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The Culture Builders: Creating philosophy-driven organizations

❓ How do you build a firm where culture guides decision-making?

❓ How can you ground the way you lead, measure success, and operate day to day in your company values?

❓ How do you align your team around a core philosophy while scaling your business?

In this video, Jason Blumer (Thriveal) and Ian Vacin (Karbon) trade strategies with Bernard N. Ackerman and Jason Ackerman (BNA CPAs & Advisors), Zane Stevens (Protea Financial), Mike Libbey (YBL), and Jennifer Green (Jade Consulting), as they break down what it takes to run a culture-first firm. They explain how clear values can shape decisions, streamline processes, and create a team environment where people thrive.

You’ll hear how some of the industry’s most intentional leaders align their workflows with what matters most—and how you can do the same to build a firm that grows without losing its identity.


This is part four of the four-part series 'Scaling firms with purpose: Stories from the frontlines'

This webinar series brings you face-to-face with exceptional firm leaders who navigated scaling challenges successfully. These leaders are the stars of Ian Vacin and Jason Blumer’s upcoming book, 'Scale with Purpose: The Service Entrepreneur’s Guide to Intentional Growth.'

Explore the series.

Ian Vacin
Co-Founder & Chief Partnerships Officer, Karbon

Ian is passionate about helping businesses be as successful as possible in order to positively impact the small businesses they serve. With 25+ years' experience in technology & process improvement and 15+ years of leadership experience in the accounting industry at Karbon, Xero, and Intuit, Ian is a recognized expert, innovator, and teacher.

Jason Blumer, CPA
Founder and CEO, Thriveal CPA Network

Jason is the founder and CEO of Thriveal, a network to help entrepreneurial CPA firm owners connect, learn, and grow by providing them with a community, coaching, consulting, events and more. He is also the CEO of Blumer & Associates, CPAs, co-hosts two podcasts of his own, speaks and writes frequently for the financial and creative industries, and was named by Accounting Today as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting.

Bernard N. Ackerman
Founder, BNA CPAs & Advisors

Bernie is the founder of BNA CPA. He has been a certified public accountant in South Carolina since January, 1976 and in North Carolina since November, 1977. In addition to being a CPA, Bernie is also a Certified Financial Planner and a Certified Financial Specialist.

Zane Stevens
Director, Protea Financial

Zane Stevens is the Director of Protea Financial - a flexible bookkeeping solutions platform that provides business owners and managers with financial information and insights. Before joining Protea, Zane worked as a Financial Manager at Syntell, a South African blue-chip tech company based in Cape Town. He was a supervisor at KPMG, where he led service lines including audit, financial, and information technology advisory. Zane received an Honors Degree in Accounting from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University and is registered as a Chartered Accountant with the South African Institute.

Mike Libbey
Partner & COO, YBL

Mike Libbey is the Partner & COO of YBL, a modern virtual accounting firm he took over from his father after working in the business since age 17. With deep roots in entrepreneurship and a passion for strategy, Mike helps ambitious entrepreneurs grow, scale, and take control of their financial future.

Jason Ackerman
Co-Managing Partner, BNA CPAs & Advisors

Jason Ackerman, CPA, CFP®, CGMA is the Co-Managing Partner of BNA CPAs & Advisors and Co-Founder of WealthRabbit. Jason began his career at KPMG in New York City, before moving to BNA in 2012. He helped grow BNA from a $1.5 million dollar firm to now a $7 million dollar firm with no acquisitions and taking on no debt. He is married to his wife Yvonne, and has one son Sammy, and one pug, Jeff.

Jennifer Green
Partner, Jade Consulting

Jennifer Green is Founder and Partner at Jade Consulting Inc., a firm committed to bringing the human touch to accounting. An entrepreneur since 18, Jennifer leads with compassion, collaboration, and community, helping scaling businesses thrive. Known for building strong cultures and lasting relationships, she ensures Jade is as people-focused as it is performance-driven.

The Culture Builders: Creating philosophy-driven organizations | Karbon Magazine