This week’s guest comes from ‘across the pond’ – but his insights and expertise is far from foreign CPAs and firm owners alike.

Reza Hooda is the founder of Capture Accounting and a serious authority in the accounting industry. Reza delivers an invaluable service to his clients: He gets their time back and simplifies their processes so that they can focus on scaling, growing and generating revenue.

Additionally, Reza coaches others like him on how they can grow their own firm – everything from pricing, generating leads, closing deals and much more. You can check him out on his website, LinkedIn or podcast giving advice to shot-callers, accountants and aspiring entrepreneurs alike.

Yuri explores Reza’s come-up and experience that pushed him to go out and create his very own business where he can control (and design) his experience. You’ll also get a sneak peek into Reza’s POV on differentiation, the importance of niching down or specializing, and much more!

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Teaser
0:53 - Introduction
2:43 - What surprised Reza when he went out on his own
8:46 - Reza’s “a-ha” moment
10:49 - Zooming in on Reza’s pricing experience
18:20 - Differentiating yourself w/o using price
21:15 - Building your dream team
26:34 - For new firm owners: how to successfully start right from the beginning
29:12 - How you can start and be like Reza’s example
31:53 - “Going deeper” and why you should specialize
35:05 - Episode wrap-up

ABOUT HOST YURI KAPILOVICH

Yuri, aka #thefuncpa, has been in the accounting profession for over 15 years and has seen, first hand, the challenges the profession brings. After seeing that no firm was fitting the bill, Yuri set out to do things his own way with his firm K&A and the journey began with LinkedIn posting at the front end.

Yuri is proud to bring you #thefuncpa podcast highlighting the fun and all the amazing opportunities our profession can bring us all.

CONNECT WITH YURI KAPILOVICH
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykapilovich/
Website: https://www.thefuncpa.co/

CONNECT WITH REZA HOODA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rezahooda/?originalSubdomain=uk
Website: https://www.rezahooda.com/

Welcome back to The Fun CPA Podcast! This week, host Yuri Kapilovich is joined by a legendary figure in the accounting profession, Allan Koltin.

Allan is the CEO of Koltin Consulting Group and one of the most influential voices in the accounting world. With decades of experience advising top firms on growth, leadership, and mergers, Allan shares insights into what drives success in professional services – more specifically in this episode – the interplay between accounting firms and private equity.

From his early days as the youngest partner at his firm to being ranked among Accounting Today's Top 100 Most Influential People, Allan brings a wealth of knowledge, real-world stories, and forward-thinking advice.

Come listen to an episode chalk-full of value as we really drill down on the ups and down of private equity in the accounting space.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Teaser

0:59 - Episode beginning and intro to Allan

7:22 - Allan dives into PE and accounting

14:33 - “How do we move autonomy to accountability?”

18:56 - What PE ownership brings (and takes away)

28:08 - Managing staff and seniors as PE money comes in

34:20 - Who are the true winners and losers?

39:02 - “What is the threshold at which we stop flipping?”

45:20 - Maintaining (and combining) culture

52:30 - Allan’s suggestion to people uneasy with PE

54:51 - Episode wrap-up

ABOUT HOST YURI KAPILOVICH

Yuri, aka #thefuncpa, has been in the accounting profession for over 15 years and has seen, first hand, the challenges the profession brings. After seeing that no firm was fitting the bill, Yuri set out to do things his own way with his firm K&A and the journey began with LinkedIn posting at the front end.

Yuri is proud to bring you #thefuncpa podcast highlighting the fun and all the amazing opportunities our profession can bring us all.

CONNECT WITH YURI KAPILOVICH

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykapilovich/

Website: https://www.thefuncpa.co/

CONNECT WITH ALLAN D. KOLTIN

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allan-koltin-24a8181

Website: https://koltin.com/

Welcome back to The Fun CPA Podcast! This week, host Yuri Kapilovich is joined by Nikole Mackenzie!

Nikole is the founder and CEO of Momentum Accounting – a firm built for founder led, self-funded businesses doing $1M–$10M in revenue.

Like Yuri, Nikole has always sought to have more control of her career through ownership of her own firm. Not only does she share her journey to build this successful business, she also details what pushed her to go out and get her very own shingle. Much like other accounting origin stories – it isn’t
pretty.

Additionally, the two discuss the ups and downs they’ve experienced in running their own business, the industry at large, what ‘CAS’ is and why it’s Nikole’s bread-and-butter and much more!

Like many of the guests on “The Fun CPA” – Nikole is an inspiration for those of you out there feeling disillusioned with “the grind” and a reminder that there are other paths that in this business that can lead to more fulfillment and balance.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Teaser
1:11 - Introduction
3:20 - Where Nikole first discovered CAS
4:44 - Nicole’s “OG” public accounting days
8:21 - “The moment”
12:49 - What CAS is
16:19 - Nikole’s ideal client
19:15 - “Spent a bunch of money on the wrong things”
24:40 - Losing a big client
27:10 - The ups and downs of having your own business
34:22 - Advice to CPAs that feel lost
37:56 - What can smaller firms do to enrich their careers?
42:46 - Episode wrap-up

ABOUT HOST YURI KAPILOVICH

Yuri, aka #thefuncpa, has been in the accounting profession for over 15 years and has seen, first hand, the challenges the profession brings. After seeing that no firm was fitting the bill, Yuri set out to do things his own way with his firm K&A and the journey began with LinkedIn posting at the front end.

Yuri is proud to bring you #thefuncpa podcast highlighting the fun and all the amazing opportunities our profession can bring us all.


CONNECT WITH YURI KAPILOVICH
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykapilovich/
Website: https://www.thefuncpa.co/

CONNECT WITH NIKOLE MACKENZIE
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikolemackenzie/
Website: https://momentumaccounting.com/

Welcome back to The Fun CPA Podcast! This week, host Yuri Kapilovich is joined by Randy Crabtree!

Randy is co-founder and partner of Tri-Merit Specialty Tax Professionals and an author, lecturer and host of The Unique CPA podcast.

His aptly named “Unique CPA” podcast is the perfect descriptor for Randy’s journey – not only to become a CPA – but also his path towards business ownership. His experience in toxic, corporate environments inspired him to build his own ideal firm with a focus on an employee-first culture.

Randy’s career has yielded many insights both big and small that have informed his business practices and POV on the industry, such as the importance of networking and conferences, why you should root for other people, and much more.

For you would-be owners out there or even soloprenuers trying to get their first client – this episode will be sure to inspire you AND give you concrete advice on how you can grow and evolve in an industry that has a complicated reputation for burnout and poor mental health management.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Teaser

0:57 - Episode beginning

4:45 - How Randy discovered accounting

9:23 - What Randy experienced vs. what he expected

20:35 - What happened after Randy left the firm

24:35 - Habits of never leaving, celebrating colleagues

27:35 - What made Randy sure he needed to move on

30:50 - Randy’s approach when he started out

33:27 - Is organic growth still relevant?

34:30 - Randy’s firm and why he sold

39:08 - Randy post-sale

43:20 - How Randy started another firm, what he did different
49:17 - A significant mindset shift in how the business is run

52:05 - How to get intentional about sales

55:39 - Avoiding the same mistakes while building a business

1:03:48 - The desire to start doing conferences

1:09:45 - Randy’s advice to the new school

1:13:45 - Episode wrap-up

ABOUT HOST YURI KAPILOVICH

Yuri, aka #thefuncpa, has been in the accounting profession for over 15 years and has seen, first hand, the challenges the profession brings. After seeing that no firm was fitting the bill, Yuri set out to do things his own way with his firm K&A and the journey began with LinkedIn posting at the front end.

Yuri is proud to bring you #thefuncpa podcast highlighting the fun and all the amazing opportunities our profession can bring us all.

CONNECT WITH YURI KAPILOVICH

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykapilovich/

Website: https://www.thefuncpa.co/

CONNECT WITH RANDY CRABTREE

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-crabtree-1945a67/

Website: https://tri-merit.com/

Welcome back to The Fun CPA Podcast! This week, host Yuri Kapilovich is joined by the one and only Jason Staats!

Jason Staats is a large proponent of bringing technology into the accounting profession and revolutionizing what businesses and their teams are able to accomplish on a daily basis.

Jason’s experience running a $5M accounting firm and launching and exiting a couple SAAS companies has informed his considerable insight into the accounting industry and what it takes for these businesses to thrive in today’s digital economy.

Additionally, Jason has a considerable online following and is a known authority on both accounting and A.I. He sits down with Yuri to discuss where A.I. and accounting are headed, the challenges and triumphs he had while running his accounting business – and what it has taken him to become such a successful online brand.

Episode Highlights:
0:00 - Teaser
1:26 - Intro to Jason Staats
2:33 - Biggest challenge w/ accounting and A.I.
4:53 - Lack of incentive
8:26 - Jason’s experience buying an 80-year old firm
13:10 - Jason’s partnership experience
14:23 - Managing the broader organization
16:14 - Structuring the buyout
20:33 - How long did it take to see growth?
22:09 - From firm owner to content creator
24:56 - “You gotta do it for yourself”
28:26 - Jason’s breakthrough moment
30:05 - “There is so much value in simply being visible”
34:54 - “The bar is so low on LinkedIn”
36:43 - The best gift Jason was ever given
38:34 - “What even is flopping?”
39:39 - What tech should solo accountants use?
46:27 - Freedom of time
49:55 - Episode wrap-up

ABOUT HOST YURI KAPILOVICH

Yuri, aka #thefuncpa, has been in the accounting profession for over 15 years and has seen, first hand, the challenges the profession brings. After seeing that no firm was fitting the bill, Yuri set out to do things his own way with his firm K&A and the journey began with LinkedIn posting at the front end.

Yuri is proud to bring you #thefuncpa podcast highlighting the fun and all the amazing opportunities our profession can bring us all.

CONNECT WITH YURI KAPILOVICH
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykapilovich/
Website: https://www.thefuncpa.co/

CONNECT WITH JASON STAATS
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jstaats/
Website: https://www.jasononfirms.com/

Welcome back to The Fun CPA Podcast! This week, host Yuri Kapilovich is joined by Rory Henry!

Rory is a Certified Financial Planner™ and a Behavioral Financial Advisor (BFA™), is a director at Arrowroot Family Office and co-founder of AFO Wealth Management Forward.

Originator of the Advis-ROR®, methodology (Return on Relationship). Rory has been in the tax and financial advisory profession for nearly two decades. He has created a unique program to help accounting professionals incorporate holistic wealth management and proactive planning services into their practices.

He is the author of the forthcoming book "Holistic Guide to Wealth Management," a comprehensive resource with contributions from over 24+ thought leaders in accounting, wealth management, and behavioral finance. He hosts the AFO Wealth Management Forward podcast, and has been published in numerous financial and accounting media outlets, including Accounting Today, CPA Trendlines, Intuit Tax Pro Connect, and Financial Advisor Magazine,
among others.

In this week’s episode, Yuri and Rory explore Rory’s unique positioning as a family office director. Rory isn’t your average family office operator, however – and he details what he does and how what he’s doing will soon be the future for small to medium-sized businesses.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction
1:08 - Episode beginning and intro to Rory
3:42 - What a family office is
8:23 - “You are the financial first responder”
9:41 - Behavioral finance and making decisions
13:42 - Focusing on your “future state”
15:14 - Rory’s “values exercise”
21:33 - “The 4 R’s”
23:58 - Private equity and accounting
28:29 - “Every client is different”, AI and customer service
29:57 - Why accountants are positioned well now
33:09 - Episode wrap-up

ABOUT HOST YURI KAPILOVICH

Yuri, aka #thefuncpa, has been in the accounting profession for over 15 years and has seen, first hand, the challenges the profession brings. After seeing that no firm was fitting the bill, Yuri set out to do things his own way with his firm K&A and the journey began with LinkedIn posting at the front end.

Yuri is proud to bring you #thefuncpa podcast highlighting the fun and all the amazing opportunities our profession can bring us all.

CONNECT WITH YURI KAPILOVICH
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykapilovich/
Website: https://www.thefuncpa.co/

CONNECT WITH RORY HENRY
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/roryshenry/
Website: https://advisror.com/

Welcome back to The Fun CPA Podcast! This week, host Yuri Kapilovich is joined by Amber Setter!

Amber is a CPA (inactive), Professional Certified Coach and is the Chief Enlightenment Officer and Executive Leadership Coach at Conscious Public Accountants. Amber's clients are often high-achieving professionals seeking deeper education and transformation. From ways to cope with burnout, career transition and much more – Amber is crucial to the development and emotion and mental well-being of numerous high-performers.

Amber sits down with Yuri to discuss the industry at large – and the issues she has experienced first-hand and seen in her client sessions. They also examine what it would take to retain more people in accounting, what could garner more interest and what can be improved – from company cultures and “old mentalities” to compensation and time-requirements.

Episode Highlights:
0:00 - Introduction
1:08 - Intro to guest Amber Setter
4:42 - How Amber helps her clients
8:18 - “Being a human”
10:58 - Dissecting Yuri’s partner problem
19:15 - The role of a coach
24:12 - “People have a hard time removing their anxieties”
25:57 - Replaying old habits
27:57 - Some of the main issues plaguing the profession
37:25 - The “old school” mentalities
39:04 - Getting more interest in the profession
45:41 - Episode wrap-up

ABOUT HOST YURI KAPILOVICH

Yuri, aka #thefuncpa, has been in the accounting profession for over 15 years and has seen, first hand, the challenges the profession brings. After seeing that no firm was fitting the bill, Yuri set out to do things his own way with his firm K&A and the journey began with LinkedIn posting at the front end.

Yuri is proud to bring you #thefuncpa podcast highlighting the fun and all the amazing opportunities our profession can bring us all.

CONNECT WITH YURI KAPILOVICH
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykapilovich/
Website: https://www.thefuncpa.co/

CONNECT WITH AMBER SETTER
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ambersetter/
Website: https://conscious.cpa/

Welcome back to The Fun CPA Podcast! This week, host Yuri Kapilovich sits down with Mando Sallavanti—financial advisor, business owner, and LinkedIn powerhouse with over 30,000 followers—to break down the strategies behind building a powerful personal brand.

In today’s digital world, your online presence is your business card. Whether you’re looking to attract leads, establish industry authority, or turn engagement into real revenue, Yuri and Mando share their proven tactics for growing influence, managing time, and making an impact—without burning out.

If you're ready to level up your LinkedIn game, CPA, accountant or not – this episode is a must-listen!

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

1:28 - Intro to Mando

3:29 - Mando’s LinkedIn journey and approach

6:46 - “Did you ever feel like it was not working?”

11:03 - The REAL value of LinkedIn

14:12 - Managing time and engagement

18:46 - When did you start saying “no”?

21:54 - Weeding out a “bad fit” client?

24:58 - “Where do you see yourself in the future?”

27:30 - Mando’s advice to newcomers

31:02 - Chasing passion

32:55 - Podcast + book recommendations

34:21 - Episode wrap-up

ABOUT HOST YURI KAPILOVICH

Yuri, aka #thefuncpa, has been in the accounting profession for over 15 years and has seen, first hand, the challenges the profession brings. After seeing that no firm was fitting the bill, Yuri set out to do things his own way with his firm K&A and the journey began with LinkedIn posting at the front end.

Yuri is proud to bring you #thefuncpa podcast highlighting the fun and all the amazing opportunities our profession can bring us all.

CONNECT WITH YURI KAPILOVICH

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykapilovich/

Website: https://www.thefuncpa.co/

CONNECT WITH MANDO SALLAVANTI

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallavanti/