This session gives firm leaders a clear-eyed look at where they stand and a practical roadmap for what to do next — whether a transition is on the horizon in three years or one.
Most accounting firms have at least one partner preparing for retirement — and most of those same firms don't have a solid plan in place to navigate what comes next. The window to act is shorter than leaders think, and the cost of waiting is steep.
Firms that begin planning 3–5 years ahead of a leadership transition are in a fundamentally different position than those that wait. They maximize firm value, develop confident successors, and retain clients through change. Firms that start 1–3 years out still have time — but the urgency is real, and every month matters. Those that wait until a departure is imminent face forced decisions, disrupted client relationships, and diminished firm value.
Learning objectives
Understand the 5 key readiness indicators for successful transition plans in firms of all sizes
Identify the critical actions your firm should be taking 3–5 years out and 1–3 years out from a leadership transition
Evaluate your firm's current succession plan against what the most prepared firms are doing
CPE Credits: 2 CPE
Delivery Method: Group Internet Based
Field of Study: Personnel/Human Resources
Level: Intermediate
Prerequisites: None
Recommended Audience: Partners, Managing Partners, COO, Leaders in Accounting firms responsible for Succession Planning
About the Presenter
Erin Daiber, CPA, PCC
Founder & CEO, Well Balanced Accountants
Erin Daiber is a CPA-turned-leadership strategist and the founder of Well Balanced Accountants - a consulting firm that helps independent CPA firms grow firm value by increasing revenue, retaining and developing top talent, and transforming workplace cultures.
Drawing from her experience as a former EY auditor, financial analyst, and now CEO and coach, Erin brings a rare combination of technical accounting expertise and strategic leadership insight. She understands what it takes to build an elite firm: one that attracts the best people, operates strategically, and thrives on their own terms for generations.
Well Balanced Accountants partners with firm leaders across the U.S. to tackle the most critical challenges facing accounting firms today: building leadership pipelines, preparing for succession, reducing costly turnover, and scaling sustainably. She believes that leading in today's competitive landscape requires bold, strategic thinking and a willingness to invest in people as the foundation of firm value.
As a speaker, Erin delivers actionable strategies, real-world insights, and practical solutions that firm leaders can implement immediately to strengthen their organizations and position themselves for long-term success.
Erin holds an active CPA license in California, the Professional Certified Coach (PCC) credential from the International Coach Federation, and a degree in accountancy from John Carroll University. She lives in San Diego and ser_ves CPA firms nationwide.
About the Sponsor
The CPA Trendlines Academy (Thomas Advisors LLC d/b/a), #170718, is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors via its website at nasbaregistry.org.
