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Financial Services Review: Specials Magazine
Navigating crypto taxes is a trip to the unknown. Now, with over 46 million Americans charting their crypto paths and the IRS watching closely, every step needs to be carefully mapped. Yet most legacy accounting tools and off-the-shelf tax services weren’t built for this kind of terrain—they falter in the face of decentralized transactions, foreign disclosures, and audit risks. Addressing this industry vacuum is CryptoTaxAudit, a boutique advisory firm built to guide crypto pioneers through the tax maze. Founded by Clinton Donnelly, a legal and tax expert with credentials in crypto financial crime, he began with expat tax cases. Long before crypto made headlines, Donnelly saw where the future was headed and launched CryptoTaxAudit. Now, it operates as a specialized stronghold for crypto taxpayers, blending traditional tax rigor with deep blockchain fluency through its elite team of CPAs, EAs, forensic experts, and asset analysts. It combines legal expertise with modern technology to provide everything from forensic gain calculations to IRS defense, setting a new standard for crypto tax compliance. From Legal Lab to Crypto Tax Solutions When most tax firms ignored cryptocurrencies, Donnelly saw an opportunity to provide clarity in crypto compliance. “We dedicated our firm to crypto in 2020 because the demand was overwhelming and the industry was underserved,” says Donnelly. “People needed answers, not guesswork. They needed legal precision and reliable systems.” His legal expertise, rooted in an LLM in international financial law, enabled him to develop tax reporting methods grounded in law rather than speculation. The firm’s early involvement in client audits quickly proved its value—a $1.5 million IRS claim was dismissed in tax court, and several other cases were resolved with minimal impact.
Top Self Directed IRA Services 2025
Self-directed IRAs (SDIRAs) offer wealth advisors and fund managers a gateway to expand client portfolios and tap into broader investment opportunities. But there is a caveat to consider. While these accounts open the door to alternatives like real estate, private equity, and crypto, they must be held with IRS-compliant custodians. Choosing the right custodian is crucial to ensure compliance, streamline complex transactions, and provide the transparency and efficiency needed to build client trust and scale the business. Over 24,000 clients trust The Entrust Group to be their custodian. The company brings over 40 years of experience helping investors and institutions navigate the complexity of alternative retirement investing. The secret behind such longevity is a relentless commitment to one thing: customer-centricity. “We always look critically at our business to find better ways of doing things, aiming to make the client experience more seamless throughout their journey with us,” says Caroline Baldwin, chief operating officer. Entrust’s proprietary Entrust Client Portal is the distilled result of this ethos. Developed from scratch over the past decade, the platform is designed to minimize friction and simplify account management, allowing clients to complete transactions quickly, efficiently and securely. It offers 24/7 access to account balances, statements, transactions and fees. Advisors and clients alike can initiate new investments or make asset payments directly, eliminating unnecessary delays and improving overall visibility. Rather than forcing users through a generic process, the portal asks only what is necessary for the transaction at hand and balances features with the safeguards required in the highly regulated SDIRA environment. Complementing the portal is the Entrust Mobile App, which empowers users to manage accounts on the go, reflecting the company's focus on convenience and accessibility. That same philosophy inspired OpenAlt—a dedicated B2B portal developed by an affiliated company under the same ownership as The Entrust Group. It gives wealth managers, investment issuers and advisors clear, transparent visibility into their clients' self-directed IRA activities, from account openings to investment progress. Such visibility used to require emails, phone calls, and follow-ups. Now, it's built into the workflow.
Collection Agency and Receivables Management Company of the Year 2025
Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business, but maintaining it demands strategy, expertise, and the right partner. That’s exactly what companies find in Mesa Revenue Partners (MRP), a leading name in commercial collections and receivables management. With over a century of combined experience, President Heath Wood and Executive Vice President Tom Priestley lead a team that helps clients strengthen their financial operations through a personalized, transparent, and highly responsive approach. “We pride ourselves on being highly accessible and responsive. Whether a client prefers weekly check-ins, customized reporting, or just open, ongoing communication, we’re flexible and proactive in making that happen,” says Wood. MRP works with companies of all sizes, from local businesses to Fortune 100 giants, and tailors each engagement to fit the client’s needs. This agility, combined with industry-leading technology and a customer-first mindset, has earned the firm nearly 200 five-star Google reviews and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. What truly sets MRP apart is its commitment to partnership. Clients don’t just get a service provider—they gain a strategic ally dedicated to improving recovery rates, streamlining credit processes, and helping them stay ahead of risk. Delivering more than Collections: Clarity, Accountability, and Results MRP offers a comprehensive, end-to-end suite of services that makes it a true one-stop shop for receivables management. From first-party outsourcing and pre-collect letter campaigns to third-party collections and, when necessary, litigation services, MRP covers every stage of the process. Adding to its value, MRP also offers business credit reporting, a valuable resource that many competitors don’t provide. “There isn’t anything we don’t do that another agency might. The difference is, we do everything well,” notes Tom Priestley, executive vice president. MRP's commitment to excellence begins the moment a new client reaches out. From the start, every prospective partner is matched with a specialist who has deep industry-specific experience. Whether it’s construction, medical equipment, or advertising, MRP ensures clients speak to someone who speaks their language. “Our lowest tenured rep has 15 years of experience. We ensure that clients are placed with someone who understands their industry immediately, so there’s no unnecessary learning curve,” adds Priestley.
CXO INSIGHTS
Decades Long Battle for Lead-time Shrinkage in the Furniture Industry and its Impact on Global Supply during a Pandemic - What's Next?
Matthew Waugh, Executive Director of Finance & Operations, Furnitureland South, Inc
The Impact of Technology on the Financial Sector
Hiba Yazbeck, Head of Finance and Accounting, MAHLE
Look Inward Before Looking Onward
Elizabeth Ferrell, Assistant Corporate Controller, Kroger
Dealing With Global Tax Compliance
Sergio Vazquez, Transfer Pricing Director, CEMEX
The Imperative of Implementing a Payables Management System
Luis Juarez, Director of Financial Operations, FirstService Residential
Latest Trends in Investment Management
Darrell Van Amen, Executive Vice President & Chief Investment Officer, HomeStreet Bank
Initiating New-age Success in the Workplace
Angela Schuchart, VP Finance Digital Transformation, U.S. Venture, Inc.
IN FOCUS
Redefining Retirement: The Rise of Self-Directed IRA Services
The self-directed IRA industry is evolving, driven by increased investor autonomy and demand for alternative assets, despite challenges like regulatory complexity and fraud risks.
Harnessing Technology: The Role of AI in Modern Collections
The collection agency industry is evolving with AI-driven solutions focusing on ethical engagement, proactive receivables management, and strategies to enhance cash flow and compliance.
EDITORIAL
Adapting to Change in a Regulation-Focused Financial Landscape
Rapid innovation, regulatory shifts, and evolving client expectations are reshaping how financial services operate and deliver value. This transformation is evident in the growing popularity of self-directed retirement services, enhanced receivables and collection practices, and increased demand for cryptocurrency tax support. To meet the needs of a more diverse and regulations-conscious client base, providers are expanding their offerings. Self-directed retirement services are gaining momentum, allowing individuals to invest in alternative assets such as real estate and private ventures. These platforms broaden investment access and simplify compliance, encouraging informed decisions and long-term financial security. On the enterprise front, receivables and collection management solutions are evolving to boost recovery rates and improve payment management. By integrating strong compliance frameworks with data driven insights, these services enhance cash flow and preserve customer relationships. And as financial activity increasingly moves online, accurate and timely tax reporting has become critical. Financial services firms now offer specialized solutions to help clients navigate complex regulations, ensuring transparency, compliance, and peace of mind. In this edition of Financial Services Review, we spotlight leading companies in self-directed retirement, receivables and collections, and crypto tax support. These firms stand out for their ability to help clients diversify portfolios, streamline operations, and manage regulatory challenges with confidence. Adding depth to this issue, we share insights from Roy Hock, Director of Risk Finance and Casualty Insurance at Valero and, Steven Shafer, treasury innovations team manager at Bremer Bank, who bring valuable perspective to today’s evolving financial landscape. We hope this edition offers a clear perspective on a sector where innovation, control, and compliance must work in harmony. We welcome your thoughts on this ongoing transformation.
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