outlook & analysis

how the structure of an accounting firm changes through the years

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when to re-organize your firm’s management structure.

by marc rosenberg
cpa firm management & governance

firms may operate for years without much structure, enjoying happiness and profitability. then, seemingly overnight, the firm “hits the wall.” growth slows or stops. staff turn over. systems become inefficient. profits stagnate. for many firms, the “wall” is at the $6 million to $8 million annual revenue mark, while others don’t experience the slowdown until revenues approach $10 million.

roberto goizueta, ceo of coca cola in the ‘80s and ‘90s, described this perfectly: “challenging the status quo when you have been successful is difficult. if you think you will be successful running your business in the next 10 years the way you did the last 10 years, you’re out of your mind. to succeed, we have to disturb the present.”

the cure for this malady is to get organized.

in this report:

  • five reasons no two firms are exactly alike.
  • nine keys to strong cpa firm organizational structures.
  • how cpa firm governance structures change as firms grow larger.
  • sample cpa firm org charts for three sizes of firm.
  • the 13 forces of departmentalization. read more →

the six challenges crippling progress in today’s multi-partner firms

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how to engage partners in the firm's future

before you work on improving firm performance, you need to work on partner commitment.

by august j. aquila and robert j. lees
how to engage partners in the firm’s future

no one would ever question that a firm’s success is ultimately tied to its partners’ performance. and yet, increasing partner performance, getting the partners to work across practices, is one of the key issues facing the majority of firm leaders today. read more →

don’t confuse marketing with a true growth strategy

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practice growth is a delicate balance of art, science, intuition and diligence. one thing it isn’t, however, is marketing.

by gale crosley
crosley+company

marketing can be a powerful lever to fuel business expansion. but alone, it will not take you where you want to go. marketing helps till the soil of growth. at the end of the day, however, tilled soil with no seeds taking root is pretty much a useless pile of dirt.

well-intentioned firms often invest a great deal of money in marketing and wonder why it doesn’t result in growth. one reason is that what they’re really spending on is unrelated marketing activities (or tactics) rather than on growth strategies.

it’s an essential distinction that can make all the difference in your efforts.

in this report:

  • the three elements at the foundation of growth strategies
  • three steps to create a comprehensive strategy

recommended reading:

read more →

the hot new tech product for automated data entry

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by sandi smith leyva
accountant’s accelerator

imagine that a new client comes to you with “the dreaded shoebox” of bank reconciliations, receipts and bills. the client is a year or so behind, and you are hired to get him caught up. do you take that client, knowing you’ll be swamped doing data entry for weeks at a low hourly rate?

more at 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 for soloists and small firms:  five value-add service areas to take you beyond bookkeeping  |  six money-making strategies to take you beyond quickbooks   | proactive ways to get more referrals   |  the three biggest money leaks in your practice   |  new client opportunities with mobile apps   |  six questions to launch your summer strategy sessions   |  what most accountants miss in the five simple steps to get more clients   |  10 ways to add a “money maker” hour to your day   |  11 sources of wealth we can celebrate   |  nine value-adds to command a higher fee   |  how to design your business around your strengths read more →

hire experienced people, or train them yourself?

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how to invest your mentoring time where it matters most.

question: we were looking for an additional experienced person since september and hired someone with five years experience in mid-november, but she said she couldn’t start until january.  she said she had work she had to finish up.  two days before christmas she called to tell me her firm made her a “better” offer and she decided to stay there. it meant we had to enter busy season short a person.  this seems to happen a lot.  what do you suggest? read more →