Jeff Phillips is the CEO of Padgett, one of the largest tax and accounting firms in North America. He also founded the recruitment platform Accountingfly in 2012 and has been recognized as one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People for helping solve the hiring challenges of CPA firms. In this episode, Jeff and Stuart discuss combining work with vacation while being remote, the story of Accountingfly, and what it takes to be a great leader. They also talk about holidays, Jeff's trip to Costa Rica, and how taking mangoes from someone's tree is acceptable.

Together they discuss:

Jeff’s background and hobbies (1:10)Jeff’s and Stuart’s families (4:00)Gap year and college (5:45)Family vacations (8:00)Trip to Costa Rica (9:00)Remote work (13:00)COVID impacting geographical wage difference (18:00)Stuart’s theory of the Great Reshuffle (21:00)Remote work uncovering opportunities for innovative firms (23:30)Foundations of Padgett (28:00)Work at Accountingfly (31:30)What makes a perfect firm (33:50) Employment as a two-way relationship (39:20)Challenges of being a leader of a company (42:50)The pivot of Accountigfly (45:30)