EPISODE · Jun 27, 2025 · 50 MIN
The Employee Benefits Advisory Opportunity: Why Small Businesses Need Your Help
from Earmark Podcast | Earn Free Accounting CPE · host Blake Oliver, CPA
Small businesses offering 401(k) plans see 40% lower employee turnover in the first year, yet only 10% receive benefits guidance from their accountants. Justin Kurn explains how Dark Horse CPAs identifies the right triggers, such as growing staff or high turnover, to initiate benefits conversations. Meanwhile, Julia Miller from Gusto breaks down how accountants can help clients navigate the cost and complexity of offering health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits. The conversation reveals how positioning yourself as a benefits advisor can double or triple your fees while helping clients attract better talent and reduce costly employee churn.Learn more about Gusto https://earmarkcpe.promo/gustoChapters(00:56) - Meet Our Guests (01:26) - The Growth Story: Dark Horse CPAs' Success (02:04) - Advisory First Approach: Transforming Client Relationships (03:38) - Gusto's Role in Benefits: An Overview (07:37) - Challenges and Solutions: Small Businesses Offering Benefits (10:25) - The Cost and Complexity of Benefits: Breaking It Down (15:00) - Advisory Conversations: Identifying Client Needs (19:23) - Gusto's Support for Accountants: Tools and Resources (25:43) - Affordability and Competitive Advantage (26:40) - Partnering with Gusto for Benefits (28:19) - Gusto's Software Solutions (29:12) - Client Experiences with Gusto (29:52) - Gusto's User-Friendly Platform (39:10) - Implementation and Timeline (47:42) - Increasing Revenue through Advisory Services (49:52) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guests:Julia MillerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-g-millerJustin KurnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkurnWebsite: https://darkhorse.cpa/justin-kurn-cro/Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/
What this episode covers
Small businesses offering 401(k) plans see 40% lower employee turnover in the first year, yet only 10% receive benefits guidance from their accountants. Justin Kurn explains how Dark Horse CPAs identifies the right triggers, such as growing staff or high turnover, to initiate benefits conversations. Meanwhile, Julia Miller from Gusto breaks down how accountants can help clients navigate the cost and complexity of offering health insurance, retirement plans, and other benefits. The conversation reveals how positioning yourself as a benefits advisor can double or triple your fees while helping clients attract better talent and reduce costly employee churn.Learn more about Gusto https://earmarkcpe.promo/gustoChapters(00:56) - Meet Our Guests (01:26) - The Growth Story: Dark Horse CPAs' Success (02:04) - Advisory First Approach: Transforming Client Relationships (03:38) - Gusto's Role in Benefits: An Overview (07:37) - Challenges and Solutions: Small Businesses Offering Benefits (10:25) - The Cost and Complexity of Benefits: Breaking It Down (15:00) - Advisory Conversations: Identifying Client Needs (19:23) - Gusto's Support for Accountants: Tools and Resources (25:43) - Affordability and Competitive Advantage (26:40) - Partnering with Gusto for Benefits (28:19) - Gusto's Software Solutions (29:12) - Client Experiences with Gusto (29:52) - Gusto's User-Friendly Platform (39:10) - Implementation and Timeline (47:42) - Increasing Revenue through Advisory Services (49:52) - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Sign up to get free CPE for listening to this podcasthttps://earmarkcpe.comhttps://earmark.app/Download the Earmark CPE App Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earmark-cpe/id1562599728Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.earmarkcpe.appConnect with Our Guests:Julia MillerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-g-millerJustin KurnLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/justinkurnWebsite: https://darkhorse.cpa/justin-kurn-cro/Connect with Blake Oliver, CPALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blaketoliverTwitter: https://twitter.com/blaketoliver/
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The Employee Benefits Advisory Opportunity: Why Small Businesses Need Your Help
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