CPA Life

Pipeline Pulse: What's Really Driving the Profession in 2026?

Host John Randolph launches a new quarterly segment called Pipeline Pulse, pulling back the curtain on what's actually happening in CPA talent conversations right now, on Episode 88 of CPA Life. Drawing from scores of interviews with accountants quietly exploring their options, he identifies three critical disconnects plaguing firm hiring: Most firms still treat capacity planning like a last-minute scramble instead of a year-round discipline, leaving them perpetually understaffed when resignations hit in January. They're also selling compensation hard while candidates are buying something entirely different; one senior with 14 years of experience would take a lateral move just to escape the 2,000-billable-hour requirement standing between her and manager. And firms keep saying they want advisory-focused talent while hiring purely for compliance skills, expecting client-facing confidence to materialize without training. The through-line? Recruiting can't be transactional anymore, because firms get measured by trust and reputation, not résumé counts. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com  

Rewind: Ensuring Fair Pay in the Profession

Dominic Piscopo's journey in accounting started at a Big Four firm in Canada, where he discovered his firm was paying its employees well below the average in his area. We look back at his conversation with John Randolph on CPA Life Rewind Episode 87 about how that experience, among others, led to him launching Big 4 Transparency, a platform which tracks salary data in the profession. Dom talks about Big 4 Transparency's transformation from community project to full-time venture as a result of his feeling a "social responsibility" to supply this information for free to the community while taking on firm clients who want to understand where their offerings stand in the marketplace. Underscoring the strategic use of timely data to attract and retain talent, Dom talks about how transparent compensation practices can promote employee satisfaction and prevent wage stagnation, benefiting firms of all sizes. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com  

Breaking the Tax Season Cycle: Finding Balance

When Brenda Cannon realized that tax season chaos didn't have to be a foregone conclusion, she set out to reimagine her entire firm. Brenda shares how she moved from the brink of burnout on Episode 86 of CPA Life, juggling 1,500 clients and sleepless nights, to building a practice where April 15th is just another day. She tells John Randolph that by introducing intentional scheduling, raising fees, and letting go of the "we've always done it this way" mindset, Brenda not only transformed her own work-life balance but also created SchedulEase, a tool now helping other accountants do the same. Along the way, she's confronted industry resistance, client education hurdles, and the deeply ingrained beliefs that keep so many stuck in survival mode. Her story is a testament to the power of questioning tradition and designing a firm that truly works for its people. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com

Beyond Strategy: The Human Side of BD

Neil Barrow returns for part 2 of his special double CPA Life episode to unpack the realities of business development beyond buzzwords. John steers the conversation from the pitfalls of hiring for growth without a plan, to the delicate dance of balancing capacity and opportunity within your firm, and Neil's philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: keep things simple, focus on relationships, and don't lose sight of what actually works. You won't want to miss the unexpected parallel Neil draws between perfecting an award-winning chili recipe and building a business, or his insight into how beer tastings can open doors to new clients just as effectively as chamber of commerce meetings.  Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com  

Not Just Sales, But Strategy

John Randolph returns to the mic to sit down with Neil Barrow, founder of EnabledBD, on Episode 84 of CPA Life. Together, they unravel the real mechanics of business development in CPA firms, as Neil draws on his journey from structured software sales to the unpredictable world of accounting firm growth. Challenging the myth that business development is just about sales or personality, Neil frames it as a skill: one that can be built, measured, and tailored to each individual's strengths. A discussion well beyond buzzwords, the pair focus on practical strategies for deepening client relationships, fostering accountability, and building systems that don't box people in. If you understand it's time to rethink what it means to grow a firm, to consider how even small, consistent actions can transform both culture and results, then check out part 1 of John's conversation with Neil now. Get the full show notes and more resources at CPALifePodcast.com