leadership

partners as role models: the good, bad & ugly

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two older businessmen talkingaccountability and reviews are more important at higher levels, not less.

by bill reeb and dominic cingoranelli

evaluation of performance and goal achievement is something done that should be performed multiple times during the year. unfortunately, many cpas tend to think of management as a waste of time, and evaluations as purely a human resources requirement created by the government to protect employees to the disadvantage of the organization.

more on performance management: how to implement strategy, step by step | how the best managing partners turn ideas into reality | make accountability a process | accountability requires clear expectations | base retirement on today’s operations | how involved should retired owners be? | how to find a partner’s replacement

well, that is one way to look at it. but we think it’s the wrong way.
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how to build a better firm through teamwork

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persuasion word cloudpartnership is about persuasion. plus 5 questions to consider.

by august aquila
creating the effective partnership

just as the partners need to engage with the firm’s vision so do the firm’s people. but, like everyone, they actually engage with people not words.

more on leadership for pro members: drop politics, be accountable | don’t weed out the roses | back to basics: 25 ways to grow your practice | 3 ways to halt a poor leader | 8 questions that staff ask in a merger | the 4 best ways to use your senior partners | 11 steps to building a better partnership team | how to combine two firms after merger: carefully

so, effective partners continually engage with their people, regardless of their level and role. they go out of their way to create a personal bond, sharing personal information and operating with honesty and integrity in all of their interactions.
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how to implement strategy, step by step

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businessman's shoes toeing words "what's your next step?"be specific and find ways to “catch” the partner in action.

by bill reeb and dominic cingoranelli

an example of the process

it’s one thing to say “the managing partner implements strategy,” another to put it into action.

more on performance management: make accountability a process | pay varies when performance varies | accountability is for everyone | who decides what? | firms say what would change retirement pay | action plans for transitioning partners | how retirement issues affect succession planning | how partner ratings factor into equity | develop your employees or suffer the consequences

following is an example of this process, providing more detail to show how it might look in actual practice. let’s assume that one of the goals of a partner is to increase the most trusted business advisor activity for his or her top clients. in the initial goal sheet, for this one goal from the managing partner, that might look like this:
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a lawyer’s guide for spring cleaning your accounting firm

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mop cleanseven administrative chores you overlook at your peril. 

by r. peter fontaine
newgate law

now that the 2016 busy season has finally come to a close, it’s time to turn our thoughts to more pleasant and less stressful activities – like spring cleaning.  we’re talking about those pesky “housekeeping chores” that frequently end up on the backburner because they generate no revenue, are less urgent, and largely uninteresting. they are, nonetheless, critical to an accounting firm’s risk management health. there is no time like the post busy season lull to start cleaning.

here is our list of seven spots that frequently need some major scrubbing:

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drop politics, be accountable

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goldfish forming an arrowsix expectations for leaders.

by august aquila
creating the effective partnership

every book you read on leadership will tell you certain things you need to do to become a good leader. however, you can do these things and still not be someone who people want to follow.

more on leadership for pro members: don’t weed out the roses | 8 questions to analyze your pricing | 24 points for after the deal is done | 5 questions for every mp to answer honestly | 6 practical ways to innovate | how to tell a culture change is due

why? leadership is all about trust. if you cannot trust me, then you will not follow me or believe in me.
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