Retirement Planning

Accounting Firm M&A: Trends, Valuations & Challenges with Geoff Bruskin (Ep.172)

By Retirement Unlocked | March 5, 2025

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It’s time to discuss the world of Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) in accounting.

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA ® sits down with Geoff Bruskin, M&A specialist from White Tiger Connections, Inc., to discuss the bustling landscape of M&A, particularly within accounting. Geoff, with his extensive background in business brokerage and private equity, sheds light on why accounting firms have become hot commodities for private equity firms and other investors in today’s market.

They explore the emergence of PE interest in an untapped sector, revealing insights on operational optimization and technology’s transformative role. The conversation touches on AI’s potential to reshape professional services and offers a roadmap for navigating talent challenges in the industry.

Key conversations in this release include:

Why accounting firms are gaining traction in M&A
The impact of subscription-based and value-based billing
AI’s revolutionary role in professional services
Trends in small to medium-sized CPA firms
Tackling talent shortages and future strategies
And so much more!

Connect with Geoff Bruskin:

Connect with Larry Heller:

About Our Guest:

Geoff Bruskin helps CPA firms and wealth management practices scale, merge, acquire, and ultimately realize the enterprise value they’ve built. As the founder of White Tiger Connections, Geoff operates at the intersection of M&A advisory, business brokerage, and strategic growth – whether organic or through acquisition.

Beyond the accounting and financial services sectors, Geoff works with firm owners and their clients across industries – construction, logistics, IT/MSP, marketing, manufacturing, and beyond – helping them navigate liquidity events, capital raises, and succession planning with precision.

Geoff also hosts The Nexus Point Podcast, where he sits down with industry leaders, investors, and operators to dimensionalize trends in M&A, private capital, and firm growth strategy.

At the core of everything: relationships. The best opportunities emerge from trust, alignment, and a clear understanding of what success looks like – today and years down the road.

Retirement Unlocked: Managing Sequence of Returns Risk [Ep.171]

By Retirement Unlocked | February 19, 2025

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What does it mean to face the ‘sequence of returns risk’ when you retire?

In this episode of Retirement Unlocked, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, discusses why the order of your investment returns matters as you enter retirement. Larry also breaks down this critical aspect of retirement planning and introduces strategies that can safeguard your financial future.

Key episode discussion points include:

The shift from “Life Unlimited” to “Retirement Unlocked”
How the sequence of returns can impact retirees
Historical examples of sequence of returns risk
The reservoir strategy for mitigating those risks
Insights on adjusting your withdrawal strategy
Behavioral finance and the psychological aspects of investing
And more!

Resources:

Connect with Larry Heller:

2025 Tax Changes: What You Must Know to Protect Your Wealth with Bill Minoff [Ep.170]

By Retirement Unlocked | February 5, 2025

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Are You Prepared for the Biggest Tax Changes in Years?

The 2025 tax landscape is about to undergo a massive shift as key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expire. These changes could mean higher tax rates, fewer deductions, and major implications for your income, business, and estate.

In this episode of Life Unlimited, host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, sits down with tax expert Bill Minoff to break down exactly what’s coming and what you can do now to protect your wealth. From the potential reduction in estate tax exemptions to adjustments in Social Security and corporate taxes, they uncover the critical updates that could reshape financial planning.

Don’t wait until it’s too late—understanding and preparing for these changes now could make all the difference.

Key episode discussion points include:

The significance of the 2025 tax year
Key provisions that might sunset, including the top tax rates and pass-through business deductions
Changes in estate tax exemptions and their impacts
The potential shift in state and local tax (SALT) deductions and ongoing negotiations.
The return of miscellaneous itemized deductions if no agreement is reached
And more!

Connect with Bill Minoff:

Connect with Larry Heller:

About Our Guest:

Bill Minoff is a dedicated and trusted tax executive with a proven track record of effectively managing the needs of a large family tax planning and compliance practice. With a focus on balancing the priorities of the family, Bill oversees a team responsible for preparing and reviewing a wide range of returns, including individual, fiduciary, small business, exempt organization, and business filings.

Bill collaborates closely with family members, company and outside counsel, family office executives, and other employees to provide expert tax planning and consulting in areas such as federal and state income tax, estate and gift tax, as well as executive compensation and benefits matters.

Mastering Retirement Withdrawals: Expert Tips for Smart Distribution Planning [Ep. 169]

By Retirement Unlocked | January 15, 2025

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Do you know the smartest way to manage your withdrawals in retirement?

In this episode of the Life Unlimited podcast, host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, shares expert strategies for managing retirement withdrawals to ensure financial stability and tax efficiency.

Larry covers essential steps for building a smart distribution plan, emphasizing pre-retirement planning and proactive wealth management. The episode explores the benefits of Roth conversions, the impact of the Secure 2.0 Act, and critical topics such as the widow penalty, annuities, and estate planning, all supported by real client insights.

Whether you’re approaching retirement or already retired, this episode offers practical tips to help you minimize taxes, optimize withdrawals, and protect your wealth and legacy. Don’t miss this valuable guide to mastering your retirement finances!

Key episode discussions include:

Strategic tax planning to minimize taxes before the distribution phase
Understanding different income streams like Social Security, pensions, and retirement accounts
Real client scenarios illustrating the impact of effective and missed strategies
The effects of federal and state estate taxes, plus planning for longevity
Integrating attorneys and other professionals for a holistic financial plan
And more!

Resources:

Connect with Larry Heller:

Legal Recruiting Trends: Attract and Retain Top Talent with Shari Davidson [Ep. 168]

By Retirement Unlocked | January 8, 2025

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The legal industry is evolving, and law firms are facing unprecedented challenges in recruiting and retaining top talent. In this episode of Life Unlimited, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, sits down with Shari Davidson, founder and president of On Balance Search Consultants, to explore the shifting dynamics of legal recruiting and career transitions.

Shari brings over two decades of experience in legal search consulting, offering valuable insights into pressing issues like the ongoing talent shortage, succession planning, and the challenges smaller firms face in staying competitive.

Discover how clear communication, firm culture, and leadership impact career success, and gain actionable tips on navigating mergers, acquisitions, and career transitions in today’s legal landscape.

If you’re a law firm leader or a legal professional seeking to future-proof your career, this episode is packed with must-hear advice to help you thrive in a rapidly changing industry.

Key episode discussions include:

The nationwide talent shortage and its roots
Challenges in succession planning for law firms
The culture clash and its impact on legal firms
Advice for attorneys considering retirement or career transitions
And more!

Resources:

The 2024 Am Law Firm 200

Connect with Shari Davidson:

Connect with Larry Heller:

About Our Guest:

Shari Davidson is the founder of On Balance Search Consultants LLC & On-Balance Life Centers.

On Balance Search Consultants is a boutique search firm that specializes in finding top talent in the legal community. Shari has placed lateral partner attorneys, as well as group acquisitions and law firm mergers, and has assisted her clients in recruiting lateral associates, paralegals, and legal secretarial positions.

7 Costly Financial Planning Mistakes You’re Making (And How to Avoid Them!) [Ep. 167]

By Retirement Unlocked | December 18, 2024

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How well do you truly know your tax bracket? Did you know that not knowing enough could cost you thousands?

Get ready to learn some critical financial planning mistakes that might secretly derail your financial security.

This week on the Life Unlimited podcast, Larry Heller identifies the seven most common financial mistakes people make and how to avoid them—such as lacking knowledge about their tax bracket and neglecting estate planning updates.

Key conversations include:

Understanding Your Tax Bracket: Learn why knowing your tax bracket is essential for maximizing opportunities like Roth conversions and minimizing overpayments.
Zero Capital Gain Brackets: Discover how to take advantage of tax-free gains to grow your wealth.
Investment Pitfalls: Avoid the dangers of chasing past investment performance and align your strategy with your goals.
Estate Planning Essentials: Ensure your estate planning documents are up to date and reflect life’s changes.
Liability Insurance: Protect yourself and your family with adequate coverage, including an umbrella policy for uninsured motorist protection.
Heir and Spouse Preparedness: Steps to prepare your loved ones, including non-financial spouses, for managing wealth.
Spending and Withdrawal Strategies in Retirement: Avoid overspending while ensuring your savings last throughout your lifetime.

Actionable Takeaway: Through practical examples and insightful advice, Larry highlights the importance of staying informed and proactive with your finances.

Connect with Larry Heller:

Protecting What Matters Most: Estate Planning for Women with Allison Dolzani [Ep. 166]

By Retirement Unlocked | December 11, 2024

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Estate planning goes beyond documents—it’s about protecting loved ones, achieving financial independence, and aligning plans with long-term goals.

In this episode of the Life Unlimited podcast, host Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, sits down with Allison Dolzani, estate planning attorney and partner at Julie Kessler, LLP, to explore strategies tailored to women navigating major life transitions like divorce, widowhood, or retirement.

They discuss critical topics, including naming guardians for minor children, safeguarding inherited assets, and maintaining up-to-date estate plans. Allison also emphasizes the importance of foundational documents like healthcare proxies, powers of attorney, and trusts in creating a solid plan.

With actionable insights on avoiding costly mistakes and tailoring plans to personal and family goals, Allison provides a clear roadmap for building an estate plan that safeguards your future and protects what matters most.

Key Points Covered:

Unique Considerations for Women: Proactively update estate plans after major life events and align documents with custody agreements.
Guardianship Essentials: Designate primary and successor guardians to ensure your children are cared for according to your wishes.
Critical Documents: Secure essential documents such as wills, trusts, healthcare proxies, and powers of attorney for comprehensive protection.
Managing Inherited Assets: Protect personal wealth from marital commingling and preserve assets for future generations.
Legacy Planning: Create a lasting impact by incorporating charitable contributions or personal wishes into your estate plan.
Tax Planning: Navigate challenges like New York’s “cliff tax” and take advantage of exemptions tailored for single women.
Empowering Financial Independence: Use estate planning to confidently manage transitions, secure financial stability, and achieve long-term goals.
And much more!

Actionable Takeaway: Estate planning is vital to stabilizing your family’s future and building financial independence. Start today by consulting an estate planning professional to create a plan tailored to your unique needs.

Connect with Larry Heller:

Connect with Allison E. Dolzani:

About Our Guest:

Allison Dolzani specializes in estate planning, estate administration, and Surrogate’s Court practice. Allison represents domestic and international individuals and multigenerational families in sophisticated estate planning, emphasizing minimizing the impact of gift, estate, generation-skipping transfer, and income taxes.

Allison joined the firm in September 2018. Before joining Julie Kessler LLP, Allison was an associate at a New York City law firm focused on estate administration and litigation.

Allison earned her law degree from Touro Law School. While in law school, Allison served as Research Editor of Touro Law Review and authored Intellectual Property and Constitutional Law articles. Allison graduated magna cum laude from Western New England University with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy.

Navigating S Corps: The Pros, Cons, and Tax Implications for Small Businesses [Ep. 165]

By Retirement Unlocked | November 27, 2024

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Choosing the right business structure isn’t just about compliance – it’s about maximizing tax efficiency and aligning with your long-term goals.

Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, and William Huether, CPA, CGMA, MBA, discuss how S-Corporations can help business owners save on taxes, streamline compliance, and drive growth. They compare S-Corps to C-Corps, LLCs, and partnerships, offering insights on tax benefits, drawbacks, and strategies to align business structures with long-term goals.

With practical advice on avoiding double taxation and leveraging pass-through entity tax (PTET) benefits, William provides a roadmap for optimizing your business structure.

Key Points Covered:

Why S-Corps Work: Reduce double taxation, save on self-employment taxes, and enjoy a corporate framework’s perks
PTET Benefits: Discover how to bypass the $10,000 SALT cap using pass-through entity tax strategies
Entity Selection Simplified: Weigh the pros and cons of S-Corps, C-Corps, LLCs, and partnerships to find the best fit for your business
Compliance Essentials: Stay on top of filing deadlines, salary requirements, and state-specific rules like New York elections
Avoiding Pitfalls: Learn about reasonable salary requirements, local jurisdiction limitations, and transition strategies between entity types
And much more!

Actionable Takeaway: The right business structure could be the key to significant tax savings and long-term financial success. Consult a CPA or tax professional to evaluate your options and create a tax plan tailored to your goals.

Resources:

Connect with Larry Heller:

Connect with William Huether:

LinkedIn: William Huether, CPA, CGMA, MBA
Sheehan Accountants & Advisors
(631) 665-7040

About Our Guest:

William Huether is a Certified Public Accountant with over eleven years of experience with clients in a broad range of industries, including the retail, wholesale, distribution, restaurant/hospitality, not-for-profit, solar, investment company, manufacturing, and real estate industries. William holds the Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) designation from the AICPA and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants.

William works in Sheehan’s assurance practice and provides auditing, accounting, and consulting services to clients in various industries in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and International Financial Reporting Standards. William also provides a variety of tax planning, compliance, and consulting services to individuals, corporations, flow-through entities, and trusts. He is an active member of the firm’s recruiting committee, a mentor in the firm’s career advisor program, and serves on the firm’s Quality Control Committee.

Beyond Accumulation: Mastering Your Retirement Distribution Strategy [Ep. 164]

By Retirement Unlocked | November 20, 2024

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Retirement isn’t just about accumulating wealth – it’s about making sure it lasts.

In this episode, Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, explores the essential elements of a well-rounded distribution strategy for retirement, including guiding you through five key areas every retiree should prioritize: income vs. total return, tax management, investment allocation, longevity, and estate planning.

Larry dives deep into the shift from accumulation to distribution, revealing strategies to help retirees sustain income, reduce taxes, and cover health expenses—all while preparing a meaningful legacy. With a focus on turning retirement into a financially secure and fulfilling stage of life, this episode provides actionable advice on balancing your immediate needs with a long-term vision.

Whether you’re entering retirement or aiming to enhance your financial strategy, this episode will equip you with the tools and mindset to enjoy a confident and comfortable retirement.

Key Points Covered:

Combining income sources like Social Security, pensions, and investments to balance retirement income and comfort
Reducing tax burdens through Roth conversions and managing required minimum distributions (RMDs) under the latest Secure Act changes
Using the “reservoir strategy” to balance cash, bonds, and equities for steady income and minimized risk
Addressing healthcare and long-term care costs to protect assets and maintain financial stability
Aligning estate plans with tax strategies to maximize inheritance for heirs
And much more!

Actionable Takeaway: Review your retirement plan to ensure it supports your lifestyle, reduces tax impacts, and aligns with your legacy goals. Consult a financial planner to tailor it to your unique needs for a fulfilling retirement.

Resources:

Connect with Larry Heller:

Risky Business: The Hidden Risks of Handshake Agreements with Rachel Partain [Ep. 163]

By Retirement Unlocked | November 13, 2024

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Handshake deals might seem convenient, but they could put your business at serious risk. Discover how to protect your company from these hidden dangers and build a reliable foundation.

Larry Heller, CFP®, CDFA®, is joined by Rachel Partain, a leading tax attorney and partner at Forchelli Law, to break down the risks of running a business without formal agreements.

Whether you’re launching a startup, managing growth, or exploring new partnerships, Rachel provides actionable insights to help you understand the risks of inadequate documentation and strengthen your business with essential agreements and expert legal guidance.

Key Points Covered:

The widespread use of handshake agreements and the risks they pose to businesses
The impact on business management from operational turmoil caused by unclear leadership succession plans to disputes over roles, voting rights, and profit distribution
Barriers to securing loans and attracting investors due to informal business structures
Tax complications, such as IRS audits and challenges related to shareholder contributions
Legal exposure, including the risk of litigation and potential personal asset vulnerability
And much more!

Actionable Takeaway: Assess your current business agreements today and consult a professional to protect yourself against potential financial and legal challenges.

Connect with Rachel Partain:

Connect with Larry Heller:

About Our Guest:

Rachel L. Partain is a Partner at Forchelli Law concentrating her practice on complex tax advisory and tax controversy services for low to middle-market businesses and high-net-worth individuals. Rachel advises businesses on how to structure transactions in a tax-efficient manner and handles general corporate and transactional matters.