The Structure Most CPA Firms Don't Know Exists

The Structure Most CPA Firms Don't Know Exists

Most CPA firm owners assume they need to get licensed to participate in wealth management revenue. They don't. In this episode, Geoff Bruskin breaks down the alternative practice structure that gives CPA firm owners equity, control, and recurring revenue from a wealth management vertical without splitting their focus or sitting for a single exam. We cover why joint ventures almost never work, how the 49/51 equity split and managed service agreement actually function, who the ideal founding advisor is and where to find them, and what mistakes to avoid when building this in-house. If you're a CPA firm owner with more than four years before a liquidity event, this episode is worth your full attention. — CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome and Introductions 00:21 Do CPAs Need Licensing 01:32 Synergy and Best Structure 03:41 Why Joint Ventures Fail 06:55 Alternative Practice Structure 09:23 Control and Economics 10:46 Recruiting Founding Advisors 13:27 Who This Model Fits 14:28 Common Mistakes to Avoid 16:21 Wrap Up and Farewell — ABOUT NEXUS POINT Nexus Point is hosted by Rich and Geoff Bruskin, Managing Partner and CEO of White Tiger Connections. Each episode covers strategic direction, AI and automation, and billing and pricing standardization for CPA and wealth management firms. Learn more: whitetigerconnections.com #NexusPoint #CPAfirms #WealthManagement #RIA #AccountingM&A #ExitPlanning #SuccessionPlanning #AlternativePracticeStructure #CPApodcast #AccountingPodcast

THE ACCOUNTING FIRM BUYING FRENZY: MORE BUYERS, NOT ENOUGH DEALS

Why There Are More Buyers Than Sellers in Public Accounting (and How to Win Deals) In this episode of The Nexus Point Podcast, host Geoff Bruskin sits down with Rich Romero to unpack why there are currently far more buyers than sellers in public accounting and why deal activity still feels like "hurry up and wait." They discuss seller hesitation driven by timing and personal and business uncertainty, and growing buyer interest fueled by private equity, low acquisition multiples, and accounting's unique visibility into clients' full financial lives. Geoff and Rich cover how public accounting can serve as a platform for roll-ups and adjacent theses like technology, wealth, and advisory services, while highlighting that the most overlooked risk is talent replacement amid retirements, an issue they argue can be addressed through remote hiring. They close with why a clear, grounded plan and compelling story often beats simply having committed capital. 00:00 Why Buyers Outnumber Sellers 00:52 Podcast Intro and Setup 01:33 Seller Hesitation and Timing 02:06 PE Money and Roll Up Appeal 03:50 Accounting as Client Gateway 05:13 Multiple Theses and Low Multiples 06:24 Talent Crunch and Remote Hiring 08:20 Buyer Network and Deal Flow 09:00 Win Deals With a Clear Story 11:37 Closing Thoughts and Sign Off

WHAT PUBLIC ACCOUNTING RECRUITERS ACTUALLY LOOK FOR IN 2026 (Tax Manager & Senior Manager Edition)

If you're a tax manager or senior manager in public accounting thinking about your next move, this episode is the honest conversation most recruiters won't have with you.Bryce Hollingsworth, Recruiting Manager at White Tiger Connections, joins Rich Romero on The Nexus Point to break down what the job market actually looks like right now, what mistakes candidates make that cost them the right role, and what the placements that worked long term all had in common.Topics covered:Why tax manager and senior manager roles are the most in-demand positions in public accounting right nowHow opening your search to remote roles changes everything about what's available to youThe most common mistakes candidates make during job searches and what they actually costWhy talking about compensation early is an advantage, not a riskHow cultural alignment matters more than work-life balance as a search criteriaWhy the CPA and RIA integrated model is creating a completely new kind of partner track for accounting professionalsWhat early career CPA professionals should be doing right now to set themselves up for promotionWhat the candidates who thrived long term had in common that had nothing to do with their resumeIf you're a CPA, tax manager, or senior manager considering a move in 2026, this episode gives you a clear picture of what actually works.Hosted by Rich Romero with Bryce Hollingsworth, Recruiting Manager at White Tiger Connections.Connect with White Tiger Connections: whitetigerconnections.com

AUM VS AUA: Which Model Is Right for Your Wealth Management Firm in 2026

AUM vs.AUM vs. AUA Explained: Choosing the Right Wealth Management Fee Model (and Why CPA Firms Matter)On this episode of The Nexus Point Podcast, host Rich Romero and Geoff Bruskin, Managing Partner and CEO of White Tiger Connections, compare assets under management (AUM) and assets under advisory (AUA), explaining how each fee model works and when it makes sense based on client net worth, liquidity, firm monetization, and brand narrative. They discuss typical basis-point fee schedules under AUM, how AUA can support more holistic financial advice and reduce incentives tied to where assets are held, and why AUA is more common among ultra-high net worth families with significant illiquid holdings. Geoff suggests wealth management firms should evolve rather than switch models outright, potentially serving multiple market segments with different fee structures. The episode closes with a case for integrating tax and accounting capabilities into RIAs and broker-dealers, enabled by fully remote CPA talent, to improve client outcomes and drive growth.00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI393b8Kp4k] Welcome and Setup00:18 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI393b8Kp4k&t=18s] AUM Explained: Basis Points and Fee Schedules02:15 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI393b8Kp4k&t=135s] AUA Explained: Net Worth and Flat Fee Structures03:49 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI393b8Kp4k&t=229s] Choosing Between AUM and AUA Based on Client Profile05:55 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI393b8Kp4k&t=355s] Fiduciary Narrative, Fee Conflicts, and Incentive Structures08:25 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI393b8Kp4k&t=505s] Fee Model Advice for CPA Firms Starting an RIA09:46 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI393b8Kp4k&t=586s] Should Wealth Management Firms Switch Fee Models12:08 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI393b8Kp4k&t=728s] Remote CPA Talent and the Integrated Wealth Management Thesis15:10 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI393b8Kp4k&t=910s] Wrap Up and Where to Find White Tiger ConnectionsHow this was made

WHY TOP 100 FIRM TAX PARTNERS ARE DONE - Episode 22

Are you a CPA tax partner at a top 100 firm feeling burned out, underpaid, or stuck with no control over your book of business?In this episode of The Nexus Point, Geoff Bruskin and Rich Romero break down why large firm tax partners are the most disillusioned professionals in public accounting right now, and what your real options look like in 2026.If you're a big firm tax partner running a $1M, $2M, or $3M+ book of business, this episode will show you what the market actually thinks you're worth.Topics covered:Top signs a large firm tax partner is ready to make a moveWhy golden handcuffs, infrastructure, and client retention fears are weaker than you thinkHow to merge a tax book of business into an existing wealth management firmThe step-by-step math behind launching an affiliated RIA as a CPA partnerHow to structure a CPA and RIA partnership with minority ownership and alternative practice structuresWhy tax partner compensation at large firms is severely undervalued compared to independent and integrated platformsThe fear vs. satisfaction framework for deciding when to leave a big firmWhether you're considering going independent, joining a smaller CPA firm, partnering with a private equity backed platform, or integrating your tax practice into a wealth management firm, this episode gives you the blueprint.Hosted by Rich Romero and Geoff Bruskin, Managing Partner of White Tiger Connections, a leading M&A advisory and recruiting firm specializing in CPA firms and RIA wealth management practices.Connect with Geoff Bruskin: geoff@whitetigerconnections.comWhite Tiger Connections: whitetigerconnections.com00:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUd-7R_hLEI] Welcome to Nexus Point00:25 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUd-7R_hLEI&t=25s] Who This Episode Is For00:48 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUd-7R_hLEI&t=48s] Signs You're Ready to Leave a Large Firm02:28 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUd-7R_hLEI&t=148s] What's Holding Big Firm Tax Partners Back05:09 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUd-7R_hLEI&t=309s] Myths About Leaving and Better Moves06:34 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUd-7R_hLEI&t=394s] Tax as the Quarterback of Integrated Services09:13 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUd-7R_hLEI&t=553s] How to Merge a Tax Book Into a Wealth Firm09:48 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUd-7R_hLEI&t=588s] Blueprint for Your Next Step as a CPA Partner11:52 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUd-7R_hLEI&t=712s] Starting Your Own RIA as a Tax Partner13:02 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUd-7R_hLEI&t=782s] RIA Ownership Structure and Revenue Math16:51 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUd-7R_hLEI&t=1011s] One Move CPA Partners Should Make Before Year End18:50 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUd-7R_hLEI&t=1130s] Wrap Up and Call to Action