Blake Oliver is our latest guest to sit down for a conversation with Brannon. Blake is an entrepreneur, accountant, writer and speaker who specializes in cloud accounting technology. He is the Director of Product Marketing for FloQast. In 2016 and 2017, he was named a “40 Under 40” in the accounting profession by CPA Practice Advisor. I had the pleasure of meeting Blake and David at a CalCPA event to celebrate new licensees. Blake recently became a CPA. Listen to the podcast to gain more insight into how Blake created and sold his cloud-based accounting practice.
Moments worth mentioning:
1:10 – Blake’s background as a musician
4:00 – How Blake transitioned to accounting from a career as a musician
8:49 – Blake’s decision to sell
10:10 – How Blake turned pain points into opportunity
14:30 – Firm valuation and the impact of technology
22:30 – About FloQast
29:44 – Blake’s book recommendation (Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman)
31:10 – One idea or insight Blake has learned
34:50 – Biggest opportunities we face in the accounting profession
38:00 – Blake’s life lesson/advice
40:20 – How to connect with Blake
About Blake Oliver: Blake is the author of Own Your Close, a newsletter for accountants leveraging cloud technology to make their jobs more strategic and impactful. He also produces and co-hosts the Cloud Accounting Podcast, a weekly news round-up for accountants, bookkeepers, and anyone interested in the future of the profession.
Before all of that, Blake founded Cloudsourced Accounting, an online professional services firm with a mission to disrupt the business models of traditional CPA firms and freelance bookkeepers. The firm was an early adopter of cloud accounting technology, which enabled Blake’s staff and clients to collaborate 100% remotely. Within three years, Cloudsourced Accounting was a team of twelve serving approximately 200 customers spread across the United States. Aprio Cloud, part of top 50 accounting firm Aprio, acquired Cloudsourced Accounting in 2015.
After taking time off to finish his CPA exams, Blake joined Armanino LLP, the largest California-based accounting and consulting firm, as a Manager in the Outsourced Finance & Accounting team.
Blake holds a Bachelor of Music from Northwestern University and an Accounting Certificate from UCLA. He lives in Los Angeles, California with his wife, son, and Jack Russell terrier.
Contact Blake: Twitter @blaketoliver, LinkedIn
About Brannon Poe: Brannon is the founder of Poe Group Advisors and has been facilitating successful accounting practice transitions throughout the US and Canada since 2003. Brannon started his career in public accounting as an auditor with Ernst & Young before working for several years in auditing and tax preparation for the regional firm of Elliott, Davis & Company. He is the author of “Accountant’s Flight Plan: Best Practices for Today’s Firms” (published by the AICPA and CPA Canada), “On Your Own: How to Start Your Own CPA Firm,” as well as multiple blogs and the “Accountant’s Flight Plan” podcast.
Follow us on Twitter @PoeGroupAdvisor and LinkedIn
