6 June 2026 CPAmerica Advantage Newsletter

News from your accounting association

The Advisory Gap Isn’t a Technology Problem

By:

The numbers are hard to argue with. Client advisory services are growing at a 17% median rate, outpacing nearly every other service line in the profession. AI tools are re-platforming workflows that took teams years to build. Firms that once measured success by billable hours are moving toward recurring revenue, deeper client relationships, and a fundamentally different value proposition.

June 2026 IN THIS ISSUE:

► The Advisory Gap Isn’t a Technology Problem

► Preferred Provider Spotlight - CultureID

► Client Advisory Services Meeting

► Member News

► CPAmerica InsightsSophy Mott

By every external measure, this is a moment of enormous opportunity.

So I want to tell you what I saw in the room at a recent industry conference, when I asked approximately 50 accounting firm leaders to identify which quadrant best described their current reality: high business performance with high personal wellbeing, or high performance with low wellbeing (the burnout zone) or one of two other combinations. 63% identified as burned out. High business, low wellbeing.

Thriving on paper, but depleted underneath; these were the people being asked to lead the transformation.

What AI Can’t Give You

Researchers and leadership experts across industries have begun describing a fundamental shift from knowledge work to wisdom work, as AI takes over more of the former. AI is extraordinarily capable

at knowledge: processing information, identifying patterns, generating output at scale. But what it cannot do is exercise wisdom.

Knowledge is information. Wisdom is knowing what to do with it.

For accounting professionals, this matters in a concrete way. When I ask firm leaders what is actually blocking the shift from compliance to advisory, the barriers they name are rarely technical. It’s confidence. It’s difficulty defining what advisory even means in practice. It’s senior employees who built careers on a different model and aren’t sure this new one is for them. These are human and leadership challenges— developing the capacity to meet them requires more than a better tech stack. And that capacity is exactly what burnout erodes.

What Wisdom Actually Looks Like

During the recession, I had a client who owned a construction company. Her business was in serious trouble. She called me one day and said she only had $200 left. Would I still meet with her?

I said yes.

That call told me something important about what clients are actually paying for. She didn’t call her bank. She called because over years of working together, she had come to trust that I would show up for her as a person, not just as an account. That I would listen before I gave her an answer, and I wouldn’t walk in

with a solution already decided before I understood her situation.

That kind of relationship takes time to build. It also takes something from you— attention, curiosity, the willingness to be present rather than efficient. That is what wisdom looks like in practice, and it cannot be systematized or scaled by any tool available today.

The Cost of Running on Empty

In that same audience of firm leaders, after the burnout numbers came in, I asked a follow-up question: what beliefs about work were so ingrained in your firm that you had never thought to question them? People answered honestly. Working long hours is proof of commitment. If you leave before six, you are not pulling your weight. Being stressed means you are serious about your work. You should never need to step away.

Nobody chose those beliefs consciously. They came through the culture, through what got rewarded, through watching senior leaders model exhaustion as dedication. And they have stayed, even as everything around them has changed.

The compliance-to-advisory transition asks something specific of leaders: show up differently with clients. Ask better questions. Build relationships deep enough that clients call you first when things go wrong. That capacity does not develop under the conditions most accounting leaders are currently working in. A leader who cannot step away from her own firm for a week cannot hold the kind of presence that

See Advisory Gap, continued on page 2

Preferred Provider Spotlight

CultureID

CultureID helps organizations build stronger, more aligned teams through data-driven, neuroscience-based insights into workplace culture and employee behavior. Their platform combines advanced survey tools, real-time analytics, and sentiment analysis with

With CultureID, firms can:

• Measure culture through advanced, science-based surveys

• Identify behavioral drivers and performance gaps

• Turn insights into action with expert guidance and analytics

• Equip leaders with training,

For more information, please visit www.cultureid.com/cpamerica or email laurienappi@e3solutions.com.

makes a client trust her with a crisis.

The firms that close the gap between where they are and where the market is going will not get there by adopting better tools alone. They will get there when their leaders have the capacity to do what the tools cannot, and that capacity has to be protected, not assumed.

My construction client did not call me because I was the most technically proficient person she knew. She called over enough years because I had shown up consistently, that she trusted me with the worst moment of her professional life. That is the standard advisory actually requires, and you cannot meet it running on empty.

Upcoming Event Dates

Scan this QR code for complete event information, a full list of upcoming events and to complete your registration.

Client Advisory Services Meeting Denver, Colorado | August 24–26

The Westin Denver

Designed for professionals leading or growing Client Advisory Services (CAS) practices, the CAS Meeting focuses on helping firms move from transactional work to high-value advisory services. Through a blend of strategic sessions and member sharing, attendees will explore how to align CAS with firm strategy, build scalable technology ecosystems, and develop pricing models that support sustainable growth.

The program features insights from industry experts, including Amy Vetter, The B³ Method Institute, who will lead a foundational session on aligning firm strategy with CAS to drive transformational growth, and Sarah Dobek, Inovautus Consulting, who will share a practical framework for building consistent, measurable business development habits in The Discipline of Growth.

Additional sessions highlight real-world applications of advisory, including how firms are delivering value today, building intentional CAS tech stacks, packaging and pricing services effectively, and developing teams for the future. Dedicated memberdriven discussions provide actionable insight into what’s working across firms, reinforcing the collaborative, peer-focused nature of the meeting.

Frazier & Deeter expands into the midwest with acquisition of Copeland Buhl

Frazier & Deeter (FD), a Top-50 nationally ranked accounting and advisory firm, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Copeland Buhl, an award-winning Minneapolis-based accounting and advisory firm. This acquisition marks FD’s first Midwest footprint and expands the firm’s presence into the Twin Cities, one of the most dynamic and thriving business markets in the region. Copeland Buhl is celebrated for its talented team of advisors and long-standing relationships across the marketplace. Built on the power of genuine relationships, the firm has grown from a two-person operation into one of the premier CPA firms in Minnesota. This client-centric focus has served as a proven foundation for sustained growth and marketplace trust. This relationship-first approach and deep local market credibility complement FD’s full-service accounting and advisory platform, while expanding FD’s ability to serve clients throughout the Midwest and beyond. “We are excited to welcome the Copeland Buhl team to Frazier & Deeter and to officially establish our first Midwest presence in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area,” said Jeremy Jones, CEO of Frazier & Deeter. “The Twin Cities represent a vibrant, growing marketplace with strong business fundamentals and an exceptional talent pool. This acquisition aligns with our long-term growth strategy to serve markets where people want to work and live, and strengthens our ability to deliver exceptional service to clients nationally while continuing to invest in local markets.” “The addition of Copeland Buhl is an important step in expanding FD’s national platform,” said John Hightower, Chief Growth Officer of Frazier & Deeter. “Their deep relationships in the marketplace, strong cultural alignment, and talented team position us well to accelerate growth and deliver expanded capabilities to clients across the region.” FD will fully integrate Copeland Buhl into its operational and support infrastructure, providing swift access to firmwide resources including technology, talent development, finance, marketing, and business development.

Gray, Gray, & Gray named to Boston Business Journal Fast50 list for second consecutive year

Gray, Gray & Gray, LLP, an accounting and business consulting firm based in Canton,

Mass., has been named to the Boston Business Journal’s 2026 “Fast50” list, which recognizes the 50 fastest-growing private companies in Massachusetts. This is the second consecutive year the firm has been named among the region’s fastest-growing companies, ranking #40 with a four-year growth rate of more than 46%. The BBJ Fast50 list was selected and ranked based on total revenue growth from 2022 to 2025 as analyzed by the Boston Business Journal’s Research Department. “This recognition reflects what we’ve believed for the past 80 years: when you put people first and focus on client outcomes, growth follows. I’m grateful to our team, whose expertise and dedication turn that philosophy into measurable results year after year,” said James DeLeo, MBA, CPA/MST, Leading Partner at Gray, Gray & Gray.

Haefele

Flanagan announces three team member promotions

HaeFeLe FLanaGan, premier South Jersey CPAs and Financial Advisors, is excited to announce three well-deserved promotions at the firm. These achievements reflect hard work, leadership, and a commitment to growing alongside their firm.

Gabriella Nader Polat has been promoted to A&A senior; Tyler Hamblin, CPA, has been promoted to tax manager; and Brian Choi, CPA, has been promoted to tax manager. Promoting from within is something they believe in, and investing in their people means creating clear growth paths, recognizing dedication and impact, and building continuity for their clients and teams. They’re proud to recognize these team members and are grateful for the talent that continues to shape their firm’s future.

Meyers Brothers Kalicka, P.C. announces a new hire

Meyers BrotHers KaLicKa, P.c. (MBK), headquartered Holyoke, Mass., is proud to

announce their new hire, Mackenzie Lagoy Lagoy first joined the team as a tax intern and has been recently hired as an associate in the firm’s Taxation Department. Her professional focus includes taxation services, with concentrations in individual returns and family and independent businesses. “Mackenzie brings a thoughtful and client-focused approach to customer service, consistently demonstrating patience, professionalism, and strong interpersonal skills. Her natural warmth and approachability makes her an asset in any client interaction,” said MBK partner, Jim Krupienski. Lagoy holds a B.S. from Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art and is slated to complete a Master of Science in Accounting this December from University of Massachusetts Amherst, Isenberg School of Management.

Thompson Greenspon announces September 2026 office relocation

tHoMPson GreensPon is excited to announce that the firm has signed a lease at 4100 Monument Corner Drive, Suite 500, Fairfax, Virginia 22030, and will relocate its office in September 2026. The move marks an important milestone for Thompson Greenspon, which has been located on Ridge Top Road in Fairfax since 2002. After more than two decades in its current space, the firm is looking ahead to a modern workplace designed to better support its people, clients, and long-term growth. The new location in Fairfax Corner offers several benefits, including closer proximity to restaurants, shopping, and everyday amenities—enhancing convenience for employees and visitors alike. In addition, the new office will feature improved workspaces designed to foster collaboration, flexibility, and efficiency, aligning with the evolving needs of the firm’s workforce. “This relocation reflects our continued investment in our team and our future,” Carolyn Quill, Managing Principal, noted. “The new space will allow us to create a more engaging, functional environment while remaining rooted in the Fairfax community we have proudly served for decades.” Thompson Greenspon will continue operating from its Ridge Top Road office until the relocation is completed in September 2026.

Strengthening Your A&A Practice with Targeted Learning Opportunities

Ensuring your firm has a deliberate and proactive approach to training and development is not to be overlooked. Certifying that CPA licensing requirements are met is critical and perhaps the most obvious answer to “Why do we need continuing education?” but the potential benefits beyond that surface answer are numerous, enduring, and can play an invaluable role in maintaining your firm’s competitive advantage.

Services Manager

sessions. We recommend this event for those functioning at the partner or manager level who are supervising firm activities in the A&A field, though staff below the managerial level may attend with firm approval. One of the mainstays of the A&A event for the last several years has been the Yellow Book Pre-Conference. This 8-CPE day on July 14 is facilitated by Melisa Gallasso of Galasso Learning Solutions, who is a popular presenter known for her deep knowledge and the accessible nature of her sessions. This year, in response to member requests, we plan to offer a livestream (virtual) option for the Pre-Conference. This means that your entire team can participate and receive the same training.

Dr. Samy Garas of Becker for Using AI in a Fraud Investigation. A new face for our webinar platform, Dr. Garas is a full Professor of Accounting at SUNY Plattsburgh with over 20 years of academic and professional experience and will provide an overview of integrating artificial intelligence technologies into fraud investigation practices.

With firms of varying sizes and specializations, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to training and development –some firms have a dedicated staff person or department who selects and coordinates internal and external opportunities for the firm, while others extend a more autonomous approach to their team. CPAmerica’s summer offerings are designed to co-exist with your firm’s needs and can serve as a foundational piece or supplement to existing learning pathways.

For A&A teams, our flagship in-person event is our A&A Conference, July 14-17 in Vail, Colo. Drawing on member surveys and planning calls, the agenda offers a mix of technical updates and non-technical

Some of our other virtual learning highlights are coming up as soon as next week! Our 2026 schedule includes 10 webinars this year. We kicked off the series May 7, and coming up in June we have two diverse topics.

Join us on June 4 for a one-hour FASB update with Jason Carney of Surgent CPE. We met Jason last year and are pleased to welcome him back for this intermediatelevel session which focuses on recently issued ASUs covering derivatives, credit losses under ASC 326, government grants, and more.

On June 18, we’re excited to hear from

2026 A&A Webinar Schedule

Thursday, July 30 2-4pm

Thursday, August 13 2-4pm

Thursday, September

Thursday, October 8 2-4pm

Thursday,

Thursday, November 5 2-4pm ET

Thursday, November 19 2-4pm

One way firms can – and do - boost the ROI for these webinars is to take advantage of the group-watch dynamic. Just as the A&A Conference can boost camaraderie among your team, coming together for a box lunch and attending the webinar together can make the training more memorable. After, we take a few minutes to discuss practical applications that may exist for current and future engagements.

For more information on the A&A webinar or Tax Webinar series, don’t hesitate to reach out to webinars@cpamerica.org.

7555 W. University Ave. Gainesville, FL 32607 (352) 727-4070 www.cpamerica.org