and four questions to seize the “high-leverage” opportunities. after spending the last six months with cpas all across the u.s., maryland cpa association ceo tom hood has a thought or two on where accountants can find new opportunities. in fact, … continued
make checking a client’s pulse part of your everyday habit.
busy season may be hectic and the hours may be long, but if you’re not making time to get to know your clients better, then you’re missing an opportunity that may not come again for another year. by then, a competitor may have beaten you to the punch.
many accountants, auditors and tax professionals don’t realize how much busy season is, in fact, “opportunity season.” you have your clients’ undivided attention. they should have yours.
beyond the routine tax preparation and tax planning, beyond the reconciliations and check marking, you need to be using client face-time to explore their greater needs and goals and your firm’s performance and opportunities. read more →
census data shows 25% increase in home-based entrepreneurs. the number of people who worked at home increased by nearly 2 million, from about 9.5 million in 1999 to about 11.3 million in 2005, according to new data released by the … continued
they’re thinking “short-term.” do you know what that means and how to use it? a huge 45% of small business owners consider their focus to be short-term rather than long-term. additionally, when the executive board asked business owners what they … continued
unhappy clients won’t tell you they have a problem; they’ll simply move their business elsewhere. so, if a client gives you a chance to repair a bad situation, take it. here are a few tips from maribeth kuzmeski, author of … continued
nsa says: yes, you can talk to your own clients. via the national society of accountants as tax return preparers should be aware, code section 7216 establishes a criminal penalty if a preparer knowingly or recklessly discloses or uses any … continued
even if the economy isn’t helpful, businesses can start planning now on how to improve their operations.
“the main goal is to manage cash flow more efficiently,” says leigh lones, risk director, bibby financial services, a factoring company. “with some forward thinking and planning, businesses can implement important changes to their operations to improve their bottom lines, even if the economy remains lifeless.”
10 new year’s resolutions for businesses
1. pay your employees first, they are your highest priority and don’t forget the irs – keep current with payroll taxes.
2. pay attention to the credit worthiness of your customers so you are confident your will get your money. remember a sale is not a sale until you have been paid.
3. limit the amount of business you do with any one customer so you aren’t left penniless if they run into trouble and are unable to pay. read more →
aliign offers one-stop shop for integrated and flexible tax and accounting services indianapolis-based blue & co. is reportedly launching an independent business unit aimed at small business called aliign llc in the indiana and ohio markets. kentucky is due to … continued
if you’re tired of waiting for your government bailout… here are 10 ways an accounting firm can help give a shot in the arm to local business. (and none of it costs a dime.) 1. mentor a new business owner. … continued
how to brace your clients for tough news. by rick telberg with october 15 now past, accountants and tax professionals are turning their attention to year-end tax planning with their clients. and there’s no shortage of topics and strategies to … continued
with client retention the top issue for firms, we go looking for answers. by rick telberg at large if you want some real answers for how to avoid losing clients, just start asking cpas how they’ve managed to pick up … continued
how to battle client retention problems with client satisfaction strategies. but how do you dazzle a customer these days? by rick telberg with client retention replacing the staffing shortage as the most troublesome issue facing cpa firms, it may be … continued
the aicpa is reporting that a significant number of cpa financial planners – 40 percent – are strongly recommending that their clients hold larger cash positions. thirty percent are recommending commodities such as gold and precious metals. eighty percent of … continued