The Rise of Alternative Practice Structures

PressPodcast
Written By Shoam Thomas

In a recent episode of Accounting Today’s podcast, David Wurtzbacher, Founder & CEO of Ascend, joins Bill Kelly, CEO of ConvergenceCo, for a candid conversation on the evolution of the alternative practice structure (APS) — and why it’s becoming a defining model for the future of accounting.

Hosted by Daniel Hood, this episode dives into how Ascend and ConvergenceCo are reshaping the profession with people-first platforms, strategic capital, and firm-friendly models that maintain independence while unlocking growth.

David shares what inspired Ascend’s founding vision, how trust and culture play a role in every partnership, and what makes this new wave of PE-backed growth different from “big-to-big” deals we’re seeing across the industry. Bill offers his perspective from the audit side, and the two reveal how the APS model works in practice — and why so many entrepreneurial firm leaders are embracing it.

🎧 You’ll have to listen to hear how Ascend’s model is helping firms “go further together” — and why this new structure might just be the smartest way forward.

Shoam Thomas

Shoam Thomas is a creative director, designer, and illustrator with over 20 years of experience bringing brands to life. He’s had the chance to work with some of the biggest names in the industry, like Adidas, Adobe, Google, and Nike, while keeping his focus on creating thoughtful, impactful designs.

https://hellopicnic.studio
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