Transform Tax Season into Year-Round Client Value with Dr. Brianne Smith

About this episode

Cary Sinnett interviews Dr. Brianne Smith about integrating tax work into personal financial planning for CPAs.

In this episode, Cary Sinnett sits down with Dr. Brianne Smith to explore how CPAs can turn tax work into fully integrated personal financial planning. Drawing on decades of experience leading both a CPA firm and an advisory practice, Brianne breaks down what really changes when you move beyond compliance and step into ongoing client relationships. They unpack the real barriers holding professionals back, how the PFS credential accelerates the shift, and why the future belongs to advisors who can connect tax and planning into one seamless client experience. Key answers you'll get: How can financial planning shift from an add-on to a core part of a CPA's value proposition? What is one of the pricing models that can reshape both client behavior and advisor relationships? What practical first steps could a CPA take to integrate planning without disrupting their existing practice? AICPA resources: Pathways to Practicing Personal Financial Planning Checklist: Building a PFP business Analysis of a Tax Return for Financial Planning Opportunities Guide to Investment Advisory Business Models This episode is brought to you by the AICPA's Personal Financial Planning Section , the premier…

People in this episode

Host: Cary Sinnett

Guest: Dr. Brianne Smith

Topics covered

• tax planning
• financial planning
• client relationships
• CPA value proposition
• pricing models
• PFS credential

Keywords

• tax season
• client value
• financial planning integration
• CPA firm
• PFS credential
• pricing models
• client experience

Sponsors

AICPA's Personal Financial Planning Section

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: AICPA, CIMA, CPA/PFS credential program

More episodes of AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)

• The Inflection Point for CPA Financial Planners: Why Now Matters · April 3, 2026 · 27 min
• Millions at 18, Broke at 30 (Unless a CPA/PFS Gets Involved) · March 20, 2026 · 25 min
• From Knowledge to Impact: The CPA's Role in Financial Literacy with Julia Bush · March 9, 2026 · 17 min
• What's Next for the CPA Financial Planner with Matt Kidd · February 20, 2026 · 19 min
• Trump Accounts are Coming - and You Need to be Ready · February 6, 2026 · 20 min
• Bob Keebler on The Renaissance of Income Tax Planning · January 23, 2026 · 18 min