David Zangrilli, Partner & Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach Office Leader, RSM

May 2026 — Invest: sat down with David Zangrilli, partner and Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach office leader at RSM, to discuss how speed, regulatory complexity, and capital flows are reshaping the middle market in South Florida. “We’re seeing more acquisitions, new deal structures, and renewed momentum across the middle market,” Zangrilli said.

What significant changes have you seen in the business landscape, and how are those shifts influencing how your clients approach growth decisions?

One of the most significant changes I’ve seen over the past several years is speed to market. When I first entered the profession nearly 15 years ago, growth decisions unfolded over much longer timelines. Today, those timelines have compressed dramatically. 

Technology has been a major driver of this shift. Our constant connectivity through phones and email has fundamentally changed expectations around advice, decision-making, and execution. Whether it’s tax deadlines or strategic guidance, expectations are much faster than they used to be.

These dynamics are directly influencing how our clients approach growth. They are moving more quickly, but they also expect greater clarity and confidence in the decisions they make. As advisors, we have to match that pace. RSM is deeply embedded in the middle market and works closely with private equity, where speed has become even more pronounced. Clients expect timely, decisive guidance that balances speed with thoughtful risk management. Matching our clients’ tempo while helping them make smart, sustainable growth decisions has become essential to delivering real value in today’s business landscape.

How do you see tax strategy and consulting evolving for middle-market firms, particularly in response to cross-border activity and increasing regulatory complexity?

Private equity has been a major force in the middle market for well over a decade, particularly in sectors like healthcare, professional practices, and other scalable sectors. These firms are focused on building platforms, scaling quickly, and ultimately exiting their investments.

From a regulatory standpoint, the past several years have brought constant change. We’ve seen multiple rounds of tax reform and major legislative packages that shifted incentives, timing, and planning assumptions. Each change requires us, as advisors, to quickly understand what’s new, what’s changed, and what still needs clarification. Our role is to help clients navigate that complexity and make informed decisions that align with both current rules and future goals.

Cross-border activity adds another layer of complexity. While some industries such as healthcare, particularly in South Florida, tend to be more domestically focused, other sectors are increasingly pursuing global expansion. As a firm, we rely on our network and international capabilities to support those efforts and provide the necessary expertise when clients look beyond domestic markets.

Ultimately, tax consulting in the middle market is evolving toward a more proactive, strategic model, one that anticipates change, supports growth initiatives, and aligns tax decisions with broader business objectives.

Has there been more clarity around trade policy and tax structure over the past year, or are new challenges continuing to emerge?

There’s still a fair amount of uncertainty, particularly around trade policy. From a tax structuring standpoint, that uncertainty reinforces the need for a highly client-specific approach. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.

Clients come to us with opportunities, and we evaluate their options based on where they are today, where they want to go, and how shifting rates, rules, and policies may impact their plans over time. 

We never know exactly when tax or policy change is going to happen, and we never know when we’re going to get clarification. Ongoing discussions around tariffs and global trade continue to shift, creating both risk and opportunity for middle-market companies. In response, RSM has invested in growing specialized teams, including capabilities within global tax and tariffs, so we’re well positioned to help clients navigate changes as they arise.

Where are you seeing the strongest demand for advisory services today?

Over the past few years, rising interest rates slowed activity in the M&A market, and we saw more emphasis on business restructurings. Many businesses stayed in place but adjusted operations, capital strategy, and debt structures to work through a higher-rate environment.

As rates have come down somewhat, that pressure has eased. More recently, I’ve seen private equity firms begin to deploy capital again, and that has led to increased deal flow. We’re seeing more acquisitions, new deal structures, and renewed momentum across the middle market.

That uptick in activity is a positive sign for the market. It suggests growing confidence and a healthier environment for strategic transactions, including planning for liquidity events where owners want to understand the right structure and timing.

How is RSM approaching talent attraction and retention amid shifting workforce dynamics?

Talent attraction and retention remain a top priority, particularly as workforce expectations continue to evolve. Flexibility has become one of the most critical factors. RSM has invested heavily in technology to allow our professionals to work remotely, travel when needed, and stay connected regardless of location. That foundation has allowed us to move away from rigid, five-day in-office expectations and adopt a more intentional hybrid approach.

While in-person collaboration and training remain important, we recognize that flexibility is no longer a perk, but an expectation in a competitive talent market. These dynamics haven’t been without challenges, particularly amid broader industry trends such as offshoring and increased competition for skilled talent. However, meeting our people where they are, while continuing to invest in culture, development, and technology, has been essential to sustaining a strong workforce.

What are your top priorities for RSM in South Florida over the next three to five years?

At the firm level, our strategy is centered on three core priorities: being digital, being compelling, and being global. In South Florida, being digital means continuing to invest in technology, including artificial intelligence, to improve both the client and employee experience while increasing efficiency and speed. The firm has made significant commitments to technology investment over the next several years, and the goal is to use those tools to serve clients better while giving our people stronger platforms to learn and work.

Being compelling means positioning our people as trusted, first-choice advisors. In Fort Lauderdale, we’re fortunate to have a deep bench of specialists across tax, audit, consulting, and industry expertise. Even within tax alone, we have strong capabilities in areas such as international tax, transfer pricing, state and local tax, credits and incentives, methods, partnership tax, and M&A-related planning. That local depth gives us an advantage as we continue to grow in the market.

From a global standpoint, we’re investing in our network and international relationships to support clients as they expand across borders. South Florida’s diversity and connectivity make that especially important, and we see opportunities to grow alongside clients entering the region from across the United States and from abroad.

What is your outlook for South Florida as a destination for capital investment and corporate expansion?

The outlook is very bright. Since the pandemic, we’ve seen a steady influx of businesses and individuals relocating to South Florida. Factors like climate, the lack of a state income tax, and the region’s business-friendly environment have made it especially attractive.

Private equity firms and other capital-intensive businesses continue to move into the area, and South Florida has increasingly been discussed as a new financial hub. Opportunity Zones and other investment initiatives have also played a role in driving development, particularly in Fort Lauderdale. I expect that growth to continue as capital and talent keep flowing into the region.

Is there anything else you would like to add as you look ahead?

South Florida continues to be a great place to do business, and the future looks strong. As the regulatory environment becomes more complex and the pace of change continues to accelerate, it will be increasingly important for firms like RSM to help clients navigate uncertainty.

If we can continue to guide clients through that complexity, adapt quickly, and help them make smart, forward-looking decisions, I believe there’s a significant opportunity ahead for both our clients and the broader South Florida business community overall.