Ellen Bruno is a CPA/PFS who has taken a career path that puts her in the seat of serving financial planners who are registered investment advisers. Her experience has always tied closely to money management beginning with her first role out of university with PwC. In this episode of the PFP Section podcast, Lyle Benson, CPA/PFS, guides Ellen to share how she created her remote firm with 11 employees and words of wisdom about compliance in the RIA world. Ellen answers the following questions:

What made you take the leap of faith to begin your own firm 18 years ago?
How have you been successful running a business with 11 employees that is 100% remote?
What advice do you have for CPAs contemplating providing investment advisory services and intimated by the compliance area?
What should CPAs watch out for who are shifting from traditional practice to becoming an RIA?
How do you guide CPA RIAs who are fearful of having an SEC audit?
What do you see for the future of CPA financial planners in the RIA world?

Access resources related to this podcast: Note: If you’re using a podcast app that does not hyperlink to the resources, visit Libsyn (PFP) to access show notes with direct links.

Listen to other episodes in this series.
Be on the look out for the Building Your PFP Business workshop registration link coming to ENGAGE 2024.
If you are contemplating adding investment advisory services to your practice or if you want to make sure you’re not crossing the line and need to register, read the CPA’s Guide to Investment Advisory Business Models. Ellen consulted on the writing of this guide.

This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Personal Financial Planning Section, the premier provider of information, tools, advocacy, and guidance for professionals who specialize in providing tax, estate, retirement, risk management and investment planning advice. Also, by the CPA/PFS credential program, which allows CPAs to demonstrate competence and confidence in providing these services to their clients. Visit us online to join our community, gain access to valuable member-only benefits or learn about our PFP certificate program.

Subscribe to the PFP Podcast channel at Libsyn to find all the latest episodes or search “AICPA Personal Financial Planning” on your favorite podcast app.

Deeper CPA financial planner connections with Ellen Bruno {PFP Section}

AICPA Personal Financial Planning (PFP)