Mike Libbey joined his father’s accounting firm straight out of college, becoming its first employee and working alongside him from the family living room. Today, Mike is a partner and COO at YBL, a modern virtual firm with approximately 30 employees and $3.75 million in annual revenue.

Mike shares how the firm grew, why hiring an operations manager changed what he believed was possible, and how he gradually removed himself from client work to focus on strategy, technology, and growth. He also explains why firm owners should document their processes before they need to hire, even if that means simply turning on Loom and talking through the work as they do it.

The conversation also looks at AI’s rapidly expanding role in accounting. After building roughly 40 internal and client-facing apps, Mike believes the profession’s future is not simply about producing tax returns faster. It is about using technology to become a more deeply integrated financial partner while continuing to provide the judgment and peace of mind clients actually value.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

0:44 - Meet Mike Libbey

2:16 - Joining his father’s accounting firm

5:16 - Growing up around the accounting grind

10:50 - From two people to a 30-person firm

13:13 - Building a modern firm without the traditional CPA path

18:17 - Early hiring mistakes and the importance of operations

24:01 - How to document, delegate, and escape client work

31:11 - Knowing when the firm can afford its next hire

35:05 - Revenue, profit, and defining the firm you actually want

39:25 - Creating space to experiment with AI

41:43 - Building useful apps without knowing how to code

46:38 - What AI means for the future of accounting

52:02 - The changing role of entry-level accountants

55:12 - Protecting work-life balance while running the firm

58:15 - Building a public presence through YouTube and social media

1:02:05 - Final thoughts on making accounting more fun

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 MIKE LIBBEY

LinkedIn: Mike Libbey | LinkedIn

Website: https://mikelibbey.ybl.ca/

More money does not automatically create peace of mind. Without a healthy relationship with money, greater wealth can simply magnify the same anxiety, guilt, and uncertainty that were already there.

Matt Fizell, CFP® and founder of Harmony Wealth, joins Yuri to explore the human side of financial planning. Matt shares how early experiences shape the way people save, spend, and invest, and why even highly successful clients can struggle to enjoy what they have built. The real goal is not always maximizing the number. Sometimes it is understanding what “enough” looks like and creating a plan that gives someone permission to live.

The conversation also turns to the relationship between financial planners and CPAs. Matt and Yuri discuss how better communication, clearer expectations, and thoughtful pricing can create stronger partnerships for everyone involved. They also examine what it means to build a firm intentionally, work with the right clients, and charge enough to make the work sustainable.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Why more money does not eliminate financial anxiety
0:55 - Meet Matt Fizell of Harmony Wealth
2:18 - Leaving commission-based insurance for fee-only planning
6:39 - How wealth magnifies your relationship with money
11:57 - When disciplined savers struggle to enjoy their success
15:25 - Financial planning beyond investments
20:44 - Bitcoin, speculation, and investment regret
25:58 - Building a comprehensive financial plan
30:28 - Better partnerships between CPAs and financial planners
38:22 - Advisory work, communication, and fair compensation
43:36 - Setting minimum fees and qualifying referrals
45:14 - Designing the firm and client base you actually want
52:14 - The problem with complicated pricing models
55:43 - Wake surfing with country singer Jake Owen
59:01 - The future of CPA and financial planner collaboration

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 MATT FIZELL

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-fizell-0606134a/

Website: https://planwithharmony.com/

In this episode of The Fun CPA Podcast, Yuri sits down with Daniel Pinkous, founder and CEO of Truss, for a conversation about the messy, frustrating reality of tax workflow.

They talk about why client document collection still creates so much friction for CPA firms, how Truss is trying to make that process easier, and why the best software should remove headaches instead of creating another system to manage.

Daniel also shares the story behind building Truss, from entering the accounting space as an outsider to bootstrapping the company through some very real founder pressure. It’s a conversation about better systems, better client experiences, and building something that actually solves the problems firm owners deal with every day.

Join my new newsletter here: https://thefuncpa.beehiiv.com/

Learn about Truss here: https://gettruss.link/thefuncpa

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Intro

1:03 - Meet Daniel Pinkous and Truss

2:52 - How Daniel found the CPA workflow problem

5:15 - What Truss does for tax firms

7:04 - Why client intake breaks down every year

13:41 - Replacing the traditional portal experience

16:30 - Using AI to clean up document collection

20:50 - Smarter questionnaires and client checklists

25:19 - Automating workpapers and tax organization

30:00 - Prep partnerships and outsourcing options

36:23 - Max AI, transcripts, and reducing missed items

41:02 - Making return delivery easier for clients

44:10 - Building Truss without outside funding

49:40 - The hard moments of bootstrapping

53:14 - Faith, support, and staying grounded

57:36 - Where to find Daniel and Truss

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 DANIEL PINKOUS

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-p376152/

Website: https://gettruss.link/thefuncpa

Mike Payne joins Yuri to talk about building BOSS Advisors, growing the firm to more than $2 million in revenue and eventually selling it.

They discuss how Mike combined accounting and legal services under one roof, landed a major client during his first week in business and dealt with the pressure that came with the firm’s growth. Mike also shares what led him to sell, how he chose the right buyer and what life has looked like since the acquisition.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Working 36 hours straight and hitting burnout

0:50 - Meet Mike Payne

1:18 - Combining accounting and legal services

8:28 - Starting BOSS Advisors and landing a major client

15:07 - Reaching the firm’s next growth ceiling

19:51 - The personal cost of building the business

29:27 - Finding the right buyer and selling the firm

36:13 - Making more time for family

39:57 - Creating healthier boundaries with work

43:04 - Building an audience and professional community

50:22 - Where to connect with Mike

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 MIKE PAYNE

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

Website: https://themikepayne.com/

Erin Pohan is the founder of Upkeeping, a bookkeeping and payroll firm, and Wave Seattle, a conference for women in accounting.

In this episode, Erin shares what it actually looked like to build her firm, grow a team, and figure things out without ever feeling completely ready. She and Yuri talk honestly about the pressure to scale, the challenge of hiring before there is enough work, and why success does not have to mean building the biggest firm possible.

The conversation also gets into a difficult season of burnout caused largely by one high-paying client. Erin explains how the work began affecting her health and family life, why walking away from the revenue felt terrifying, and how that decision ultimately gave her more freedom without hurting the business long term.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Intro

1:57 - Erin’s background and the start of Upkeeping

3:21 - Going from employee to firm owner

10:46 - Why you may never feel ready to launch

14:42 - Hiring your first team member

19:47 - What does success actually look like?

23:42 - Setting boundaries with clients

27:22 - Erin’s vision for her firm

30:00 - Burnout, overwork, and one major client

36:11 - What burnout looked like physically and emotionally

39:52 - Letting go of misaligned clients

43:09 - The financial upside of owning a firm

49:11 - Building community through accounting events

54:20 - The hidden costs of hosting events

1:03:47 - Imposter syndrome and finding your lane

1:08:13 - Where to find Erin

1:08:46 - 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 ERIN POHAN

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

Website: https://www.upkeeping.co/

In this episode, Yuri reflects on the 2026 tax season, sharing the highs, lows, and lessons learned along the way. Whether you're a solo CPA or managing a growing firm, this episode offers practical insights into tools, workflows, and mindset shifts to navigate busy periods more effectively.

• Breakdown of the 2026 tax season experience and key challenges faced
• Document collection pitfalls and exploring new tech solutions
• Software considerations: Drake, ProConnect, Stanford Tax, Soroban, Truss
• Strategies for managing workload, burnout, and client communication

00:00 - Introduction and episode overview
01:10 - Reflecting on the confidence at the start of the season
04:00 - Highlights: $140K revenue and billing methods
05:22 - Business entity handling: 60 S-corps, 93 1040s, and 60 1065s
07:47 - Podcasting and balancing workload
08:48 - The main issue: Document collection breakdown
09:42 - Challenges with Tax Dome and new features
11:23 - The importance of team access and oversight
12:47 - Workflow issues: Tracking submission and missing documents
13:42 - Burnout from managing incomplete document submissions
15:18 - Exploring alternative software solutions
16:55 - Comparing Drake, ProConnect, Stanford Tax, Soroban, and Truss
21:21 - Features of Soroban and AI document integration
22:23 - Truss: All-in-one platform with robust features
25:09 - Stanford Tax’s efficient work paper generation
27:02 - The power of automation and AI in modern tax prep
28:28 - Concerns with multiple platforms and risk diversification
29:23 - The importance of starting lean and growing with tools
30:52 - The value of tackling challenges step-by-step
33:01 - Considering ProConnect and its features
34:23 - Potential benefits of ProConnect’s auto-import
35:40 - Personal insights on transitioning software and managing risk
37:57 - Evolution of the firm: From Google Drive to advanced PM tools
40:04 - Final thoughts: Keep it simple, start small, grow smart
42:13 - Upcoming projects and personal life updates
43:11 - Closing remarks and thank you to listeners

In this episode of The Fun CPA Podcast, Yuri sits down with Isaac Perdomo, CEO and founder of Opzer, to talk about automation, AI, and where accounting firms should actually start.

Isaac shares why firms do not need to overhaul everything at once, and why the best place to begin is usually with the painful, repetitive work they are already doing every day. From client reminders to workflow tracking to simple AI-powered daily prep, the conversation focuses on practical ways firm owners can save time without making things more complicated.

They also talk about the challenge of getting teams to adopt new tools, how to test automations safely, and why small improvements can make a real difference during tax season. It’s a practical conversation for firm owners who know they need better systems but are not sure where to begin.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Intro

0:46 - Meet Isaac Perdomo

1:44 - How Isaac got into accounting automation

3:08 - Where firms should start with automation

4:44 - Why accountants tolerate broken processes

6:32 - Tax season pain points and client intake

8:59 - Using automation to improve follow-up and workflow

11:23 - How to test automations without breaking things

12:30 - Why DIY automation can feel overwhelming

15:18 - Choosing what is worth automating

16:15 - Simple AI use cases for email and daily planning

18:28 - Setting up Claude tasks and meeting prep

24:26 - Isaac’s process for finding automation opportunities

27:04 - Conferences, relationships, and accounting communities

31:14 - Content, YouTube, and sharing what he is learning

32:44 - Where to find Isaac and Opzer

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 ISAAC PERDOMO

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/isaac-perdomo/

Website: https://opzer.co/

Credit card points can feel like a complicated game, but for business owners with regular expenses, there can be real upside if the math makes sense.

Yuri sits down with Nadia Groen, founder of Points Advisors, to break down how business owners can turn everyday spending into flights, hotel stays, and better travel experiences. They talk through Yuri’s actual credit card setup, how to think about fees versus rewards, why sticking to one points ecosystem can make life easier, and when it may or may not make sense to put taxes, contractors, or payroll on a card.

They also get into travel flexibility, booking strategy, premium card perks, and why points are only valuable if you actually know how to use them.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

1:13 - Meet Nadia Groen of Points Advisors

2:24 - Why most people leave points on the table

3:15 - How Nadia got into the points game

5:30 - Flexibility, flights, and getting better redemptions

8:04 - Yuri’s business credit card case study

13:37 - Choosing the right card ecosystem

18:12 - Should you pay a mortgage, taxes, or contractors with a card?

23:35 - How far ahead to plan travel with points

26:08 - Capital One, Chase, AmEx, and premium card tradeoffs

30:34 - Why families may want to stay in one points ecosystem

34:54 - Using points for lay-flat seats and better travel

37:16 - Hotel points, Hyatt, Marriott, and redemption strategies

40:18 - Are credit card points taxable?

41:11 - How to connect with Nadia

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 NADIA GROEN

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nadia-volkova/

Website: https://www.points-advisors.com