In this final episode of the Managing Partner Reality series, Chad Person and Dawn Howard discuss the critical importance of succession planning and leadership development within firms. They explore the gaps in leadership capacity, the necessity of mentorship, and strategies for effective leadership transition. The conversation emphasizes the need for proactive planning and building a culture that supports leadership growth to ensure the firm's future success.Takeaways•Succession planning is essential for firm growth.•Leadership capacity is often concentrated in a few senior partners.•Mentorship should extend beyond technical skills to include strategic decision-making.•Firms need to prepare for leadership transitions well in advance.•Building a culture of leadership is crucial for long-term success.•Younger professionals should be exposed to leadership roles early on.•Effective communication is key during leadership transitions.•Planning for succession should be an ongoing conversation.•Firms must consider the emotional aspects of client transitions.•Shared leadership is vital for sustainable growth.LinksDawn Howard– Fractional CMO, YorCMOLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-howard-m-s-b4a6b911Accounting for Growth is the podcast for CPA firm leaders who know referrals aren’t enough. Hosted by Chad Person, founder of AccountingCMO and fractional CMO to high-growth accounting and advisory firms, each short episode features outside experts with fresh takes on how accounting firms can overcome inertia, unlock opportunity, and confidently scale.In under 12 minutes, you’ll hear punchy, actionable conversations with marketers, data experts, technologists, and strategic advisors working at the edge of accounting innovation. Whether it's AI in sales, better positioning, or building a smarter pipeline, each guest brings a clear takeaway on how to drive meaningful, measurable growth.Brought to you by AccountingCMO and powered by yorCMO, this podcast helps you rethink growth, without fluff or filler.Ways to Tune In•Amazon Music https://music.amazon.com/esco/podcasts/0dd0a29a-4f47-4480-b01b-6115ddccb42e/accounting-for-growth•Spotify -https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uGxGsuJPMs2vgc7RThgWm?si=fQxYnDEiQtinP5co97EuZA•Creator: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/accounting-for-growth-pod•Youtube: https://youtu.be/PHasGfFW8l4Accounting for Growth podcast is produced by Frost Media GroupLearn more at https://frostmediagroup.com

In this episode of Accounting for Growth, Chad Person and Dawn Howard discuss the challenges faced by accounting firms in navigating growth while protecting margins. They emphasize the importance of communication among leadership, strategic decision-making, and the role of technology in enhancing client experience. The conversation highlights the need for firms to be proactive in their approach to growth and to understand the implications of their decisions on profitability and talent retention.

Takeaways

•Costs are rising, and talent is becoming more expensive.

•Not all growth contributes positively to profitability.

•Effective communication is essential for managing partners.

•Firms must protect their margins while investing in growth.

•Understanding where you want to grow is crucial for strategy.

•Pricing power begins long before proposals are made.

•Underselling value can significantly harm margins.

•Innovation should not be halted during uncertain times.

•Clients expect firms to leverage technology for efficiency.

•Clear communication and vision lead to better decision-making.

Links

Dawn Howard– Fractional CMO, YorCMO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-howard-m-s-b4a6b911

Accounting for Growth is the podcast for CPA firm leaders who know referrals aren’t enough. Hosted by Chad Person, founder of AccountingCMO and fractional CMO to high-growth accounting and advisory firms, each short episode features outside experts with fresh takes on how accounting firms can overcome inertia, unlock opportunity, and confidently scale.

In under 12 minutes, you’ll hear punchy, actionable conversations with marketers, data experts, technologists, and strategic advisors working at the edge of accounting innovation. Whether it's AI in sales, better positioning, or building a smarter pipeline, each guest brings a clear takeaway on how to drive meaningful, measurable growth.

Brought to you by AccountingCMO and powered by yorCMO, this podcast helps you rethink growth, without fluff or filler.

Ways to Tune In

•Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/es-co/podcasts/0dd0a29a-4f47-4480-b01b-6115ddccb42e/accounting-for-growth

•Spotify -https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uGxGsuJPMs2vgc7RThgWm?si=fQxYnDEiQtinP5co97EuZA

•Creator: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/accounting-for-growth-pod

•Youtube: https://youtu.be/6L0kHViCnKU

Accounting for Growth podcast is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com

In this episode of Accounting for Growth, Chad Person and Dawn Howard discuss the critical role of governance and structure in firm growth. They explore how effective leadership and decision-making processes can drive growth, the importance of clarity and accountability, and the need for strategic leadership that empowers others. The conversation emphasizes that governance is not about control but about creating a clear path for growth and efficiency within the firm.

Takeaways

•Governance is about leadership, not bureaucracy.

•Effective decision-making requires a clear leadership structure.

•Growth can create stress; proper governance can alleviate it.

•Clarity in goals leads to faster decision-making.

•Empowering team members is essential for effective leadership.

•Leadership roles should evolve as the firm grows.

•Communication among leaders is crucial for success.

•A clear vision helps align the team towards common goals.

•Investing in leadership structure can improve efficiency.

•Strategic leadership is necessary to navigate growth challenges.

Links

Dawn Howard– Fractional CMO, YorCMO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-howard-m-s-b4a6b911

Accounting for Growth is the podcast for CPA firm leaders who know referrals aren’t enough. Hosted by Chad Person, founder of AccountingCMO and fractional CMO to high-growth accounting and advisory firms, each short episode features outside experts with fresh takes on how accounting firms can overcome inertia, unlock opportunity, and confidently scale.

In under 12 minutes, you’ll hear punchy, actionable conversations with marketers, data experts, technologists, and strategic advisors working at the edge of accounting innovation. Whether it's AI in sales, better positioning, or building a smarter pipeline, each guest brings a clear takeaway on how to drive meaningful, measurable growth.

Brought to you by AccountingCMO and powered by yorCMO, this podcast helps you rethink growth, without fluff or filler.

Ways to Tune In

•Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/es-co/podcasts/0dd0a29a-4f47-4480-b01b-6115ddccb42e/accounting-for-growth

•Spotify -https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uGxGsuJPMs2vgc7RThgWm?si=fQxYnDEiQtinP5co97EuZA

•Creator: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/accounting-for-growth-pod

•Youtube: https://youtu.be/FK4ngu3XCh8

Accounting for Growth podcast is produced by Frost Media Group

Learn more at https://frostmediagroup.com