[AICPA Special] Ep 18: The Employee Ownership Advantage for Independent CPA Firms with Brian Lang

Why More CPA Firms Are Choosing Employee Ownership to Stay Independent What if you could grow your firm, reward your people, and maintain independence—without turning to private equity? In this episode of The Independent CPA Firm Podcast, Dave Kells sits down with Brian Lang, CEO of SSC CPAs & Advisors, to discuss SSC’s journey to becoming a 100% employee-owned CPA firm and how the ESOP model is driving growth, engagement, and long-term value. In this episode, you will be able to: • Understand how an ESOP supports succession planning and firm independence • Learn how employee ownership strengthens culture, retention, and accountability • Discover SSC’s approach to growth through talent, M&A, and geographic expansion • Explore the role of technology, AI, and transparency in building a stronger firm • See how shared ownership aligns employees around long-term success Whether you’re considering an ESOP or exploring alternatives to private equity, this episode offers valuable insights for independent firm leaders. Listen to the full episode of The Independent CPA Firm Podcast! https://open.spotify.com/episode/3CBg... #CPAFirms #ESOP #EmployeeOwnership #AccountingLeadership #FirmGrowth