(317) 850-1921

carl@carlgeorgeadvisory.com

lisa@carlgeorgeadvisory.com

Plan With Carl

Carl George Advisory

Transform Your CPA Firm with Proven Leadership

Navigate change, strengthen your team, and plan for sustainable growth with guidance from a leader who’s been there.

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Leading an accounting firm is demanding.

With decades of real-world experience, I offer tailored solutions to help your firm overcome challenges and seize opportunities.

Let’s turn your strategic goals into actionable results.

    about Carl George

    Extensive Experience, Relatable Insights, and a Tailored Approach

    Carl George’s career is a testament to visionary leadership and a proven track record of success in the CPA profession. He began his career with Clifton Gunderson in a small office. Throughout his career and leadership, Clifton Gunderson grew into a $250 million firm. His final role before retiring as CEO was being an integral part of the team in one of the largest non-Big 4 mergers in history, forming CliftonLarsonAllen. CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) — now recognized as a top-ten accounting firm in the United States. Carl has consistently delivered results at the highest level.

    After retiring from CLA, I launched Carl George Advisory to bring my expertise to professional service firms. My focus areas include strategic planning, succession planning, partner compensation, and mergers and acquisitions, helping firms achieve sustainable growth and success.

    Beyond my work as CEO, I felt a strong responsibility to give back to the accounting profession and support its continued growth. I served on the AICPA board, chaired the Major Firms Group, and received the AICPA Special Recognition Award for Financial Literacy. I was honored to be inducted into the Advisory Board Hall of Fame and continue to contribute to CPA societies across the United States, helping to advance and strengthen the profession for future generations.

    AICPA National CPA Financial Literacy Commission Chairman
    Accounting Today Top 100 Most Influencial
    AICPA MAP Committee
    INSIDE Public Accounting Top 10 Consultants
    More About Carl George

    Work With an Experienced Guide

    Let’s Create a Roadmap for Long Term Growth

    From partner compensation to governance strategy, Carl George Advisory provides customized, results-driven services designed to elevate your firm’s leadership and performance. Discover how strategic insights can drive long-term success.

    explore Services

    Tailored Solutions, Proven Results.

    Having guided CPA firms through mergers, compensation restructuring, and governance, I bring an unparalleled depth of industry knowledge. I don’t just advise; I walk with you every step of the way.

    “As a consultant, I’m dedicated to sharing my experiences, best practices, and lessons learned with professional service firms. I help clients overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and strategically shape the future of their organizations for long-term success.”

    To know more about us

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you help develop/update our strategic plan?
    Yes, I can assist with developing or updating your strategic plan. A well-crafted strategic plan aligns the firm's vision with the ownership group's objectives, ensuring that everyone is working toward shared goals. Updating the plan every year is crucial in maintaining cohesion and driving consistent progress within the partner group.
    Why should I have a partner compensation process?
    Having a partner compensation process is essential to ensure all owners and partners are aligned and working toward the same goals. It creates consistency and transparency, aligning compensation with the firm's vision and strategic objectives. Without such a process, the partner team may lack cohesion, making it challenging to achieve the firm’s vision and objectives.
    How long have you been helping firms with Mergers and Acquisitions?
    I bring decades of experience in the M&A field, having participated in hundreds of transactions. Throughout my career, I have developed and refined proven strategies for achieving successful outcomes in mergers and acquisitions.
    What size firms do you work with?
    I work with firms of all sizes, from sole proprietorships to organizations with up to 500 partners.
    See More Frequently Asked Questions

    Testimonials

    Real Stories From Industry Leaders Who Trusted My Expertise

    Leaders from top firms trust Carl George Advisory to transform their strategies. With results that last, I’ve become a trusted partner to firms across the country.

    I have had the privilege of working with Carl since 2021. Since then, he has provided much needed structure to our firm’s Compensation Committee and partner goals process, facilitated our partner retreats since 2022 and served as a coach to the Managing Partner and several senior leaders of the firm. His tailored strategies have assisted with the development of ASL’s growth plan and strengthened our corporate governance structure along the way. Thank you, Carl for sharing your wealth of experience, to help our firm and leadership team grow stronger.
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    Deepa Bhat, CPA, CFE, ACA

    Managing Principal, Abbott, Stringham & Lynch
    As a young leader of a legacy firm, Carl has been an invaluable coach and resource for my growth. His relatable demeanor allows us to have candid conversations, so I can learn from his experience, ask questions, and be challenged in my thinking. The two years our firm has worked with Carl has accelerated my personal leadership development and put our firm on a sustainable path.
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    Josh Beaird, CPA, CIA

    CEO, The Whitlock Company
    I have been working with Carl George for a several years as my personal coach. As a new managing partner, I was looking for someone who knew what it was like to manage and motivate people. He has incredible experience as a managing partner himself and has already dealt with the same issues I am working through, from partner compensation to evaluating merger candidates to aligning everyone’s goals for a common purpose. He has been an invaluable part of our team and success because he truly cares and wants to see you be successful.
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    Heidi LaMarca, CPA

    CEO & MP, Windham Brannon
    Carl brings just the right balance of experience, empathy, understanding and counsel to 1) help firms identify where they want to go and 2) walk with them on the path to get there. His knowledge of and insight into the profession is rare and is based on decades of experience in leadership and management of an accounting firm. His experiences have taught him approaches that work – and more importantly those that don’t – so firms he advises can accelerate their journey towards success while avoiding the many landmines along the way.
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    Michael Platt

    Managing Principle, Platt Consulting Group
    Clifton Gunderson did over 50 mergers during Carl’s tenure in management of the firm. Carl’s caring and approachable nature and ability to read between the lines and quickly grasp a firm’s important concerns were key reasons so many of our discussions resulted in successful transactions. He has the processes perfected in managing the complicated issues involved in bringing organizations together.
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    Kris McMasters, CPA

    CEO, McMasters Consulting

    “As a young leader of a legacy firm, Carl has been an invaluable coach and resource for my growth. His relatable demeanor allows us to have candid conversations, so I can learn from his experience, ask questions, and be challenged in my thinking. The two years our firm has worked with Carl has accelerated my personal leadership development and put our firm on a sustainable path.”

    – Josh Beaird, CPA, CIA, CEO

    “Carl George is unquestionably one of the top consultants in the profession. He has a unique ability to relate to his clients based on his extensive experience leading a large firm. When it comes to practice management, he has been there, seen it, and navigating it, most likely. Carl has always been a big supporter of Rainmaker and of me and always acts as an advocate for his clients. He is knowledgeable and firm but also very relatable. I always enjoy working with Carl. Anyone working with him will certainly benefit from his expertise and approach.”

    – Angie Grissom

    Contact Details

    Reach Out and Let’s Discuss

    Ready to elevate your firm’s potential? Let’s discuss how tailored strategies can lead your firm to new heights.

    Partner
    Compensation
    Mergers and
    Acquisitions
    Governance
    and Structure
    CEO and Partner
    Coaching

      Partner Compensation

      Partner compensation is one of the most complex challenges CPA firms face, requiring a careful balance of fairness, motivation, and alignment with firm goals. Without a strategic approach, these plans can lead to dissatisfaction, misaligned priorities, and instability. Carl George is a trusted expert with decades of experience guiding firms through these complexities. He helps develop or refine compensation models that address partner concerns, promote collaboration, and support sustainable growth. His expertise transforms a daunting task into a valuable opportunity for long-term success.

      • Consistency and Transparency
      • Petition for Owner “Buy-In”
      • Redesigning Partner Compensation Plan

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      • Basic package features
      • 10 accounts supported
      • Chat Bot AI

      Partner compensation is one of the most complex challenges CPA firms face, requiring a careful balance of fairness, motivation, and alignment with firm goals. Without a strategic approach, these plans can lead to dissatisfaction, misaligned priorities, and instability. Carl George is a trusted expert with decades of experience guiding firms through these complexities. He helps develop or refine compensation models that address partner concerns, promote collaboration, and support sustainable growth. His expertise transforms a daunting task into a valuable opportunity for long-term success.

      • Advance package features
      • Unlimited accounts supported
      • Chat Bot AI 2.0
      Business Information

      Please provide information according to the form below and be truthful,
      Thank you so much!

        Mergers and Acquisitions

        Mergers and acquisitions in the public accounting space have been commonplace for many years, and their prevalence only continues to accelerate. Maybe your firm is looking to grow its geographic footprint or service offerings by merging in or acquiring another firm as part of your strategic plan. Or maybe part of your succession strategy involves folding your firm into a larger organization. Whether your firm is the buyer or a seller, it’s critical to approach the opportunity in an organized and thoughtful manner. That includes everything from identifying and researching potential candidate firms for practice and cultural fit, creating a seamless transition strategy to ensure uninterrupted client service, ensuring proper compensation once the transaction is complete, and determining how to incorporate the other firm – or your organization – into a new combined entity.

        • Decades of Experience
        • Buyer or Seller
        • Seamless Transition Strategy
        Business Information

        Please provide information according to the form below and be truthful.
        Thank you so much!

          Governance & Structure

          Change is constant. While it can be disruptive, it can also move your firm forward. As your organization grows and evolves, so will its organizational structure. Whether it be a change in the executive committee or board, managing partner, next generation of leadership, a new practice niche or a partner retiring, it is essential to have a plan at the ready to help you implement those changes as efficiently as possible. The key is having an adaptable, regularly updated plan that helps you avoid any delays or confusion toward attaining your firm’s strategic goals while maintaining the continuity of high level of service you provide your clients. With the current trend of mergers and acquisitions public accounting, having a flexible, yet mutually agreed-upon firm governance structure cannot be undervalued. Formal agreements often become outdated over time. Reviewing the firm’s governing agreements can be a time-consuming and challenging task, but one that is essential to current and retired owners – and every employee of your firm.

          • Maintain Continuity
          • Mutually Agreed-upon
          • Implement Changes Efficiently

          Change is constant. While it can be disruptive, it can also move your firm forward. As your organization grows and evolves, so will its organizational structure. Whether it be a change in the executive committee or board, managing partner, next generation of leadership, a new practice niche or a partner retiring, it is essential to have a plan at the ready to help you implement those changes as efficiently as possible. The key is having an adaptable, regularly updated plan that helps you avoid any delays or confusion toward attaining your firm’s strategic goals while maintaining the continuity of high level of service you provide your clients. With the current trend of mergers and acquisitions public accounting, having a flexible, yet mutually agreed-upon firm governance structure cannot be undervalued. Formal agreements often become outdated over time. Reviewing the firm’s governing agreements can be a time-consuming and challenging task, but one that is essential to current and retired owners – and every employee of your firm.

          • Maintain Continuity
          • Mutually Agreed-upon
          • Implement Changes Efficiently

          Sed massa lectus, eleifend ac varius at, volutpat a arcu. Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. In a dignissim ipsum.

          • Maintain Continuity
          • Mutually Agreed-upon
          • Implement Changes Efficiently
          Business Information

          Please provide information according to the form below and be truthful,
          Thank you so much!

            CEO and Partner Coaching

            Let’s face it: being an accounting firm partner is hard work. Not only are you providing high-level advisory services to clients, but you’re also handling firm administrative responsibilities such as carrying out the strategic plan, coaching the rest of the team to keep the firm growing and handling internal conflicts as they arise. Partners wear many hats, and it’s very difficult – if not impossible – to always excel in each area. Maybe a partner is struggling to embrace or achieve the development marks set forth in the firm’s strategic plan or simply having issues embracing the new responsibilities and requirements of ownership. That’s where a mentor or coach can help. Working with an independent coach can help partners look at the firm and its operations from the outside in to gain a different perspective and provide an impartial view of ways to strengthen a partner’s skills.

            • Better Communication
            • Greater Confidence
            • Private and Confidential

            Let’s face it: being an accounting firm partner is hard work. Not only are you providing high-level advisory services to clients, but you’re also handling firm administrative responsibilities such as carrying out the strategic plan, coaching the rest of the team to keep the firm growing and handling internal conflicts as they arise. Partners wear many hats, and it’s very difficult – if not impossible – to always excel in each area. Maybe a partner is struggling to embrace or achieve the development marks set forth in the firm’s strategic plan or simply having issues embracing the new responsibilities and requirements of ownership. That’s where a mentor or coach can help. Working with an independent coach can help partners look at the firm and its operations from the outside in to gain a different perspective and provide an impartial view of ways to strengthen a partner’s skills.

            • Better Communication
            • Greater Confidence
            • Private and Confidential

            Let’s face it: being an accounting firm partner is hard work. Not only are you providing high-level advisory services to clients, but you’re also handling firm administrative responsibilities such as carrying out the strategic plan, coaching the rest of the team to keep the firm growing and handling internal conflicts as they arise. Partners wear many hats, and it’s very difficult – if not impossible – to always excel in each area. Maybe a partner is struggling to embrace or achieve the development marks set forth in the firm’s strategic plan or simply having issues embracing the new responsibilities and requirements of ownership. That’s where a mentor or coach can help. Working with an independent coach can help partners look at the firm and its operations from the outside in to gain a different perspective and provide an impartial view of ways to strengthen a partner’s skills.

            • Better Communication
            • Greater Confidence
            • Private and Confidential
            Business Information

            Please provide information according to the form below and be truthful,
            Thank you so much!

            The Process

            A Proven Pathway: How We Work Together to
            Achieve Your Firm’s Goals

            Step 1

            Initial Discussions

            Meet with the Managing Partner to explore opportunities, review firm performance and history, discuss the culture, and identify any potential issues or barriers to success.

            Step 2

            Financial Analysis

            Gather and analyze key financial documents, including past performance reports, the operating agreement, owner compensation structures, and the governance framework of the firm.

            Step 3

            Confidential One-on-One Meetings

            Conduct individual discussions with all firm owners and key leaders. These confidential sessions will focus on future opportunities, potential challenges, and any barriers to success.

            Step 4

            Confidential Survey

            Distribute a survey to all firm owners and key leaders to collect anonymous input on relevant areas within the engagement scope.

            Step 5

            Preliminary Report Drafting

            Compile the observations and recommendations into a preliminary report, summarizing findings from discussions, financial analyses, and survey responses.

            Carl’s Mission

            “At Carl George Advisory, my mission is to empower professional service firms to overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and shape a successful future. Drawing on my experience, proven best practices, and hard-earned lessons, I am committed to providing actionable insights and strategic guidance. I am passionate about helping clients navigate complexities, unlock their potential, and achieve their most ambitious goals with confidence and clarity. Together, we turn obstacles into opportunities and aspirations into enduring success.”

            – Carl George, CPA, CGMA

            Services

            Strategic Guidance to Navigate Challenges and Drive Growth

            Navigating the complexities of running a CPA firm requires strategic insights and practical solutions. At Carl George Advisory, we offer tailored services to meet your firm’s unique needs, including mergers and acquisitions, governance and structure, and partner compensation planning.

            Backed by decades of industry leadership and a proven track record of success, our expertise helps firms overcome challenges, seize opportunities, and achieve sustainable growth. Whether you’re planning for the future or tackling immediate issues, we’re here to guide your firm toward its next level of success.

            Collaborative

            Carl partners with your leadership team to deeply understand your firm’s unique challenges and goals, fostering a cooperative approach that ensures tailored and effective solutions.

            Strategic

            Every recommendation is rooted in decades of industry expertise, aligning short-term actions with long-term objectives to position your firm for sustained growth and success.

            Practical

            Carl’s guidance is actionable and results-driven, offering real-world solutions that address immediate needs while building a solid foundation for the future.

            Insightful

            Drawing on unparalleled industry experience and a nuanced understanding of firm dynamics, Carl provides clarity and direction to tackle even the most complex issues with confidence.

            READ OUR BLOG

            Featured News and Insights

            Insights and Expertise: Explore Our Latest Articles

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            Navigating CPA Firm Challenges: Expert Advice on Mergers and Acquisitions

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            Effective CPA Firm Management: Best Practices for Leadership and Growth

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            Optimizing Partner Compensation in CPA Firms: Strategies for Alignment and Performance

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            30 Years Helping CPA Firms Grow

            I Can Help You Scale, Optimize and Grow Your Firm, Starting From Today

            My mission is simple: to help leaders of CPA firms unlock their full potential by aligning strategy with action. With decades of experience navigating the complexities of firm leadership, I offer solutions that are not just theoretical, but practical, actionable and successful. Together, we’ll build a stronger, more resilient firm that thrives in any market condition.

            – Carl George

            Owner Carl George Advisory

            01. What are your fees?
            My fees are competitive within the industry, and I provide clients with a detailed proposal outlining the steps involved and the associated costs for each phase.
            02. Do you provide one-on-one coaching?
            Yes, I offer one-on-one coaching. As a leader in the industry, I believe in the importance of mentoring and supporting current and future leaders. Many firm leaders lack a trusted confidant to help them navigate their challenges, and that's where I can make a difference. I foster an open dialogue, encouraging discussions on any topic. Drawing from my extensive experience and the lessons I've learned throughout my career, I provide insights and best practices to facilitate meaningful conversations.
            03. Are My Coaching Sessions confidential?
            Yes, all coaching sessions are strictly confidential. As a leader in the profession, I understand the importance of creating a safe space for my clients. I want you to feel comfortable discussing any issues, knowing that your privacy is respected and protected.
            04. Can you help redesign our partner compensation plan?
            Yes, I can assist with redesigning your partner compensation plan. My approach begins with a thorough review of the existing plan and system. I then gather input from all stakeholders involved in the compensation process. Using a combination of objective and subjective criteria and metrics, I help design a system that aligns with the firm’s vision and strategic goals.
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            Regardless of the size of your accounting firm, or whether you are a new partner or seasoned managing partner, Carl George Advisory will partner with your firm to help you reach your goals and objectives.

            Address
            P.O. Box 6214, Fishers, IN 46038
            Phone or SMS
            317.850.1921
            Email Address
            carl@carlgeorgeadvisory.com
            lisa@carlgeorgeadvisory.com
            Hours
            We know CPA schedules can be demanding, especially during peak seasons. Carl George understands the unique time constraints of CPA professionals and strives to provide flexible availability to accommodate your needs. Whether you’re looking for a quick consultation or have detailed inquiries, Carl is committed to responding promptly and scheduling discussions at times that work best for you. Reach out today to find a time that fits into your busy calendar!
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            Consulting Services

            Testimonial

            News & Insights

            Contact Carl George

            P.O. Box 6214, Fishers, IN 46038

            Call us: 317.850.1921

            Mail: carl@carlgeorgeadvisory.com
            lisa@carlgeorgeadvisory.com

            We know CPA schedules can be demanding, especially during peak seasons. Carl George understands the unique time constraints of CPA professionals and strives to provide flexible availability to accommodate your needs. Whether you’re looking for a quick consultation or have detailed inquiries, Carl is committed to responding promptly and scheduling discussions at times that work best for you. Reach out today to find a time that fits into your busy calendar!