In episode 14 of the “Who’s Really the Boss” podcast, hosts Rachel and Marcus Dillon reveal Collective by DBA (previously DBA Firm), a revolutionary initiative born from their experience as successful CPA firm owners. The Dillons have navigated the choppy waters of firm management and emerged with a blueprint for success that they’re now sharing with the accounting community.
Collective by DBA isn’t your typical consulting service. It’s a comprehensive support system designed specifically for CPA firm owners looking to overcome common hurdles and achieve sustainable growth. Their approach is simple yet powerful: By providing tailored resources, personalized implementation plans, and a supportive community, Collective by DBA empowers accounting firm leaders to transform their practices and reach new heights of success.
Operational support is at the heart of Collective by DBA’s approach—an often overlooked but crucial aspect of running a successful CPA firm. As Marcus emphasizes, “[Collective by DBA] is operational support for CPA firms. And I just I come back to operations—that’s the keyword.” This focus on operations sets Collective by DBA apart. While many consultants focus on technical accounting skills or marketing strategies, Collective by DBA recognizes that how a firm operates day-to-day is often the difference between struggling and thriving.
Collective by DBA targets firms with revenues between $500,000 and $5 million and 3 to 30 employees. As Marcus explains, “That’s really the core. That’s who we feel called to serve because that’s who we can make the greatest impact on.”
The Three Pillars of DBA Firm’s Support Model
Collective by DBA’s approach is built on three fundamental pillars: structure, strategy, and systems.
- Structure forms the foundation, with concepts like their “Team of Three” model providing a framework for organizing staff roles efficiently.
- Strategy focuses on making smart decisions about the firm’s direction, such as transitioning from relying on seasonal tax work to more stable, recurring revenue streams.
- Systems emphasizes leveraging technology and processes to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
Key Offerings
Collective by DBA offers a range of resources and services to support CPA firms:
- Firm resources. Firms that join the Collective Community can download guides, templates, and case studies.
- Webinars. Regular online sessions are eligible for CPE that cover topics ranging from team management to technology implementation.
- GRIP (Goal Ready Implementation Plan). This intensive service involves a deep dive into a firm’s current state, goals, and challenges, resulting in a tailored 24-month plan for growth and transformation.
- Advisors. Collective by DBA team members work closely with firms to implement changes, ensuring lasting positive impact through one-on-one advisory and group facilitation.
- Community events. Collective by DBA hosts gatherings like their recent Get Together in The Woodlands, Texas, creating opportunities for accounting professionals to learn from each other and share experiences in person.
The Get Together Event
In April 2024, Collective by DBA hosted its first major in-person event, bringing together about 60 firm leaders nationwide. The two-day gathering included presentations from the Dillon Business Advisors and Collective by DBA, peer-led discussions, and the introduction of their GRIP service. Marcus notes, “Unlike many other conferences and events members might go to, the other attendees are actually leaders in firms. We’re not stacking events with influencers, sponsors, and vendors.”
The Future of Collective by DBA
As Collective by DBA continues to grow, it’s expanding its offerings while staying true to its mission of providing operational support to CPA firms. Recent developments include gaining approval to issue CPE credits and plans to make its GRIP service more widely available.
Rachel summarizes their approach: “We are definitely not a technology company. What we are is very invested in building relationships and positively impacting and transforming the accounting industry. Building relationships and sharing what we’ve learned has been really rewarding and something that gets me really excited.”
For CPA firm owners looking to transform their practice, Collective by DBA is helping to create more efficient, profitable, and sustainable accounting practices by addressing the often-overlooked operational aspects of running a firm. To learn more about their resources and services, visit Collective by DBA and listen to the full episode of the “Who’s Really the Boss” podcast.
Rachel and Marcus Dillon, CPA, own a Texas-based, remote client accounting and advisory services firm, Dillon Business Advisors, with a team of 15 professionals. Their latest organization, Collective by DBA, supports and guides accounting firm owners and leaders with firm resources, education, and operational strategy through community, groups, and one-on-one advisory.