Practice Success Podcast

Canopy
  • 5.0 (2)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Have you wondered what it takes to thrive in the accounting industry? Or how the experts established their successful careers? Learn from industry experts with Canopy.  In each episode of the Practice Success Podcast, Canopy takes a deep dive with accounting professionals, exploring their career trajectory, extracting advice for firms, and discussing the latest trending topics.

  1. The Right Tech Starts with Knowing Who You Serve

    3H AGO

    The Right Tech Starts with Knowing Who You Serve

    Send us your thoughts or what you want to hear more about! Most accounting firms evaluate technology the wrong way. They start with the tool instead of starting with the client. In this episode of Canopy Practice Success, Roman Kepczyk — one of the most respected firm technology consultants in the profession — lays out the three-step framework he uses to help firms build a tech stack that actually fits: understand your client base, evaluate how your work is allocated, and lean on your community before you ever open a demo. Roman explains why the same tax software can be the right answer for one firm and the wrong one for another, how post-season debriefs become the fuel for real improvement, and what firms consistently get wrong about AI. He also takes on the myth of throwing out your timesheets — and why the message has been misunderstood. Whether you're thinking about switching practice management software, introducing AI, or just trying to get the right work to the right people, this episode gives you a practical framework for evaluating where your firm stands. What You'll Learn • Why your ideal client profile is the foundation of every tech decision your firm makes • How to run a post-tax-season debrief that actually leads to change • Why senior-level people are often doing low-value work — and how workflow tools fix that • What AI vendors are getting wrong when they claim AI capabilities • Why community is the most underrated resource for evaluating accounting software • How to use the Lean Six Sigma premortem to identify risks before a project fails • What the "throw out your timesheets" movement actually means — and what it doesn't • How tiered pricing models eliminate the guesswork around billing and scope creep Connect With Roman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/romankepczyk/ RightWorks: https://rightworks.com Subscribe to Canopy Practice SuccessIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and follow Canopy Practice Success wherever you listen to podcasts.

    31 min
  2. The Cost of Overcomplicating Accounting, with Geni Whitehouse

    APR 8

    The Cost of Overcomplicating Accounting, with Geni Whitehouse

    Send us your thoughts or what you want to hear more about! Why Most Accountants Stop at the Diagnosis — and What to Do Instead With Geni Whitehouse, CPA and Founder of The Impactful Advisor Most accountants are trained to be historians. They tell you what happened last month and how bad it looks. What they're rarely trained to do is help you fix it. In this episode of Canopy Practice Success, Geni Whitehouse — CPA, author, educator, and the force behind The Impactful Advisor — makes the case for a fundamentally different way of working with clients. Geni shares why accounting's biggest problem isn't technical skill, it's communication: the jargon, the unexplained financial statements, and the habit of delivering a diagnosis and walking out of the room. The conversation covers how to shift from reactive tax work to proactive advisory, why clients come to accountants in a fear and shame-based state, and how a simple question — "where do you go to see if your business is on track?" — can change an entire client relationship. Geni also walks through the SCOPE grid, a five-dimension framework she uses with winery clients to surface what's really driving financial problems. Whether you're just starting to offer advisory services or looking to make your existing approach more consistent, this episode gives you a concrete path from "random acts of consulting" to a repeatable method you can run with every client. What You'll Learn Why accountants are trained as historians — and what it takes to become a true advisorHow the "x-ray technician" analogy explains the gap between diagnosis and real helpWhy clients arrive at accounting meetings in a fear and shame-based state — and how to respondWhat the SCOPE grid is and how to use it to uncover the real drivers behind financial problemsWhy starting with "what's working" breaks down client resistance before you address what's brokenHow niche focus (Geni works exclusively with wineries) builds credibility and deepens advisory conversationsWhat "random acts of consulting" means — and how to replace it with a standardized advisory methodWhy humor is a legitimate tool for breaking down barriers to learning in client and team settingsConnect With Geni LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evenanerd/ Subscribe to Canopy Practice SuccessIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and follow Canopy Practice Success wherever you listen to podcasts.

    29 min
  3. Mark Kohler: Stop Surviving Tax Season. Start Scaling From It.

    MAR 25

    Mark Kohler: Stop Surviving Tax Season. Start Scaling From It.

    Send us your thoughts or what you want to hear more about! Stop Reacting to Deadlines and Start Harvesting Profits. Is your firm buried in returns, just waiting for April 15th to finally breathe? Most firm owners view tax season as a period of survival, but CPA and Tax Attorney Mark Kohler joins host Chad Saley to challenge that model. Mark argues that tax season isn’t just about compliance, it’s "Harvest Season." In this episode of Canopy’s Practice Success podcast, Mark shares the exact roadmap he used to build a multi-million dollar firm by shifting from high-volume tax prep to high-value advisory. If you’ve ever wanted to work with fewer clients, make more money, and actually leave the office at 5:00 PM during tax season, this is a must-listen. Inside this episode: The "Exit Interview" Strategy: Why the best time to sell advisory is the moment you deliver a tax return.Separating the Wheat from the Tares: How to identify your "Avatar" and fire the "D" and "F" clients that are burning out your team.The $2 Million Math: How 100 advisory clients can out-earn a pool of 2,000 compliance clients.Overcoming Firm Friction: How to get partners and associates on board with a new model without losing control of the ship.Rapid Fire Strategy: Mark’s take on S-Corp reasonable comp, overused buzzwords, and the biggest pricing mistakes firms make.Key Takeaways: The Paid Consult Hook: Stop giving away your best ideas for free. Learn how to charge for the initial strategy session.The Three-Year Transition: Transitioning to advisory doesn't happen overnight—Mark explains how to "chunk" the transition to reach full advisory status in 3-4 years.Scale Without Burnout: Build systems that empower your team to implement strategies while you remain the strategic gatekeeper.About Mark Kohler: Mark J. Kohler is a CPA, Attorney, and co-founder of KKOS Lawyers and Main Street Tax Pros. He is a national best-selling author and a leading expert on tax planning and wealth-building strategies for small business owners. Resources Mentioned: Main Street Tax Pros: mainstreetprofessionals.comSubscribe to Canopy Practice SuccessIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and follow Canopy Practice Success wherever you listen to podcasts.

    27 min
  4. Roman Villard on AI, Automation, and the Future of Accounting Firms

    MAR 11

    Roman Villard on AI, Automation, and the Future of Accounting Firms

    Send us your thoughts or what you want to hear more about! How AI and Data Are Reshaping the Future of Accounting Firms With Roman Villard, Founder of Full Send What does the future of an accounting firm actually look like? In this episode of Canopy Practice Success, Roman Villard, CPA and founder of Full Send, shares how modern firms are evolving beyond traditional accounting services. Roman explains why he removed “Finance” from his firm’s name and how Full Send has expanded into data strategy, automation, and AI-powered workflows. The conversation explores how technology is changing accounting, what services firms should focus on moving forward, and why advisory and client relationships will matter more than ever. The episode also dives into the impact AI may have on the profession, how entry-level roles could change, and what firm owners should be thinking about as the industry evolves. Whether you're running a firm or thinking about starting one, this episode offers a candid look at where accounting is headed. What You'll Learn • Why Roman Villard rebranded his firm from Full Send Finance to Full Send • How accounting firms can expand into data, automation, and AI services • Why advisory should be a mindset, not just a service offering • How AI may reshape entry-level accounting roles • Why low-value compliance work may disappear in the coming years • What accounting firms can learn from startups and other industries • How small improvements in client experience can create long-term loyalty • Why go-to-market strategy matters more than most firms realize Connect With Roman LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rdvcpa/ Subscribe to Canopy Practice SuccessIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and follow Canopy Practice Success wherever you listen to podcasts.

    32 min
  5. Content Is Connection: Dr. Kristy Short on Marketing That Moves Accountants Forward

    FEB 25

    Content Is Connection: Dr. Kristy Short on Marketing That Moves Accountants Forward

    Send us your thoughts or what you want to hear more about! In this episode, Dr. Kristy Short discusses the vital role of content in the accounting profession, emphasizing that content is not just marketing but a means of connection. She explains how businesses can leverage content to attract their ideal clients, engage them effectively, and build trust. The conversation also covers the importance of understanding the marketing funnel, the use of AI in content creation, and overcoming barriers to effective content marketing. Dr. Short encourages accountants to share their expertise and highlights the joy of connecting with clients through valuable content. Takeaways Content is essential for business identity and connection. Understanding your ideal client is crucial for effective marketing. Content should be targeted to engage the right audience. The marketing funnel consists of awareness, interest, decision, and action. Building trust through valuable content is key to client relationships. AI can enhance content creation but should not replace the human touch. Sharing knowledge builds trust and attracts clients. Start small and gradually increase your content output. Atomizing content can maximize its reach and effectiveness. Marketing is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort. Connect with Kristy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristyshortac/ Subscribe to Canopy Practice SuccessIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and follow Canopy Practice Success wherever you listen to podcasts.

    31 min
  6. Doug Lewis on PE in Accounting: Opportunity, Risk, and What Comes Next

    FEB 24

    Doug Lewis on PE in Accounting: Opportunity, Risk, and What Comes Next

    Send us your thoughts or what you want to hear more about! Thinking about selling your accounting firm or taking outside capital? In this follow-up Q&A episode, Doug Lewis breaks down the most common accounting firm deal structures, including cash at close, earnouts, rollover equity, and what actually happens after a recapitalization. You will learn: How accounting firm M&A deals are typically structuredWhen earnouts and clawbacks show up, and how often they are enforcedWhat “rollover equity” really means and how to evaluate its qualityThe difference between private equity buyers and CPA-backed strategic buyersWhat drives valuation multiples, client concentration, niche focus, tech stack, leadership depthHow buyers assess scalability and operational maturityIf you are a firm owner, managing partner, or practice leader exploring succession, growth, or a liquidity event, this episode will help you understand both the upside and the risks. Watch the full Webinar  Subscribe to Canopy Practice SuccessIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and follow Canopy Practice Success wherever you listen to podcasts.

    22 min
  7. The Cost of “Always On” Culture, with Amy Vetter

    FEB 11

    The Cost of “Always On” Culture, with Amy Vetter

    Send us your thoughts or what you want to hear more about! Burnout isn’t a personal failure. It’s a system problem, and accounting feels it first.  In this episode, CPA and mindfulness leader Amy Vetter challenges the profession’s “always on” culture and explains why pushing harder is often the fastest path to disengagement. Amy unpacks what burnout really looks like inside accounting firms, why high performers are most at risk, and how leaders unintentionally reinforce the behaviors they claim to want to fix. This isn’t a conversation about bubble baths or vague self-care. It’s about boundaries, leadership modeling, delegation, and the real business cost of ignoring mental health. Drawing on decades at the intersection of accounting, technology, and mindfulness, Amy shows how firm culture actually changes, and why well-being and profitability are not opposites. If you’re a partner, manager, or advisor feeling stretched thin (or watching your team quietly burn out), this episode offers a sharper lens on what needs to change first. You’ll hear: Why burnout often starts with people who care the mostHow “always available” expectations erode trust and retentionWhat leaders must do before wellness programs actually workHow healthier teams drive better client relationships and revenueConnect with Amy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyvettercpa/ https://www.amyvetter.com/ Subscribe to Canopy Practice SuccessIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and follow Canopy Practice Success wherever you listen to podcasts.

    32 min
  8. Making Accounting More Human with Erin Pohan

    JAN 28

    Making Accounting More Human with Erin Pohan

    Send us your thoughts or what you want to hear more about! Feeling isolated running your firm, or building a career without the “perfect” path? In this episode of Canopy Practice Success, KC Brothers talks with Erin Pohan, founder of Upkeeping LLC and creator of Wave Seattle (Women in Accounting, Finance, Visionaries, and Entrepreneurs). Erin shares how moving 10 times as a military spouse shaped her belief that you do not have to build your career, or your firm, alone. You’ll hear practical ways to protect yourself from loneliness, find peers, and grow with community-first leadership. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why leadership feels lonely, and how peer support reduces burnoutHow to find your “accounting people” online and in-personErin’s playbook for community building, from conferences to mastermindsHow Upkeeping grew from a solo start into a team, and what Erin hires nextWhy human connection improves business outcomes, not just feelingsConnect with Erin here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinpohan/ Subscribe to Canopy Practice SuccessIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and follow Canopy Practice Success wherever you listen to podcasts.

    32 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Have you wondered what it takes to thrive in the accounting industry? Or how the experts established their successful careers? Learn from industry experts with Canopy.  In each episode of the Practice Success Podcast, Canopy takes a deep dive with accounting professionals, exploring their career trajectory, extracting advice for firms, and discussing the latest trending topics.

Information

  • Creator
    Canopy
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    58
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Practice Success Podcast
  • Show Website
    Practice Success Podcast

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