In this episode of the Thrivecast, Jason Blumer sits down with Rhonda Butler and Trey Touchstone, partners at HKB CPAs in Louisiana, for one of the final episodes of the show. The conversation is a candid look at what real CPA firm transformation looks like — messy, non-linear, and absolutely worth it.

Trey and Rhonda share how they discovered Thriveal, what pushed them to seek outside coaching and consulting help, and the specific changes that moved the needle most: building an accountability chart, rewriting job descriptions, assigning clients to specific team members, and creating a dedicated project manager role. They talk honestly about what those structural changes freed up — mentally, operationally, and strategically — and why firm transformation still took longer than they thought it should have.

The episode digs into the personal side of leadership growth too — how becoming more accountable leaders inside the firm spilled over into how they lead their families, develop their teams, and make faster, more confident decisions. Rhonda and Trey reflect on what they wish they'd known before starting the consulting process, and why trusting yourself and taking imperfect action beats waiting for the perfect answer.

The conversation closes with a look at the future: fewer clients, deeper relationships, a young and talented team to develop, and a firm neither of them wants to retire from. If you're a CPA firm owner thinking about making big changes to how your firm is structured and led, this episode is for you.

In this episode of the Thrivecast, Jason Blumer sits down with longtime friend and CPA leader Barrett Young to talk about the messy, honest journey of building a firm—and the transitions that shape us along the way.

Barrett shares his story from becoming a CPA, to launching his own virtual firm, to eventually closing it and joining an 80-year-old accounting firm where he is now a partner. Along the way, he wrestled with burnout, the pursuit of “freedom,” and the deeper realization that purpose, culture, and meaningful work matter more than simply escaping the traditional model of public accounting.

Together, Jason and Barrett explore what it really means to be an entrepreneur in the accounting profession, why lifestyle firms and scaling firms often create tension in the industry, and how leaders must filter advice to build the firm that actually fits their life and calling.

They also dig into Barrett’s work helping business owners with succession planning and exit strategy, highlighting the uncomfortable but necessary conversations family businesses often avoid—and why ignoring those conversations can destroy both companies and families. This episode is an honest look at leadership, vision, failure, and growth. If you’re building a firm, questioning your direction, or navigating major transitions in your career, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.

Kenji Kuramoto is the Founder and former CEO of Acuity, a pioneering outsourced accounting and fractional CFO firm that built and maintained financial functions for thousands of innovative entrepreneurs. Under his leadership, Acuity became one of Accounting Today’s Top Firms for Technology and a Top Firm to Work For, before merging into Sorren in 2025. In this episode, Kenji joins Jason M. Blumer, CPA, to unpack what really happens when you step away from something that’s still working. He shares the full story behind Acuity’s 20-year journey, the decision to run a proactive merger process, and why he ultimately chose not to continue into the next chapter with Sorren—despite being Acuity’s founder and leading the proactive merger process. The conversation explores the emotional reality of leadership transitions: identity loss, grief, relief, clarity, and the discipline required to not hold on too long. Kenji reflects on the surprisingly anticlimactic nature of closing day, the importance of timing your exit well, and how staying deeply connected to the profession helped him navigate life after stepping away. Today, Kenji is an investor, founder, and advisor focused on reimagining the future of the accounting profession. He is the founder of 404 Invests, an early-stage investment firm backing Accounting Technology, SaaS, FinTech, and Crypto companies. Earlier in his career, Kenji served as CFO of an Inc. 5000 tech company and began in the assurance practice at Arthur Andersen. If you’re a firm owner considering succession, a merger, retirement, or your own next chapter as a leader, this episode offers rare honesty and perspective you won’t often hear.