Barry Gould, Partner-in-Charge, South Florida, EisnerAmper

In an interview with Invest:, Barry Gould, partner-in-charge for South Florida at EisnerAmper, discussed the firm’s expansion in financial services and real estate, talent strategy, and the evolving role of technology and private equity in accounting. “Market volatility creates opportunities, and businesses that pivot effectively stay resilient.”

What have been some of the firm’s recent milestones? 

One of our biggest areas of growth in South Florida is our hedge fund and private equity practice, a major focus for the firm. Financial services remain our top industry, and we’ve had professionals relocate to South Florida to strengthen our audit, planning, and consulting capabilities. We are committed to expanding our presence in this sector. 

Real estate is another key area. The head of our real estate group splits time between South Florida and New York, reflecting rapid growth in this market. We recently moved into The Plaza in Coral Gables about six months ago. Looking out our window, we see construction cranes everywhere. The level of commercial, residential, and infrastructure development is booming, reinforcing the strong momentum in our two biggest industries — financial services and real estate. 

What trends are you seeing in the region, and how is the firm adapting?
Business is evolving daily, and a major shift is the changing profile of clients. We are seeing an  influx of foreign investors and companies entering South Florida, which brings complex tax and structuring implications. We like to engage early to help them with entity structuring, investor relations, and compliance, ensuring they are tax-efficient and properly positioned. Technology is another game-changer across industries, especially in real estate, financial  services, and private equity. Smart building integrations and mixed-use developments are  redefining how people live and work. We stay ahead of these innovations, advising clients on  how to integrate technology effectively. 

Beyond tax and audit services, we bring in specialized teams when needed. Whether it’s digital transformation, outsourcing, or back-office improvements, we provide tailored support. A key advantage of our firm is our national reach — we can pull in expertise from across the country, collaborating to provide top-tier service. 

We’re also seeing a rise in business exits. Many owners are preparing to sell, and we help structure transactions for tax efficiency. Working closely with attorneys, we ensure these transitions are smooth and strategic. 

What are the firm’s hiring priorities and how are you navigating the talent market?
We’re always looking for top talent, but competition in the accounting industry is fierce. While we  are selective, our focus is on hiring professionals who provide exceptional client service and enhance our expertise. 

Recruiting is an ongoing effort involving the entire firm, not just our HR team. We tap into local and national networks, encouraging referrals with significant bonuses. This keeps our pipeline strong and connected to top candidates. 

Mergers and acquisitions have also been key to our talent strategy. Since 2021, backed by our private equity investor, we’ve completed 22 M&A transactions, integrating professionals from across the country and beyond. This broadens our expertise without geographic limitations. We leverage social media, especially LinkedIn, to attract talent by sharing insights, events, and firm culture. Our consistent recognition as a top workplace is also a strong draw for candidates.Our hiring process is rigorous — we seek the right cultural and professional fit. Every hire is made with a long-term vision. When I speak to candidates, I tell them, “We’re hiring you today, and we want you to retire here.” We invest in training and career development to make that a reality. 

How is the current economic landscape affecting your clients, and what strategies are they using to remain resilient? 

High-level client communication is our top priority. With frequent policy shifts under the new administration, staying ahead of changes is critical. 

Tariffs remain a major concern, impacting businesses both directly and indirectly. Even if a client isn’t affected, their partners might be, creating a ripple effect. That’s why we take a proactive approach — engaging clients early to help them navigate challenges and make informed decisions. 

As accountants, our role is to mitigate risk. We analyze tax changes, executive orders, and economic policies, ensuring clients remain efficient and adaptable. 

We’re also seeing an increase in business exits and sales. Many clients are preparing for transitions, and we play a key role in structuring tax-efficient deals, working closely with attorneys and financial advisors to align exit strategies with long-term goals. 

How are you helping clients navigate evolving compliance and regulatory challenges? One of the biggest compliance issues we’re monitoring is the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and its beneficial ownership reporting requirements. Compliance rates have been lower than expected, with many companies unaware of the requirements. We guide clients through the process to ensure they meet their obligations. 

Beyond the CTA, we track proposed tax rate changes, carried interest regulations, and estate tax laws. A major concern is the potential sunsetting of the lifetime estate tax exemption in December, which could have significant implications for estate planning. Some clients are making adjustments now, while others are waiting to see what happens. Either way, we provide strategic advice to help them plan effectively. 

Our tax team continuously updates clients, ensuring they stay ahead of regulatory changes and avoid compliance pitfalls before they become major issues. 

How are businesses navigating market volatility and capitalizing on emerging opportunities? 

Being a business owner is challenging, especially when scaling and expanding. That’s why having the right advisors is crucial. We see ourselves as quarterbacks for our clients’ advisory teams, coordinating with attorneys, bankers, and insurance professionals to ensure a cohesive financial strategy. The more complex a client’s business, the more critical collaboration becomes. 

Market volatility also creates opportunities. Many clients are adjusting their models, exploring new industries, or capitalizing on trends like real estate, digital transformation, and AI. Some are seizing policy-driven opportunities from new government initiatives. 

New industries often emerge from disruptions, and we see clients aggressively pursuing these opportunities — launching ventures and diversifying revenue streams. Their ability to pivot is key to staying resilient. 

How is technology, particularly AI, impacting your firm and your clients? Many seasoned business owners rely on outside expertise for technology and cybersecurity. We provide IT transformation and digital security solutions to protect client data and streamline operations. 

Efficiency is critical — technology can turn hour-long tasks into five-minute processes. We help businesses implement enterprise systems and software so they can focus on growth while we manage back-office and tech needs. 

AI is the hottest topic in business today. While most people are still discovering its full potential, we recognized its impact early and recently hired our first Head of AI.

We already use AI to improve efficiency, particularly in time management and billing. Automating administrative tasks frees up CPAs to focus on clients. AI also enhances data security — we operate within a closed environment to ensure accuracy before firm-wide adoption. 

Tools like Copilot and ChatGPT are already used daily to enhance work, gather insights, and improve service. AI isn’t the future — it’s here, and we’re fully embracing it. 

What are your top priorities for the firm in South Florida over the next few years? Our focus is deepening expertise rather than trying to be everything to everyone. We  concentrate on industries where we excel, bringing in specialized talent and strengthening local relationships. 

As we expand through mergers and acquisitions, we’re also broadening our service offerings. Internal knowledge sharing is a priority — ensuring experts across all offices collaborate effectively to benefit clients. 

Cybersecurity and IT services remain key areas of growth, with a dedicated team in South Florida. Outsourcing is also expanding, particularly in business operations and family office management. We currently serve over 100 families and aim to scale this practice with improved technology and reporting. 

Growth will come from the right talent, expanded expertise, and technology-driven service delivery. 

How is private equity impacting the accounting industry? 

The accounting field is consolidating rapidly, with private equity playing a major role. Locally, firms have undergone multiple private equity transactions in just a few years. Citron, for example, started as an independent firm, was acquired, and then purchased again — highlighting how fast the landscape is shifting. 

Our firm had a private equity transaction in 2021, and more activity is likely ahead. Private equity funding allows firms to expand aggressively through mergers, technology investments, and talent acquisition. 

However, not all firms are embracing it. Many prefer to remain independent, but competing with well-funded firms will become increasingly difficult. 

This trend presents both challenges and opportunities. Some firms will consolidate, while others find niche areas to thrive in. Some clients may move from large firms to smaller, more personalized firms. Either way, private equity is reshaping the industry, and we’re closely monitoring its impact to stay ahead.