Building a Modern Firm: Remote Culture, Tech-Driven Growth & Buying KPMG Spark | Matt Tait, Founder of Decimal

Matt Tait is the CEO and co-founder of Decimal, a fully remote, tech-forward accounting firm that’s transforming the way small businesses manage bookkeeping, tax, and back-office operations. With a background that spans law, sales, and entrepreneurship, Matt brings a dynamic, future-focused perspective to an industry often stuck in the past.Under Matt’s leadership, Decimal has scaled rapidly, serving hundreds of businesses nationwide and acquiring KPMG Spark to become one of the largest bookkeeping and tax firms in the U.S. His mission? To simplify accounting, empower business owners, and build firms that reflect their founders’ life goals, not the other way around.Matt is also the voice behind After the First Million, a podcast where he explores the real, messy middle of growing a business with fellow entrepreneurs. In this episode of Make It Count, we delve into how Matt’s multidimensional experience, spanning from launching startups to leading innovation at Somerset CPAs, has shaped his vision for a more human and intentional future in accounting.In this episode, we dig into:Matt’s journey from law school to leading a top-tier modern accounting firmWhy he believes AI and automation should assist, not replace, accountantsThe secrets behind Decimal’s growth and operational playbookHis experience acquiring KPMG Spark and what it taught him about scaleBuilding a remote-first, tech-enabled firm that feels humanWhy partnerships, not cold outreach, have fueled Decimal’s growthHow the next wave of firm owners can build for freedom, efficiency, and impactAnd so much moreSome Takeaways: 1. Hybrid Backgrounds Drive Innovation: Matt’s unique experience across law, tech, and entrepreneurship allows him to question legacy systems and build bold new models that prioritize both precision and scalability.2. Accounting Should Serve the Entrepreneur: Decimal's client-first philosophy focuses on building accounting systems that support how founders want to live and lead, not force them into rigid structures.3. Tech is a Tool, Not the Goal: From workflow automation to client portals, Matt sees technology as a way to deepen human connection, speed up onboarding, and create more meaningful advisory relationships.4. Firm Design is Leadership Strategy: A modern firm isn't just about services; it's about culture, process, and purpose. Matt shares how intentional firm design can unlock balance, scale, and long-term satisfaction.5. The Messy Middle Matters: On After the First Million, Matt uncovers the unpolished truths behind building a business, offering practical insights and honest stories that help entrepreneurs feel less alone in their journey.6. Modern Firms Reflect Modern Life: Fully remote, flexible, and values-driven, Decimal is proof that accounting firms can grow fast and stay human, leading with both efficiency and empathy.Where to Find Matt Tait:Website: https://www.decimal.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtait83/Podcast: After the First MillionIn this episode, we cover:01:55 Introduction and Background03:03 The Accounting Landscape in Indianapolis07:27 Decimal's Unique Approach to Accounting09:01 Change Management and Technology Implementation15:30 Reflections on Five Years of Decimal21:16 Brand Awareness and Marketing Strategies28:05 Transforming Accounting Firms for Profitability29:16 Building a Pyramid Structure for Success32:17 The Importance of Partnerships in Accounting35:23 Challenges of VC-Backed Accounting Firms40:05 AI as a Co-Pilot for Accountants46:41 The Future of the Accounting Industry51:27 The Fast Five QuestionsFor inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, please contact us on our social media.