Accountant's Flight Plan
Welcome to The Accountant's Flight Plan, where we guide you toward building a top-tier CPA firm that you would want to buy. With over 20 years of working with accountants in mergers and acquisitions, Brannon Poe, CPA delves into engaging and vital topics with industry leaders. Unpacking everything from transition planning and accounting practice sales to practice management and firm development, Brannon equips you with the tools you need to build the practice of your dreams. Whether you are navigating firm growth or exploring the nuances of succession planning, join us to learn actionable insights that will empower and inspire you to love your firm again.
Accountant's Flight Plan
Building a Scalable Firm with Offshoring, AI, and Talent Strategy — with Wayne Findlay
In this episode of The Accountant’s Flight Plan, we are joined by Wayne Findlay—entrepreneur, founder of Findlay & Co., and CEO of The Back Room. Wayne shares his global perspective on how accounting firms can stay competitive in today’s talent-scarce landscape by leveraging offshoring, modern tech, and clear growth paths for team members. If you’re a firm owner thinking about scale, succession, or private equity, this episode is full of practical, real-world insight.
Get in touch with Wayne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynenz/
Episode Timestamps
01:12 – Introduction of Wayne Findlay and the founding of The Back Room
04:09 – Why offshoring is becoming more common in U.S. & Canadian firms
05:50 – Global talent shortage & the retention pressure from PE
09:09 – The win-win of delegation and internal growth
12:10 – How to use AI wisely and keep firm data secure
16:18 – His firm’s expansion into Colombia and why it’s strategic for U.S. work
19:00 – Preparing your firm for sale: what PE buyers want to see
22:45 – Funny story from an accounting conference
25:33 – Book rec: The Four Principles of Management
27:57 – Connect with Wayne and see him at upcoming conferences