Growth places new demands on internal operations—and many firms struggle to keep up. In this interactive roundtable, attendees will exchange insights on building the management, marketing, HR, technological and other operational infrastructure needed to scale effectively. Discuss when to build vs. buy, how to create accountability across leadership, and what it takes to support sustained, strategic growth.

Technology is no longer just an enabler—it’s a core driver of growth. This panel will explore how firms are designing tech strategies that align with their long-term vision, support operational scale, and remain adaptable as needs evolve. From tech stack integration to ongoing optimization, hear how leading firms ensure their technology investments keep pace with growth.

Xero is a global small business platform with 4.2 million subscribers, which provides accounting, payroll, payments and other solutions for small businesses, accountants and bookkeepers.

Joe Woodard is the founder and CEO of Woodard®, a company that empowers CPAs, Enrolled Agents, professional bookkeepers, and other business advisors with education, coaching, resources, networking communities, and consulting services.

As a seasoned author, consultant, business coach, and national speaker, Joe has trained over 150,000 accounting and business professionals in practice development, technology trends, strategic consulting, and optimizing the use of accounting software. Joe is also the host of Scaling New Heights®, one of the world’s largest and most respected conferences for accountants and bookkeepers.

Each year, for the last 10 years, Accounting Today has recognized Joe as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting.

Joe is a published author with Accounting Today, The Journal of Accountancy, Insightful Accountant, CPA Practice Advisor, and McGraw-Hill. Additionally, The Woodard Report™ reaches over 100,000 readers annually within the accounting and bookkeeping space.

About Woodard

Woodard works with firms of all sizes, from solo practitioners to some of the largest CPA firms worldwide. We empower these practices to enhance efficiency, modernize operations, and equip their teams to deliver high-value advisory services. As a leader in Client Advisory Services (CAS), Woodard helps practices standardize, automate, and modernize accounting operations, enabling them to better serve clients and boost profitability.
Our education, coaching, and consulting services are centered around the Woodard Ideal Practice Model™, which focuses on seven key areas of operational excellence: Ideal Brand, Ideal Services, Ideal Clients, Ideal Technology, Ideal Engagements, Ideal Teams, and Ideal Processes.

Woodard equips business advisors to increase efficiency, streamline operations, and provide exceptional advisory services by integrating CAS solutions that enhance client relationships and profitability.

Additionally, Woodard supports accounting and fintech software developers with marketing programs and product development guidance, helping them expand their reach and effectiveness within the professional accounting segment.

Nathen McEown has been a vital part of Whitley Penn for more than two decades, beginning his journey as an intern, steadily advancing to Audit Partner in 2015, and assuming the role as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in January 2025.

As the former Energy Practice Leader, Nathen worked with many private equity-backed energy companies and led various initiatives, including the creation of Whitley Penn’s Client Accounting and Advisory Services (CAAS) Energy Outsourced Accounting, Land Administration, and Mineral Management service lines. After moving his family from Dallas to Houston in 2016, Nathen served as the Partner-in-Charge of the Houston office from 2016 to 2022. In 2022, Nathen transitioned away from audit to join the firm’s management committee, assuming the role of Partner-in-Charge of Consulting.

In 2024, Nathen expanded his responsibilities taking on the role of Chief Growth Officer where he identified and led the incorporation of two acquisitions, further expanding the firm’s consulting practice. As CEO, Nathen continues to lead the firm’s Growth Champions training initiative helping future firm leaders make the transition from Senior Manager to Partner.

Nathen co-authored “PPC Practice Aids for Audits of Oil and Gas Entities”, published by Thomson Reuters as part of their Checkpoint brand. In 2015, he was selected as the Dallas Business Journal’s “Who’s Who in Energy” and was awarded “Forty Under Forty” by the Dallas Business Journal. Additionally, he is a graduate of Leadership Dallas class of 2014, and currently sits on Texas Tech’s Accounting Advisory Council.

Beyond his professional achievements, Nathen is committed to driving growth and creating a positive impact within the broader community. He co-founded the Bayou City Houston Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) and currently serves as its Learning Officer. Additionally, he is the Audit Committee Chairman for the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Fitness nonprofit organization and, together with his wife, supports the Houston March of Dimes.

Windsor Path combines the resources of a national platform with a commitment to local autonomy – empowering member firms to accelerate growth, invest in their people, and expand their capabilities while preserving the identity and independence their clients and teams value most.

Danielle Lee, managing editor of Accounting Today, previously served as technology editor of Accounting Today and editor-in-chief of AccountingTechnology.com. Prior to that, she held the role of senior editor. Before joining Arizent, she covered the emerging corporate responsibility movement for CRO (Corporate Responsibility Officer, now CR) magazine as executive editor and worked for a range of entertainment and lifestyle publications in Los Angeles, including industry trade magazine TelevisionWeek. She holds a bachelor’s degree in print journalism and a minor in cinema/television from the University of Southern California.

Daniel Hood has been editor-in-chief of Accounting Today since 2011; he joined Accounting Today as managing editor in 1998. A graduate of Georgetown University, he has also served as a business editor for the New York Daily News, and as a production editor for The Wall Street Journal Europe. He is the author of five novels and a guidebook to New York City.

Seth Fineberg is an accounting industry consultant & Content Strategist. He has been an editor and journalist for over 30 years, the vast majority of which has been spent overseeing the accounting profession’s evolution. To this end, he has served as Technology Editor at Accounting Today and the head of AccountingWEB’s US team. Through his current business, Accountants Forward, he aims to see the accounting profession progress through the creation of quality practical and useful content from vendors, industry organizations and accounting firms themselves. He plays a variety of roles in such content’s creation and execution, be it articles, podcasts, webinars, white papers or even live events. He is also a regular contributor to CPA Trendlines, Karbon Magazine, Insight Magazine, a known speaker at industry events, and an advocate for the advancement of the accounting profession.