Marcus Dillon, CPA
Co-founder, President
Marcus Dillon, CPA
Co-founder, President
I am a Certified Public Accountant, graduate of Texas State University, Founder of Dillon Business Advisors, and Co-founder of Collective by DBA. After transforming my CPA firm, Dillon Business Advisors, from 80% annual tax revenue to 80% monthly recurring accounting and advisory revenue, I co-founded Collective by DBA to offer operational support and accountability to other accounting firms seeking to offer monthly recurring accounting and advisory services. In addition to Collective, I also co-host “Who’s Really the Boss,” a podcast for accounting firm owners and leaders.
I enjoy giving back to the accounting industry through speaking, mentoring, podcasting, and thought leadership. I currently have the privilege to serve on the Intuit Partner Council, ADP Accountant Advisory Council, Ignition Council, and I was previously named to CPA Practice Advisor’s 40 under 40.
While away from the office, you can find me enjoying time with my wife, Rachel, and our daughters, Kynley and Avery. We love spending time together on the water, cheering on the Astros, and serving others in our community. Some of my other passions include fast cars, Texas BBQ, and traveling.
Rachel Dillon
Co-founder, Administrator
Rachel Dillon
Co-founder, Administrator
From teaching elementary school to helping lead Dillon Business Advisors as Firm Administrator, I now have the privilege of helping accounting firms connect, collaborate, and make lasting changes in their own firms. In addition to Firm Administrator at DBA and my role in Collective, I am also the co-host of the popular accounting podcast, “Who’s Really the Boss?” And, I can’t leave out that I am a proud graduate of Texas State University, where I earned my Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science with a Minor in Business Administration.
When I’m not working, you can find me in the gym, serving others, or at a swim meet. As a family, we have a passion for seeking adventure and traveling. We love ziplining, surfing, snow skiing, and indulging in over-the-top desserts!
Encouraging others and helping our members reach their full potential brings me so much joy and fulfillment. Life is all about balance, adventure, and lifting each other up, and I feel incredibly blessed to do what I love every day.
Amy McCarty, MBA
Co-founder, Director of Advisory
Amy McCarty, MBA
Co-founder, Director of Advisory
My journey in the accounting industry began 20+ years ago with a passion for processes and problem-solving. After earning my degree from Michigan State University, I entered the technology side of the industry, where I developed expertise in software implementation, training, and problem-solving skills. Over time, my role evolved into helping firms improve their operations through business strategy consulting, process improvement, and education. I have coached accounting firm leaders through transformative changes, supported them through challenges, and shared valuable lessons learned by others along the way. In fact, my relationship with Marcus and Rachel Dillon started as their accounting firm’s coach. I witnessed how, while other firms were busy making excuses, they were committed to making changes.
In 2023 I joined Dillon Business Advisors as the Director of Operations to continue enhancing operational efficiency and have been inspired by the team’s ability to navigate challenges and achieve goals. Roadblock up ahead, no problem, we find a creative solution around it!
And now, as Director of Advisory in Collective by DBA, I am excited to share my knowledge and experience with other firms! The momentum gained when surrounded with like-minded professionals working towards similar goals is worth it!
Outside of work, you will either find me exercising myself and my husky, tending to the garden, cooking in the kitchen, or running my 3 kids all over the place to the various activities they are involved in!
Ben Gabriel
Director of Firm Experience
Ben Gabriel
Director of Firm Experience
With 20 years in the tax and accounting industry, my journey has been quite the ride. I started out with a tax and accounting software company, and then spent 13 years helping to build a consulting firm focused on supporting small accounting practices. Along the way, I’ve had the chance to work with and learn from some incredible people. As the Director of Firm Experience, my mission is to strengthen our community and support each firm in making daily improvements. While every accounting firm has its own unique path, they often face similar challenges. I love seeing accounting leaders make strides and achieve their goals.
When I’m not working, you’ll find me outdoors—whether it’s mountain biking, skiing in the winter, or cheering on my daughter as she explores new adventures!
Christine Nietzke, ODCP
Advisor
Christine Nietzke, ODCP
Advisor
I have worked in and around the accounting industry for more than 20 years, and it has been my privilege to help firm owners and their teams make changes to their operations to create firms that are happier, more collaborative, and places people like coming to work. What can I say? I like accountants—I even married one! As a trainer, organizational development professional, and change practitioner, I am excited to bring my experience and affection for the accounting industry to Collective.
When I’m not rolling up my sleeves to help firms, you can find me golfing with friends, volunteering, or traveling with my family. I enjoy planning a road trip filled with hikes, popular sights, and fun places off the beaten path.
Dillon Business Advisors
Dillon Business Advisors
Founded in 2011 by Marcus Dillon, CPA, Dillon Business Advisors (DBA) is a client accounting and advisory services firm that transformed from over 2,000 annual only tax clients to serving less than 150 client relationships with high-value monthly recurring services. Not only did they reduce the volume of clients, but they increased revenue with an average monthly client fee of $2,200. The team at DBA now enjoys their nights and weekends outside of the “office” even during busy season!
When not serving doctors, dentists, and veterinarians with monthly bookkeeping, payroll, tax, and advisory, the DBA team members are inside the Collective Community answering questions and supporting accounting firms.
Life in our accounting firm before we refined our strategy, structure, and systems.
From January through April, our family became familiar with what many refer to as the "tax season widow" or "tax season orphan" experience. Marcus, deeply committed to the accounting firm, was often absent from our daily lives. Family events, social gatherings, and even simple dinner times were marked by the common refrain, “Where’s Dad?” or “I guess he’s still at the office.” To help alleviate some of the stress and spend more time together, I decided to join the firm, leaving behind my teaching career. But this decision, while well-intentioned, meant that our children lost not just their dad during tax season, but also their mom. The term “tax season orphans” began to feel all too real for our daughters.
We relied heavily on friends and family to help care for the girls, but they still spent countless hours at the office with us, reading books or keeping busy on devices. As they grew older, they started noticing that while their friends were enjoying Spring Break adventures, they were being coaxed with promises of Chick-fil-A and ice cream just to buy us a little more time to finish work. Nights, weekends, and holidays were consumed by the never-ending demands of tax deadlines, and our family’s health and happiness were suffering under the weight of 2,300 tax returns that passed through both of our hands.
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Gaining momentum for transformation
We knew we wanted something different for our accounting firm, and we knew we needed another perspective to make it happen. We met Amy McCarty, an industry advisor, who had a knack for helping others with firm software and building efficiencies in firm processes. Amy understood our struggles, our vision for a better future, and had supported many other firms much further along their transformation journey, so we enlisted her for strategic support and accountability.
This relationship helped kickstart our momentum for transformation. She was our sounding board, reassurance when doubt and fear tried to creep in, and a kick in the butt when we needed it. Through Amy, we met other firm owners navigating similar challenges and were able to surround ourselves with like-minded professionals, whom we now count as friends.
Fast forward to Dillon Business Advisors (DBA) now
Our lives are unrecognizable compared to those overwhelming years. We now have predictable, consistent workloads, amazing client relationships, and a team that genuinely loves their work while also prioritizing their families. Our client base has been intentionally reduced to less than 150 relationships, leading to higher revenue and a more sustainable business model.
Our strategy, structure, and systems have made it possible for our team members to enjoy quality time with their loved ones—even during Spring Break! Lezlie Reeves, CPA, who was hesitant to return to work after staying home with her three children, couldn’t imagine balancing a 50+ hour workweek and a commute. Now, she’s part of a team where work-life balance is truly respected. Mallory Wonnacott, CPA, was initially cautious about committing to 20 hours per week, fearing it would balloon to 40+ during tax season, as it had at other firms. She was pleasantly surprised to find that DBA runs in a way that allows her to stick to her preferred hours year-round, while still exceeding client expectations.
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We're building a future where success is defined by the meaningful impact we have on our clients, our team, and our community. By fostering connections and inspiring professionals committed to continual growth and lasting legacies, we're reshaping the accounting industry.
Our journey from overwhelming tax seasons to a balanced, thriving firm is driven by our dedication to integrity, collaboration, and strong relationships. This transformation isn't just about numbers; it's about making a difference in the lives of those we serve and work alongside every day.
Are you ready to transform your own accounting firm, your own life?
