18 - Change Management in the Trenches: A Conversation About Embracing Change to Facilitate Growth

In this episode of 5 to 50: Financial Strategies for Growing Companies, host Jeff Rudner sits down with Patrick Dichter, founder and owner of AppleTree Consulting, an accounting firm specializing in outsourced accounting and tax services for small to medium-sized businesses. Patrick shares his unique journey from business consultant to accounting firm owner, having grown his company from $1.2 million to $4.5 million in revenue through strategic acquisitions and organic growth. He offers candid insights on the challenges of change management, the reality of scaling a professional services firm, and the difficult decisions that come with rapid growth. From navigating client transitions to building accountability systems and expanding service lines, Patrick pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to build a modern accounting practice. Whether you're considering an acquisition, scaling your firm, or simply trying to build the right team, this episode is packed with real-world lessons from the trenches.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 Introduction: Patrick's Unconventional Path to Accounting

05:00 Change Management: Why Team Transitions Are Harder Than Client Transitions

08:00 Acquisition Lessons: What Worked, What Failed, and Why

11:00 Building Multiple Revenue Streams and Service Lines

14:00 The Reality of Scaling: Growth Sweet Spots and Growing Pains

19:00 Creating a Culture of Accountability with Scorecards and KPIs

22:00 Strategic Planning: Reaching the $5 Million Milestone

26:00 Systems and Technology for Scale: EOS and Practice Management

30:00 Flying Solo: The Pros and Cons of Single Ownership

32:00 Rapid Fire: Books, Metrics, and Essential Business Advice

Episode Resources:

Patrick Dichter on Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/PatrickDichter

Patrick Dichter on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/patrickdichter

AppleTree Business Website: https://appletreebusiness.com

Book: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara: https://amazon.com/Unreasonable-Hospitality-Remarkable-Restaurants-Business/dp/0593418573

Book: The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber: https://amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280

Canopy Practice Management: https://getcanopy.com

Traction (EOS - Entrepreneurial Operating System): https://eosworldwide.com

Jeff Rudner on LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3DEGINH

Proseer Website: https://proseer.co/

Book a Consultation Contact Us: https://proseer.co/contact/

Download Our eBook Transforming Accounting Solutions: https://proseer.co/rules-ebook/

Previous guests include: Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon, co-founders of the Jam Stand and Mighty Picnic, Tom Hunt, Founder and CEO of Fame, Kenny Dettman, Founder and CEO of TaxNow, Rick Zullo, founder and managing partner of Equal Ventures, Adam Schwartz, founder and CEO of Parable and former co-founder of TeePublic.

Check out our three most downloaded episodes:

• Scaling Smarter: Adam Schwartz on Data, AI, and Entrepreneurial Growth
  
  
• The Exit Playbook: Johan Hoernell’s Secrets to Scaling and Selling

• Pivot & Prosper: Scaling a CPG Brand the Smart Way with Sabrina Valle and Jessica Quon