Ronald J. Baker began his CPA career in 1984 with KPMG’s Private Business Advisory Services in San Francisco. Over time, he shifted his focus from accounting to rethinking how professional firms create and capture value. Today, he is the co-founder of THRESHOLD and co-host of The Soul of Enterprise: Business in the Transformation Economy, where he and Ed Kless explore the evolving landscape of business, economics, and professional knowledge firms.
Ron has written eight best-selling books, including The Firm of the Future, Pricing on Purpose, Measure What Matters to Customers, Mind Over Matter, Implementing Value Pricing, The Soul of Enterprise, and his latest, Time’s Up!: The Subscription Business Model for Professional Firms, co-authored with Paul Dunn. His work has challenged conventional wisdom and influenced how firms around the world think about value and pricing.
A sought-after speaker, he has presented to over 450,000 professionals worldwide, advocating for a shift away from cost-plus pricing to more effective, value-based models. His contributions to the profession have earned him a spot on Accounting Today’s Top 100 and Top 10 Most Influential People list multiple times, and induction into the CPA Practice Advisor Hall of Fame in 2018. He also serves as a faculty member of the Professional Pricing Society, helping organizations rethink their pricing strategies.
Ron resides in Petaluma, California, where, when he’s not writing, speaking, or podcasting, he enjoys a fine Sonoma County wine while contemplating the next economic era—The Transformation Economy—which he believes will redefine how businesses create and deliver value, a vision that inspired the founding of THRESHOLD.
Jim is a Partner, Member of the Board of Directors and Operations Committee at WithumSmith+Brown, in his current role he is Managing Director of Advisory Services. Jim has been a frequent speaker around the globe to many Accounting Societies and International Accounting and Trade Associations, the AICPA, CIMA, State Societies of CPAs, Industry Technology Organizations, Incubators, Accelerators and others on topics specifically related to various accounting, technology, practice management and advisory services topics.
Jim is also Global Advisory and Technology Leader for HLB International with his corporate office in London, UK. In this role Jim is responsible for helping and guiding over 300 HLB member firms around the globe in the areas of technology and expansion of advisory services.
In Jim’s role as Managing Director of Advisory Services, Jim heads-up the Firm’s Systems and Process Assurance Services – SOC, Cloud and ERP Solutions, Business Advisory, Outsourced Accounting, ESG, Cyber Risk and Incident Response, Data Analytics, SEC Readiness and Reporting, Information-Security, Transaction Advisory and Investment Banking Services.
He is Past President for the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants and past Board and Council Member for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants (AICPA).
Jim has recently been names by Forbes Magazine as one of the Top 200 CPAs in America, has been continually named by Accounting Today as one of the Top 100 Most Influential people in the Accounting profession and has been named by The CPA Technology Advisor as a Top Thought Leader in Public Accounting Technology year after year.
Elizabeth obtained her Master of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting from the University of Kentucky. She worked in KPMG’s audit group for six years and joined Dean Dorton in 2000. She has over 30 years of experience in public accounting and currently serves as the chair of the Dean Dorton Board of Directors. Elizabeth is a leader on the firm’s Forensic and Valuation Services team, specializing in bankruptcy accounting matters, litigation support, and forensic accounting services. In addition to her Certification in Financial Forensics (CFF), Elizabeth is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE). She has served in several fiduciary roles, including Chief Restructuring Officer, Receiver, and Fee Examiner. She has acted as a Compliance Ethics Monitor/Independent Monitor of a rural electric cooperative, reporting to two branches of the Federal government. Elizabeth has testified in state and federal courts and currently serves as a Subchapter V Bankruptcy Trustee.
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.
As Managing Director of Wealth Management at Choreo’s Charlotte, NC office, David is a trusted advisor to ultra-high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and multi-generational families, specializing in wealth strategies that preserve and grow wealth. He is especially passionate about working with entrepreneurs and has helped countless successful companies from start-up to a life changing exit event by developing tailored plans for business succession, estate and gift planning, and sophisticated asset management. His expertise ensures that clients have a clear, strategic roadmap for accumulating, managing, and transitioning wealth with confidence. David’s approach beings with understanding each client’s vision and personal goals, allowing him to craft strategic financial plans that align with their long-term objectives. His deep knowledge of wealth management includes investment management, philanthropic planning, asset allocations, retirement planning, and private investments. He also specializes in business transition and transaction planning, strategic partner alignment, and maximizing tax-efficient strategies.
Jeremy is the Managing Partner of Bland & Associates, P.C. (Bland), based in Omaha, Nebraska. The firm currently has nearly 120 employees and became Nebraska’s first and only 100% employee-owned ESOP in January 2020. In addition to his role as Managing Partner, Jeremy serves in both the Visionary and Integrator roles as part of Bland’s Traction/EOS framework. He also serves on the Americas and Worldwide Boards of Directors for BKR International. On a personal note, Jeremy has been married to his wife, Renee, for nearly 23 years. They have one son who is about to begin his senior year at Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida, and twin boys who will soon be seniors in high school.
Amy Vetter, CPA, CGMA, RYT500, CSP, and CEO of The B³ Method Institute, is a dynamic leader known for integrating business strategy with mindfulness. With over 25 years of experience across finance, SaaS, and corporate governance, Amy has transformed organizations by aligning business goals with personal fulfillment. As a best-selling author, podcast host, and sought-after speaker and consultant, she helps professionals across industries create balanced, purpose-driven cultures. Her innovative approach, The B³ Method®, empowers leaders to embrace authenticity and achieve sustainable success.
With over 20 years of taxation experience in construction, real estate and high net worth individuals, Tanya Valle provides valuable support to Aldrich’s Southern California based clients. Prior to joining Aldrich in 2021 as the Director of Construction, Tanya served as a Principal of Construction and Real Estate at CliftonLarsonAllen LLP, and spent over 15 years at a California-based accounting firm, where she was a Partner. Tanya has been recognized by organizations such as the National Association of Women in Construction and Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. An active participant in the industry, Tanya is a member of multiple organizations, including the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and California Society of Certified Public Accountants (CalCPA).
Sean Taylor is CEO of Smith + Howard, a national accounting and advisory firm headquartered in Atlanta. Since stepping into the role in 2019, he has led the firm through significant growth — from just over 100 employees to more than 700 today, and from a single Atlanta office to a national footprint spanning ten U.S. cities and one in India. This expansion has been driven by a bold 10-year vision, multiple strategic acquisitions, and a partnership with private equity firm Broad Sky Partners.
Under his leadership, Smith + Howard has expanded its capabilities, talent base, and geographic reach. In recognition of his impact, Sean was named “Top Leader” among midsize workplaces by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and received a “Lifetime Achievement Award” from Vistage Worldwide, a global executive-coaching and peer-advisory organization for CEOs. He has also been recognized as a “Most Admired CEO” by The Atlanta Business Chronicle and honored with the “Public Service Award” from the Georgia Society of CPAs.
Sean is the host of The Worst Advice I Ever Got, a podcast where leaders share lessons learned from misguided advice and the experiences that shaped their careers. His candid and curious approach reflects the authenticity he brings to leadership.
A graduate of the University of Georgia, Sean earned a BBA in accounting and began his career at Smith + Howard as an intern. He became a partner in 2003, led the Assurance practice beginning in 2010, and was named CEO in 2019. Over the course of his career, he has advised nonprofits and privately held businesses with deep expertise in succession planning and organizational transition. More recently, he has guided accounting firm leaders through private equity considerations, drawing on Smith + Howard’s own experience to help others navigate both the opportunities and complexities of outside investment.
Sean is deeply committed to mentorship and community impact. He actively champions the firm’s mentoring initiatives and works with team members across the organization. He serves on the Board of Trustees for Wesleyan School and on the finance committee of the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta. In 2012, he co-founded FoodStock, Georgia’s largest one-day meal-packing event, which has helped provide nearly 5 million meals to children around the world.
Val Steed graduated from Utah State University where he received both his Bachelors of Science (BS) in Accounting and his Masters of Accounting (MA).
After college, Val worked for Deloitte Haskins and Sells of Salt Lake City, Utah, and then with Hansen, Steed, Bradshaw & Malmrose P.C. of Salt Lake City. Val was with Hansen, Steed, Bradshaw & Malmrose P.C. for twelve years and was a shareholder for six years before leaving to start K2 Enterprises. In June 2019, Val joined Zoho Corporation as the Director Accountants. He has twelve years’ experience in public practice and has been involved with the accounting technology industry since 1985.