Pulse of the Practice

In this final episode of the year, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller take a reflective dive into what shaped the accounting profession in 2025 and what’s next. From the reality that uncertainty is permanent to why advisory isn’t just a service line but a mindset shift, they explore leadership bottlenecks, talent challenges, and the evolving role of technology. The conversation also touches on AI’s growing influence, firm sustainability, and how client expectations are changing. And for a fun twist, Mo shares what ChatGPT had to say about their strengths! If you’re looking for insights, laughs, and a roadmap for the future, this episode delivers.

In this episode of Pulse of the Practice, hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller dive into the realities of year-end planning for firms and their clients. They discuss the evolving nature of tax seasons, the importance of standardizing retirement account advice, and how proactive education can help clients make better financial decisions. The conversation covers prioritizing HSA contributions, navigating health insurance options, and the nuances of retirement plans for business owners—with or without employees. Paul shares insights on balancing client goals, whether it’s maximizing tax deductions through retirement accounts or investing in real estate, and emphasizes the value of anticipating client needs rather than simply answering questions. The episode wraps up with practical tips for closing the loop on planning decisions and highlights the difference between reactive and proactive advisory.

Is the accounting talent shortage your biggest problem—or your biggest opportunity? In this episode of Pulse of the Practice (2025, E19), hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller sit down with L. Gary Boomer—founder, visionary, and strategist at Boomer Consulting—to unpack how AI, advisory services, and a new business model will redefine CPA firms by 2026.

Boomer explains why the next five years could deliver a century's worth of technology change, and how firm leaders can turn anxiety and burnout into momentum with mindset, purpose, and process. You'll learn the concrete steps to move from compliance to high‑value advisory, ditch the hour‑based model for results‑driven pricing, and build an Agenic Workforce that scales expertise with AI "agents," staff‑on‑demand, and fractional C‑suite talent.

What you'll learn:

• How to pivot from tax/audit compliance to recurring, scalable Client Advisory Services (CAS) clients actually value
• The business case for value pricing vs. billable hours—and why clients buy outcomes, not time
• The EXO (Exponential Organizations) framework applied to CPA firms: staff‑on‑demand, community, algorithms, and more
• Boomer's prediction for 2026: why the "labor shortage" worry will be replaced by super‑workers augmented by AI
• A practical talent strategy: onboard grads directly into advisory, use coaching (not just mentoring), and implement the 3×3 relationship rule
• Tech you can use now: AI note‑taking/meeting tools (Fathom/Otter) and Google's NotebookLM for knowledge capture, training, and faster knowledge transfer
• How to clean data, document processes, and build internal knowledge bases so AI actually works
• The leadership shift: set a massively transformative purpose (MTP), align clients and staff to your vision, and create a cadence of continuous improvement

If you're a managing partner, CAS leader, or firm owner ready to modernize your practice, this conversation is your roadmap to healthier margins, happier teams, and stickier client relationships.

Subscribe for more practical playbooks on modern firm leadership, AI adoption, CAS growth, and pricing strategy—and share this episode with a partner who's still billing by the hour.

Keywords: accounting firm transformation, CPA firm strategy, Client Advisory Services, CAS, AI in accounting, accounting burnout, talent shortage accounting, value pricing for CPAs, Boomer Consulting, Gary Boomer, EXO framework, Agenic Workforce, NotebookLM, meeting AI tools, fractional CFO/COO/CIO, accounting firm processes, shift from compliance to advisory

Mo and Paul interview Andrew McCracken live on-site at SYNERGY 2025 in Orlando, Florida, to learn what it's like to put a conference of this magnitude together.

Step into the vibrant atmosphere of the Synergy Users Conference with this special “Neighborhood Walk Through” episode of Pulse of the Practice. Hosts take you behind the scenes, capturing the energy, candid conversations, and diverse perspectives that make this event unique.

From advisor bootcamp reflections to spontaneous chats with attendees and vendors, the episode explores how firms are embracing innovation, leveraging AI, and tackling real-world challenges in tax and advisory workflows. Hear firsthand how peer-to-peer learning, product feedback, and intentional change are shaping the future of the industry.

Whether it’s finding the “golden ticket” to new efficiencies, sharing a laugh over conference quirks, or discussing the importance of carving out time for innovation, this episode delivers a lively, insightful look at what happens when professionals come together to recharge, connect, and spark new ideas.

Episode description (120–180 words): Cybersecurity is no longer optional for tax and accounting firms. In this episode, hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller are joined by Steve Ferguson (Protection Plus) to break down what really keeps practices safe—and operating—when threats hit. They cover why small firms are prime targets, how phishing and AI‑driven scams fool even savvy teams, and why MFA alone isn't enough as zero trust becomes the new standard. Steve explains must‑have protections, including cyber insurance with breach response, plus the role of a written information security plan (WISP) required by FTC/IRS guidance. You'll hear real‑world stories—from kiosk‑seeded refund diversions to gift‑card cons—and practical steps for training staff, reducing liability, and responding fast to limit damage. If you handle client data, this conversation is your playbook for Cybersecurity Awareness Month and beyond.

On this episode of Pulse of the Practice, hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller get candid about the real trade‑offs between remote, hybrid, and in‑office work—especially inside tax and accounting firms. Fresh off the Oct 15 deadline push, they unpack client "last‑minute" realities, staff learning curves, and why knowledge transfer, mentorship, and relationship building often accelerate when people share the same room.

Mo and Paul compare what's truly efficient remotely vs. what benefits from in‑person energy—brainstorming, training juniors, managing tough client conversations, and developing the advisory mindset that AI can't replace. They also discuss how shifting routine work to AI raises the bar on human skills: collaboration, judgment, and leadership.

Takeaways:

• When hybrid beats remote (and why RTO is resurging)
• Turning deadline chaos into repeatable process improvements
• Making mentorship intentional so juniors level up faster
• The human edge in an AI‑accelerated firm

If you enjoyed this episode, follow/subscribe and share with a colleague. Got a topic you want Mo and Paul to cover? Send it our way.

Keywords/tags: accounting firm management, hybrid work accounting, return to office 2025, tax deadline October 15, knowledge transfer accounting, mentorship in firms, staff training CPA firm, client management tax practice, AI in accounting 2025, advisory services development, remote vs in‑office productivity, brainstorming in person, culture in accounting firms, process improvement busy season, workload compression tax, professional development CPAs, leadership in public accounting, talent retention accounting, small firm competitiveness, Detroit accounting conversation, Business by Design firm insights, Pulse of the Practice podcast

In this Pulse of the Practice conversation, Paul Miller unpacks why the best “tax planning season” is all year long—not just Q4. With many firm initiatives already targeting 2026, Paul shares how leading firms translate today’s client conversations into concrete capacity, revenue, and staffing plans for the next 12–24 months.

Key takeaways:

• Listen for life‑event signals. Clients rarely say “I need an exit plan.” They hint at transitions—succession, burnout, relocation, health, or market shifts. Train your team to hear those cues and start planning early.
• Valuation isn’t a finish line; it’s a starting point. Regularly benchmark the business so owners can align pricing, client mix, and structure with their eventual exit timeline.
• Make planning continuous. Replace last‑minute Q4 models with a cadence of mini‑check‑ins that combine numbers with narrative: goals for the next 1–5 years, risk tolerance, and capacity constraints—both client and firm‑side.
• Charge for strategy with confidence. Longstanding relationships don’t make advisory “free.” Clarify scope, package outcomes (e.g., exit readiness, tax savings roadmap, sale prep), and communicate the value long before a transaction looms.
• Redesign roles for impact. Shift staff from “cranking numbers” to managing relationships and discovery. The result: better insights, earlier interventions, and more profitable engagements.
• Think 2026 now. If 75% of your big projects already point to 2026, formalize forecasts, staffing plans, and pricing updates today.

Whether your clients are five years from a sale or just exploring growth options, this episode shows how to move from reactive calculations to proactive advisory—without awkward money talks.

Timestamps

• 00:00 Intro and why planning sneaks up on firms
• 03:55 Why 2026 planning starts today
• 06:45 Spotting exit triggers in normal conversations
• 11:15 Numbers vs. life events: bringing both into planning
• 16:15 Pricing advisory in long‑term relationships
• 20:25 When to discuss valuation (and how often)
• 24:20 Turning staff into relationship managers

Keywords (primary/secondary/long‑tail) Primary: year‑round tax planning, advisory services for accounting firms, business valuation, exit planning, 2026 firm planning Secondary: CPA firm capacity planning, client discovery, pricing advisory, scope management, relationship management, revenue projections Long‑tail: how to price advisory for long‑term clients, signs a business is ready to sell, continuous tax planning vs Q4, training staff for client advisory, building a 2026 capacity plan

In this episode of "Pulse of the Practice," hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller dive deep into the latest tax law updates impacting accounting and tax firms as we approach the fourth quarter of 2025. Discover practical strategies for communicating key legislative changes—like the expiration of the clean vehicle credit, updates to renewable energy incentives, R&D credit modifications, QBID (Section 199A), and bonus depreciation—with your clients. Learn how to break down complex information into digestible video announcements and distinguish between goodwill communications and billable advisory work.

Mo and Paul offer actionable insights on how firms can stay ahead by proactively addressing client needs, leveraging new tax planning opportunities, and maintaining confidence in an ever-evolving regulatory landscape. Whether you're managing busy extension deadlines or looking to optimize your advisory services, this episode is packed with best practices, real-world examples, and expert guidance to ensure your clients are informed and your firm is prepared for the year ahead.

Tune in to keep your finger on the pulse of tax law changes, maximize client value, and position your practice for success in 2025 and beyond!

Keywords:
2025 tax law changes, accounting firm advisory, clean vehicle credit expiration, renewable energy tax credits, R&D credit update, Section 199A, QBID extension, bonus depreciation, tax planning strategies, client communication, proactive tax advisory, small business tax updates, IRS guidance, accounting best practices, tax legislation, extension deadlines, business tax credits, firm workflow optimization, tax compliance, tax advisory services, podcast for accountants

In this insightful episode of Pulse of the Practice, hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller reconnect to discuss the ever-evolving landscape of tax law changes and the impact on accounting practices. With recent travel and busy schedules behind them, Mo and Paul dive deep into how firms can proactively adapt to new legislation, including the "big beautiful bill" and its implications for tax credits, child tax exemptions, overtime income, and more.

Listeners will gain actionable advice on how to stay ahead of regulatory updates, optimize tax planning strategies for clients, and effectively communicate changes through targeted content like short, topic-specific videos. The hosts explore the importance of advisory services, the evolving roles within accounting teams, and how firms can build trust and demonstrate value beyond compliance work.

Key topics include:

• The importance of proactive client communication in light of legislative changes
• Strategies for team readiness and workflow optimization
• Leveraging video content for client education on tax law updates
• Advisory vs. compliance: transitioning to value-added services
• Real-world scenarios for maximizing deductions, credits, and filing status optimization
• Building client trust and engagement for future advisory relationships
• Managing documentation and staff responsibilities as laws evolve
• Planning ahead for 2025, 2026, and beyond

Whether you’re a firm owner, tax professional, or team member, this episode delivers practical insights to help your practice thrive amid change and position itself as a trusted advisory partner.

Keywords: tax law changes, tax advisory, accounting firm strategies, tax credits, child tax credit, overtime income, compliance vs advisory, client communication, tax planning, proactive advisory, accounting workflow, staff optimization, tax deduction strategies, tax exemption, client engagement, financial advisory services, accounting team roles, regulatory updates, pulse of the practice, tax legislation, tax return planning, 2025 tax changes, 2026 tax changes, short-form video marketing, client education, CPA firm best practices