News from your accounting association
Empowering Employees for Growth Through Business Development Training
Changes are coming to the accounting and advisory industry in the next several years. Approximately 70 percent of businesses will be closing or selling soon with baby boomers exiting the workforce, and additionally, roughly 75 percent of CPAs are set to retire in the next 15 years.
development issues are what are fueling mergers, acquisitions and private equity,” continued Lewis.
May 2025 IN THIS ISSUE:
► Empowering Employees for Growth Through Business Development Training ► Preferred Provider Spotlight - Ramp ► AICPA Tax Clinic
► Member News
► CPAmerica InsightsGrace Horvath
their third cohort this spring.
“Firms are facing a major challenge due to aging leadership and the infusion of outside investments, such as private equity,” said Bob Lewis, president of The Visionary Group. “A core challenge is that the aging leaders are often the key, if not the only, rainmakers in the firm, and the increasing size and financial resources of competitors, due to private equity and mergers, have created more complex competitors.”
Some firms are preparing for this next phase by prioritizing business development training for their teams. There are many different business development tools, resources and programs available. It is imperative that firm leaders begin identifying potential rainmaking champions and formalizing training.
“One of the things that was great about this program, unlike so many other initiatives that we’ve undergone, is there’s a clear return on investment and built into rainmaker structure is accountability and evaluation of the return on investment. We saw a massive return on investment, to the tune of millions of dollars of new revenues, new clients and new services that would not have existed,” shared Lauseng.
“Firms have had their limited staff focused on client work and have not had the time or luxury to train them on how to sell or how to build a referral network. The lack of advanced business development skills inside most firms is a major problem. Firm leaders are questioning if they want to risk their buyout by trusting a younger group of professionals who may lack the ability to bring in new work to sustain the revenue that will be needed to fund their retirements. The succession and business
“Growth is incredibly important, especially with the dynamics facing our profession right now,” said John Lauseng, CEO of Aldrich Group. “CPAs don’t necessarily understand what business development looks like within our profession and generally are apprehensive of it. So, I think it’s incredibly important to equip emerging leaders with the understanding and the tools to know how to do this. Business development is rooted deeply in trust and relationships, and it’s a long cycle.”
Lauseng has firsthand experience, participating in a past business development program cohort led by The Rainmaker Companies. Lauseng experienced benefits in many aspects of his life, not just as a better business developer. He credits the program with helping improve his communication skills, making him a better listener, friend, family member and member of his community.
Aldrich Group has sent more than 15 team members through formal business development training and are launching
Lisa Shuneson, CEO and president of Whalen CPAs, has seen how working with someone’s natural rainmaking abilities can make a big impact on your firm. Training can help bring out and enhance the skills of your identified business development champion(s).
“While I believe everyone should be trained to do business development in a broader sense, I have really stopped trying to make people who they aren’t. Letting people be who they are highlighted a person on our team who is a natural rainmaker,” said Shuneson. “We carved out a role for him that included business development, client retention and recruiting.”
Shuneson shared that having rainmakers in your firm is crucial for succession planning because it can impact how attractive your firm is to potential clients and employees. They have created a culture that is focused on rainmaking and client service.
Interview with John Lauseng of Aldrich Group & Lisa Shuneson of Whalen CPAs
John Lauseng
Lisa Shuneson
Preferred Provider Spotlight Ramp
Ramp is a platform designed to streamline financial operations for modern finance teams.
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Ramp’s platform offers an intuitive corporate card paired with powerful software that helps optimize business spending and
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“Having employees trained in business development helps with our succession planning as well,” said Shuneson. “I feel that someone having rainmaking ability is also the same person who can bring personnel into the firm. And if you don’t have a dynamic firm, then you’re not attractive to the very small pool of candidates available.”
“I think that business development is part of the dynamism that makes you attractive to people who come here, who then add more dynamism. So, you really have to be dynamic in order to get dynamic,” said Shuneson.
As Lewis shared, with the reduced labor force already in place, those upcoming industry exits are going to leave a massive hole in firms. Business development training can be an integral part in maintaining the stability and success of your firm.
In exciting news, CPAmerica’s Growth Masters: Business Development Training for CPAs powered by The Rainmaker Companies will be launching its first cohort soon. This 18-month program will feature in-person sessions at member firms, virtual sessions, and oneon-one coaching sessions. Registration
automate financial processes. It eliminates manual tasks through proactive policy controls, configurable approval workflows, and automated reconciliation, ensuring that businesses can focus on growth rather than routine administrative work.
Ramp integrates securely with your existing technology stack, providing real-time reporting to unlock critical insights. With Ramp Intelligence, businesses gain the ability to optimize cash flow and make informed decisions based on data from millions of transactions. This comprehensive financial management solution empowers finance teams to close books 8x faster and save an average of 5% on overall spending.
will be opening soon! For more information, please contact Stephanie Bailes at sbailes@cpamerica.org.
If you have questions for the individuals featured in this article, please contact John Lauseng at jlauseng@ aldrichadvisors.com, Lisa Shuneson at lshuneso@whalencpa.com or Bob Lewis at blewis@thinkvisionary.com.
For more information, visit www.ramp.com/why-ramp or email cpm-team@ramp.com
Upcoming Event Dates
Scan this QR code for complete event information, a full list of upcoming events and to complete your registration.
AICPA December Tax Clinic
CPAmerica members have the exclusive privilege to be featured in the December 2025 issue of the AICPA’s renowned The Tax Adviser.
Imagine showcasing your expertise and representing yourself, your firm, and CPAmerica in one of the most respected publications in the industry. This is your moment to shine and share your knowledge with a wider audience. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity!
Submissions are due by August 1, 2025. For more information on how to submit your article, contact Richelle Clay at rclay@cpamerica.org
Windham managing partner
Aldridge Borden, headquartered in Montgomery, Ala., is pleased to announce that Jeff Windham CPA, CVA, CFF, ABV, has been named managing partner. With more than 32 years of experience in the accounting industry and a longstanding commitment to excellence, Windham steps into this leadership role to guide the firm into its next chapter of service and growth. As a partner of Aldridge Borden - OneSource, focused on overseeing consulting services, Windham has been instrumental with helping clients navigate their business challenges and identify tailored solutions. “We are excited to have Jeff leading our firm as managing partner,” said Rhonda Sibley, tax partner. “Our firm has a 107 year history of exceptional client service, while consistently embracing modern technology and innovation. We are confident Jeff is the ideal person to lead us as we strive to continue that legacy.” As managing partner, Windham will manage the operations and oversee the strategic direction of the firm.
Monroe Shine celebrates 100 years of excellence and appoints new president and CEO
Monroe Shine, a trusted public accounting and business consulting firm since 1925, proudly marks its 100th anniversary this year. Since its founding in New Albany, Ind., Monroe Shine has remained committed to serving private businesses, their owners, and not-for-profit entities through its mission to help every client achieve the highest level of success possible. The firm’s offices have been in downtown New Albany since 1925 and in east-end Louisville since 1978. Monroe Shine consists of six shareholders, 24 CPAs, and 51 staff members, all working together to provide clients across the region with the information and insights needed to grow their businesses, plan for the future, and ensure financial stability. Monroe Shine also announces the appointment of Phillip D. Beaman, CPA, as the firm’s new president and CEO. Beaman takes over this leadership role from outgoing president and CEO, S. Butch Shaw, CPA, who remains with the firm as a shareholder, where he continues to work with a variety
of business clients, individuals, and not-forprofit organizations. “Reaching 100 years is an incredible milestone that speaks to our commitment to our clients, our people, and our community,” said Phillip Beaman, newly appointed president & CEO of Monroe Shine. “Our firm has built a legacy of trust, excellence, and service spanning generations, and I am honored to step into this leadership role at such an exciting time in our firm’s history. I want to recognize and thank Butch for his leadership and dedication as president & CEO. His impact on Monroe Shine has been immeasurable, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside him as he remains a valued shareholder and integral part of our firm. We will continue to build on our strong foundation of client service and community involvement, with even more exciting announcements coming later this year.” Beaman has been a shareholder at Monroe Shine since 2009 and previously served as the director of tax and estate planning. With over 25 years in the accounting profession, he has been instrumental in guiding clients through complex financial landscapes.
Jamie Tymann joins Nathan Wechsler & Company as chief operating officer
advisory and compliance services to clients across the United States. With a team of more than 40 professionals working out of offices in Concord, Keene, and Lebanon, N.H., the firm specializes in business advisory services, tax, and accounting engagements.
Honkamp names new chief financial officer
honkAMp, p.c., a Top-10 Midwest CPA and business advisory group headquartered in Dubuque, Iowa, is pleased to announce that one of the firm’s longtime leaders has been named the new chief financial officer (CFO). Shareholder Shannon Hunter, CPA/ PFS, CGMA, has been promoted to the role. The CFO position previously was held by Jenny Daughetee, who retired at the end of 2024. Hunter joined Honkamp in 2004. Her previous roles with the firm include staffing solutions supervisor, accounting training manager, senior special projects manager and, most recently, director of business intelligence. Hunter earned her Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and business administration, with an emphasis on finance, from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. She is a certified public accountant (CPA), personal financial specialist (PFS) and Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA).
nAthAn WechSler & coMpAny is pleased to announce that Jamie Tymann has joined the firm as chief operating officer. With extensive experience in operational leadership, Tymann brings a wealth of knowledge in building scalable teams, implementing technologydriven solutions, and optimizing business processes. “We are thrilled to welcome Jamie to the Nathan Wechsler & Company team,” said Kelli D’Amore, managing director. “His expertise in organizational management, human resources, and financial reporting will be instrumental in driving our firm’s continued growth and efficiency.” Tymann has a strong background in business operations, having led teams through major growth at two Washington, D.C.-area technology companies. His experience spans HR, financial reporting, recruiting, and technology implementation, positioning him as a key asset to Nathan Wechsler & Company. Since 1957, Nathan Wechsler & Company, PA, has provided a full range of business
Gray, Gray, & Gray celebrates 80th anniversary
grAy, grAy, & grAy, llp, an accounting and business consulting firm based in Canton, Mass., is marking its 80th anniversary in 2025. The firm was founded in Boston, Mass., in 1945 by brothers Robert, Milton and Mervin Gray – the first brothers ever simultaneously elected to membership in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. In 1999, after 54 years in downtown Boston, the firm relocated its offices to Westwood, Mass., before moving into its current location in Canton, Mass., in 2014. Over the past 80 years, the firm has evolved into a leading independent accounting and advisory firm that is ranked among the country’s Top 200 accounting firms by INSIDE Public Accounting magazine, and was named by the Boston Business Journal to the “Fast50” list of the fifty fastest-growing private companies in Massachusetts in 2025.
Jeff Windham
Phillip Beaman
Shannon Hunter
Jamie Tymann
Unlocking Collaboration: Introducing the Member Marketplace
Tackling one of our 2025 strategic goals, CPAmerica is embarking on a transformative journey to enhance member collaboration through the introduction of the Member Marketplace. This initiative aims to foster an environment where our member firms can showcase their unique strengths and expertise while respecting the principles of trust and
Grace Horvath, President & CEO
online membership directory. This directory not only catalogs detailed information about each member firm but also allows filtering by categories such as expertise, services offered, firms that perform peer reviews, and geographical location. By empowering members to utilize this resource more effectively, we aim to increase awareness of each firm’s specialized offerings in a nonintrusive manner.
Additionally, we plan to roll out a series of educational sharing calls, starting either later this year or in early 2026. To initiate this, we
some idea of a firm’s depth of experience. Designed to complement our existing directory, this marketplace aims to provide deeper insights into each firm’s offerings, facilitating more informed collaborations and business opportunities.
The overarching goal of the Member Marketplace is to enrich the member experience at CPAmerica. By creating structured pathways for showcasing expertise and promoting services, we seek to empower our members to capitalize on the full spectrum of opportunities available within our alliance. Importantly, these initiatives are crafted with sensitivity to our community values, ensuring that collaboration remains paramount and that members feel respected and valued beyond
As we look ahead to the implementation of the Member Marketplace, we invite all members to actively participate and contribute to its success. Together, we can elevate our collective capabilities, strengthen professional relationships, and pave the way for sustained growth and excellence in the dynamic landscape of public accounting.
