About a decade ago, Dr. Jackie Meyer hit a wall of exhaustion running her CPA firm, but she refused to hide behind the industry's mask of perfection. Diagnosed with chronic fatigue and juggling motherhood and her work responsibilities, she began to question the relentless pace and the culture of stoicism that define the profession. On her return to The Unique CPA for Episode 239, she explains that instead of retreating, she transformed her struggle into a mission: she built TaxPlanIQ, a platform that lets accountants reclaim their time and sanity, and developed the ROI Method, a value pricing formula now championed by the AICPA. Since then, she's completed her doctorate in leadership and written a forthcoming book, The Balanced Millionaire. Jackie's journey, from iron infusions and late-night epiphanies to a much healthier, sustainable pace now, offers a candid look at what it takes to change not just a career, but an entire profession.

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When Paul Peterson looks across his firm, he sees a new generation rewriting the rules. On Episode 238 of The Unique CPA, he joins Randy Crabtree to trace the ripple effects of Gen Z's arrival in accounting as young professionals who expect flexibility, are driven by their purpose, and challenge the status quo while setting new standards for everyone. Paul recounts how a twenty-something team member became the office's AI expert, teaching partners to rethink their approach to technology. He describes Gen Z's insistence on open dialogue and their willingness to question outdated practices, and the way they bring their whole selves to work. From the pressures of private equity to the importance of mental health, Gen Z's presence is forcing even the most established leaders to adapt and build a culture where everyone can belong—something that is paying dividends economically even now.

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Tara Whitney, CEO of White Birch Advisory, steps into the studio with a confession: she was drawn to accounting for its clear rules and right answers. But as the conversation unfolds, Tara reveals how the very habits that once defined her success, like perfectionism, self-reliance, and yes, rule-following, became obstacles as she rose to leadership. On Episode 237 of The Unique CPA, she and Randy trace the burnout and stress plaguing members of the profession, and recounts the moment she realized that breaking her own rules and embracing vulnerability would open the door to creativity and growth. Having found her "zone of genius," Tara explores how letting go of old scripts can transform your life and career, as well as your entire organization.

Get the full show notes and more resources at TheUniqueCPA.com