Ep. 13: The Evolution of the CPA: Shifting to Advisory with Dan McMahon

What if the most trusted profession in business is about to face its greatest transformation yet—and the key to survival isn’t more compliance, but a shift to advisory?Eric Eager sits down with Dan McMahon, CPA, CMAA, and founding managing partner of Integrated Growth Advisors. The conversation unpacks Dan McMahon’s candid journey: from a distracted high school student to a leader on the cutting edge of advisory services in accounting. Hear how his early passion for algebra led him into the profession, why late nights in audit sparked a desire for more meaningful work, and how a simple business model slide reshaped his entire perspective on what accountants do.Learn why advisory is the future for CPAs, what it took for Dan McMahon to leap from a secure partnership to entrepreneurship, and the hard truths and victories he's encountered helping firms adapt to seismic industry change. Whether you’re an accountant, business leader, or just curious about how disruption breeds innovation, this episode reveals what happens when professionals stop ticking boxes and start tackling the real needs of business owners.Episode Overview:00:03Introduction and Dan McMahon’s early roots02:47Choosing accounting: from algebra to audit07:22Observing leadership and lessons learned14:04Discovering the “missing link” in business advisory16:51The mindset and risks behind launching Integrated Growth Advisors21:06Sarbanes-Oxley and the evolution toward advisory23:08Wins, challenges, and shifting CPA firm culture28:30Listening to the market—helping accountants transform30:17The current disruption and what comes next for the professionTune in for a bold, honest, and optimistic look at the new era for CPAs, and discover the mindset every professional needs to thrive amidst change.