2 CPAs & The Mic

Jeff Frable Sara Mays
  • 5.0 (12)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to "2 CPAs & The Mic," where we address the world of tax/accounting and business strategy without the jargon and stuffiness of the traditional CPA suits and jargon. Join Child of the 80's, Jeff Frable, CPA & CGMA, and totally 90's chic, Sara Mays, CPA, with real world people on the "The Mic" to bring you episodes packed with insightful chats, inspiring tales, and a sprinkle of humor as they give it to you straight. Whether you're a business owner or tax/accounting professional from the ancient times of checkbooks, paper, and faxes or the new age, all-digital, all-virtual world, "2 CPAs & The Mic" is a delightful mix of experience and fresh vibes. We're here to provide you with valuable insights into tax/accounting and business strategy, wrapped in humor and engaging conversations. Come for the valued knowledge and stay for the engaging conversations and laughs—your go-to resource for everything tax/accounting and business strategy!

  1. S2E19 - Build a Firm That Scales: Trust, Strategy & the New Advisory Model – with Kathy Towne-Sautters

    1d ago

    S2E19 - Build a Firm That Scales: Trust, Strategy & the New Advisory Model – with Kathy Towne-Sautters

    In this episode of 2 CPAs & The Mic, Jeff Frable and Sara Mays sit down with Kathy Towne-Sautters of the BDO Alliance to unpack how the accounting profession is evolving beyond compliance into a true advisory powerhouse. Kathy shares why being a "connector" matters, how active listening builds trust faster than any sales pitch, and why firms can't afford to operate in a vacuum. They dive into the rise of AI, the growing influence of private equity, and what next-generation leaders really want: transparency, technology, and a clear path forward. If you're thinking about the future of your firm (or your career), this conversation is packed with insight, strategy, and practical takeaways.

    1h 23m
  2. S2E18 - Bridging the Gap: Transitioning to Next Gen Leadership – with Scott Dannemiller

    May 28

    S2E18 - Bridging the Gap: Transitioning to Next Gen Leadership – with Scott Dannemiller

    This episode of 2 CPAs & The Mic explores leadership succession, focusing on transitions from founders to next-generation leaders. Scott Dannemiller shares that many challenges stem from communication gaps, imposter syndrome, and the "curse of knowledge."  He outlines the distinct hurdles for internal and external successors and emphasizes that successful transitions require transparency, realistic expectations, and ongoing course correction. He also highlights the emotional nature of succession and the importance of reframing change as adaptation, not criticism.  Strong planning, clear roles, intentional overlap, and consistent feedback are key to a healthy transition, while silence and unspoken concerns signal risk. Ultimately, effective succession blends strategy, empathy, and proactive communication.  If you're a business founder, owner, HR professional, or culture leader, this episode offers practical guidance to navigate succession with clarity, confidence, and trust.

    58 min
  3. S2E17 - 401(k) Audit Essentials: Avoid Costly Mistakes

    May 21

    S2E17 - 401(k) Audit Essentials: Avoid Costly Mistakes

    What really happens during a 401(k) audit—and why should you care? Hosts Jeff Frable and Sara Mays sit down with Jeremy Smith to pull back the curtain on employee benefit plan audits, explaining key rules, common compliance traps, and the surprising ways things can go wrong. From simple payroll slip-ups to shocking fraud cases, this episode delivers both eye-opening stories and actionable advice to help keep your plan compliant and your employees protected.

    55 min
  4. S2E16 - The Mental Health ROI: Why Culture Beats Compensation

    May 14

    S2E16 - The Mental Health ROI: Why Culture Beats Compensation

    Workplace stress is at an all-time high, but burnout isn't just a personal issue, it's a relationship issue. In this candid and insightful conversation, hosts Jeff Frable and Sara Mays sit down with Chris King, owner of GPS Therapies, to unpack what's really happening to our mental health at work. With nearly 30 years of experience as a counselor and leader, Chris shares why every problem is a relationship problem, how stress quietly turns into burnout, and why employees who feel unheard either "act out" or disappear entirely. The discussion explores generational shifts in mental health, the loneliness epidemic, and the crucial balance between freedom and responsibility in healthy organizations. Whether you're an employer, a manager, or simply trying to survive Monday morning, this episode delivers clarity, hope, and tools you can use immediately.

    1h 2m
  5. S2E15 - Lead with Hospitality. Earn Trust. Grow.

    May 7

    S2E15 - Lead with Hospitality. Earn Trust. Grow.

    What happens when fine-dining hospitality meets auto repair? In this episode, Jeff Frable and Sara Mays sit down with Russ Knight, owner of a Christian Brothers Automotive franchise in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to explore how the principles from Will Guidara's book Unreasonable Hospitality can transform even the most unexpected industries. Russ shares how applying a hospitality-first mindset—focused on listening, personalization, and empowering employees—helped his shop stand out in a crowded, trust-challenged market. Rather than obsessing over sales metrics or technical upsells, Russ explains why small, thoughtful gestures, genuine education, and meeting customers where they are matter far more. The result? Stronger trust, higher customer retention, improved team morale, and sustainable financial growth. Whether you lead a service business, manage a team, or want to rethink how you engage the people you serve, this conversation will challenge you to go above and beyond—no white tablecloths required.

    1h 5m
  6. S2E14 - Essential Business Etiquette Tips for Students and Professionals

    Apr 30

    S2E14 - Essential Business Etiquette Tips for Students and Professionals

    What really makes a great first impression in business and why do so many professionals get it wrong without realizing it? In this episode of 2 CPAs and The Mic, Jeff Frable and Sara Mays sit down with etiquette expert Rachel Wagner to break down modern business etiquette for today's entrepreneurs, students, and professionals.  With nearly 20 years of experience, Rachel delivers clear, actionable advice on everything from confident handshakes and polished emails to virtual meeting etiquette, networking, dining dos and don'ts (including who pays), business cards, professional dress, and the impact of handwritten thank-you notes. Her core message is simple: etiquette isn't about perfection, but about awareness, respect, and making others feel valued. Whether you're early in your career, leading a team, or mentoring the next generation, this conversation is packed with actionable tips to help you avoid common faux pas, elevate your professional presence, and be remembered for all the right reasons.

    1h 11m
  7. S2E13 - Something Extra: Lessons from the Boardroom and the Valleys

    Apr 23

    S2E13 - Something Extra: Lessons from the Boardroom and the Valleys

    In this week's episode of 2 CPAs & The Mic, Jeff Frable and Sara Mays welcome Lisa Nichols, author, podcast host, CEO, and co-founder of Technology Partners.  Together, they explore Lisa's 32-year journey of building a people-first IT firm alongside her husband, culminating in an impressive Net Promoter Score of 100. The conversation becomes personal as Lisa shares how her daughter Allie, who has Down syndrome, has been her greatest teacher. Drawing from her book Something Extra, Lisa explains how life's challenges inspire powerful leadership lessons rooted in humility, vulnerability, and hope. This episode reminds us that the qualities of great leaders are shaped by experiences forged beyond the balance sheet.

    57 min
  8. S2E12 - Beyond April 15: The CHILI Tax Strategy for Business Owners

    Apr 16

    S2E12 - Beyond April 15: The CHILI Tax Strategy for Business Owners

    April 15th may have passed, but entrepreneurs have new opportunities to build on their success. In this episode of 2 CPAs & The Mic, CCK Strategies partners Jeff Frable and Sara Mays discuss what business owners should consider after the April 15th deadline.  To keep things practical (and a little spicy), they introduce the CHILI framework, a simple, memorable approach to proactive tax strategy: Choosing the right entity Harnessing deductions Investing intentionally Leveraging time and resources Integrating a proactive team Jeff and Sara cover everything from choosing your business structure and bonus depreciation to home office rules, what counts as a meal versus entertainment, and the latest tax law changes coming up.  They make these tricky topics easy to understand, practical, and packed with real-life tips you can use.  Along the way, they share what they've learned from working with entrepreneurs and business leaders.   They also chat openly about the mistakes they see entrepreneurs make all the time, such as waiting too long to act, ignoring IRS notices, or trying to handle complex tax issues on their own.  Plus, they get real about what AI can and can't do, and why having a good professional team in your corner is more important than ever.  If any of this sounds familiar, you're not alone.  If you've ever been caught off guard by a tax bill, puzzled by some deduction advice you saw online, or wondered how to get ahead instead of just reacting, this episode is for you.  This episode will help you reset after 4/15, connect the dots, and feel more confident moving forward.

    54 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Welcome to "2 CPAs & The Mic," where we address the world of tax/accounting and business strategy without the jargon and stuffiness of the traditional CPA suits and jargon. Join Child of the 80's, Jeff Frable, CPA & CGMA, and totally 90's chic, Sara Mays, CPA, with real world people on the "The Mic" to bring you episodes packed with insightful chats, inspiring tales, and a sprinkle of humor as they give it to you straight. Whether you're a business owner or tax/accounting professional from the ancient times of checkbooks, paper, and faxes or the new age, all-digital, all-virtual world, "2 CPAs & The Mic" is a delightful mix of experience and fresh vibes. We're here to provide you with valuable insights into tax/accounting and business strategy, wrapped in humor and engaging conversations. Come for the valued knowledge and stay for the engaging conversations and laughs—your go-to resource for everything tax/accounting and business strategy!

Information

  • Creator
    Jeff Frable Sara Mays
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    2 CPAs & The Mic

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