This year’s Winning Ways conference brought together some of the most forward-thinking leaders in accounting for two days of honest conversations, bold ideas, and timely perspectives. Held in Chicago and centered on this year’s theme of “Staying Independent: Rethinking the Status Quo,” the event challenged firms to take a new look at what independence really means in a profession that’s evolving faster than ever.
If there was one message that echoed across every podium, panel, and roundtable, it was this: Independence is no longer a default – it’s a strategic decision.
The accounting profession is in the middle of an inflection point. Capacity pressure is constant. Technology and AI continue to reshape daily workflows. Private equity and alternative capital have entered the space, and with unprecedented momentum. Generational shifts in expectations are transforming what leadership and culture look like within the industry.
Against this backdrop, staying independent requires intention, clarity, and a willingness to rethink outdated models. Winning Ways 2025 gave leaders both the space and the push to do exactly that.
The event opened with focused pre-conference sessions that laid essential groundwork.
Client Experience & Growth: Founder of Clearlyrated, Eric Gregg, delivered data-driven insights revealed where firms are thriving… and where operational friction is holding them back.
AI, Tech & Cybersecurity: Attendees received practical and candid guidance on the tools, risks, and capacity shifts already taking place inside firms from Rightworks Director of Firm Technology Strategy, Roman Kepczyk.
Winning Ways was kicked off by Winding River Consulting’s David Toth, Brian Blaha, and industry icon Allan Koltin. Together, they framed the event around a single idea: in a profession undergoing rapid transformation, independence must be an intentional strategy.
Their insight built a foundation for the sessions that followed. From the realities of today’s capital landscape to the cultural, operational, and technological shifts, reshaping firm leadership.
The first main keynote came from Patrick McGinnis, global speaker and originator of the term FOMO.
Patrick explored how FOMO (fear of missing out) and FOBO (fear of a better option) often influence firm decisions more than strategy or data. In a profession confronted with PE activity, shifting models, and constant noise, the psychology behind leadership choices matters as much as the choices themselves.
His charge to attendees was simple and powerful: “Replace fear with facts… and focus.”
It was the mindset foundation for the conversations to follow.
The first panel of the conference centered directly on the theme. Firm leaders Anita Anand (Managing Shareholder, Board of Directors, Brady Ware), Suzanne Forbes (CEO, Managing Partner, James Moore), and Jeffery Mowery (Managing Partner, Co-Founder, Mowery & Schoenfeld) unpacked what independence means today. This includes the pressure firms face, and the internal work required to stay aligned and sustainable. Discussions spanned governance, partner structure, culture, and the realities of today’s competitive landscape.
The evening wrapped up with a lively cocktail reception – a chance for attendees to connect with peers, swap stories, compare challenges, and build relationships that continue long after the conference ends. As always, the networking energy of Winning Ways was a highlight.
Moderated by Financial Times U.S. Accounting Editor, Stephen Foley, the Day 2 opener brought together Chris Bellamy (CEO, Cohen & Co.), Jim Meade (CEO, LMBC), and Pritpal Kalsi (CEO, SC&H). Each panelist shared the path their firm chose. Minority PE, ESOP, or independent reinvention, and the strategic reasoning behind it. While their structures differed, their message aligned: There is no single right model, but there must be a model, and doing nothing is not a strategy.
Next came a keynote from Winding River Consulting’s Founder and CEO, Gary Shamis. In a Jeopardy-style format, Shamis walked through the good, the bad, and the ugly of private equity in the accounting profession.
He broke down myths, clarified realities, and provided a nuanced, experience-based view of how PE can help, and how it can hurt, based on alignment, governance, culture, and long-term expectations.
It was candid, humorous, and eye-opening – a crowd favorite.
This conversation highlighted how future-ready firms are reinventing governance, ownership, culture, pricing, technology, and advisory models. Featuring forward-thinking panelists Brandon Hall (CEO, Hall CPA), Matthew Becker (CEO-Elect, BDO USA), and Robert Berger (Partner, Anders), their message was not only inspiring, but actionable: Innovation isn’t a project – it’s a leadership responsibility. From AI adoption to modern leadership structures, the panelists showed what “rewriting the rules” looks like across firms of different sizes and models.
Winning Ways delivered clarity, candor, and direction for leaders determined to build resilient, future-ready firms. Whether your goal is staying independent, modernizing your model, elevating culture, or evaluating capital options, this year’s conversations made one thing clear:
The future belongs to firms willing to rethink, redesign, and lead with intention.
As we close out one of our most impactful years at Winding River Consulting, we’re already preparing for next year’s milestone event – our fifth annual Winning Ways conference. Stay tuned… the theme is already in the works. And trust us, you’ll want to be in the room.
Winning Ways was made possible by the generous support of our partners:
ClearlyRated • Rightworks • Navigate Search • Aiwyn • Karbon • Introhive • Windystreet
Your commitment to the profession and to helping firms evolve is deeply appreciated.