Strategic Planning

Bottom line of Strategic Planning Explained:

Strategic planning is the cornerstone of any successful firm. At Carl George Advisory, we take a tailored approach to help firms identify their unique opportunities, overcome challenges, and set actionable goals for sustainable growth. From defining your vision and aligning leadership priorities to crafting detailed implementation plans, we ensure every step is purposeful and achievable. With Carl’s decades of leadership experience, your firm will gain the clarity and direction needed to adapt to industry changes, seize opportunities, and secure a thriving future.

(317) 850 – 1921
Customized
No two firms are alike, and neither are their strategies. Carl’s approach to strategic planning is meticulously tailored to your firm’s unique goals, challenges, and market position, ensuring a plan that truly reflects your vision and needs.
Comprehensive
Strategic planning goes beyond setting goals—it’s about creating a roadmap for sustainable success. Carl integrates financial objectives, leadership alignment, market positioning, and operational efficiencies into a cohesive, actionable strategy.
Forward-Thinking
Carl combines decades of industry experience with a keen eye for emerging trends to develop strategies that not only address your current challenges but also prepare your firm to thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape.
Best Practices

Strategic Planning Importance

All too often, firms don’t take the time or make the effort to create a strategic plan. The result? A lack of common vision, disagreement on direction, silo mentalities, and unclear goals. Yes, firms can succeed without a plan, but those with one are more aligned, cohesive, collaborative, and successful.

Over the years, I have developed a proven strategic planning process that has guided numerous firms to great success. This process not only provides clarity of purpose but also fosters unity among leaders and aligns organizational goals. It helps define the path to leadership, ensuring the next generation continues the firm’s legacy while paving the way for sustained growth and innovation.

Drawing on years of experience in firm leadership and consulting with countless organizations across the United States, I have cultivated a deep understanding of the key elements that drive successful strategic planning. These insights, grounded in proven methodologies and refined through numerous development and implementation engagements, have helped firms transform their vision into actionable strategies that deliver measurable results, including:

Review existing plans and key documents to ensure alignment with overarching goals and priorities.
Engage with firm leadership to gather insights and perspectives that shape the planning process and foster collective commitment.
Facilitate collaborative sessions to establish a clear direction and prioritize strategic initiatives.
Refine the firm’s vision to inspire alignment and engagement across the organization.
Develop a streamlined strategic plan that outlines key objectives and actionable growth strategies.
Create an action plan with defined steps, timelines, and accountability to drive implementation.
Provide support for individual leadership planning and ongoing progress tracking as needed.
Assist with effectively communicating and rolling out the strategic plan to the broader team to ensure alignment and shared commitment.
Also Available

Other Services

about Carl George

Extensive Experience, Relatable Insights, and a Tailored Approach

With a career spanning decades of transformative leadership, Carl George has left an indelible mark on the CPA industry. From growing a $200,000 office into a $250 million powerhouse to shaping the future of firms nationwide, his expertise continues to inspire excellence and innovation.

I’ve been fortunate to be recognized multiple times by Accounting Today as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting.” What I’ve always enjoyed most is helping other firms succeed—whether it’s facilitating strategic planning retreats, creating succession plans, resolving partner conflicts, coaching the next generation of leaders, or guiding firms through mergers and acquisitions. That’s why, after retiring from CLA, I launched Carl George Advisory in 2013 to continue doing what I love: advising professional service firms in the areas I know best.

Testimonials

Real Stories From Industry Leaders Who Trust My Expertise

“Leaders from top firms trust me to transform their strategies. With lasting results, I’ve built a reputation as a trusted partner to firms across the country.”

– Carl George

“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, CPA

Frequently Asked Questions

I Can Help You Scale, Optimize and Grow Your Firm

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

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.
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Frequently Asked Questions.

Find answers to common questions about our services, approach, and expertise. Whether you’re exploring strategic planning, partner compensation, or mergers and acquisitions, our FAQ page provides clarity on how Carl George Advisory can help your firm achieve its goals.

Case Studies

Explore our library of case studies showcasing real-world solutions to complex challenges faced by CPA firms. From navigating mergers and acquisitions to restructuring partner compensation and fostering sustainable growth, each case study highlights actionable insights and measurable results. Click below to learn how firms like yours achieved their goals

Firm Growth Issues
Compensation Model Revamped

Begin your
Journey with Carl George Advisory

Have questions about CPA firm strategy, partner compensation, mergers and acquisitions, or governance? Let’s connect! Carl George offers expert advice tailored to your firm’s unique challenges and opportunities Whether you’re a CPA firm leader seeking guidance or an industry consultant exploring collaboration, Carl is here to help you navigate complexities with confidence and clarity.

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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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!