25 ways to turn good firms into great firms

leader addresses co-workersprofitability and benchmarking are part of it, but not all of it.

by marc rosenberg
cpa firm retreats

the 25 best practices below have been extracted from rosenberg’s work with great firms over a 20-year period. few firms do them all, but the elite firms do most of them.

more on retreats: partner buyout 101 | 27 tough questions every firm needs to address | 10 benchmarking missteps | 18 essential management questions to cover at a retreat | thinking of merging? discuss it at a retreat | retreat logistics: how long, what kind? | why do cpa firms conduct retreats?

what grade would you give your firm on each of these?
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partner buyout 101

scales, money and gavel6 ways to calculate buyout payments, 6 ways partners leave firms, how partner retirement plans have changed over the years and how to be sure yours isn’t a ponzi scheme.

by marc rosenberg
cpa firm retreats

a partner is retiring from your firm. how will you handle the financial aspects?

more: 27 tough questions every firm needs to address | make more money | system vs. system: partner compensation best practices | 10 benchmarking missteps | how to address partner compensation at a retreat | partner accountability: how and for what? | 18 essential management questions to cover at a retreat | how to decide who decides what | management styles: partnership vs. corporate | 30 marketing and growth questions to cover at a retreat | how marketing for cpa firms is different | why create a marketing plan? | thinking of merging? discuss it at a retreat | how to take action after a retreat | 12 simple rules for a retreat | leave your retreat with a to do list | every retreat needs a leader, but who? | retreats are no place for clowns | who should participate in a retreat? | retreat logistics: how long, what kind? | what should cpa firms discuss at retreats? | why do cpa firms conduct retreats?

there are six methods to calculate the buyout payments to a retiring partner. in brief, they are:
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the 3 best partner compensation formulas

two hands honing a large knife4 common carve-outs, 9 challenges and 10 complications of all compensation systems.

by marc rosenberg
partner comp: art & science

compensation formulas are the most common system for allocating partner income.

more partner compensation for pro members (go pro here): why firms use partner comp formulas|3 subjective compensation systems | 11 points in designing a partner comp system | 3 tiers of compensation | partner compensation 101|what partners earn and how they earn it | partner compensation: an art, not a science | how partners view compensation: it’s not all about the money | why most partner comp systems are performance-based

now let’s look at some of the better formula systems we’ve seen:

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27 tough questions every firm needs to address

eyeglasses resting on document labeled "retirement plan"on succession, retirement, valuation, sale or acquisition.

by marc rosenberg
cpa firm retreats

before formally beginning the discussion part of a retreat session, it’s always a good idea to begin by asking the participants what they want to cover.

more on retreats: make more money | system vs. system: partner compensation best practices | 10 benchmarking missteps | 18 essential management questions to cover at a retreat | management styles: partnership vs. corporate | why create a marketing plan?

as issues are suggested, the facilitator should write them down on a flipchart.

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31 ways to make more money

businessman sitting on stacks of paper currencyyes, you can do these during busy season.

by marc rosenberg
cpa firm retreats

certainly when we consider best practices for transforming good firms into great ones, we have everything in mind from client surveys to strategic planning. but then what?

more on retreats for pro members: system vs. system: partner compensation best practices | partner accountability: how and for what? | 30 marketing and growth questions to cover at a retreat | leave your retreat with a to do list | every retreat needs a leader, but who? | retreats are no place for clowns 

here are 31 methods to achieve strong profitability:
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why firms use partner comp formulas

numbers floating around man examining calculator with magnifying glassplus 5 ways to make them more sophisticated.

by marc rosenberg
partner comp: art & science

compensation formulas are the most common system used by cpa firms to allocate partner income. indeed, many small firms are not even aware that there are alternative systems available, and they’re puzzled as to why a firm would not want to use a formula.

more on partner compensation for pro members: 3 subjective compensation systems | 11 points in designing a partner comp system | 3 tiers of compensation | partner compensation 101| what partners earn and how they earn it | partner compensation: an art, not a science | why most partner comp systems are performance-based

compensation formulas are most heavily used by small firms, especially those with fewer than five partners. since over 90 percent of all cpa firms have fewer than five partners, formulas are the most common system. but once firms hit the five-partner mark, they find that other systems, mainly the subjective systems described in the previous chapter, are preferable. this will be explained later in this post.
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thinking ‘downstream’ merger? check these 25 potential problems first

two businessmen look at a tablet while one drinks coffeematch expectations to reality.

by marc rosenberg
cpa firm mergers: your complete guide

when checking out a downward merger candidate, do your due diligence.

more on mergers for pro members: 12 reasons to merge in a smaller firm | 3 factors that always affect negotiations | what to discuss at the first merger negotiation meeting | mergers 101: when negotiations aren’t really negotiations | 5 steps to take before merging

here are the first 16 major issues to consider:

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system vs. system: partner compensation best practices

chart outlining multitier system
for full size, see full article

bonus lists: 12 allocation systems and 22 intangible performance attributes.

by marc rosenberg
cpa firm retreats

“if people are concerned about their absolute level of compensation, then they can be satisfied. however, if their focus is on relative standing, then they can never be satisfied.” – andrew grove, former chairman of intel

you’ve decided you’re going to discuss partner compensation at your next retreat, then you’ll need to start with some warm-up materials.

begin with this partner compensation best practices13-point checklist:

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partner comp: three subjective compensation systems

plus balloting details for those who use paper and pencil.judge gavel,dollar banknotes and calculators

by marc rosenberg
partner comp: art & science

there are at least three performance-based systems for partner compensation. none rely completely on intractable formulas, but instead introduce various degrees of subjectivity. needless to say, none are without some controversy.

more on partner compensation: 11 points in designing a partner comp system | 3 tiers of compensation | what partners earn and how they earn it | how partners view compensation: it’s not all about the money

but each system requires serious thought. here’s a comprehensive of the three approaches. which does your firm use now? why? which might be a better approach?

let’s take a closer look:

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18 concerns about merging in smaller firms

man rubbing his eye and holding glasses while looking at computer with notes stuck to sidethe good news? they all can be overcome.

by marc rosenberg

though not universally true, larger firms will find many aspects of smaller firms to be below their own standards.

more on mergers: 20 terms to settle when merging up | 3 factors that always affect negotiations | what to discuss at the first merger negotiation meeting | what to ponder before issuing a letter of intent | plant seeds to turn up merger candidates | 13 ways to screw up a merger

the questions that the acquiring firm needs to ask are:

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10 benchmarking missteps

young businesswoman putting hand out in "stop" gesture while sipping coffeestop comparing apples to hockey sticks.

by marc rosenberg
cpa firm retreats

benchmarking is important, but context is needed.

more on retreats:partner accountability: how and for what? | how to decide who decides what | why create a marketing plan? | how to take action after a retreat | 12 simple rules for a retreat | retreat logistics: how long, what kind?| why do cpa firms conduct retreats?

here are the 10 biggest mistakes cpa firms make in compiling and analyzing map statistics:

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11 points in designing a partner comp system

businessman sitting on scales with stack of coins in other traybonus checklist: the 12 systems used by firms to allocate partner income.

by marc rosenberg
partner comp: art & science

because partner compensation is the most sensitive aspect of cpa firm practice management, adopting a new system or modifying the current one requires an exceptional amount of thought, care and study. here we summarize the many issues firms need to address in designing their partner compensation system.

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12 reasons to merge in a smaller firm

silhouetted figures against us outline mapfrom buying talent to expanding territory, mergers can be fast ways to grow.

by marc rosenberg

if an opportunity to merge in a smaller firm were presented to you, would you be interested in pursuing it?

more on mergers: 20 terms to settle when merging up | 3 factors that always affect negotiations | mergers: assessing compatibility | case studies reveal potential loi issues | one times fees is a steal! | looking to grow your firm? how to find a seller in four steps | 14 keys to a successful merger | 5 steps to take before merging

my guess is that in excess of 90 percent of all cpa firms would answer this question with a resounding “yes!”
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