Meet the Top Minds in Accounting
And Our Next Generation of Rising Stars
2024 Top Minds: Most Innovative Firm Leaders
Meet the trailblazers with the most innovative business models
Paul Bianco
CEO @ Graphite Financial
#StartupAccounting
What We Love:
- Investor-Turned-Founder
- Born out of a VC fund
- Finance Department as a Service (FDaaS)
- Early-Stage startup program
Randy Crabtree
Co-Founder @ Tri-Merit
#TheUniqueCPA
- Firm specializes in tax credits including R&D
- Host of top 5% podcast, "The Unique CPA"
- 2023 Accounting Today Top 100 Influencers
- Bridging the Gap conference founder
Brandon Hall
CEO @ Hall CPA PLLC
#EcommAccounting
What We Love:
- Ex-PwC to Inc 500 list
- Host of the Tax Smart REI Podcast
- 90+ global team focused on real estate finance
- Creator of top resources for real estate tax planning
Dave Olsen
Founder/CEO @ Nimbl
#FinancialIntelligence
- EY->Fract. CFO->Founder
- Bootstrapped to >$6M in <7 years
- Accounting/CFO/Tax
- IT & Offshore Staffing for firms
Kyle David
CEO@ KDG
#AccountingAI
What We Love:
- Accounting + AI + UX Firm
- Launched Amazon’s first “price scraper”
- Advised 14+ startups, raised $18M
- Pioneer of the virtual-first firm model
Coming Soon
TBA
#ComingSoon
We're currently scouting (see below)
Jason Andrew
Director, SBO Financial
#BerkshireModel
What We Love:
- Author of best-selling book, Stark Naked Numbers
- Future-focused “Operational Finance” for founders
- From bootstrapped startup to multi-7-figure firm
- Inspired by Berkshire, now building Arbor Group Holdings
2024 Rising Star Advisors
Meet the rising star advisors and emerging thought leaders in the accounting profession.
Tony Wilson, CPA, CMA
#TheAgencyCPA
Founder @ Accquip
- Host of The DevLaunch podcast
- CPA, CFO and Valuation & Exit Expert
- Digital Agency niche specialty
- Hybrid model of subscription services & digital products
Roman Villard, CPA
#GoFullSend
Founder @ Full Send Finance
- Host of CAS Minute podcast
- 2024 Social Media Influencer award for industry outreach
- Built data intelligence team, merging finance with tech insights
- Startup advisor with strong ties to venture capital; fluent in French
Kenji Kuramoto
#DrinkWhileYou Think
CEO @ Acuity
- Co-hosts Drink While You Think podcast
- Scaled Acuity to 150+ through acquisitions
- Drives culture with weekly updates and Acuity Con
- Certified B Corp org
#TakeYourFirmVirtual
CEO @ First Step Accounting
- Hosts "Taking Your Firm Virtual" summit
- Founder of virtual firm 1st Step Accounting
- Recognized Top 50 Cloud Accountant & Top 100 Tax Twitter
- Advocates for women of color in accounting
Chris Tabb, CEPA
#ExitPlanner
Principal Consultant @ Inevitable Sale
- Exited multiple ventures, including revitalizing a business for successful sale.
- Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), helping SMBs maximize pre-sale value.
- Created a white-labeled exit advisory model for accounting firms.
- M&A expert, enabling seamless firm transitions.
Yuri Kapilovich, CPA
#theFunCPA
Founder @ Kapilovich & Associates
- Host of The Capital Contribution podcast
- Creator of #thefunCPA brand
- Founder of Kapilovich & Associates
- Ex-Big Four CPA
You?
#ComingSoon
Coming Soon
We're currently scouting (see below)
Chad Davis, CPA
#AutomationTown
Co-founder at LiveCA LLP & AutomationTown.io
- Co-founder of LiveCA LLP, Canada’s first fully virtual firm
- Founder of AutomationTown, an AI and automation community
- Innovator in no-code and low-code solutions for accountants
- Full-time digital nomad, traveling North America in an RV
Nomination Process:
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STEP 1: Meet The Criteria
Rising Star Advisors are emerging leaders in the accounting industry. To be considered, you should:
- Be an accounting firm leader, cofounder or partner.
- Share valuable insights on LinkedIn or in other professional forums.
- Show potential to influence and shape the accounting industry.
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STEP 2: Get Noticed
We actively scout LinkedIn and professional networks for the next Rising Stars. If we spot your contributions to the industry, we may reach out to you directly. Keep sharing your knowledge and insights—you never know who’s watching!
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STEP 3: Receive an Invitation
If you’ve been selected, you’ll receive a personal invitation via LinkedIn or email. Our message will congratulate you on being named a 2024 Rising Star Advisor, and we’ll invite you for a quick interview to showcase your expertise with our Taxplow Top Minds community.
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STEP 4: Engage & Grow
As a Rising Star Advisor, you’ll have opportunities to:
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Be featured on our Rising Stars Wall.
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Gain visibility in front of a community of 100K+ business owners and professionals.
- Access exclusive resources and invitations to special events as you progress toward becoming a Top Mind.
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Be featured on our Rising Stars Wall.
#accountinginnovation
Meet the Curator
Marc Howard, the Founder of Taxplow, Cofounder of BizPayO, and creator of Tax Advisor GPT, is the visionary behind the Rising Stars project. With extensive experience in the accounting industry, Marc is dedicated to fostering collaboration, building partnerships, and elevating the profession through meaningful connections.
His goal is to create a platform where the brightest minds in accounting can share their expertise, connect with business owners, and contribute to the success of the industry.
Marc’s passion lies in helping accountants grow their influence, establish valuable partnerships, and play a vital role in the growth of their clients' businesses.
The Rising Stars project reflects his commitment to highlighting emerging talent and ensuring that both rising professionals and industry leaders are celebrated for their contributions.
For partnership or collaboration opportunities, he can be reached at marc@taxplow.com or via LinkedIn.
FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does being featured on the Rising Stars Wall benefit my business?
Being featured on the Rising Stars Wall gives you visibility in front of a 100K+ community of business owners and professionals. This exposure can help build your personal and professional brand, positioning you as a trusted advisor in the accounting industry. Additionally, you’ll have opportunities to connect with potential clients, partners, and other industry leaders, helping to expand your network and grow your business.
Is there any cost to participate?
No, there is absolutely no cost to participate in the Rising Star Advisors program. This recognition is solely based on your contributions to the industry, and there are no fees or obligations. Our goal is to highlight rising talent and help you gain visibility and opportunities for growth within the accounting community.
How are Rising Stars selected?
Our team reviews LinkedIn and other platforms regularly to identify high-potential accounting firm leaders. We select professionals based on their insightful content, engagement with their community, and ability to positively impact the accounting industry. Once selected, you’ll receive a personal invitation to join the Rising Stars program. Follow our community page to be the first to be notified of our latest candidates.
Who is eligible?
To be considered, you need to be an accounting or tax firm owner or leader and actively share valuable insights on LinkedIn or other professional platforms. Our team scouts for professionals who show the potential to influence the future of the industry. There is no formal application process—if you meet the criteria, we may reach out to you directly.
What are the benefits of being featured as a Rising Star?
Being selected as a Rising Star in Accounting comes with exclusive recognition and access to valuable resources, including:
- VIP discounts of up to 90% on industry-leading software, staffing and automation solutions designed to help you grow your firm while working less hours.
- Priority invitations to future industry events, webinars, and mastermind groups with top accounting thought leaders.
Are Rising Star Advisors available for hire?
Yes, Rising Star Advisors are recognized as elite professionals in the accounting industry and are often open to new client relationships. However, they are highly selective in the clients and projects they take on. Each Rising Star is carefully chosen for their expertise, commitment, and unique contributions to the field, making them a valuable partner for any business looking for top-tier accounting and advisory services. If you’re interested in connecting with a Rising Star Advisor, reach out directly through the link in their bio.
Can I recommend someone to be a Rising Star Advisor?
Absolutely! If you know a firm leader who would make a valuable addition to our Rising Stars, we’d love to hear from you. Contact our scouting team directly at scouts@taxplow.com with your recommendation. As a thank-you, if your referral is selected, you’ll receive the same exclusive Rising Star benefits—including VIP discounts on top industry solutions and invitations to special events—in appreciation for helping us identify top talent in accounting.
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