Sharrin Fuller has built and sold two accounting firms, and the second time around, she knew exactly what mistakes to avoid, except for one she didn't see coming. On Episode 252 of The Unique CPA, she tells Randy that the business side of an exit is straightforward, but the emotional aftermath? That sent her into two levels of counseling and off her life insurance policy due to skyrocketing blood pressure. Now, as founder of Glass Wallet Ventures, she helps firm owners prepare for exits they may not even be planning yet, because by the time someone puts a letter of intent in front of you, it's already too late to maximize value. Sharrin challenges the "we've always done it that way" mentality that keeps accountants stuck in dependency traps, and her approach is simple: fix one thing at a time, give firm owners back 30 minutes of their day, and only then move onto the next problem. Sharrin is proof that working three days a week isn't a fantasy when you build systems that actually stick.

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Making partner should feel like a triumph, but for many CPAs, that first year becomes the hardest of their careers. Sarah Elliott and Brian Kush from Intend2Lead surveyed new partners across the profession and uncovered a troubling pattern: 70% aren't working more hours, yet the intensity feels crushing. On Episode 251 of The Unique CPA, they tell Randy that the culprit isn't volume, it's the abrupt shift from technical expert to strategic leader, not to mention firms that rarely prepare people for what partnership actually entails. As it turns out, nearly half of new partners earn less than expected, and the profession's problem-seeking mindset undermines leadership development. Randy even mentions how one first-year partner who exceeded revenue goals by 50% was immediately questioned about unbilled hours instead of celebrated for his achievement. Sarah and Brian make the case for vulnerable leadership, transparent goal-setting, and intentional development programs that treat partnership as a transition requiring real support, not just a title to celebrate and move on from.

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Mary Delaney, CEO of Karbon, opens Episode 250 of The Unique CPA with a powerful story: she tells Randy about a neighbor whose accountant didn't just crunch numbers but delivered life-changing advice that transformed his business into a legacy. That moment crystallizes what technology can unlock for the profession. Rather than something to be feared, it has the potential to grant us the freedom to focus on advisory work that truly matters. Mary explains how automation handles the mundane, potentially flipping the statistic that 80% of small businesses fail by year ten. With the right technology, every small business could access some level of advisory support. But accountants must make a critical shift: to stop thinking like practitioners and start running their firms as businesses. Mary shares her own experience growing a compliance-heavy services company from single-digit margins to 25%, emphasizing the importance of identifying levers, whether that's increasing referrals, automating workflows, or offshoring strategically. Empowered people deliver exceptional client experiences, and it's not people first or clients first, it's both, simultaneously.

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Mike Maksymiw, better known as Mike Max, lives for change. On Episode 249 of The Unique CPA, he talks to Randy about how in a profession often defined by tradition, he's been willing to "poke the bear" and challenge long-held assumptions. His leadership at Aprio Firm Alliance is marked by a drive to create real progress on issues like DEI, work-life harmony, and value-based work, and he shares candid reflections on what it takes to move an entire profession forward. Whether it's questioning the status quo or finding creative solutions where others see roadblocks, Mike's passion for helping others and his belief in the power of collaboration shine through, and this episode offers a glimpse into the mindset of someone determined to leave the accounting world better than he found it.

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Heath Alloway, growth partner at Sorren, returns to The Unique CPA on Episode 248 for a dynamic conversation with Randy about the evolving landscape of accounting firms and the power of intentional culture. Heath shares the story behind Soren's formation, a merger of thirteen firms driven by a vision for people-first leadership and meaningful growth. Although heavily focused on business development in his own role, Heath's focus here is on how advisory, leadership retreats, and an "attitude of gratitude" can sustainably transform both firms and individuals. Reflecting on the profession's capacity to give back more than you put into it, Heath and Randy mull over the challenges of integrating distinct cultures as well as the importance of vulnerability and connection, with their unifying trait being a genuine passion for helping others thrive in accounting and beyond.

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Shawn Minard and Jeremy Jones join Randy Crabtree to pull back the curtain on Frazier & Deeter's approach to growth, culture, and leadership on Episode 247 of The Unique CPA. As the firm expands through private equity and acquisitions, the conversation moves beyond numbers to the real work of integrating people and ideas. Shawn describes how "stay interviews" and a flexible, opt-in leadership program have become cornerstones of their people-first philosophy, while Jeremy discusses the challenges of maintaining high standards, embracing flexible work, and prioritizing entrepreneurial thinking. Together, they weigh the value of emotional intelligence against technical skills, and consider how a flat leadership model can thrive in a 700-person firm. The result is a candid look at how culture and adaptability shape the future of accounting.

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Mark Koziel's first year as AICPA President and CEO has been anything but quiet. He tells Randy Crabtree on Episode 246 of The Unique CPA that nine days into his tenure, Ohio became the first state to roll back the 150-hour requirement, setting off a chain reaction across the profession. Then came the "Big Beautiful Bill" with provisions that could have devastated pass-through entities, followed by Florida's deregulation attempt, IRS commissioner turnover, and a 43-day government shutdown. Through it all, Koziel maintains an infectious optimism about accounting's future. He pushes back against the narrative that AI will replace accountants, pointing to decades of similar fears about calculators, spreadsheets, and blockchain. The real challenge? Telling a better story about a profession that touches every corner of the economy. From his perspective on value-based pricing to his vision for the Rise 2040 initiative, Koziel makes the case that accountants remain the trusted guardians of financial information, and that this legacy is worth protecting.

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Kathleen Burns Kingsbury joins Randy Crabtree on Episode 245 of The Unique CPA for a candid conversation about the hidden forces shaping how professionals, particularly women, perceive and communicate their worth. Drawing on her journey from FDIC bank examiner to wealth psychology expert, Kathleen unpacks the cultural and personal barriers that keep so many from asking for what they deserve. The author of Breaking Money Silence, now in its second edition, Kathleen shows you how building confidence, embracing value-based pricing, discovering the power of niche expertise, and shifting one's mindset can transform both career and personal fulfillment. Weaving in stories of her own missteps and breakthroughs, Kathleen's passion for empowering others shines through a conversation that's as energizing as it is insightful.

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Adam Lean's journey from disenchanted accountant to entrepreneurial advisor takes center stage as he reveals how a simple desire to help business owners understand their numbers sparked the creation of the CFO Project on Episode 244 of The Unique CPA. Follow Adam from late-night e-commerce hustle to the formation of a productized CFO advisory service, designed to eliminate scope creep and empower accountants to deliver real value. As Randy's prompts unpack the pitfalls of commoditized compliance work, the "Accountants Trap," and the mindset shifts required to move from tax prep to trusted advisor, Adam shares a candid look at the challenges, and most importantly the rewards, of advisory work.

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Kaitlin Borncamp left a promising Big Four accounting career to become a certified nutritional therapy practitioner, but she didn't just change jobs, she redefined what it means to thrive in a demanding profession. Kaitlin joins Randy Crabtree on Episode 243 of The Unique CPA to share how her own struggles with burnout and unhealthy habits led her to champion the brain as an accounting professional's greatest asset. From the realities of stress, to the hidden costs of ignoring your wellbeing, and the practical steps professionals can take to fuel both body and mind, Kaitlin's journey offers a blueprint for anyone ready to trade exhaustion for energy and purpose, one that is simple enough in scope to start following today as you gain a holistic understanding about how to sustainably focus on your health.

Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com