Evolve or Dissolve: The Future of Accounting & Professional Services Ft. Jessica Levin

What's really driving the succession crisis in accounting firms, and is private equity the fix everyone thinks it is? I sit down with Dr. Jessica Levin — COO of Abacus Worldwide, CEO of Seven Degrees, and co-author of Accounting for Times — to talk about why accounting and professional services firms have to evolve or dissolve. We dig into what's really driving the wave of private equity deals, and why PE isn't always the "people first" partner it claims to be. Jessica makes the case that due diligence on culture matters just as much as due diligence on the numbers.

We also get into her system for using core values to drive every business decision — not the vague values that end up on a website, but the specific ones that actually shape hiring, client relationships, and brand equity. Jessica explains why losing one employee can cost a firm far more than their salary, why accountants are missing their moment to become true trusted advisors, and how firms can boost business value and exit readiness long before a sale. If you're a business owner, CPA, or firm leader thinking about succession, private equity, or exit planning, this conversation on the Max Value Podcast is for you.