From Compliance to Advisory: The Evolution of the CPA

What does it take for a CPA firm to move from preparing returns to helping clients make better business decisions?

In this episode of Let’s Talk Tax, host Dave McGuire talks with Mike Hammel, MAcc, a shareholder at McGuire Sponsel, about the shift from compliance to CPA advisory services. They explore how AI and automation may create more time for planning, why firms do not need to provide every specialized service themselves, and how stronger client relationships can reveal both tax opportunities and compliance risks.

Dave and Mike also discuss practical ways to build an advisory mindset: ask better questions, connect tax strategies to a client’s long-term goals, invest in staff development, and bring in specialists when needed. Their examples range from cost segregation and R&D planning to an international filing issue uncovered during acquisition due diligence.