Pulse of the Practice

Recorded live at the Thomson Reuters Advisory Symposium 2026 in Huntington Beach, CA on June 2, 2026, this special live episode of Pulse of the Practice features hosts Paul Miller (founder and owner of Business by Design, a firm specializing in advisory services and tax strategies for small business entrepreneurs) and Mo Arbas (Advisory Services Lead and thought-leadership presenter at Thomson Reuters events, passionate about challenge and change in the advisory space).In this high-energy, audience-driven session, Paul and Mo tackle the most pressing challenges facing tax and accounting firms right now — and lay out a compelling vision for what's coming next. They walk through a firm life cycle framework built around three concurrent cycles: the client cycle, the firm cycle, and a pre-cycle focused on prospecting — including the often-overlooked reality that your existing clients are prospects too.The conversation dives deep into three critical observations shaping the future of accounting firms:Capacity vs. Complexity — Client and firm complexity is increasing faster than most firms can keep up with, creating a bandwidth crisis that no amount of hustle alone can solve.The Knowledge Transfer Problem — Decades of expertise live in people's heads, and there's no easy way to transfer that institutional knowledge to new staff — until now.The AI Inflection Point — AI is no longer a future concept. It is actively reshaping firm workflows, and the next wave of agentic AI will bring more advancement in the next six months than the past ten years combined.Paul and Mo introduce the concept of Client Intelligence and Firm Intelligence — a framework for capturing unstructured conversational data, client context, and firm-specific knowledge to power smarter advisory workflows. They also preview Playbooks inside Ready to Advise, a feature designed to help firms standardize their advisory strategies by client persona, and discuss the vision of being able to speak a proposal into existence — letting AI do 80–90% of the scoping, pricing, and packaging work based on context gathered from real client conversations.Whether you're a solo practitioner or running a multi-office firm, this episode will challenge you to rethink your firm's life cycle, reclaim lost revenue opportunities, and start building toward a scalable, intelligent advisory practice.Topics covered:Firm and client life cycle frameworksAdvisory prospecting for new and existing clientsBandwidth and capacity challenges in accounting firmsAI and agentic workflows in tax and accountingClient Intelligence vs. Firm IntelligenceKnowledge transfer and staff training with AIAdvisory playbooks and client personasSpeaking a proposal into existencePricing strategy and scope definitionReady to Advise product updatesThomson Reuters Advisory Symposium 2026Join Paul Miller and Thomson Reuters Advisory Consultants as they have real and relevant conversations to provide you with inspirational and actionable ideas to move your firm forward — covering leadership, client relationships, firm culture, staffing, technology, and much more.🎙️ Pulse of the Practice | A Thomson Reuters Podcast | Live from Advisory Symposium 2026, Huntington Beach, CAA few notes on the choices made here:The title leads with the core content themes (Client Intelligence, Firm Intelligence, AI) which are the most searchable and relevant terms for the target audience."LIVE at Advisory Symposium 2026" signals event-specific content, which tends to perform well for community searches.The description front-loads the hosts' credentials, then unpacks the episode's value proposition in a structured way that mirrors how podcast platforms and search engines index content.The bulleted topic list at the end serves as a keyword-rich tag section that improves discoverability without feeling spammy.

Episode description (120–180 words): Cybersecurity is no longer optional for tax and accounting firms. In this episode, hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller are joined by Steve Ferguson (Protection Plus) to break down what really keeps practices safe—and operating—when threats hit. They cover why small firms are prime targets, how phishing and AI‑driven scams fool even savvy teams, and why MFA alone isn't enough as zero trust becomes the new standard. Steve explains must‑have protections, including cyber insurance with breach response, plus the role of a written information security plan (WISP) required by FTC/IRS guidance. You'll hear real‑world stories—from kiosk‑seeded refund diversions to gift‑card cons—and practical steps for training staff, reducing liability, and responding fast to limit damage. If you handle client data, this conversation is your playbook for Cybersecurity Awareness Month and beyond.

In this Pulse of the Practice conversation, Paul Miller unpacks why the best “tax planning season” is all year long—not just Q4. With many firm initiatives already targeting 2026, Paul shares how leading firms translate today’s client conversations into concrete capacity, revenue, and staffing plans for the next 12–24 months.Key takeaways:Listen for life‑event signals. Clients rarely say “I need an exit plan.” They hint at transitions—succession, burnout, relocation, health, or market shifts. Train your team to hear those cues and start planning early.Valuation isn’t a finish line; it’s a starting point. Regularly benchmark the business so owners can align pricing, client mix, and structure with their eventual exit timeline.Make planning continuous. Replace last‑minute Q4 models with a cadence of mini‑check‑ins that combine numbers with narrative: goals for the next 1–5 years, risk tolerance, and capacity constraints—both client and firm‑side.Charge for strategy with confidence. Longstanding relationships don’t make advisory “free.” Clarify scope, package outcomes (e.g., exit readiness, tax savings roadmap, sale prep), and communicate the value long before a transaction looms.Redesign roles for impact. Shift staff from “cranking numbers” to managing relationships and discovery. The result: better insights, earlier interventions, and more profitable engagements.Think 2026 now. If 75% of your big projects already point to 2026, formalize forecasts, staffing plans, and pricing updates today.Whether your clients are five years from a sale or just exploring growth options, this episode shows how to move from reactive calculations to proactive advisory—without awkward money talks.Timestamps00:00 Intro and why planning sneaks up on firms03:55 Why 2026 planning starts today06:45 Spotting exit triggers in normal conversations11:15 Numbers vs. life events: bringing both into planning16:15 Pricing advisory in long‑term relationships20:25 When to discuss valuation (and how often)24:20 Turning staff into relationship managersKeywords (primary/secondary/long‑tail) Primary: year‑round tax planning, advisory services for accounting firms, business valuation, exit planning, 2026 firm planning Secondary: CPA firm capacity planning, client discovery, pricing advisory, scope management, relationship management, revenue projections Long‑tail: how to price advisory for long‑term clients, signs a business is ready to sell, continuous tax planning vs Q4, training staff for client advisory, building a 2026 capacity plan

In this insightful episode of Pulse of the Practice, hosts Mo Arbas and Paul Miller reconnect to discuss the ever-evolving landscape of tax law changes and the impact on accounting practices. With recent travel and busy schedules behind them, Mo and Paul dive deep into how firms can proactively adapt to new legislation, including the "big beautiful bill" and its implications for tax credits, child tax exemptions, overtime income, and more.Listeners will gain actionable advice on how to stay ahead of regulatory updates, optimize tax planning strategies for clients, and effectively communicate changes through targeted content like short, topic-specific videos. The hosts explore the importance of advisory services, the evolving roles within accounting teams, and how firms can build trust and demonstrate value beyond compliance work.Key topics include:The importance of proactive client communication in light of legislative changesStrategies for team readiness and workflow optimizationLeveraging video content for client education on tax law updatesAdvisory vs. compliance: transitioning to value-added servicesReal-world scenarios for maximizing deductions, credits, and filing status optimizationBuilding client trust and engagement for future advisory relationshipsManaging documentation and staff responsibilities as laws evolvePlanning ahead for 2025, 2026, and beyondWhether you’re a firm owner, tax professional, or team member, this episode delivers practical insights to help your practice thrive amid change and position itself as a trusted advisory partner.Keywords: tax law changes, tax advisory, accounting firm strategies, tax credits, child tax credit, overtime income, compliance vs advisory, client communication, tax planning, proactive advisory, accounting workflow, staff optimization, tax deduction strategies, tax exemption, client engagement, financial advisory services, accounting team roles, regulatory updates, pulse of the practice, tax legislation, tax return planning, 2025 tax changes, 2026 tax changes, short-form video marketing, client education, CPA firm best practices

In this insightful episode of Practice Pulse, host Mo sits down with industry veterans Paul and John for a candid conversation live from the Nashville Partner Summit. Together, they dive deep into the realities of modern accounting practice, addressing common challenges, the power of peer support, and actionable strategies for firm transformation.John, a CPA with 35 years of experience, shares his personal journey—discussing the pressures of running a firm, the impact of constant change in the industry, and the importance of staff engagement. Mo and Paul guide the discussion through practical advice on improving client communication, managing workflow, and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.Listeners will discover:The top three challenges accounting firms face todayHow to initiate meaningful change within your teamStrategies for client communication and expectation managementThe value of stepping outside your comfort zone for professional growthWhy attending industry summits can catalyze transformation for your firmWhether you’re a seasoned practitioner or a new firm leader, this episode offers relatable stories, expert insights, and motivating takeaways to help you take your practice to the next level.keywords: accounting, CPA, practice management, firm leadership, team building, client communication, change management, Nashville Partner Summit, professional growth, workflow optimization, staff engagement, accounting conference, Practice Forward, firm transformation, Mo, Paul Miller, John, accounting challenges, business development, accounting podcast, accounting industry trends

SummaryIn this episode, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller discuss the recent Partner Summit and the evolving landscape of advisory services in the accounting industry. They reflect on the challenges firms face, including pricing strategies, client relationships, and the impact of AI. The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding client perspectives and the need for firms to adapt to changing market conditions while maintaining strong relationships with clients.TakeawaysAI is becoming a crucial part of advisory services.Firms are facing challenges with pricing and client expectations.Building confidence in pricing changes is essential for firms.Legacy clients can be difficult to transition away from.Communication with clients about changes is vital.Customization in services can lead to unsustainable practices.The accounting industry must evolve to remain competitive.Understanding client perspectives can improve relationships.Firms need to balance legacy clients with new business models.Sustainability in business practices is a growing concern.Keywords: partner summit, advisory services, client relationships, legacy clients, business sustainability, change management, AI in accounting, pricing strategies, firm evolution, client communication

SummaryIn this conversation, Mo Arbas and Paul Miller discuss the evolving landscape of advisory services in the accounting and tax industry. They reflect on their recent experiences at a conference, the importance of understanding what advisory truly means, and the challenges firms face in delivering value to clients. The discussion highlights the need for structured advisory services, the role of technology, and the importance of client relationships. They also touch on the future of advisory services and the necessity for firms to adapt to changing client expectations.TakeawaysAdvisory services are becoming increasingly important in the accounting industry.There is a need for clarity in what advisory services entail.Firms must evolve their client relationships to provide more value.Technology plays a crucial role in enhancing advisory services.Clients are looking for proactive solutions rather than reactive ones.Understanding client needs is essential for delivering effective advisory services.The advisory landscape is broad and requires firms to define their niche.Private equity is recognizing the potential in the advisory space.Firms should focus on structured processes for delivering advisory services.The future of advisory will involve more collaboration and integration of services.Keywords: advisory services, client relationships, tax advisory, accounting, technology, client expectations, business transformation, private equity, consulting, financial planning