We engaged Carl George over ten years ago to facilitate our firm’s strategic succession planning meetings as we were facing the challenge of turning the page from the firm’s second generation of shareholders to third generation of shareholders. What is best for the firm, our owners, our employees and our clients? Carl’s understanding of the profession as a whole, our position in the market place, and the sensitivity of succession assisted us in building out our firm’s vision and developing actionable strategies to help us get to where we decided to go. Carl has also served as trusted mentor to me as I transitioned into my position five or so years ago. As we move to the next chapter as a growing, fiercely independent accounting firm, we continue to work with Carl as we look to enhance our firm’s governance and shareholder evaluation processes, among other firm matters.

"I have been working with Carl George for 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."

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.

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.

As we have grown organically and merged with other firms we needed help from a practical stand point. Carl was exactly what we needed. We have been working with Carl over the past 3 years. He is one of our most valuable resources. The advice he has given us has been invaluable.

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.

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. As Carl’s successor as CEO of Clifton Gunderson, Carl is an incredible mentor to me and to so many others in the profession. He listens intently, asks great questions and has an uncanny sense for what you’re thinking but not saying aloud. Having already lived most any situation that arises, he relays experience that help steer you in the right direct, many times without giving any direct advice.

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. 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.

Carl has served as my friend and professional mentor for the last decade. He brilliantly listens, asks great questions and provides honest insight. He is not clouded by a firm’s self-interest, allowing him to provide measured advice based upon his years of experience as a managing partner. His independent feedback with the mentee’s best interest in mind is a critical sounding board for any leader in public accounting.