Co-Founder & CEO
Alan & James Partners
Daniel James Applegate is an entrepreneur at heart and the co-founder of Alan & James Partners. With a deep respect for founder-led businesses – shaped by his experience growing up around closely held and family-owned companies, as well as his background in investing and consulting – Dan brings a hands-on and partnership-driven approach.
Before co-founding AJP, Dan spent nearly a decade at PwC, where he became a Director in the Deals practice. In this role, he advised on more than 100 transactions, including buy-and-build and consolidation strategies. Beyond M&A, he has worked closely with companies to streamline operations, modernize business processes, and drive digital transformation.
Dan earned his degree in accounting and finance from the University of Oregon, graduating magna cum laude. He enjoys spending time with family and being outdoors. He is also an active Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County, reflecting his deep roots in the Southern California community.
Private equity continues to reshape the growth trajectory of leading accounting firms. In this panel, leaders from Accounting Today’s 2026 Fastest-Growing Firms share how PE has shaped their firm models, accelerated growth, and introduced new pressures and expectations. Panelists will discuss what PE has enabled, how it differentiates their firms, and what it really takes to manage rapid, PE-backed growth.