Firm operations

TOPICS / FIRM PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

March 24, 2022

New strategies to grow the profession’s pipeline

Organizations seeking to identify and hire finance talent can follow the advice in a recent article or further explore a new apprenticeship program detailed in this podcast with transcript.

March 1, 2022

Tread carefully when using noncompete agreements

Noncompete agreements should be reasonable in scope and narrowly drafted to protect a legitimate business need.

February 22, 2022

Firm ownership can be intimidating; here’s how to overcome those fears

A CPA firm owner shares some of the fears she overcame, advice to those thinking of opening a firm, and the ways she takes mental breaks in this podcast with transcript.

February 1, 2022

Unresponsive clients pose a professional liability risk

In addition to creating unnecessary stress for CPAs, clients who fail to respond timely increase a CPA firm’s professional liability risk.

January 1, 2022

Use of e-signatures for engagement documentation

Case law provides a guide for steps to take to make sure electronic signatures are legally binding.

January 1, 2022

When and how to raise fees at your firm

Several factors come into play when adjusting rates in order to run a profitable and healthy business.

December 1, 2021

Amish Mehta, CPA

“I saw accounting wasn’t just about numbers — it was about getting to know different clients as well as their businesses and industries,” says Amish Mehta, CPA.

November 12, 2021

Rethinking real estate: The benefits of workforce segmentation

Balancing business goals with employee experience can provide the best path forward as hybrid working becomes commonplace.

November 5, 2021

Serving cannabis clients: Understand the risks

Practicing due diligence and understanding state and local laws are keys to success for firms that choose to engage with this industry.

November 1, 2021

How risk allocation provisions can mitigate risk

Use of these terms in an engagement letter can help manage the defense and cost of a claim.

October 18, 2021

What type of culture does your firm have?

In this first part of a two-part podcast, Guy Gage, founder of consulting firm PartnersCoach, discusses the three types of culture he sees most often in CPA firms, and ways you can tell which predominates in your firm.

October 1, 2021

Ask the expert: Surcharging

Dustin Hall is the director of CPACharge — an Austin, Texas-based company that specializes in payment processing solutions for accounting professionals.

October 1, 2021

Don’t get victimized by a cybercriminal

CPAs must create data security protocols and implement and follow them consistently to help reduce the risk of a cyber incident.

September 1, 2021

10 billing myths that can undercut your value

Top-notch billing practices can help
CPAs ensure that they get paid an amount commensurate with the high-value, expertly delivered services they provide. Discounting and lowering fees put CPAs in jeopardy of being underpaid for their services.

September 1, 2021

Frequently asked engagement letter questions

This one-stop guide includes common engagement letter questions and resources to help answer them.

August 26, 2021

Staffing and COVID-19 relief programs are firms’ top concerns in 2021

Hiring qualified staff emerged as the No. 1 concern of firms employing six or more people in the 2021 AICPA Private Companies Practice Section CPA Firm Top Issues survey.

August 1, 2021

7 tips for starting a client advisory services practice

Many resources are now available to help firms launch CAS practices. CAS experts and firm leaders who’ve taken the plunge share their best advice for getting started.

August 1, 2021

Graylin Smith, CPA, CGMA

Guiding clients through opportunities and risks requires a careful process, according to Graylin Smith, CPA, CGMA.

August 1, 2021

Ask the expert: What is an API?

Calvin Leong helps firms understand what APIs are available at Thomson Reuters and how to use them.

July 1, 2021

Find value in letting clients go

CPAs explain their approach to evaluating and parting ways with some clients.

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Drafting an AI policy that actually works

As AI use accelerates, many firms are discovering their policies haven’t kept pace. This article breaks down what CPAs and finance leaders should consider when drafting an AI policy that’s practical, flexible, and fit for real world use.