Tax season doesn't have to mean overtime, blackout dates, and pizza-party morale boosts. Marcus and Rachel walk through the operational decisions and team structures that keep DBA running at 36 hours a week year-round. From Flex Fridays and unlimited PTO to ditching 1099 prep for annual-only clients, rethinking which client relationships to keep, and using video commentary and text messaging to meet clients where they are.

Sponsors
Discover.AI - discover.ai

Introducing Collective by DBA
https://collective.cpa
https://www.linkedin.com/company/collectivebydba

Learn More About Dillon Business Advisors
https://www.dillonadvisors.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dillonbusinessadvisors

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• (00:00) - Welcome to Who's Really the Boss
• (02:23) - Life Update: Moving to Fort Worth
• (12:20) - Tax Season Norms and Firm Practices
• (27:31) - Flexible Work Hours and PTO Policies
• (29:16) - Transition to Unlimited PTO
• (32:20) - Team Collaboration and PTO Planning
• (36:08) - Client Services and Team Structure
• (46:43) - Refinement and Client Evaluation
• (49:47) - Tax Advisory Plan (TAP)
• (56:20) - Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

Marcus and Rachel sit down with Amy McCarty to unpack the reality of DBA's two 2025 acquisitions—from pre-close team meetings and tech stack migrations to payment processor transitions and the decision to space deals 90 days apart. They share specific timelines, technology consolidation wins and challenges. This is the acquisition conversation focused on what happens after everyone stops congratulating you.

Sponsors
Discover.AI - discover.ai

Introducing Collective by DBA
https://collective.cpa
https://www.linkedin.com/company/collectivebydba

Learn More About Dillon Business Advisors
https://www.dillonadvisors.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dillonbusinessadvisors

Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcast
https://earmarkcpe.com

Download the Earmark CPE App
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app

• (00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
• (00:47) - Amy Background and Role
• (02:36) - Discussing Recent Acquisitions
• (04:20) - Growth and Team Expansion
• (07:15) - Pre-Acquisition Planning
• (13:56) - Onboarding and Integration
• (30:01) - Introduction to the 2025 Tech Stack
• (30:36) - Building the Azure Environment
• (31:28) - First Acquisition: Technology Integration
• (34:24) - Second Acquisition: Technology Integration
• (38:37) - Managing Legacy Systems
• (47:40) - Payment Systems and Client Invoicing
• (51:48) - Engagement Letters and Standardization
• (54:14) - Conclusion and Future Plans

Rachel and Marcus unveil the DBA Impact Fund, a donor-advised fund through National Christian Foundation that channels 1% of every revenue dollar toward charitable causes. They share how they chose Living Water International as their primary charity partner, including plans to purchase and install water wells with the team in 2027, and explain their unique approach to employee giving through $1,000 birthday gifts to charities of each team member's choice.

Sponsors
Discover.AI - discover.ai

Introducing Collective by DBA
https://collective.cpa
https://www.linkedin.com/company/collectivebydba

Learn More About Dillon Business Advisors
https://www.dillonadvisors.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dillonbusinessadvisors

Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcast
https://earmarkcpe.com

Download the Earmark CPE App
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728

Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.app

• (00:00) - Introduction and New Year Greetings
• (01:00) - Defining Positive Impact
• (02:09) - Reflecting on 2025 and Setting 2026 Goals
• (06:35) - Creating the DBA Impact Fund
• (08:59) - Implementing the DBA Impact Fund
• (16:01) - Choosing Living Water International
• (19:19) - Mission Trip Experiences
• (25:23) - Reflecting on Past Experiences
• (25:55) - Living Water Mission Trips
• (26:58) - Roles and Responsibilities on Trips
• (27:42) - Engaging with Local Communities
• (28:21) - Fun and Games with Children
• (29:29) - DBA Impact Fund Introduction
• (31:47) - Celebrating Birthdays and Anniversaries
• (35:36) - Measuring Impact and Sharing Stories
• (37:05) - Supporting Team Members
• (39:28) - Creating a Culture of Gratitude
• (42:00) - Setting Up Impact Channels
• (44:24) - Conclusion and Future Goals