client

have you fired a client lately?

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why you can’t afford that difficult client — and what to do about it.

by rick telberg
at large

invoices that are paid late or not at all, phone calls on christmas day to calculate year-end numbers, unrealistic demands and even fraud… most every accountant has their own story of clients who are more than just difficult.

related: ten ways to fire the client from hell | four steps to firing a client

let’s face it. we love our clients. that’s why most accountants are in the business. but some clients are just, honestly, nightmares. accountants have a name for them. they are the clients from hell.

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who’s gonna hire you?

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answer: business owners. but what’s the best way to reach them?

by rick telberg

ever wonder who makes the decision on which cpa firm to hire? when we asked whom cpas think the decision-maker is, only one clown said, “wife of owner rules.”

just about everybody else figured the decision-maker is the owner herself. or himself. about eight in 10 of respondents agreed on that.

only seven percent thought the cfo makes the decision, while five percent said it’s the ceo. read more →

cfos prove loyal to their cpa firms

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most companies keep their cpa firms for at least five to 10 years. that’s loyalty.

by rick telberg
for the finance executive

here’s some good news for accounting firms: most companies stick with their cpa firms for at least five to 10 years. and they are loathe to change. the reasons are myriad. the inherent cost of switching — getting a new set of outside accountants up to speed — is certainly one. however, another, less tangible reason, cannot be denied: the vast majority of cpa firms develop strong and deep relationships with their clients.

and yet, there is some fragility in the relationship to which no cpa firm, or corporate finance manager, should turn a blind eye. a surprising number of corporate finance managers want more from their cpa firms. to add your voice to the discussion, join the study and get the results.

and therein lays the opportunity for competitive cpa firms and perceptive corporate finance managers. read more →