Why CPAs Must Be 2.7x More Productive by 2035 (And How to Get There)
Download MP3What if private equity could transform accounting firms without sacrificing their independence? David Wurtzbacher, founder of Ascend, shares how his "anti-rollup" model allows firms to maintain their identities while accessing enterprise-level resources. Discover why transitioning firm leaders from client work to true CEO roles unlocks explosive growth, and how employee equity ownership creates alignment across organizations. With CPAs needing to be 2.7 times more productive by 2035, David reveals practical strategies for talent acquisition, business development, and technology that are helping mid-sized firms not just survive but thrive in an increasingly complex profession.
Chapters
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Chapters
- (01:07) - Understanding Ascend's Vision
- (01:59) - Challenges in Public Accounting
- (08:24) - Lessons from the Dental Industry
- (17:13) - Ascend's Approach to Firm Integration
- (17:53) - Leadership and Culture in Accounting Firms
- (24:02) - Case Study: Transforming Firm Leadership
- (27:45) - Overcoming Overwhelm: Delegating Client Relationships
- (28:36) - The Importance of Carving Out Thinking Time
- (29:20) - Focusing on One Thing at a Time
- (29:53) - Talent Strategy and Acquisition Challenges
- (31:10) - Building an Irresistible Offer for Candidates
- (34:13) - Equity and Ownership in Ascend
- (37:17) - Business Development and Marketing Strategies
- (45:13) - The Role of Technology and AI in Accounting
- (50:36) - Conclusion and Contact Information
https://earmarkcpe.com
https://earmark.app/
Download the Earmark CPE App
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728
Connect with Our Guest, David Wurtzbacher
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidwurtzbacher/
Learn more about Ascend
Website: https://www.ascendtogether.com/
Connect with Blake Oliver, CPA
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliver
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/
Creators and Guests
Guest
David Wurtzbacher
David Wurtzbacher is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ascend, a platform that empowers entrepreneurial CPAs to reach their goals with an innovative growth model that brings their firms into the new age. Ascend is backed by Alpine Investors, a people-driven private equity firm that previously backed David as President and CFO of Lightwave Dental which he helped grow from scratch to $300 million in revenue over five years. He spent the early years of his career at J.P. Morgan in New York, identifying, researching, and executing investments for its Asset & Wealth Management division. David earned an MBA with Distinction from Harvard Business School and a BS in Finance, magna cum laude, from Wake Forest University. David is proud to be from Colorado. He loves to ski and hike with his family. He lives in northern Virginia with his wife and two young children.
