and four simple solutions.
by rick telberg
if this is february, then it’s the season for already forgetting our new year’s resolutions. i don’t know about you, but i’ve already broken a few of them.
but there are some new year’s resolutions that we cannot afford to ignore. for accountants, here are just four. that’s right: only four. that’s all we have space for here. but each is hitched to a pervasive dilemma within the profession.
what makes an accounting firm great? by august aquila aquila global advisors too many firms don’t give a lot of thought to the question.their main concern is surviving. but the sooner a firm can start focusing on what makes a great partnership, the better off it will be. think about this, if you don’t address this question, how will you know if you are admitting the right types of partners? what technical and personal skills would you want? what personal values (character) would you look for? here are seven characteristics that form the foundation of a great partnership. if you are missing any of them or if you merely need to improve in some areas, now is the time to start strengthening your firm’s foundation. read more →
strategy 2012: management development.
what are your critical challenges for 2012, and what can do you about them? a number of the profession’s leading lights have been sharing their thoughts with accounting today. here’s one:
ed guttenplan
wilkin & guttenplan
we see the top challenges as being leadership development and building your “bench,” and practice growth profitability. also, remaining efficient in light of new standards and, of course, preparing for the future.
strategy 2012: leadership, pricing, competition
what are your critical challenges for 2012, and what can do you about them? a number of the profession’s leading lights have been sharing their thoughts with accounting today. here’s one:
dave sibits
cbiz financial services
accounting firms are facing:
strategy 2012: succession solutions
what are your critical challenges for 2012, and what can do you about them? a number of the profession’s leading lights have been sharing their thoughts with accounting today. here’s one:
larry g. autrey
whitley penn
the aging of partner ranks. older partners want to continue when they’re in good health, while younger staff sees that as preventing their career progression.
staff development, partner relations and competition are emerging as key issues for firms in 2012. join the survey, get the results. in an informal canvass of partners and managing partners, 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 is finding a few themes emerging for 2012 … continued
strategy 2012: battling for market share
what are your critical challenges for 2012, and what can do you about them? a number of the profession’s leading lights have been sharing their thoughts with accounting today. here’s one:
charles postal
santos postal & co.
we see a shrinking market share of small and medium-sized businesses with the need for premium accounting services caused by increased competition from larger firms with greater resources.
strategy 2012: talent, pricing, accountability
what are your critical challenges for 2012, and what can do you about them? a number of the profession’s leading lights have been sharing their thoughts with accounting today. here’s one:
bill hagaman
withumsmith+brown
we see the top challenges as retaining talent, pricing and partner accountability. we’ve worked hard at creating a culture that our professionals want to work in.
read all the 2012 strategies:
this starts with our philosophy that no jerks are allowed at any level and while we will work with partners and staff to mentor them regarding the proper behavior in the office we will not tolerate any unprofessional conduct toward our staff. read more →
most tax and accounting firms are falling behind in their operating practices and processes, according to a new survey.
and, astoundingly, they know it and admit that it may take them years to catch up.
start with planning and coaching.
by steve erickson
steve erickson llc
improving partner and staff accountability is essential in these economic times.
review notes and backward looking evaluations might well have some influence on future performance but do not have any impact on what has already taken place. there is a better way to get to get your partners and staff to take ownership and agree to be accountable.
here’s how you can immediately improve accountability and performance in your firm: read more →
and five areas where innovation will produce significant results
by l. gary boomer
accounting firms generally are not who you think of when you mention “innovation,” yet many firms excel at innovation and there is a pattern to their success.
no, you don’t own your clients.
by jason m. blumer, cpa/citp
founder, thriveal +cpa network
chief innovation officer, blumer & associates cpas
i’m learning a lot these days. for instance, i’ve learned the value of where my real assets are found.
an australian colleague said he doesn’t call his clients “his” anymore. that is, he has realized something that many of us in the business are slow to accept – your clients are not your property and you do not own them. ouch.
why do i believe this?
before we hit some practical aspects to this truth, 
let me discuss the deeper reasons for this new belief. with the accountancy revolution, i’m seeing that clients, or customers as i like to call them, have the freedom to make their own choices for their service providers. and i now believe this deeply.
you can’t do it without your marketing director.
by august aquila
aquila advisors
research shows that managing partners and marketing directors are still facing some major challenges when it comes to getting their firms to implement change. why? read more →