An Alternate Way to Launch Your Firm - Marcus Rien

From “BDO to builder” to launching a platform for entrepreneurial CPAs.

Marcus Rien joins Yuri to unpack public vs. private realities, the 150/120 debate, and why the profession’s future depends on changing the narrative and the model.

We get into his journey, the creation of Waves CPAs—a marketplace + back office for CPAs who want flexibility and ownership—and how PE roll-ups, AI, and small-city growth are reshaping opportunities.

Marcus also shares the story behind his motto “Belief Inspires Success” and how this mentality levels up CPAs and non-CPAs alike.

Episode Highlights:

0:00 - Introduction

0:35 - Episode beginning, meet Marcus

10:24 - Moving from public to private

13:23 - Marcus’ take on the talent shortage

18:20 - Lack of ‘direct ROI’

19:58 - A more flexible path

28:26 - Is there a tax component to ‘Waves’?

31:03 - Client and talent distribution and how ‘PE’ factors in

35:20 - Belief inspires success

40:54 - More about Marcus (and more about ‘Waves’)

ABOUT HOST YURI KAPILOVICH

Yuri, aka #thefuncpa, has been in the accounting profession for over 15 years and has seen, first hand, the challenges the profession brings. After seeing that no firm was fitting the bill, Yuri set out to do things his own way with his firm K&A and the journey began with LinkedIn posting at the front end.

Yuri is proud to bring you #thefuncpa podcast highlighting the fun and all the amazing opportunities our profession can bring us all.

CONNECT WITH YURI KAPILOVICH

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ykapilovich/

Website: https://www.thefuncpa.co/

CONNECT WITH MARCUS RIEN

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-rien/

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-rien/