- The CAS Cache
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- Scaling CAS
Read Time: 3:49 minutes
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I get asked about scaling your CAS practice all the time. I talk to accounting firm owners who want to know how to scale, when to scale, and what their first (or next) move should be. And I get it—growing a firm sounds like the natural next step.
But before we discuss scaling, let’s take a step back. Do you actually want to scale?
The Pressure to Grow
This unspoken rule in business is that growth is always the goal. You see it everywhere—on Twitter, LinkedIn, and every podcast with “entrepreneur” in the title. The message is clear: If you’re not growing, you’re failing.
But that’s just not true.
Michael Eckstein put it well in a recent post:
And I couldn’t agree more.
Many of us started our accounting firms for freedom—to make good money, work with great clients, and not be tied to someone else’s vision. Scaling is great if it aligns with your goals. But if your business already gives you what you want, then you’ve already won.
Lifestyle Business vs. Scalable Business
I must constantly remind myself that running a lifestyle business is acceptable. The Mexican fisherman story is one of my personal favorite reminders.
Right now, my accounting firm fits my needs. I have flexibility. I work with clients I enjoy. I’m making a living that supports my goals. That’s a win.
On the other hand, some firm owners genuinely want to build something bigger. Maybe you have a vision for a large firm with a team of accountants, tech-driven processes, and clients across industries. That’s also great. But it has to be something you want—not feel pressured into.
So before you focus on scaling, ask yourself:
✅ Do I want to run a more prominent firm?
✅ Am I prepared for the trade-offs (less flexibility, more management)?
✅ Will scaling improve my life or just my revenue?
Scaling the Right Way
If you’ve thought through those questions and still want to grow, there is a right way to scale CAS. I’ve written about it before here, but the key points are:
Niche down – Specialization makes everything easier, from marketing to pricing to service delivery. The broader your client base, the harder it is to scale efficiently.
Standardize everything – You can’t grow without repeatable processes. Scaling will be painful if your CAS services rely too much on custom solutions.
Leverage tech – The right software (automation, AI, integrations) helps you do more with less. If you’re manually handling everything, growth = burnout.
Hire intentionally – Growing your team isn’t just about adding bodies. It’s about finding people who align with your firm’s values and long-term vision.
But none of this matters if growth isn’t what you actually want.
Success Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
So, should you scale your CAS offering in your accounting firm? Maybe. But only if it fits your goals.
If your business already gives you the life you want, don’t feel you must chase bigger numbers. $500k, $250k, $100k—whatever works for you is enough.
If you want to scale, do it strategically, not just because some YouTube guru told you to.
Either way, you win if you build an accounting firm that works for you.
Thanks for reading, Luke Templin!
P.S. There are four ways I can help you grow your CAS offerings when you are ready:
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