Spotlight On: John McGonigal, Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader, CBIZ

Key points:

• CBIZ scales up without shifting focus, strengthening its middle-market advisory platform one year after acquiring Marcum.

• AI and emerging tech are central to strategy, as expanded teams accelerate innovation and operational efficiency.

• Economic and policy shifts are reshaping client priorities, increasing demand for trusted, full-service professional guidance.

January 2026 — A year into CBIZ’s acquisition of Marcum, the organization remains focused on developing its team, supporting middle-market clients and leading the industry through aggressive legislative and regulatory changes. In an interview with Invest:, CBIZ Mid-Atlantic Regional Leader John McGonigal shares an update on the merger and highlights how the professional services sector is the business partner industries need to navigate a shifting economic landscape.

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What have been the biggest changes for CBIZ in the past year?

The biggest change has been CBIZ acquiring Marcum. It was the largest acquisition in CBIZ’s history. While it has been a big change, our strategies remain aligned with our core efforts, and we are doubling down on the middle market. CBIZ was middle-market focused, as was Marcum. We will maintain our focus on the longstanding industries that have supported our growth over the years. There are emerging industries we are keeping an eye on. Still, in the Mid-Atlantic and Philadelphia, our core industries remain private equity, construction, real estate, financial services, not-for-profit, and capital markets.

With the acquisition, we are focusing on enhancing the market’s perception of CBIZ as a full-service professional services advisory firm focused on the middle market. We offer everything the bigger firms offer and then some. The acquisition brought together two teams and enhanced the services that we offer to help our clients grow. We offer a full suite of services in accounting, tax, advisory, benefits, insurance, and technology.

Additionally, recruiting and developing talent remains a key part of our strategy. We are committed to career growth and to building a culture where people enjoy coming to work.

What current trends in the professional services market are you following closely?

This industry is undoubtedly changing. We focus on meeting our clients where they are, with experts who understand the industry they work in. We approach the market through our industry groups, continually expanding and deepening their expertise to adapt to the evolving marketplace.

The topics driving our industry today, such as digital assets and artificial intelligence, were not even on the radar when I first started out. Staying responsive and proactive is essential to remaining ahead of the trends. CBIZ and Marcum have both been at the forefront of innovation — leading the way in digital assets and embracing AI, both internally and as a client service.

With the recent acquisition, our two technology teams have joined forces to accelerate our adoption of AI and other emerging technologies. Together, we’re committed to leveraging these tools to enhance our operations and deliver forward-thinking solutions to our clients. In a highly competitive landscape, embracing trends like AI and offshoring positions our firm for long-term success and continued leadership in the profession.

In what significant ways have client priorities shifted?

2025 stands to be a year of significant changes. We have a new administration, budget cuts, shifting tariffs, and the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. These are all mega events affecting the profession, impacting our clients in different ways. For example, the new tax law offers incentives and reduced regulatory hurdles that benefit our manufacturing clients directly. On the other hand, our not-for-profit clients are facing major headwinds.

There are competing views in the industry, and we see clients reassessing their business needs and challenging the status quo. This can be inside or outside their organization. They are asking if they have the right people, the right service providers, and if they are paying the right fees. This poses both a challenge and an opportunity.

Our clients rely on us to help them navigate these changes. Our firm’s strength is that we have the resources, both nationally and locally, to address these challenges proactively. We have experts across key areas to help clients move past obstacles and grow through them.

How is technology continuing to transform the industry?

Our technology team is both external- and internal-facing. The solutions they develop are often tested in-house first, allowing us to identify opportunities that can also benefit clients. For example, when we recognized a need for automation and AI, we realized our clients likely needed it too.

We have the expertise and knowledge to help businesses transform operations, improve financial performance, and future-proof their organizations. We provide innovative technology solutions that help businesses improve efficiency, enhance security, and drive growth. 

We assess a business’s current technology landscape, determining where it is today and where it wants to be in the future. This is a full-service solution that offers integrated automation, data visualization, business alignment, technology innovation, change management, and more. 

How do you see the role of the professional services sector evolving in enabling economic resiliency?

We believe we are vital to the communities we serve, and our people and team members are part of those communities. We create jobs, drive growth, advise organizations, help them stay competitive and support them through tough times. That is what it is all about, especially this year.

This year has brought unprecedented events impacting businesses everywhere. Amidst the uncertainty, the professional services industry stands uniquely equipped to navigate these challenges. We are driving meaningful change and providing the guidance our clients need to weather the storm and emerge stronger than before. 

What are the top priorities for the near future?

People always have to come first because this is who we are; we are a people business. We have to continue to train and develop people. They need to feel they have the opportunity to be successful, because that will be rewarding for them and our clients. We will always start and end with people. Integration will continue to be very important for us, as will growth. Growth is meaningful because as we expand, we can give our team members broader experiences that keep them challenged and eager to come back for more. Growth is paramount.

As a company, we will continue to serve middle-market clients and give them the insights they need to grow.

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