In this session, we will delve into the art of crafting an exceptional client experience, exploring the key strategies and touchpoints that can transform standard service into a remarkable journey for your clients. It will share insights into the importance of the client experience and discuss how to build a client-centered roadmap within your organization.

The M&A marketplace is hotter than ever. In this session, Allan Koltin will provide an update on the current merger landscape, and you'll hear from several Alliance firms active in this area (both buyers and sellers).

Now that we have seen that private equity and investments by other strategic buyers have been made at firms of all sizes, how do you ensure that your firm is going to compete effectively with these new players? Learn how the new players view the world, the differences in their model vs. the traditional CPA firm model, and the actions you need to take to compete.

Whether you are a managing partner, partner or aspiring partner, you'll benefit from hearing the perspectives of a panel of managing partners representing your peer CPA Alliance firms. We will discuss the results of an April 2025 survey related to MAP topics and hear from our panelists. This year's Pulse session will continue to be interactive, and we will look for audience participation related to a variety of topics, including growth, capacity, succession planning, M&A and partner compensation.

This session, based on a recent article written in Accounting Today by the presenter, will look at the evolution from the Relationship/Trusted Advisor to Transactional CPA firm. It will look at the value proposition and discuss the medical concierge model and premium pricing that Relationship/Trusted Advisor firms should be charging.

Whether you are a managing partner, partner or aspiring partner, you'll benefit from hearing the perspectives of a panel of managing partners representing your peer CPA Alliance firms. We will discuss the results of an April 2025 survey related to MAP topics and hear from our panelists. This year's Pulse session will continue to be interactive, and we will look for audience participation related to a variety of topics, including growth, capacity, succession planning, M&A and partner compensation.

With increased consolidation and competition from outside partners, M&A has become a strategy for survival. Size matters due to the investments required in people and technology. Firms are merging to gain access to the resources another firm has already made, or they are acquiring practices to have the size to make the investments needed to remain independent. The days of watching from the sidelines and waiting to see what happens are gone. This session will address how every firm needs to be active in one way or another in the M&A space to survive the constant change.

In the fall of 2023, BDO USA established an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) to provide its 10,000 employees a direct stake in the firm. “The younger generation wants a piece of what they are helping to build,” said Wayne Berson, CEO of BDO USA. This session will provide background on the “why” and “how” of BDO’s ESOP formation, as well as an update on our experience in recruiting and retaining team members post-ESOP. You will also hear from managing partners of Alliance firms who are ESOP-owned and learn about the broader ESOP marketplace for professional services firms.

This session will provide updated insights on the impact of private equity firms investing in CPA firms. Hear directly from several Alliance members that have received PE funding, as well as from consultants who are involved in helping PE firms find candidates for investment.

This session will showcase three Alliance member managing partners in firms of diverse sizes. They will detail how they built thriving practices, what they are thinking next, and what obstacles they see coming. Each panelist will share how to navigate through different market conditions. You will walk away with growth ideas and implementation tactics that have fueled their firms, so you can create or alter your plans as you evolve your firm.

This session will offer perspectives from several private equity firms active in the accounting profession. A facilitated panel discussion will provide you a current update on PE's strategy and implementation status in growing their presence in the CPA marketplace.

As accounting firms seek sustainable growth, the transition from operating as a solo department or a collection of disjointed efforts to a cohesive, collaborative team is essential. This session will focus on how practice leaders can transform their practice areas into unified teams that drive strategic growth together. Attendees will learn how to foster collaboration, align team efforts with the firm’s growth objectives, and implement structures that support a collective approach to market engagement. This session is designed for leaders aiming to build strong, growth-focused teams that work together seamlessly to achieve firm-wide success.

Successful change initiatives require more than just implementing new processes—they need the coordination of project, process, and operational management. This session will explore the Change Management Triangle framework, focusing on how these three areas work together to drive change adoption and success. We’ll dive into the unique roles each management discipline plays: project management delivers new initiatives; process management ensures continuous improvement; and operational management supports day-to-day execution. Attendees will also learn how effective change management underpins each of these areas by improving adoption and supporting individuals through transitions.

In the evolving landscape of accounting, the traditional billable hour model is being challenged by innovative approaches that focus on resilience and revenue diversification. In this session, Tim Moy, Managing Partner with extensive experience in transforming accounting practices, will discuss how to build firm resilience, infuse advisory and consulting, and earn money unrelated to time. He will provide actionable insights and practical steps for accounting professionals looking to innovate their practice, increase profitability, and deliver greater value to their clients.

The pace of change in our profession requires a more connected view of how governance impacts our ability to be future-ready. From the need for agility, acting in speed, reducing the time spent in operational meetings, to staying competitive in a disrupted profession, it's time for firms to overcome governance change hesitancy. In this session, we'll explore why the pace of governance changes; typical governance structures; inflection points that often create a need to modify our structure; case studies; and best practices for transition. You'll be better equipped to balance your firm's culture and legacy with the much-needed changes that will propel you to the future.