

•Addressing common challenges such as staff turnover and inconsistent processes

Connect with Dawn Howard:

•LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-howard-m-s-b4a6b911

•Email: dawn@yorcmo.com

Connect with Patrick O'Donnell:

•LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickwodonnell/

•Website: https://salesxceleration.com/advisors/patrick-odonnell/

•Email: podonnell@salesxceleration.com

Accounting for Growth is the podcast for CPA firm leaders who know referrals aren’t enough. Hosted by Chad Person, founder of AccountingCMO and fractional CMO to high-growth accounting and advisory firms, each short episode features outside experts with fresh takes on how accounting firms can overcome inertia, unlock opportunity, and confidently scale.

In under 12 minutes, you’ll hear punchy, actionable conversations with marketers, data experts, technologists, and strategic advisors working at the edge of accounting innovation. Whether it's AI in sales, better positioning, or building a smarter pipeline, each guest brings a clear takeaway on how to drive meaningful, measurable growth.

Brought to you by AccountingCMO and powered by yorCMO, this podcast helps you rethink growth, without fluff or filler.

Ways to Tune In

•Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/es-co/podcasts/0dd0a29a-4f47-4480-b01b-6115ddccb42e/accounting-for-growth

•Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uGxGsuJPMs2vgc7RThgWm?si=fQxYnDEiQtinP5co97EuZA

•Creator: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/accounting-for-growth-pod

•Youtube: https://youtu.be/6L0kHViCnKU

Accounting for Growth podcast is produced by YorCMO

This episode dives into the common pitfalls of CRM implementation in professional services, especially within accounting firms, and offers practical advice on how to align systems with business growth. Join us to explore strategies for effective system design, leadership buy-in, and automation that truly drives visibility and revenue.

Key Topics:

•The root causes of CRM failures, from poor implementation to lack of purpose

•The importance of establishing clear processes before CRM deployment

•How leadership alignment and accountability influence success

•The role of automation and data quality in scaling growth

•Designing systems that reflect how a firm actually sells and operates

•The value of an external audit and phased implementation to reduce risks

•Practical steps for firms starting fresh or fixing existing systems

•How to leverage a client journey to improve CRM effectiveness

Links

Alina Schenk – Founder, TheOpsArchitect.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alinamschenk/

Accounting for Growth is the podcast for CPA firm leaders who know referrals aren’t enough. Hosted by Chad Person, founder of AccountingCMO and fractional CMO to high-growth accounting and advisory firms, each short episode features outside experts with fresh takes on how accounting firms can overcome inertia, unlock opportunity, and confidently scale.

In under 12 minutes, you’ll hear punchy, actionable conversations with marketers, data experts, technologists, and strategic advisors working at the edge of accounting innovation. Whether it's AI in sales, better positioning, or building a smarter pipeline, each guest brings a clear takeaway on how to drive meaningful, measurable growth.

Brought to you by AccountingCMO and powered by yorCMO, this podcast helps you rethink growth, without fluff or filler.

Ways to Tune In

•Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/es-co/podcasts/0dd0a29a-4f47-4480-b01b-6115ddccb42e/accounting-for-growth

•Spotify -https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uGxGsuJPMs2vgc7RThgWm?si=fQxYnDEiQtinP5co97EuZA

•Creator: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/accounting-for-growth-pod

•Youtube: https://youtu.be/8GkTStR3M0g

Accounting for Growth podcast is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com

In this episode we kick off your offshore staffing journey with insights on transitioning from a reactive bandaid to a strategic, long-term business model. Discover how firms are building operational models around offshore teams, leveraging talent effectively, and boosting ROI.

Takeaways:

•The difference between using offshore staffing as a short-term fix versus a strategic asset

•How offshore teams can be integrated into long-term operational models

•The key metrics and KPIs to track for offshore staffing success

•The importance of onboarding, communication, and cultural integration

•Common challenges and pitfalls to avoid when building offshore teams

•The impact of offshore staffing on firm profitability and growth

•Emerging offshore talent markets beyond traditional regions

•Practical steps to start or expand offshore staffing in your firm

Connect with Dawn Howard:

•LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-howard-m-s-b4a6b911

•Email: dawn@yorcmo.com

Connect with Jordan Sublette (Founder and CEO, Cloud Accountant Staffing)

•LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jordansublette

•Email: Jordan@cloudaccountantsafing.com

Connect with Connor Bland (Head of growth, Cloud Accountant Staffing)

•LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connerbland/

•Email: conner@cloudaccountantstaffing.com

Accounting for Growth is the podcast for CPA firm leaders who know referrals aren’t enough. Hosted by Chad Person, founder of AccountingCMO and fractional CMO to high-growth accounting and advisory firms, each short episode features outside experts with fresh takes on how accounting firms can overcome inertia, unlock opportunity, and confidently scale.

In under 12 minutes, you’ll hear punchy, actionable conversations with marketers, data experts, technologists, and strategic advisors working at the edge of accounting innovation. Whether it's AI in sales, better positioning, or building a smarter pipeline, each guest brings a clear takeaway on how to drive meaningful, measurable growth.

Brought to you by AccountingCMO and powered by yorCMO, this podcast helps you rethink growth, without fluff or filler.

Ways to Tune In

•Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/es-co/podcasts/0dd0a29a-4f47-4480-b01b-6115ddccb42e/accounting-for-growth

•Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uGxGsuJPMs2vgc7RThgWm?si=fQxYnDEiQtinP5co97EuZA

•Creator: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/accounting-for-growth-pod

•Youtube: https://youtu.be/nGCnR_ncJdc

In this episode of the Accounting for Growth podcast, Chad Person and Kathryn Crosby discuss the operational challenges faced by professional services firms as they seek to grow. They explore the importance of clarity in roles, effective systems, and the need for leaders to delegate and trust their teams. Kathryn shares insights on identifying capacity drains, the significance of coaching for leadership, and practical steps for self-assessment to optimize operations and drive growth.

Takeaways

•Professional services firms often face operational bottlenecks that hinder growth.

•Clarity in roles and effective systems are essential for creating capacity.

•Leaders should delegate tasks to empower their teams and avoid bottlenecks.

•Excessive administrative burdens on leaders can drain capacity.

•Trusting team members fosters confidence and improves performance.

•Automation can streamline routine tasks and free up time for leaders.

•Regular check-ins can help identify operational blockers.

•Self-assessment tools can guide firms in optimizing their processes.

•Coaching for mid-level managers is crucial for developing leadership skills.

•Growth is not solely about hiring more staff; it's about optimizing existing resources.

Links

Kathryn Crosby

https://wisemindventures.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-crosby/

Accounting for Growth is the podcast for CPA firm leaders who know referrals aren’t enough. Hosted by Chad Person, founder of AccountingCMO and fractional CMO to high-growth accounting and advisory firms, each short episode features outside experts with fresh takes on how accounting firms can overcome inertia, unlock opportunity, and confidently scale.

In under 12 minutes, you’ll hear punchy, actionable conversations with marketers, data experts, technologists, and strategic advisors working at the edge of accounting innovation. Whether it's AI in sales, better positioning, or building a smarter pipeline, each guest brings a clear takeaway on how to drive meaningful, measurable growth.

Brought to you by AccountingCMO and powered by yorCMO, this podcast helps you rethink growth, without fluff or filler.

Ways to Tune In

•Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/es-co/podcasts/0dd0a29a-4f47-4480-b01b-6115ddccb42e/accounting-for-growth

•Spotify -https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uGxGsuJPMs2vgc7RThgWm?si=fQxYnDEiQtinP5co97EuZA

•Creator: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/accounting-for-growth-pod

•Youtube: https://youtu.be/KRbZx227VSM

Accounting for Growth podcast is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com

In this final episode of the Managing Partner Reality series, Chad Person and Dawn Howard discuss the critical importance of succession planning and leadership development within firms. They explore the gaps in leadership capacity, the necessity of mentorship, and strategies for effective leadership transition. The conversation emphasizes the need for proactive planning and building a culture that supports leadership growth to ensure the firm's future success.Takeaways•Succession planning is essential for firm growth.•Leadership capacity is often concentrated in a few senior partners.•Mentorship should extend beyond technical skills to include strategic decision-making.•Firms need to prepare for leadership transitions well in advance.•Building a culture of leadership is crucial for long-term success.•Younger professionals should be exposed to leadership roles early on.•Effective communication is key during leadership transitions.•Planning for succession should be an ongoing conversation.•Firms must consider the emotional aspects of client transitions.•Shared leadership is vital for sustainable growth.LinksDawn Howard– Fractional CMO, YorCMOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-howard-m-s-b4a6b911Accounting for Growth is the podcast for CPA firm leaders who know referrals aren’t enough. Hosted by Chad Person, founder of AccountingCMO and fractional CMO to high-growth accounting and advisory firms, each short episode features outside experts with fresh takes on how accounting firms can overcome inertia, unlock opportunity, and confidently scale.In under 12 minutes, you’ll hear punchy, actionable conversations with marketers, data experts, technologists, and strategic advisors working at the edge of accounting innovation. Whether it's AI in sales, better positioning, or building a smarter pipeline, each guest brings a clear takeaway on how to drive meaningful, measurable growth.Brought to you by AccountingCMO and powered by yorCMO, this podcast helps you rethink growth, without fluff or filler.Ways to Tune In•Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/esco/podcasts/0dd0a29a-4f47-4480-b01b-6115ddccb42e/accounting-for-growth•Spotify -https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uGxGsuJPMs2vgc7RThgWm?si=fQxYnDEiQtinP5co97EuZA•Creator: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/accounting-for-growth-pod•Youtube: https://youtu.be/PHasGfFW8l4Accounting for Growth podcast is produced by Frost Media GroupLearn more at https://frostmediagroup.com

In this episode of Accounting for Growth, Chad Person and Dawn Howard discuss the challenges faced by accounting firms in navigating growth while protecting margins. They emphasize the importance of communication among leadership, strategic decision-making, and the role of technology in enhancing client experience. The conversation highlights the need for firms to be proactive in their approach to growth and to understand the implications of their decisions on profitability and talent retention.

Takeaways

•Costs are rising, and talent is becoming more expensive.

•Not all growth contributes positively to profitability.

•Effective communication is essential for managing partners.

•Firms must protect their margins while investing in growth.

•Understanding where you want to grow is crucial for strategy.

•Pricing power begins long before proposals are made.

•Underselling value can significantly harm margins.

•Innovation should not be halted during uncertain times.

•Clients expect firms to leverage technology for efficiency.

•Clear communication and vision lead to better decision-making.

Links

Dawn Howard– Fractional CMO, YorCMO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-howard-m-s-b4a6b911

Accounting for Growth is the podcast for CPA firm leaders who know referrals aren’t enough. Hosted by Chad Person, founder of AccountingCMO and fractional CMO to high-growth accounting and advisory firms, each short episode features outside experts with fresh takes on how accounting firms can overcome inertia, unlock opportunity, and confidently scale.

In under 12 minutes, you’ll hear punchy, actionable conversations with marketers, data experts, technologists, and strategic advisors working at the edge of accounting innovation. Whether it's AI in sales, better positioning, or building a smarter pipeline, each guest brings a clear takeaway on how to drive meaningful, measurable growth.

Brought to you by AccountingCMO and powered by yorCMO, this podcast helps you rethink growth, without fluff or filler.

Ways to Tune In

•Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/es-co/podcasts/0dd0a29a-4f47-4480-b01b-6115ddccb42e/accounting-for-growth

•Spotify -https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uGxGsuJPMs2vgc7RThgWm?si=fQxYnDEiQtinP5co97EuZA

•Creator: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/accounting-for-growth-pod

•Youtube: https://youtu.be/6L0kHViCnKU

Accounting for Growth podcast is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com

In this episode of Accounting for Growth, Chad Person and Dawn Howard discuss the critical role of governance and structure in firm growth. They explore how effective leadership and decision-making processes can drive growth, the importance of clarity and accountability, and the need for strategic leadership that empowers others. The conversation emphasizes that governance is not about control but about creating a clear path for growth and efficiency within the firm.

Takeaways

•Governance is about leadership, not bureaucracy.

•Effective decision-making requires a clear leadership structure.

•Growth can create stress; proper governance can alleviate it.

•Clarity in goals leads to faster decision-making.

•Empowering team members is essential for effective leadership.

•Leadership roles should evolve as the firm grows.

•Communication among leaders is crucial for success.

•A clear vision helps align the team towards common goals.

•Investing in leadership structure can improve efficiency.

•Strategic leadership is necessary to navigate growth challenges.

Links

Dawn Howard– Fractional CMO, YorCMO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-howard-m-s-b4a6b911

Accounting for Growth is the podcast for CPA firm leaders who know referrals aren’t enough. Hosted by Chad Person, founder of AccountingCMO and fractional CMO to high-growth accounting and advisory firms, each short episode features outside experts with fresh takes on how accounting firms can overcome inertia, unlock opportunity, and confidently scale.

In under 12 minutes, you’ll hear punchy, actionable conversations with marketers, data experts, technologists, and strategic advisors working at the edge of accounting innovation. Whether it's AI in sales, better positioning, or building a smarter pipeline, each guest brings a clear takeaway on how to drive meaningful, measurable growth.

Brought to you by AccountingCMO and powered by yorCMO, this podcast helps you rethink growth, without fluff or filler.

Ways to Tune In

•Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/es-co/podcasts/0dd0a29a-4f47-4480-b01b-6115ddccb42e/accounting-for-growth

•Spotify -https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uGxGsuJPMs2vgc7RThgWm?si=fQxYnDEiQtinP5co97EuZA

•Creator: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/accounting-for-growth-pod

•Youtube: https://youtu.be/FK4ngu3XCh8

Accounting for Growth podcast is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com

In this episode of the Accounting for Growth podcast, Joseph Frost and Don Howard delve into the complexities of client mix, pricing strategies, and the transition from compliance to advisory services. They discuss the emotional and strategic challenges firms face in optimizing client portfolios for growth, emphasizing the importance of clear client profiles and value-based pricing. The conversation also explores the need for leadership in advisory roles and the operational shifts required to align firm practices with growth objectives.

Takeaways

•Client mix is often a growth constraint for firms.

•Emotional attachment to clients can hinder strategic decisions.

•Value-based pricing is crucial for modern firms.

•Leadership in advisory roles is essential for growth.

•Operational shifts are needed to align with growth objectives.

•Clear client profiles help in optimizing portfolios.

•Transitioning from compliance to advisory services is challenging.

•Firms must prioritize time and investments for growth.

•Marketing and business development should align with firm goals.

•Continuous conversations are key to evolving firm practices.

Links

Dawn Howard– Fractional CMO, YorCMO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-howard-m-s-b4a6b911

Accounting for Growth is the podcast for CPA firm leaders who know referrals aren’t enough. Hosted by Chad Person, founder of AccountingCMO and fractional CMO to high-growth accounting and advisory firms, each short episode features outside experts with fresh takes on how accounting firms can overcome inertia, unlock opportunity, and confidently scale.

In under 12 minutes, you’ll hear punchy, actionable conversations with marketers, data experts, technologists, and strategic advisors working at the edge of accounting innovation. Whether it's AI in sales, better positioning, or building a smarter pipeline, each guest brings a clear takeaway on how to drive meaningful, measurable growth.

Brought to you by AccountingCMO and powered by yorCMO, this podcast helps you rethink growth, without fluff or filler.

Ways to Tune In

•Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/es-co/podcasts/0dd0a29a-4f47-4480-b01b-6115ddccb42e/accounting-for-growth

•Spotify -https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uGxGsuJPMs2vgc7RThgWm?si=fQxYnDEiQtinP5co97EuZA

•Creator: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/accounting-for-growth-pod

•Youtube: https://youtu.be/mv5IIsijaBo

•Fractional C-Suite Retreat is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com