Firm operations

TOPICS / FIRM PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

April 4, 2016

Want to make more money? Focus on revenue-producing behaviors

In the pursuit of revenue growth, many firms make the mistake of overemphasizing the billing measures of chargeability and utilization.

March 7, 2016

How CPA firms can counteract unconscious bias

Though we like to think we’re impartial in our decision-making, it’s often the case that our unconscious beliefs affect our choices.

March 7, 2016

Consulting services can grow your firm—if managed properly

Firm leaders increasingly see the potential of consulting services to provide additional value to clients.

January 20, 2016

Millennials can play a role in move to value pricing

If your firm is looking at making the switch, consider asking them to serve on a value council—or even as the “chief value officer.”

January 19, 2016

Improve your business by working less

Owners’ hours directly impact the value of a practice: If all other things are equal, buyers prefer to buy an accounting practice with fewer owner hours.

January 11, 2016

These steps can help you embrace an exciting retirement

This column seeks to dispel four fears that retirees have and share a six-step strategy for creating a life after work.

January 11, 2016

How to manage underperformers

In order to ensure that you are engaging the best and the brightest employees in the firm, you must learn to handle and manage the underperformer.

January 4, 2016

Retiring the billable hour as a measure of performance

Measuring employee performance based on the number of charge hours worked is a practice that can create multiple problems for firms.

January 1, 2016

Q&A: How to present your prices to customers

Talking about price with clients isn’t as simple as saying, “That’ll be $19.99, please.” Here are the best practices to employ when using value pricing.

December 7, 2015

Heading off into the sunset? Avoid these 5 retirement pitfalls

This column outlines five important retirement mistakes for CPAs to avoid.

December 1, 2015

How to admit new partners: A fresh approach

Accounting firms seeking long-term viability must infuse the partnership ranks with fresh blood when the time and terms are right. A method called AAV can help with this process.

December 1, 2015

CPAs do a masterful job of taking care of their clients’ business, but they also need to make sure they look out for their own. Practice-continuation agreements can minimize the chaos in the transfer of a CPA practice to a successor.

November 1, 2015

The dangers of dabbling

Undertaking new, unfamiliar service offerings can elevate the risk of errors and professional liability claims.

November 1, 2015

Maximize proceeds in accounting firm sales

Misconceptions about how to price and structure the sale of a practice can cost CPAs much of their equity. CPAs have many options to sell on their terms.

September 7, 2015

Cost-saving tips for small firms

Even minor tweaks to daily processes can increase your firm’s efficiency and, in turn, boost your bottom line.

September 1, 2015

Effortless payroll service offerings

Experts explain how payroll providers can help CPAs help their clients.

September 1, 2015

Q&A: Pricing options that boost profits

It sounds too good to be true. But value-billing expert Ron Baker says there is a way to increase client satisfaction and firm profits at the same time.

August 1, 2015

Q&A: Price-sensitivity training

To price effectively, CPA firms first need to determine clients’ price sensitivity. Author and consultant Ron Baker, an unabashed value-pricing champion, explains how firms should communicate with clients to develop effective pricing.

July 1, 2015

Q&A: Price check

The JofA sat down for a Q&A session with author and consultant Ron Baker, an unabashed value-pricing champion, for a conversation that provided an in-depth look at the work firms need to do to quote clients an upfront price.

July 1, 2015

Opening a new CPA office

These suggestions will help CPAs get started in a new location.

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

How a CPA beat burnout after strokes, depression

Randy Crabtree, CPA, suffered two strokes in four days and struggled with his mental health for years before he learned to recognize, address, and prevent chronic stress. Learn from his insights on how CPAs can avoid professional burnout.