Springline Advisory is a financial and business advisory firm dedicated to reshaping the accounting and advisory landscape. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Springline Advisory CEO Tim Brackney to learn more about the firm.
Tim Brackney’s Background
What is Tim Brackney’s background? Brackney said:
“I’ve spent my whole career in the professional services industry. I started out as a CPA working for PwC on the audit side, then went into consulting but left to work at a global consulting firm that spun out from Deloitte. Today, I’m the CEO of Springline Advisory, a PE-backed firm serving the mid-market accounting and business advisory space.”
Evolution Of The Industry
How has the industry evolved over time? Brackney noted:
“The dynamics in the industry have shifted. The labor force now wants something different than the typical pyramid model that firms, especially big firms, have stuck to for years, and that is one of the big reasons that fewer and fewer individuals choose accounting as their career path. In fact, the industry is facing an unprecedented shortage of CPAs as many young professionals see the profession as less appealing than careers in other industries like the tech sector.”
“In addition to the evolving talent landscape, the acceleration of digital transformation we’ve seen in the past several years has brought AI and hyperautomation to the forefront, but many firms have been slower to adapt and adopt cutting-edge tech tools. These aren’t two separate challenges — rather, technology and talent are intertwined. If you don’t have the technology, you’re not going to attract the talent. The industry’s traditional reliance on legacy technologies and a slower pace to adopt new ones just won’t cut it anymore.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of your firm’s most significant milestones? Brackney cited:
“Our first major milestone would have to be Springline Advisory’s official launch in January of this year. With the backing of PE firm Trinity Hunt Partners, we set out with the goal of transforming the mid-market accounting and advisory industry by offering the reach and resources of a big firm with the personalized service and company culture of a boutique firm. Our first transaction happened soon after launch, and we were delighted to welcome BGBC to our platform in February.”
“Moving forward, we’re excited to continue partnering with firms that want to grow while maintaining the people-first, values-driven culture of their company. We aim to help firms ‘scale for good’ to give them a head start in the industry as they expand.”
In December 2024, Springline Advisory announced partnerships with HM&M Advisory, LLC and Clark, Raymond & Company. Through the alternative practice structure, Springline Advisory will give both firms greater access to the capabilities and geographic reach of larger firms without compromising the depth of relationships, care and service its clients know and love.
Industry Focus
What are some of the industries that your firm is focused on? Brackney emphasized:
“The industries we serve run the gamut from digital entrepreneurs and healthcare professionals to insurance companies and retail services. We know there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for business problems, so we take the time to dig deep and really understand the ins and outs of each industry we serve.”
Differentiation From Other Firms
What differentiates Springline from other firms? Brackney pointed out:
“Springline’s biggest differentiator is our focus on culture. We want to build an irresistible organization, the type of organization where people find us because of our commitment to walking the walk. This is a people business, and finding tangible ways to take care of our people, like prioritizing a healthy balance between work and personal lives and championing ongoing learning opportunities, creates stickier relationships and happier employees.”
“We don’t believe in ‘talent moats,’ mobility is the hallmark of today’s workforce and we lean into that. We want people to decide on their own that they want to stay because of the culture, opportunities and meaningful work they can do with us. We will continue to work to make the grass as green as it can be on our side of the fence. But focusing on culture isn’t just a ‘feel-good’ perk — it’s a solid business strategy that sets us up for long-term success. Culture is a lever for growth because it can attract and retain the type of exceptional talent that leads to better client service and higher profitability.”
“Our human-centric approach benefits both our employees and our bottom line. It’s a win-win.”
Challenges Faced
What are some of the challenges facing the industry (and how can you overcome those obstacles)? Brackney acknowledged:
“One of the biggest challenges has been the shortage of CPAs. There just aren’t enough accountants to go around, and many of those who do enter the field have short tenures before abandoning ship for other opportunities in other industries. Our approach has been to develop a multi-pronged, culture-focused strategy to prove that our industry’s grass is incredibly vibrant:
— Compensate creatively. Think outside the box of a traditional salary and offer options like early equity to foster a sense of ownership that empowers your team and bolsters engagement.
— Prioritize flexible work arrangements. Today’s workforce demands meaningful work/life balance. Flexibility shows that you care about your employees’ whole selves and allows them to live well-rounded lives while still achieving their goals at work.
— Lean on learning. Offering continuous education programs shows that you care about employees’ ongoing development and also helps future-proof your business by upskilling your workforce, equipping them with the means to handle challenges now and in the future.
— Invest in tech. The future is now, and if you’re not empowering your team with cutting-edge technology, you’re already behind. Committing to modernizing your tech stack is attractive to early career professionals as well as those who want to automate tasks in order to do more strategic work.”
Future Goals
What are some of your firm’s future goals? Brackney concluded:
“Springline’s ultimate goal is to help mid-market accounting and advisory firms scale while keeping their unique company cultures intact. We want to bridge the gap between big-firm benefits and small-firm care and service with our innovative, human-centric growth model that proves expansion is possible while still preserving the heart of the company.”
