Armed with a new proactive approach to client acquisition and a new pricing structure, CPA Alan was able to transform his side practice into a successful firm that generates $40K in MRR during the slow season and $100K+ during deadline months. Working closely with his dream clients, anticipating their needs, and identifying opportunities for financial optimization, Pruitt Prep CPA accelerated its growth.

In 2022 Alan decided to go full-time with his firm. After a year of trying to figure everything out on his own, he found Dream Firms. Now, his firm was regularly generating $40K MRR. And two years later, Alan had his first $100K month. By engaging with clients on a regular basis and providing proactive guidance, they delivered exceptional value and achieved better outcomes for both the firm and its clients.

While working in corporate accounting, Alan couldn’t help but feel the lack of caring and respect for both the employees and the clients. He observed the shortcomings of larger companies, often prioritizing their own interests over the well-being of employees. Witnessing instances of loyal employees suddenly losing their jobs due to decisions made solely in the company’s best interest fueled Alan’s desire to build a different type of organization—one that genuinely prioritized people. And so, in 2018 he quietly started Pruitt Prep CPA as a tax filing side practice. But Pruitt Prep CPA didn’t stay quiet for long… In fact, in 2020 his “small” firm hit its first six-figure revenue goal and then doubled it a year later.

As luck would have it, fate took control of Alan’s path and he was laid off from his corporate job. He now cites it as one of the best things that’s ever happened to him… It gave him the clean break he needed to commit to his firm full-time and forced him to take action and build his dream accounting firm.

DREAM FIRMS NOTE: WE HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU TO WATCH ALAN’S FULL INTERVIEW FOR DETAILS ABOUT HIS PRICING STRUCTURE, HOW HE FORMED HIS SERVICE PACKAGES, HOW HE DEALS WITH TROUBLESOME CLIENTS, AND HOW HE EXPANDED HIS REACH TO BE FEATURED ON THE LOCAL NEWS, PODCASTS, AND NICHE CONFERENCES.

Before Alan became a client of Dream Firms and embarked on the transformative journey with the “Create Your Dream Firm” program, his accounting firm was grappling with a myriad of challenges. Alan candidly reflected on his struggles, highlighting the profound impact these issues had on his professional life.

“THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WE FACED WAS THE INCONSISTENCY IN OUR REVENUE STREAMS,”

Alan admitted. His firm was constantly riding the rollercoaster of unpredictable income, relying heavily on one-time services like tax preparation. It made financial planning a nightmare and left him constantly worried about the firm’s financial stability.

Without a reliable source of monthly recurring revenue, the firm was vulnerable to fluctuations in business volume and seasonal demand. This instability not only strained the firm’s financial resources but also took a toll on Alan’s peace of mind, leaving him perpetually anxious about the future.

Alan recognized the detrimental impact of not having a clear niche market. They were trying to be everything to everyone and without a focused target audience, they lacked direction and struggled to distinguish ourselves in a crowded market. Trying to cater to such a diverse range of clients with varying needs and expectations only inhibits growth. 

This lack of niche focus not only diluted the firm’s brand identity but also hindered its ability to attract its ideal clients. Alan lamented the missed opportunities and the uphill battle of trying to stand out amidst stiff competition without a compelling value proposition to offer.

Not having a niche wasn’t the only thing holding Alan’s firm back… The absence of a structured marketing strategy further delayed its potential. Though Pruitt Prep CPA had a somewhat traditional start, Alan quickly identified the pitfalls of following in the footsteps of other accounting firms. 

Alan’s initial marketing efforts involved some online advertising, but the majority of his client base grew organically through referrals. By delivering exceptional service and ensuring clients felt heard and understood, Alan created a positive reputation that generated word-of-mouth referrals. The complexities of accounting and tax are overwhelming, and Alan’s ability to simplify and streamline the process helped differentiate his firm from the competition.

“I’D DONE A LITTLE BIT OF ONLINE ADVERTISING, JUST TRYING TO GET MY NAME OUT THERE. BUT A LOT OF IT WAS, YOU KNOW, NATURAL REFERRALS.”

Alan’s commitment to 5-star service is what allowed his firm to gain traction. But without a strategic approach to marketing, the firm remained stagnant, unable to capitalize on opportunities for growth and expansion.

In addition to these overarching issues, Alan acknowledged the shortcomings in client retention and relationship-building. He was spending too much time focusing on delivering one-time services without investing in building lasting relationships. And as a result,  missed out on opportunities to deepen client engagement and foster loyalty.

Recognizing the potential for growth beyond tax returns, Alan sought to shift his firm’s focus from reactive to proactive client support. This shift involved guiding clients throughout the year and providing valuable insights and advice beyond the scope of tax return preparation. By becoming proactive, Alan aimed to achieve better outcomes for his clients while also increasing the value of the services his firm offered.

Like most accounting firm owners, Alan found himself isolated. Without consistent cash flow, he couldn’t justify hiring a support team, forcing him to wear all the hats. This overwhelming workload meant things often slipped through the cracks, hindering his ability to focus on growth.

Managing everything himself—from client work to administrative tasks and strategic planning—took a toll on his productivity and morale. The absence of a dedicated team not only stretched his capacity but also limited the firm’s potential for expansion and innovation. Alan needed a team to support the growth he desired and to build his dream accounting firm.

Inspired by his desire to be more proactive and provide comprehensive year-round support, Alan began the search that would revolutionize his accounting firm. In his search, he found a free CPE credit course dedicated to teaching accountants the basics of marketing. Little did he know that he just took the first step in the journey to his dream firm.

Alan found us first through our FREE CPE courses. Impressed by what he had seen for free and in pursuit of a program that would support his firm’s transition to a proactive model, he gave Dream Firms another chance and started our Practice Ignitor Challenge.

Practice Ignitor proved that teh Dream Firms team knew what they were doing. Following along the path of other dream accounting firm owners, Alan took the final step to his dream firm and joined the Create Your Dream Firm program.

Inside the program, Alan discovered strategies and resources that propelled his firm to new heights. Understanding the need for continuous improvement, Alan transformed his firm’s services and expanded its reach.

Alan’s transition from a tax preparer to an essential advisor for his clients is the real reason he was able to build his dream accounting firm. He made the commitment to stop being seen as a commodity and start being seen as an expert, and it paved the way for his dream firm.

He started by embracing his niche and tailoring packages to suit their needs better. This was the crucial first step in reshaping the firm’s marketing strategy, as it enabled Alan to position his practice effectively within a specific niche market. By honing in on the needs and preferences of their ideal clients, Alan’s firm could tailor its marketing messages and outreach initiatives to resonate more deeply with its target audience.

As he reflected on his existing client base, Alan realized that a significant portion consisted of mental health professionals, including therapists and counselors. This revelation came as he recognized the success of his wife’s private practice in the mental health field. With coaching guidance he accessed in our Create Your Dream Firm program, Alan embraced the idea of specializing in serving mental health professionals.

Initially hesitant about narrowing his focus to a specific industry, Alan soon discovered the tremendous benefits of his decision.

Having a personal familiarity with the challenges and intricacies of mental health practices (thanks to his wife’s own therapy practice), Alan was able to provide valuable insights and support to his clients. Many therapists lacked expertise in financial matters, making Alan’s assistance with business management, tax planning, and revenue streams highly valuable.

Choosing mental health professionals as his dream clients proved to be one of the best decisions Alan made for his accounting firm. By aligning his services with their unique needs, he forged strong partnerships and achieved remarkable success in helping his clients grow their practices. And the best part of all, these were his dream accounting clients. They were ready and willing to pay a premium price for Pruitt Prep’s services because they too, recognized the value Alan was delivering.

Alan Pruitt’s decision to specialize in mental health professionals has led to a series of remarkable successes, particularly through his active participation as a speaker at niche conferences and podcasts focused on mental health.

For instance, Alan’s appearances as a speaker at these events have not only showcased his firm’s expertise but also generated tangible results. From securing new clients to fostering meaningful connections, the impact has been profound. In one notable instance, Alan’s participation in a therapist-specific webinar led to six booked calls from prospective clients—an impressive outcome that underscores the effectiveness of niche marketing strategies.

By leveraging these speaking opportunities, Alan has been able to sign his largest niche client ($32K ARR) and position his firm as a trusted authority in the field of mental health accounting. These engagements not only highlight his deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by mental health professionals but also serve as powerful platforms for networking and lead generation. As a result, Alan has been able to cultivate strong relationships within the mental health community while consistently attracting high-value clients to his firm.

If you were one of Alan’s clients, you already knew how valuable his services were and how his firm goes above and beyond for their clients. But, if you were a prospective client, the 5-star service Alan was known for wasn’t obvious. To help attract new clients and to solidify the stellar reputation of Pruitt Prep CPA, the Deam Firms team started a review generation campaign.

Within a few short weeks Alan’s firm went from 5 to 100+ 5-star reviews.

This was a significant milestone that had a transformative impact on his firm’s marketing and growth strategies. The abundance of positive reviews served as powerful social proof, reinforcing the firm’s credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of prospective clients.

These glowing testimonials not only enhanced the firm’s online reputation but also played a pivotal role in influencing the decision-making process of potential clients. But most importantly, the abundance of five-star reviews served as a powerful differentiator, setting Alan’s firm apart from competitors and positioning it as a top choice in the market. It was like having an army of brand advocates out there, spreading the word about his firm. As a result, Alan’s firm emerged as a market leader, poised for continued success and expansion in the years to come.

Armed with Dream Firms’ strategies and resources to propelled his firm to new heights. Alan made the most important decision for his firm’s future- He would no longer rely on the commoditized service of tax prep. Instead, he would aim to become the go-to financial expert for his clients.

Instead of merely focusing on tax returns, Alan’s firm now offered year-round support, providing clients with guidance and advice to save on taxes and streamline their business’s finances. By engaging with clients on a regular basis, Pruitt Prep CPA was able to deliver exceptional value. Alan’s team established strong relationships and ensured that clients felt heard and understood.

By the end of 2022, Alan was running his dream accounting firm. Pruitt Prep CPA was now a firm that effortlessly attracts high-value niche clients with above-and-beyond services that don’t all fall on Alan. It’s a business that can run itself when Alan isn’t there and continually provides him with new opportunities to raise his profits and connect with more dream clients.

Dream Firms played a pivotal role in reshaping and revitalizing Alan’s marketing strategy, empowering his firm to stand out in a crowded market, attract its ideal clients, and achieve sustainable growth. Through a combination of niche positioning, digital marketing initiatives, and client-centric practices, Alan’s firm was able to elevate its brand presence, expand its reach, and thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape.

How does that build a dream firm? If you’ve been following along with the timeline, you can see that Alan’s average client value has skyrocketed since joining the Create Your Dream Firm program. But what you might now see is that Alan has also invested more time in marketing & firm growth, leaving things like tax prep and branding to his ever-expanding team. 

Utilizing our proprietary software, Dreamleads.app, over the past year, Pruitt Prep CPA has booked over 200 client appointments. That’s over 3 new appointments every week. And, in just the last two months, using our lead generation techniques, Pruitt Prep CPA has secured 73 booked calls and had their first $100K month.  Alan doesn’t have to worry about where his next client is coming from because they’re already on his calendar.

Alan built a successful practice by himself, but it wasn’t until after he joined the Create Your Dream Firm program that he built his dream accounting firm. The program exceeded Alan’s expectations, delivering results that aligned with his vision for proactive client support and higher profits.

From lead generation to service packaging and social proof,  Alan’s partnership with Dream Firms allowed him to enhance his firm’s capabilities, streamline operations, and effectively serve clients with a comprehensive suite of services. But a Dream Firms partnership doesn’t only boost financial gains… Running his dream accounting firm allowed Alan to purchase his dream car, expand his family, and enjoy his time off. Alan’s dream accounting firm supports his lifestyle. Does your firm do that?