Capstan Live Podcast

Beyond the Spreadsheet with David Hartmann, CEO

David Hartmann has built a custom software empire that boasts some amazing numbers:

• 5 consecutive years on the Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation

• 96% employee retention rate

• 0 team members let go during Covid

• 9 day team retreat at a castle outside Paris

 

David shares his secrets to success — and which French castles sleep 60 — in this special episode.

Listen in to discover:

• Why aligning with employee passions drives company growth

• The utility of a solid referral system for finding clients — and for finding talent

• How to take transparent career-pathing to the next level

• The importance of checking in with other leaders — and sometimes checking out entirely

EV Charging Station Credit: Speeding to Savings

Director of Energy Incentives Bill Harbeson returns to Capstan Live to walk us through the EV Charging Station Credit. Many areas are starting to mandate EV charger installation in new developments — why not get paid back?

Join us as Bill explains:

• How to benefit from a little-known apprenticeship exemption

• That time may be of the essence when it comes to eligible project locations

• The nuances that must be considered to avoid dangerous "double dipping"

• Why fees that are too high or too low are equally concerning — and how to find a provider that's just right

Considering getting in on the EV craze? Want to advise your clients? Join Bill for a 20 minute overview that will get you up to speed.

Beyond the Spreadsheet with Margo McDonnell CRE, CES

Margo McDonnell is a respected author, speaker, and subject matter expert who has been facilitating 1031 exchanges for over 3 decades.  She spearheaded the effort to establish a national certification to regulate her industry – the “CES” – and is one of less than 200 Certified Exchange Specialists in the US.   

 

Listen in as Margo:

-        Debunks common 1031 misconceptions

-        Explains why the process is simpler than people think

-        Speculates about what the new administration might mean for 1031s

-        Explores flexible 1031 applications you never considered

Beyond the Spreadsheet with Robyn D. Jefferson, CPA

According to a 2022 study on cnbc.com, accounting is perceived as the second most boring job in the world, right below data entry. Robyn D. Jefferson, CPA, is on a quest to give our industry's “bad reputation” a makeover.   

 

Robyn singlehandedly built a successful firm on the basis of her personality, and she's here to explain that authenticity — with a focus on entrepreneurship — is the key to attracting the next generation of accountants.  

 

Plus:  

 

• Why it's okay to be selective about your client base  

• What mentorship looks like in 2025 

• The significance of financial literacy in underserved populations 

Capstan's 4th Annual Year End Top Ten Episode

It's everyone's favorite episode — the Year End Top 10! This year Capstan stars Terri Johnson, Bruce Johnson, Jacob Wood, and Bill Harbeson bring wit and wisdom to the pod, hitting on all the highlights of the last 12 months.

 

New to this year's list:

1. How to avoid IRS scrutiny when it comes to land allocation

2. Changes coming to the Investment Tax Credit

3. Why now is the time to make sure your R&D Documentation is on point

 

Also, updates on bonus depreciation, 179D, 1031 exchanges, and more. Plus — our business-friendly legislative wish list — all the details on what we hope to see in 2025.

Beyond the Spreadsheet with Joey Havens

Joey Havens has been growing leaders in the accounting industry for over 30 years and — even though he’s officially retired – he doesn’t seem to be stopping any time soon. He spent decades at Horne, including his role as Executive Partner, where he created a people-first culture known as the “Wise Firm.”  These days Joey shares his expertise through speaking engagements, his popular blog, and his recent Amazon bestseller “Leading with Significance.”

 

With his signature wit and humility, Joey shares his thoughts on:

• The intentionality of leadership

• The significance of a firm "language"

• Why seniority might be holding us back

• His "ABCs to Outstanding"

A must-listen for every firm -- and every leader.  

Beyond the Spreadsheet with Herb Baker

When you think of NASA, you probably picture space shuttles and moon launches -- that's the glamorous stuff. But the innovation happening at NASA is underpinned by a group of dedicated accountants and professionals who are crucial to the organization's mission. Today's guest, Herb Baker, is one of those people.

 

In his 42 years at NASA, Herb worked in contracts and procurement and was key in building relationships with firms like Grumman, Boeing, and SpaceX. While in management, he served as NASA's liaison to vendors, Congress, and the IRS.

 

Prepare for leadership lessons that are literally out of this world:

 

• You can only control your piece, and you have to trust your team — especially when the stakes are the highest

• Sometimes the best thing a leader can do is get out of the way — and a master-class example that saved the Apollo 13 astronauts

• Why "failure is not an option" makes great movie dialogue, but doesn't always play in real life

 

Plus much more, including insider tales of life on the space station and the secret of astronaut ice cream..

 

To learn more about Herb, please visit www.herbbaker.space. Keep your eye out for his memoir, From Apollo to Artemis: Stories From My 50 Years with NASA, set to be published at year's end.

Beyond the Spreadsheet with Jody Padar, The Radical CPA

Jody Padar is one of the most disruptive and impactful pioneers in the accounting industry. An early adopter of technology and social media, Jody's been shaking things up for decades now, shepherding our industry forward through her conception of the “New Firm.” There's a reason she's known as The Radical CPA.

 

This episode is packed with thoughtful insight, delivered with Jody's inimitable wit and energy:

 

1. Why social media is really social business

2. How to fully leverage technology while retaining the personal touch

3. The reason that value-based pricing is the key to success as firms evolve

4. What Jody predicts our industry will look like in 10 years - and how to avoid behind left behind

 

Jody's most recent book, Radical Pricing: How to Optimize Profits, Delight Customers and Build a Top Value Firm is available at cpatrendlines.com, where you can also read excerpts and download a free bonus toolkit. You can also reach out to Jody directly at Jody@TheRadicalCPA.com or visit her website at theradicalcpa.com.

 

Beyond the Spreadsheet with Bryan Cogliano and Frank Hanna Jr. of Revolution X

Ready to hear something revolutionary?

Bryan Cogliano and Frank Hanna Jr. are the founders of Revolution X, a real estate consulting firm providing cutting-edge investment options with a personal approach. In this episode, Bryan and Frank introduce two new strategies that add flexibility and agility to real estate, allowing investors to control their destiny.

Listen in to discover:

1. Why all investors should identify a Delaware Statutory Trust (DST) as a potential replacement property during a 1031 Exchange

2. Ways to avoid dealing with the "Three T's"

3. How to leverage a "Bonus Depreciation Fund" to offset passive income

4. Why CPAs should add these tools to their toolbox, and offer clients new and thoughtful options for consideration

To learn more about 1031 Exchanges, DSTs, or Bonus Depreciation Funds, reach out to *Frank Hanna, ChFC (frankhanna@revxwealth.com) and *Bryan Cogliano, CFP (bryancogliano@revxwealth.com) or visit www.revxwealth.com.

Beyond the Spreadsheet with Leendert Enthoven

Utility rebates may be the energy world's best kept secret. Thousands of incentives benefit property owners who install energy-efficient equipment like LED lighting, HVAC systems, EV (electrical vehicle) chargers and more.

 

Leendert Enthoven, founder of BriteSwitch (briteswitch.com), is here to give us a primer on this little-known opportunity, explaining:

 

1. Why utilities are willing to "give money away"

2. How he created a rebate database to help identify, maximize, and capture rebates for energy-efficiency products

3. The future of the rebate industry in a world turning to electrification

4. How multifamily property owners can strategically leverage rebates to offset the costs of installing equipment, especially the uber-popular EV charging station

 

If you'd like to learn more about benefiting from utility rebates, Leendert (leendert.enthoven@briteswitch.com) is the man to see.