Dark Horse CPAs adds Richard B. McCoy to Principal Accelerator Program

Dark Horse CPAs said Sept. 2, 2026, that Richard B. McCoy, CPA, MBA, has joined the firm as an Accelerator in its Principal Accelerator Program. The move highlights Dark Horse’s pitch to attract experienced CPAs who want a path to ownership without starting a firm from scratch.

Why it matters: - Dark Horse CPAs is using its Principal Accelerator Program to recruit experienced CPAs who want ownership upside with firm support. - Richard B. McCoy brings 15 years of public accounting experience to a role designed to help build a client practice and, eventually, equity ownership. - The hire underscores demand for advisory-driven tax and accounting services for small businesses, family enterprises and owners making long-term structural decisions.

What happened: - Dark Horse CPAs announced the hiring of Richard B. McCoy, CPA, MBA, as an Accelerator in the firm’s Principal Accelerator Program. - McCoy joins the firm after 15 years with national and regional accounting firms. - The announcement was made Sept. 2, 2026, from Cardiff by the Sea, California.

The details: - McCoy said he was looking for a path where the practice he built could translate directly into ownership. - McCoy said Dark Horse offered business development support, a referral network and a model that ties practice growth to ownership. - McCoy said his approach centers on simple economics and on helping clients think through tax issues as part of the larger business decision. - McCoy said his advisory work can cover entity structure, multi-state exposure and succession planning. - McCoy said clients want a CPA who can be an objective sounding board before they commit to a direction. - Dark Horse said McCoy will focus on small businesses and family enterprises, including multigenerational tax planning, operating partnerships and S corporations. - McCoy also plans to collaborate with other Accelerators and Principals on client work and referrals. - Dark Horse CEO and co-founder Chase Birky said McCoy brings hard-earned experience, boundaries and a balance-focused mindset to the firm.

Between the lines: - The hire fits Dark Horse’s pitch to entrepreneurial CPAs who want to build a scalable book of business without the costs and risk of starting a firm from scratch. - The program is also designed to turn client-service work into a path toward equity Principal status, which can be a strong recruiting hook in a competitive profession. - McCoy’s comments point to a broader shift from compliance-only tax work toward proactive advisory work tied to business decisions.

What's next: - Dark Horse’s Principal Accelerator Program is still accepting new Accelerators. - Interested CPAs can learn more at abetterway.cpa or by emailing info@darkhorse.cpa. - McCoy will develop his own book of business while receiving coaching, training and access to full-time and fractional professional staff. - After completing the program and meeting ownership requirements, Accelerators may become equity Principals at Dark Horse CPAs.

The bottom line: - Dark Horse is betting that experienced CPAs want more ownership, more flexibility and more advisory leverage than the traditional firm model offers.