In this episode, Pat Odom explains why fewer hours can lead to better work and faster accounting firm growth.

Pat is a Partner at Apple & Odom, a full-service CPA firm in Charleston, South Carolina. He breaks down how they built a 36-hour work week (even in tax season), grew to around 950 clients in about two years, and stayed focused on a high-service client experience.

Key Takeaways:
• Why a 36-hour week can improve quality and retention in public accounting
• How planning work two weeks ahead keeps busy seasons under control
• What drove their growth (mostly referrals) without paid advertising
• The real challenge of fast growth: onboarding and communication systems
• How they’re using AI (Microsoft Copilot) to save time on meeting notes

The big lesson: don’t build the firm you want “right now.” Build the firm you want five years from now — with clear expectations and the right clients.

Guest: Patrick Odom, Partner, Apple & Odom
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-odom-cpa-abv-cfe-53072516/
Website: www.appleodom.com

Connect with me, Leonard De Beer:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leonard-de-beer/

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