CPA firm practice management news and resources

TOPICS

February 1, 2016

Coaching programs get new partners off to a great start

The transition to partner can be challenging. That’s why many firms give new partners coaching: to boost their confidence and refine their leadership skills at a crucial juncture in their career.

February 1, 2016

Managing liability risk after a merger or acquisition

Avoid potential liability exposure by choosing the right clients, carefully overseeing old and new staff, and making sure your firm is united in its purpose.

February 1, 2016

New client services top list of CPA firm priorities

The recent CPA.com Innovation in Public Accounting Survey says practices that have adopted or investigated cloud-based technologies are more likely to perceive a need for faster innovation.

January 21, 2016

Finding a mentor

Mentors can not only show you the ropes but also help guide you to your next role.

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

7 communication tips for new tax managers

These tips can help managers provide effective coaching and feedback to less-experienced tax preparers during busy season.

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.

January 1, 2016

Brand-building tips for small firms and sole practitioners

Whether it’s something quirky, such as flying to work, or more mainstream, such as serving a specialized market, creating a brand can help you grow a business and stand out in a crowded market.

January 1, 2016

The early CPA gets the return (done on time)

Take steps to lighten the stress of busy season and reduce the risk of professional liability claims.

December 8, 2015

CPA firms place new services atop innovation priority list

CPA firms believe the development of new client services should be their top innovation priority over the next 12 to 18 months, according to a new survey.

December 7, 2015

Manager Survival Series: The chronically late or absent employee

This article offers tips on to how to handle the chronically late or absent professional employee in the typical workplace.

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

Starting a women’s initiative

Follow these tips to make your firm’s initiative focused and successful.

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

The importance of gauging a client’s tone at the top

Even a flawlessly executed engagement can be placed at risk by a client with poor tone at the top.

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.

FROM THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

How to replace running totals in Excel

Accountants routinely copy down formulas in Excel to track cumulative balances, such as cash flow and retained earnings, but there is a better way. This JofA Technology Q&A article shows the way with step-by-step instructions and a video walkthrough.