can accountants save the planet?

z-1‘we must find new ways to measure economic costs and the changes in the economy.’

by edward mendlowitz, cpa

worth reading: six capitals, or can accountants save the planet?: rethinking capitalism for the twenty-first century” and “double entry: how the merchants of venice created modern finance,” by jane gleeson-white

the history of accounting is a fascinating drama and jane gleeson-white brings it to its thrilling heights. zi recommend both “double entry” and “six capitals” by jane gleeson-white, but for different reasons.

double entry: how the merchants of venice created modern finance,” is really two separate books – one an exciting history and the other a disturbing condemnation of the way the method of financial measurement has progressed. i also recommend “six capitals” if you want to find out more about her ideas, which is pretty deep stuff.

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are you managing knowledge or wasting it?

ed mendlowitz cpa the practice doctor q and a15 points to consider.

by ed mendlowitz
the 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 practice doctor

question: how can we share our firm’s collective knowledge with everyone who works here?

answer: not easy, but can be done. it just needs recognition that there is knowledge that can be shared, and you evidently have that.

more practice doctor q&a: how to suggest additional services to clients | when staffers stagnate | when busy gives the wrong impression | 7 ways to lose a client’s trust | quote with care when asked for valuation | 12 must-knows for niche markets | when fees don’t keep up with cost increases | why the average fee doesn’t matter | how to apply value pricing to bundled services

knowledge is what we are dealing with and transferring to benefit and create value for our clients. knowledge is currency. the ability to apply it to the right situation, at the right time in the right way creates value for the firm. each firm should develop a knowledge management program. here are 15 things to consider:
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it’s not sales. it’s your duty

ed mendlowitz cpa the practice doctor q and ahow to suggest additional services to clients and why you’re doing them a disservice if you don’t.

by ed mendlowitz
the 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 practice doctor

question: i always feel awkward telling clients they need additional services that i should perform for them. can you tell something that could “rev” me up for this?

more practice doctor q&a: yes, you should send rejection letters | when to hire an admin assistant | 7 ways to lose a client’s trust | how much should you pay to buy, sell or merge an accounting practice? | why the average fee doesn’t matter | no more printouts at cpe programs? | 6 ways to take a client beyond tax prep

answer: actually, by suggesting additional services you are doing the client a favor and a good deed. also, you are in business and the easiest way to generate additional revenues is to cross-sell services to present clients.

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management guru chester elton on success

three key insights for accountants on how to inspire staff, wow clients and convey appreciation.

hitendra patil, lkeft, meets management guru chester elton
hitendra patil, left, meets management guru chester elton

called the “apostle of appreciation,” chester elton is co-author of several successful leadership books.

after analyzing the results of 850,000 interviews, elton’s team found that those who are happiest and most successful are engaged in work that aligns with what motivates them. his latest book, “what motivates me,” offers an extensively tested method to help business people identify their core motivators and figure out the disconnects between their passions and their current work.

hitendra patil, pransform coo and 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 contributor, met elton and asked him three important questions about cpa firm leadership – motivating staff, satisfying clients and showing appreciation. read more →

when staffers stagnate

ed mendlowitz cpa the practice doctor q and ahigher-level staff person isn’t supervising or mentoring anyone.

by ed mendlowitz
the 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 practice doctor

question: i have a staff person who does great work, but she seems to be deadened. the good news is that her clients love her and she doesn’t bug me about becoming a partner.

more practice doctor q&a: yes, you should send rejection letters | 7 ways to lose a client’s trust | 12 must-knows for niche markets | 6 ways to take a client beyond tax prep | 18 ways to blow a partnership opportunity | 8 times when hourly billing trumps value pricing | when a staffer stops listening | 44 critical criteria for accounting staff performance evaluations | 5 time management tips for an overworked accountant | pricing, billing, costing: don’t blame clients

any suggestions on what i could do to move her forward?

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yes, you should send rejection letters

ed mendlowitz cpa the practice doctor q and asome people expect them…and say so.

by ed mendlowitz
the 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 practice doctor

question: do you recommend sending rejection letters to someone i interview and do not hire?

response: yes. early on i did not send them, but when email came more universal, we sent them messages that way. now we use postal mail and send the letter on our letterhead. we feel it is more courteous and respectful. the letter is similar to this:

more practice doctor q&a: when busy gives the wrong impression | when to hire an admin assistant | how to notify clients of a partner’s retirement | 7 ways to lose a client’s trust | quote with care when asked for valuation | when fees don’t keep up with cost increases | lowballing and why it (usually) doesn’t work | when is it time to merge? | what goes in a client’s permanent file? | no more printouts at cpe programs? | how to apply value pricing to bundled services

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when busy gives the wrong impression

ed mendlowitz cpa the practice doctor q and abeware self-fulfilling prophecies.

by ed mendlowitz
the 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 practice doctor

question: i have been very busy for quite a while and now caught up and find that i have not been getting as much new business as i used to get, or that i need. what can i do different?

more practice doctor q&a: administrative help can free up one or several | how to notify clients of a partner’s retirement | 7 ways to lose a client’s trust | quote with care when asked for valuation | closed for tax season? looks that way | 12 must-knows for niche markets | is joint representation a conflict? | when fees don’t keep up with cost increases

answer: this accountant gives a harried impression when she meets with clients and referral sources (which are everyone she meets or interacts with). she was very busy and when asked how she was doing she would reply something like “boy, am i busy!”

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when to hire an admin assistant

ed mendlowitz cpa the practice doctor q and ado the math. hire the best.

by ed mendlowitz
the 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 practice doctor

question: i seem to be wasting a lot of time and can’t put my finger on it. i go home at night feeling i am more behind than when i started that morning and my chargeable time is dropping. what suggestions can you make?

answer: many professionals, not just cpas are spending more and more time on non-business purpose activities. i don’t want to say nonessential because booking a flight or setting up a client meeting is essential, just that it is not what you are being paid for – it is not your business purpose. this person i spoke to, and many others in similar circumstances, need administrative assistance.

more practice doctor q&a: how to notify clients of a partner’s retirement | 7 ways to lose a client’s trust | quote with care when asked for valuation | closed for tax season? looks that way | 12 must-knows for niche markets | how much should you pay to buy, sell or merge an accounting practice? | is joint representation a conflict? | when fees don’t keep up with cost increases | when large (or any) clients need backup assurances | lowballing and why it (usually) doesn’t work

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how to notify clients of a partner’s retirement

ed mendlowitz cpa the practice doctor q and aphase in so there are no surprises.

by ed mendlowitz
the 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 practice doctor

question: thank you for your q&as on the death of a sole practitioner and purchase of a practice. do you have anything about the retirement or death of a senior partner?

answer: the death of a senior partner, or any partner, becomes public knowledge almost immediately with many clients attending the funeral, wake or shiva. in those cases i have not seen any falloff of clients since there is a correct assumption by clients that

  • there was backup,
  • that the files are intact and will be maintained, and
  • if staff was working on that client they will continue.

more practice doctor q&a: 7 ways to lose a client’s trust | when fees don’t keep up with cost increases  | what goes in a client’s permanent file? | when experience doesn’t add up | making meetings more productive | tax return reviewer ticking and tying 5 time management tips for an overworked accountant | running an accounting business | pricing, billing, costing: don’t blame clients

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7 ways to lose a client’s trust

are you about to do any of these? is it worth it?

by ed mendlowitz
the 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 practice doctor

question: i believe i have a very high degree of client trust. but somehow i feel it is not 100 percent. any comments?

answer: this person has a common problem. the trust is very high – probably higher than any other profession – but not complete. it is rare for trust to be 100 percent. but here are seven ways to lose a client’s trust:
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8 ways to wrestle software subscriptions into submission

one question leads to another.

by donny c. shimamoto
intraprisetechknowlogies

budget talks between accounting and information technology departments can get pretty complicated. accountants know budgets; it folks know it. not many people know both.

related: it hardware gets even more complex (great!) | how accounting geeks and techie nerds can play nicely together

but you don’t have to know both if you know the right questions. one area of special concern is budgeting for subscriptions to software.

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