110 episodes
Who's Really the BOSS? Marcus Dillon, Rachel Dillon
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- Business
"Who's Really the BOSS?" highlights the joys and challenges of running a CPA firm with your spouse or family. From hiring and terminating to improving capacity, cash flow, and culture, our conversations cover leadership, operations, and current accounting industry challenges. Our mission is to strengthen families and accounting firms by helping listeners avoid the mistakes we have made, so they can lead and live happily ever after.
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Introducing DBA Firm: Operational Support for Accounting Firms
In this episode, Marcus and Rachel dive into the details of DBA Firm, a new venture aimed at providing operational support to accounting firms with revenues between $500k-$5M and 3-30 employees. They discuss the origins of DBA Firm, the key pillars of structure, strategy, and software, and how their own experiences transforming their accounting practice inspired them to help other firm owners. Learn about the resources, events, and support DBA Firm offers to help small-to-mid-sized accounting firms improve and grow.
Learn More About Dillon Business Advisorshttps://www.dillonadvisors.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/dillonbusinessadvisors
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(00:00) - Welcome to Who's Really The Boss?
(00:53) - Family Updates: Avery's Journey
(02:30) - Avery's College Decision
(03:39) - Impact on Family Dynamics
(07:17) - Transition to DBA Firm Discussion
(08:10) - Origins of the Podcast
(09:46) - Transforming DBA: From Tax to Advisory
(10:44) - Supporting the Accounting Community
(16:20) - What is DBA?
(21:38) - DBA Firm Resources and Events
(32:32) - Introducing GRIP: Goal Ready Implementation Plan
(45:55) - Conclusion and Future Plans -
Team Changes, New Tech, and Lessons Learned at a Growing Firm
In this episode of the Who's Really The Boss podcast, Marcus and Rachel offer an insightful debrief of their accounting firm's 2024 tax season. They discuss how strategic changes implemented before tax season, such as team restructuring, new hires, and the introduction of new technology, impacted their workflow and client experience. They also share their challenges, successes, and lessons learned, including the importance of investing in team education and adapting to the needs of their clients. Throughout the conversation, Marcus and Rachel emphasize their firm's focus on providing top-quality client accounting services (CAS) and how they have successfully transitioned from a tax-centric practice to one that generates 80% of its revenue from recurring monthly services.
Learn More About Dillon Business Advisorshttps://www.dillonadvisors.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/dillonbusinessadvisors
Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.com
Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app
(00:00) - Introduction to the Podcast and Today's Theme
(00:29) - Opening and Tax Season Recap Discussion
(01:35) - Personal Update: Kinley's First Year of College
(05:43) - Diving Into Dillon Business Advisors Tax Season Overview
(07:18) - Team Changes and Strategic Adjustments Pre-Tax Season
(13:28) - Innovative Solutions: Contracting a Tax Director of Counsel
(18:43) - Operational Enhancements and Team Additions
(24:02) - Implementing New Technology: The Shift to Canopy
(32:32) - Addressing the Texas Franchise Tax Update and Its Impact
(34:22) - Achieving Work-Life Balance: No Overtime and Weekends
(36:58) - Strategic Financial Planning and Revenue Insights
(44:57) - Reflecting on Tax Season: Successes, Lessons, and Future Plans
(47:21) - Innovative Training and Knowledge Sharing Within the Team
(54:45) - Looking Ahead: Software Solutions and Client Communication
(55:59) - Wrapping Up: Insights from a Successful Tax Season -
Avoiding Five Firm Owner Pitfalls
In this episode, Rachel and Marcus delve into the common pitfalls that accounting firm owners often encounter, sharing hard-earned wisdom from their own experiences. They highlight five critical mistakes to avoid, from building a nightmarish firm instead of a dream one to lacking passion and vision. The discussion also emphasizes the importance of steering clear of the comparison trap, letting go of the pursuit of perfection, and truly resting in a way that rejuvenates mind and body.
Chapters
(00:00) - Welcome to Who's Really the BOSS
(01:21) - The Five Firm Owner Mistakes to Avoid
(10:28) - Mistake #2: The Comparison Trap
(15:39) - Mistake #3: Chasing Perfection
(23:06) - Mistake #4: Lacking Passion and Vision
(29:31) - Mistake #5: Resting the Wrong Way
(41:32) - Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead
Learn More About Dillon Business Advisorshttps://www.dillonadvisors.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/dillonbusinessadvisorsSign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.com
Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app -
Hard Truths About Transitioning to Client Advisory Services (CAS)
Rachel and Marcus candidly discuss the challenges they faced in transitioning their accounting firm to a client advisory services (CAS) model over the past seven years. They share insights on converting existing clients, implementing new processes and technology, evolving team dynamics, and the need for firm-wide changes. This episode offers a realistic perspective for firms considering the CAS path, highlighting potential pitfalls and the strategic mindset required for a successful transformation.
Chapters
(00:29) - Welcome to the Podcast: Navigating Tax Season
(01:57) - Reflecting on Past Busy Seasons and Deciding to Change
(07:28) - The Hard Truths About Transitioning to Client Advisory Services (CAS)
(18:58) - Learning from Mistakes and Embracing New Client Relationships
(25:03) - The Hard Truths About Client Conversion
(25:46) - Navigating Processes and Technology in CAS Firms
(38:42) - Evolving Team Dynamics and Management Styles
(42:49) - The Essential Shift in Team Composition for CAS Success
(48:00) - Embracing Change: The Core of Transitioning to CAS
Learn More About Dillon Business Advisorshttps://www.dillonadvisors.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/dillonbusinessadvisorsSign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.com
Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app -
The Art of Pricing Your Accounting Services
In this episode, Rachel and Marcus share their experiences and insights on navigating the challenging task of pricing client accounting and advisory services (CAS). They discuss their firm's evolution from opaque pricing to a transparent, subscription-based model, and the strategies they employed to ensure their pricing accurately reflects the value they provide. Rachel and Marcus also delve into the difficulties of implementing price increases, the importance of clear communication with clients, and the lessons they've learned along the way.
Chapters
(00:00) - Welcome to Who's Really the BOSS?
(00:34) - Navigating the Complex World of Pricing Increases
(01:49) - The Evolution of Pricing Models: From Hourly to Value-Based
(04:25) - The Journey to Transparent Pricing on Our Website
(12:10) - The Impact of Pricing Transparency and Client Relationships
(19:59) - Learning from Competitors: The Secret Shopping Strategy
(27:31) - Evaluating Pricing Strategies and Client Relationships
(32:51) - The Challenge of Communicating Price Increases
(55:35) - The Art of Pricing and Client Feedback
Learn More About Dillon Business Advisorshttps://www.dillonadvisors.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/dillonbusinessadvisorsSign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.com
Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app -
Evaluating Opportunities with Two Simple Questions
In this episode, Marcus and Rachel discuss two critical questions every business owner should ask when evaluating new opportunities - whether it simplifies their life and increases the value of their business. They dive into practical examples of applying these questions to prospects, software, service lines, and more. Get insights on making decisions that align with your values, increase profitability, and build a business with enduring value.
Chapters
(00:00) - Who's Really The Boss
(01:08) - Podcast Updates and New Recording Home
(03:02) - The Art of Being Quotable in Life and Interviews
(05:32) - Introducing Two Key Questions for Life Opportunities
(20:48) - Evaluation Potential New Clients
(26:51) - Evaluating Software and AI in Business
(36:33) - Exploring New Income Streams and Service Lines
(46:25) - Wrapping Up: Reflecting on Simplification and Value
Learn More About Dillon Business Advisorshttps://www.dillonadvisors.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/dillonbusinessadvisorsSign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.com
Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app