From Burnout to Balance: Rethinking Your Tax Firm Model with Colin Dunn

Feeling overwhelmed, underpaid, or stuck in a model that doesn’t serve you or your clients? In this episode, host Brandy Spears sits down with Colin Dunn, Chartered Accountant and Co-Founder of Renew Group, to talk about redesigning tax and accounting firms for clarity, profitability, and sanity.

Colin shares what it means to truly “design a firm that works for you,” how to rethink your client mix, pricing, and service model — and why so many professionals operate by default instead of by design. You’ll also hear his take on burnout, boundaries, transformation through community, and why a firm built on value can actually free up your time.

If you’ve ever thought “there has to be a better way,” this conversation will show you that there is — and how to take the first step toward it.

Why Listen

• Learn how to reduce scope creep and fire the wrong clients

• Hear how advisory pricing and packaging can shift your firm’s future

• Understand the difference between running by default vs. design

• Explore what modern professionals want — and how to attract them

• Get tactical tips for time-blocking, pricing, positioning, and systems

In This Episode

• [00:00:00] Colin’s career journey and the “accidental” launch of Renew Group

• [00:06:00] The root issue most firms don’t see: broken business models

• [00:13:00] Making your firm the #1 client (and why it matters)

• [00:18:00] Pricing with confidence and creating value-led packages

• [00:24:00] Community, accountability, and not reinventing the wheel

• [00:30:00] Hiring advice: Would you work for you?

• [00:36:00] Stop chasing tech and staff — fix your tier one issues

• [00:43:00] 40-hour firms, abundant mindsets, and what comes next

Notable Quotes

• “You can’t attract great team members if your firm isn’t something you’d want to work for.” – Colin Dunn

• “Stop building the plane while flying it. Design your firm — don’t just let it happen.” – Colin Dunn

• “Raise your prices. Fire the wrong clients. Rip off the Band-Aid.” – Colin Dunn

• “Work should fuel your life — not replace it.” – Colin Dunn

Our Guest

Colin Dunn is a Chartered Accountant and Co-Founder of Renew Group, where he helps tax and accounting professionals transform their business models, client relationships, and profitability. With nearly 30 years of experience coaching firm owners and creating global communities, Colin focuses on helping practitioners move from overwhelm to clarity by designing firms that align with their lives — not run them. He’s a speaker, educator, and advocate for the “40-hour firm” mindset, where profitability, team satisfaction, and personal freedom can coexist.

Resource & Links

The Enrolled Agent Advocate Podcast

• The Enrolled Agent Advocate

Brandy Spears

• LinkedIn

• Website - NAEA.org

Colin Dunn

• LinkedIn

• Website - Renew Group