Business Beyond Borders: Impactful Insights for CPAs

63 - Scaling Smart: Systems, Structure, and Sustainable Growth with Eli Raff

When is it time to stop doing and start owning your business?

 

In this episode, Laurence Whittam sits down with Eli Raff, Operational Efficiency & Business Systemization Expert at Owner-Free Systems Advisory to explore the mindset shift—and operational strategy—needed to grow a firm beyond the founder. If you’ve ever felt like you can’t take a real vacation without things falling apart, this one’s for you.

 

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Identify the mindset shift from technician to business builder

• Understand why strong SOPs are the backbone of scale

• Learn how to systemize your firm without switching all your tech

• Discover the 3 freedom processes every owner should focus on

• Spot red flags that show your firm needs better systems—now

 

Listen now to build a business that runs without you at the center!

 

#BusinessBeyondBorders #OperationalExcellence #CPAInsights #FirmGrowth #SystemsThatScale

62 - What Culture Really Takes: Inside Firms Managing Remote and Offshore Talent with Randy Crabtree

How do you build a thriving firm culture in a remote world—and why does vulnerability matter more than ever?

 

In this episode of Business Beyond Borders, Laurence Whittam sits down with Randy Crabtree—CPA, co-founder of Tri-Merit Specialty Tax Professionals. Known for championing culture, mental health, and people-first leadership, Randy shares practical insights from decades of experience.

 

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover why intentional leadership is critical to culture-building

• Learn how firms are successfully blending flexibility with in-person connection

• Understand the impact of well-defined (and alternative) career paths

• Explore the power of celebrating wins—both personal and professional

• Hear how vulnerability at the top creates space for growth at all levels

 

Listen now to rethink what leadership and culture mean in the modern firm.

 

#CPALeadership #FirmCulture #RemoteTeams #AccountingInnovation #BusinessBeyondBorders

61 - Inside the Offshore Shift: Lessons from a CPA Who Did It Differently

What does it take to build a high-performing offshore team from the ground up?

 

In this episode of Business Beyond Borders, guest Ben Town shares how his frustrating outsourcing journey led to the creation of his own offshore team, now supporting firms.

 

In this episode, you will be able to:

 

• Understand the stages CPA firms go through when exploring outsourcing

• Identify the common challenges of working with outsourcing vendors

• Learn why cultural alignment and asynchronous communication are critical to success

• Discover how Ben structured his offshore valuation team for scalability and retention

• Get real-world insights into managing workflows and time zones effectively

 

Listen now to learn how intentional leadership can turn outsourcing pain into opportunity!

 

#CPAOutsourcing #OffshoreTalent #BusinessBeyondBorders #FirmGrowth #AssuranceAdvisors

60 - Beyond Billable Hours: The AI Marketing Revolution in Accounting with Kristofer Lenz

Is AI replacing marketers—or finally making them effective?

 

In this episode of Business Beyond Borders, Laurence Whittam talks with Kristofer Lenz, Founder of Kailos Marketing Lab, about how AI is reshaping marketing for CPA firms—and why most firms are still missing the mark.

 

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover how AI accelerates content, outreach, and BD for accounting firms.

• Learn why prompt engineering and human input are essential to success.

• Hear how firms like MGO leveraged internal branding to win buy-in for outsourcing.

• Understand how smaller firms can compete with industry giants using automation.

• Get practical tips to start using AI in your firm today—without being a tech expert.

 

Don’t let your firm fall behind. Listen now!

 

#CPAFirmGrowth #AIinMarketing #CPAOutsourcing #BusinessBeyondBorders

59 - What No One Tells You About Cultural Gaps in Outsourcing

Struggling with cultural friction in your offshore team? You’re not alone—and it’s more common (and fixable) than you think.

 

In this episode of Business Beyond Borders, Laurence Whittam dives into one of the most overlooked reasons firms fail to scale their outsourcing success: cultural disconnects.

 

In this episode, you’ll be able to:

• Recognize common cultural challenges when working with offshore teams

• Understand how these issues show up in FTE, project-based, or BOT models

• Learn how to better integrate your outsourcing provider into strategic discussions

• Discover tools like internal workshops and alliance resources to bridge cultural gaps

• Get practical steps to overcome discomfort and build global team alignment

 

Ready to make culture your outsourcing advantage?  Listen now to the full episode and start scaling smarter.

 

#BusinessBeyondBorders #OutsourcingTips #GlobalTeams #CulturalAlignment #ScalingSuccess

58 - Helping Clients Choose: Growth, Niche, or Exit with Christine Nicholson

Is your firm missing the real advisory opportunity behind M&A?

In this episode of Business Beyond Borders, Laurence Whittam sits down with UK-based exit planning expert Christine Nicholson to unpack what firms often overlook when guiding clients through succession and acquisition decisions.

 

In this episode, you’ll be able to:

• Understand why mid-sized firms struggle to evolve—and what to do about it

• Recognize the signs when a client might be ready to sell their book

• Learn how to shift conversations from compliance to true advisory

• Discover the power of niche focus in driving long-term value

• Know who to call when you don’t have the answers

 

Whether you’re navigating M&A internally or helping clients do the same, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!

 

#BusinessBeyondBorders #MergersAndAcquisitions #ClientAdvisory #CPAInsights #SuccessionPlanning

57 - Before You Outsource: How to Align Your Firm and Eliminate Resistance

Facing internal resistance to outsourcing? You’re not alone.

In this launch episode of the Business Beyond Borders mini-series, host Laurence Whittam dives into one of the biggest barriers firms face when expanding globally—getting internal buy-in for outsourcing. Whether it’s resistance from partners, disconnected service lines, or uncertainty about how to roll it out across offices, these challenges are real—and solvable.

 

In this episode, you’ll be able to:

• Understand why firm-wide alignment is critical for scalable outsourcing success
• Learn how to avoid the silo effect when testing offshoring with just one office or partner
• Discover the role of marketing, HR, and transparency in building a united team
• Explore real-world examples of firms integrating offshore talent into their culture
• Identify key benefits for both partners and staff that drive stronger internal buy-in

 

Listen now and rethink your approach to building a unified, global team!

 

#outsourcingstrategy #cpafirms #firmculture #offshoring #businessbeyondborders

56 - What Every CPA Firm Needs to Know About Operational Strategy

Are you focusing too much on outsourcing and not enough on what’s happening inside your firm?

In this episode of Business Beyond Borders, Laurence Whittam sits down with Tavi Meketon to spotlight the Profit Team—a powerhouse group of operational leaders helping CPA firms become more efficient, forward-thinking, and future-ready.

 

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Understand how the Profit Team supports CPA firms from the inside out

• Learn why strong operational strategy is key to growth and succession

• Discover how COOs act as dot connectors across firm priorities

• Hear why CPA firms need to think like businesses to stay competitive

• Explore how comprehensive support transforms internal firm operations

 

Listen to the full episode now and see how the Profit Team can help you grow smarter.

 

#CPAIndustry #AccountingLeadership #BusinessStrategy #WhitmanTransitionAdvisors #AccountingIndustry