In this episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan Podcast, Brannon is joined by Morry Brown, California market leader at Poe Group Advisors and a longtime family friend. Morry shares his journey from Goldman Sachs to helping CPA firm owners navigate the evolving landscape of firm sales, particularly as private equity (PE) ramps up its interest in the accounting profession.

Making Informed Decisions in a Rapidly Changing Market
Morry and Brannon explore why having multiple offers and opportunities to talk to different buyers gives sellers more leverage and clarity about what matters most. They also discuss why PE buyers are increasingly interested in younger firm owners who aren’t necessarily ready to retire and what this means for those owners. From roll-up strategies and scalable efficiencies to risks around long-term PE timelines, Morry breaks down what firm owners need to consider if they’re eyeing a potential exit in today’s fast-evolving environment.
Timestamps

1:09 – Intro: Morry Brown’s background & joining Poe Group Advisors
3:13 – Why PE buyers are drawn to CPA firms
5:00 – Market changes, rising valuations, and firm consolidation
7:02 – Inside the PE acquisition process & what headline numbers miss
11:14 – Fit vs. price: what really matters when selling
16:01 – Understanding PE timelines, fund mandates & market uncertainty
19:30 – PE can improve firm performance—but it depends on the vision
22:27 – Industry roll-up comparisons: Blockbuster, Waste Management, AutoNation
24:10 – AI + outsourcing: the next evolution in firm efficiency
26:00 – Book rec: Life by Keith Richards
27:17 – Wrapping up: connect with Morry via the Poe Group Advisors website

In this episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan, we are joined by Wayne Findlay—entrepreneur, founder of Findlay & Co., and CEO of The Back Room. Wayne shares his global perspective on how accounting firms can stay competitive in today’s talent-scarce landscape by leveraging offshoring, modern tech, and clear growth paths for team members. If you’re a firm owner thinking about scale, succession, or private equity, this episode is full of practical, real-world insight.

Get in touch with Wayne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynenz/

Episode Timestamps

01:12 – Introduction of Wayne Findlay and the founding of The Back Room

04:09 – Why offshoring is becoming more common in U.S. & Canadian firms

05:50 – Global talent shortage & the retention pressure from PE

09:09 – The win-win of delegation and internal growth

12:10 – How to use AI wisely and keep firm data secure

16:18 – His firm’s expansion into Colombia and why it’s strategic for U.S. work

19:00 – Preparing your firm for sale: what PE buyers want to see

22:45 – Funny story from an accounting conference

25:33 – Book rec: The Four Principles of Management

27:57 – Connect with Wayne and see him at upcoming conferences

The Power of Authenticity in Attracting Talent and Changing Perceptions

In this episode of the Accountant’s Flight Plan Podcast, we interviewed fellow podcaster and reputation-building expert Rob Brown. Rob is the host of three accounting-related podcasts with a collective following of over 50,000 listeners and is the author of Build Your Reputation. He has spent over two decades working in business development and training for accountants, who he found to be passionate but often struggling with the interpersonal side of growing a firm.
After a life-changing stroke, Rob recalibrated his career to focus on helping accountants shape their stories, amplify their impact, and build personal brands that not only elevate their firms—but the profession as a whole.

Timestamps:
00:21 – Introduction of Rob Brown and his background
2:40 – How Rob moved from education to accounting business development
8:00 – The talent crisis and why firm branding matters
12:40 – Authenticity and representation in your firm’s story
17:19 – How to build a personal brand (without burning out)
26:46 – Scaling, saying “no,” and making space for growth
32:27 – Who’s responsible for the profession’s brand?
37:00 – Brannon shares why he chose accounting
40:00 – Funny personal story from Rob
44:30 – Book recommendation: Deep Work by Cal Newport