The Nexus Point Podcast

Geoff Bruskin

Shaping the Future of Accounting Firms. Where strategy, innovation, and vision meet. NexusPoint dives into the critical junctures transforming the accounting industry, showcasing actionable insights from trailblazers redefining success.

  1. 2d ago

    YOU ARE IN THE CATBIRD SEAT: WHAT MOST CPA FIRM OWNERS DON'T REALIZE

    CPA firms have more leverage than they realize. In this episode of the Nexus Point Podcast, Rich Romero sits down with White Tiger Connections CEO Geoff Bruskin to break down the real dynamics behind CPA and RIA integration. They cover why joint ventures between RIAs and CPA firms rarely work, what's driving the M&A heat in accounting right now, and how firm owners can build optionality into their future, whether that means selling, merging, or simply repositioning their equity. Geoff and Rich also dig into the estate planning leg of the multi family office model, why bigger firms struggle to execute integration even with unlimited resources, and what AI driven consolidation will mean for the profession by 2030. Timestamps:00:00 Demand Shock Intro00:55 Podcast Setup and Guests01:44 Client View of Integration04:53 Why Big Firms Struggle07:28 Referral Reality Check10:42 CPA Market Heat and Optionality16:18 RIA Paths Beyond JVs19:02 Build Buy or Hire23:57 Estate Planning Third Leg32:49 Executing the Thesis Well35:26 Why Waiting Costs You38:12 Wrap Up and Call to Action Learn more about White Tiger Connections at whitetigerconnections.com

  2. Jul 7

    HOW TO HIRE TOP ACCOUNTING TALENT IN 2026 (What Firms Get Wrong Before the Search Even Starts)

    How CPA Firms Can Prepare to Hire Top Talent (and Stop Losing Candidates) | Nexus Point Podcast In this episode of The Nexus Point Podcast, host Rich speaks with White Tiger Connections recruiting manager Bryce Hollingsworth about how accounting and CPA firms can prepare for a successful hire in a tight, time-sensitive talent market. They discuss defining the ideal candidate (experience, industries, credentials, budget) while also clarifying culture, values, and team dynamics to position the opportunity effectively. Bryce explains what separates firms that are truly ready to hire, clear interview plans, timelines, onboarding considerations, and aligned decision makers, from those that aren't, and how misalignment can waste time, strain teams, or cost top candidates. They also cover signs a search is getting difficult (low inbound and outbound response) and how to adjust messaging, sourcing phases, and job boards. Finally, they address compensation realities in a national remote market and the importance of fast, consistent candidate communication. 00:00 Why Speed Wins00:36 Meet the Recruiter02:19 Defining the Ideal Hire05:17 Ready vs Not Ready10:11 When Searches Get Hard15:21 Comp in a Remote Market20:12 Candidate Experience Matters23:22 Communication Horror Story26:27 Wrap Up and Reach Out

  3. Jun 30

    WHY KARBON, CANOPY, AND TAXDOME ARE WINNING IN PUBLIC ACCOUNTING (And What to Do About It)

    Is your CPA firm still running on Excel, disconnected tools, or a practice management module built inside your tax software?In this episode of The Nexus Point, Geoff Bruskin and Rich Romero break down everything accounting firm owners need to know about practice management software in 2026, from how to evaluate the right tool to the biggest red flags that signal your firm is being held back.Topics covered:- Why practice management software is the operational spinal column of every CPA firm- The three undisputed industry leaders in public accounting: Karbon, Canopy, and TaxDome- Why purpose-built practice management software outperforms general tools like monday.com every time- Why CCH and Thomson Reuters tax software is best in class but their practice management modules are not- How bidirectional synchronization works and why it is easier to solve than most firm owners think- The three-part software stack every accounting firm needs: practice management, AI, and technical software- Why doing a practice management overhaul the right way the first time saves enormous pain later- The single biggest red flag Geoff looks for when evaluating a firm's readiness for change- How one resistant partner or manager can hold an entire firm hostage and what to do about it- Why better practice management software is helping public accounting attract talent againWhether you are a CPA firm owner evaluating a software migration, a private equity firm building a public accounting platform, or a wealth management firm thinking about adding a tax practice, this episode gives you a clear framework for getting the technology stack right.Hosted by Rich Romero and Geoff Bruskin, Managing Partner of White Tiger Connections.Connect with Geoff Bruskin: geoff@whitetigerconnections.comWhite Tiger Connections: whitetigerconnections.com00:00 Why PMS Matters00:47 Podcast Intro01:41 PMS Basics Explained03:03 AI vs PMS Stack05:51 Purpose Built Wins08:37 Integration Reality Check11:02 Migration Success Story12:59 Choosing The Right Tool13:32 Red Flags People16:12 PMS As Foundation16:48 Wrap Up And Goodbye

  4. Jun 23

    The Structure Most CPA Firms Don't Know Exists

    Most CPA firm owners assume they need to get licensed to participate in wealth management revenue. They don't. In this episode, Geoff Bruskin breaks down the alternative practice structure that gives CPA firm owners equity, control, and recurring revenue from a wealth management vertical without splitting their focus or sitting for a single exam. We cover why joint ventures almost never work, how the 49/51 equity split and managed service agreement actually function, who the ideal founding advisor is and where to find them, and what mistakes to avoid when building this in-house. If you're a CPA firm owner with more than four years before a liquidity event, this episode is worth your full attention. — CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome and Introductions00:21 Do CPAs Need Licensing01:32 Synergy and Best Structure03:41 Why Joint Ventures Fail06:55 Alternative Practice Structure09:23 Control and Economics10:46 Recruiting Founding Advisors13:27 Who This Model Fits14:28 Common Mistakes to Avoid16:21 Wrap Up and Farewell — ABOUT NEXUS POINTNexus Point is hosted by Rich and Geoff Bruskin, Managing Partner and CEO of White Tiger Connections. Each episode covers strategic direction, AI and automation, and billing and pricing standardization for CPA and wealth management firms. Learn more: whitetigerconnections.com #NexusPoint #CPAfirms #WealthManagement #RIA #AccountingM&A #ExitPlanning #SuccessionPlanning #AlternativePracticeStructure #CPApodcast #AccountingPodcast

  5. Jun 16

    THE ACCOUNTING FIRM BUYING FRENZY: MORE BUYERS, NOT ENOUGH DEALS

    Why There Are More Buyers Than Sellers in Public Accounting (and How to Win Deals) In this episode of The Nexus Point Podcast, host Geoff Bruskin sits down with Rich Romero to unpack why there are currently far more buyers than sellers in public accounting and why deal activity still feels like "hurry up and wait." They discuss seller hesitation driven by timing and personal and business uncertainty, and growing buyer interest fueled by private equity, low acquisition multiples, and accounting's unique visibility into clients' full financial lives. Geoff and Rich cover how public accounting can serve as a platform for roll-ups and adjacent theses like technology, wealth, and advisory services, while highlighting that the most overlooked risk is talent replacement amid retirements, an issue they argue can be addressed through remote hiring. They close with why a clear, grounded plan and compelling story often beats simply having committed capital. 00:00 Why Buyers Outnumber Sellers00:52 Podcast Intro and Setup01:33 Seller Hesitation and Timing02:06 PE Money and Roll Up Appeal03:50 Accounting as Client Gateway05:13 Multiple Theses and Low Multiples06:24 Talent Crunch and Remote Hiring08:20 Buyer Network and Deal Flow09:00 Win Deals With a Clear Story11:37 Closing Thoughts and Sign Off

  6. Jun 15

    WHAT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING RECRUITERS ACTUALLY LOOK FOR IN 2026 (Tax Manager & Senior Manager Edition)

    If you're a tax manager or senior manager in public accounting thinking about your next move, this episode is the honest conversation most recruiters won't have with you.Bryce Hollingsworth, Recruiting Manager at White Tiger Connections, joins Rich Romero on The Nexus Point to break down what the job market actually looks like right now, what mistakes candidates make that cost them the right role, and what the placements that worked long term all had in common.Topics covered:Why tax manager and senior manager roles are the most in-demand positions in public accounting right nowHow opening your search to remote roles changes everything about what's available to youThe most common mistakes candidates make during job searches and what they actually costWhy talking about compensation early is an advantage, not a riskHow cultural alignment matters more than work-life balance as a search criteriaWhy the CPA and RIA integrated model is creating a completely new kind of partner track for accounting professionalsWhat early career CPA professionals should be doing right now to set themselves up for promotionWhat the candidates who thrived long term had in common that had nothing to do with their resumeIf you're a CPA, tax manager, or senior manager considering a move in 2026, this episode gives you a clear picture of what actually works.Hosted by Rich Romero with Bryce Hollingsworth, Recruiting Manager at White Tiger Connections.Connect with White Tiger Connections: whitetigerconnections.com

  7. Jun 15

    AUM VS AUA: Which Model Is Right for Your Wealth Management Firm in 2026

    AUM vs.AUM vs. AUA Explained: Choosing the Right Wealth Management Fee Model (and Why CPA Firms Matter)On this episode of The Nexus Point Podcast, host Rich Romero and Geoff Bruskin, Managing Partner and CEO of White Tiger Connections, compare assets under management (AUM) and assets under advisory (AUA), explaining how each fee model works and when it makes sense based on client net worth, liquidity, firm monetization, and brand narrative. They discuss typical basis-point fee schedules under AUM, how AUA can support more holistic financial advice and reduce incentives tied to where assets are held, and why AUA is more common among ultra-high net worth families with significant illiquid holdings. Geoff suggests wealth management firms should evolve rather than switch models outright, potentially serving multiple market segments with different fee structures. The episode closes with a case for integrating tax and accounting capabilities into RIAs and broker-dealers, enabled by fully remote CPA talent, to improve client outcomes and drive growth.00:00 Welcome and Setup00:18 AUM Explained: Basis Points and Fee Schedules02:15 AUA Explained: Net Worth and Flat Fee Structures03:49 Choosing Between AUM and AUA Based on Client Profile05:55 Fiduciary Narrative, Fee Conflicts, and Incentive Structures08:25 Fee Model Advice for CPA Firms Starting an RIA09:46 Should Wealth Management Firms Switch Fee Models12:08 Remote CPA Talent and the Integrated Wealth Management Thesis15:10 Wrap Up and Where to Find White Tiger ConnectionsHow this was made

  8. Jun 15

    WHY TOP 100 FIRM TAX PARTNERS ARE DONE - Episode 22

    Are you a CPA tax partner at a top 100 firm feeling burned out, underpaid, or stuck with no control over your book of business?In this episode of The Nexus Point, Geoff Bruskin and Rich Romero break down why large firm tax partners are the most disillusioned professionals in public accounting right now, and what your real options look like in 2026.If you're a big firm tax partner running a $1M, $2M, or $3M+ book of business, this episode will show you what the market actually thinks you're worth.Topics covered:Top signs a large firm tax partner is ready to make a moveWhy golden handcuffs, infrastructure, and client retention fears are weaker than you thinkHow to merge a tax book of business into an existing wealth management firmThe step-by-step math behind launching an affiliated RIA as a CPA partnerHow to structure a CPA and RIA partnership with minority ownership and alternative practice structuresWhy tax partner compensation at large firms is severely undervalued compared to independent and integrated platformsThe fear vs. satisfaction framework for deciding when to leave a big firmWhether you're considering going independent, joining a smaller CPA firm, partnering with a private equity backed platform, or integrating your tax practice into a wealth management firm, this episode gives you the blueprint.Hosted by Rich Romero and Geoff Bruskin, Managing Partner of White Tiger Connections, a leading M&A advisory and recruiting firm specializing in CPA firms and RIA wealth management practices.Connect with Geoff Bruskin: geoff@whitetigerconnections.comWhite Tiger Connections: whitetigerconnections.com00:00 Welcome to Nexus Point00:25 Who This Episode Is For00:48 Signs You're Ready to Leave a Large Firm02:28 What's Holding Big Firm Tax Partners Back05:09 Myths About Leaving and Better Moves06:34 Tax as the Quarterback of Integrated Services09:13 How to Merge a Tax Book Into a Wealth Firm09:48 Blueprint for Your Next Step as a CPA Partner11:52 Starting Your Own RIA as a Tax Partner13:02 RIA Ownership Structure and Revenue Math16:51 One Move CPA Partners Should Make Before Year End18:50 Wrap Up and Call to Action

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About

Shaping the Future of Accounting Firms. Where strategy, innovation, and vision meet. NexusPoint dives into the critical junctures transforming the accounting industry, showcasing actionable insights from trailblazers redefining success.

Information

  • Creator
    Geoff Bruskin
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Geoff Bruskin
  • Show Website
    The Nexus Point Podcast