Accounting Influencers

Episode 120. In today's interview, "How Clients Can Educate Accountants: Susan Bryant"Susan Bryant is a CPA with a vision to help business owners achieve their dreams. She has been voted Top 50 Women in Accounting and works with the MB Group leading lead the Accounting Services team. Her favorite roles are being the architect of accounting processes, an M&A advisor and tax strategist. Susan’s passion is transforming the lives of business owners by bringing order to the finance function and alleviating stress around taxes through proper and timely planning.Key takeaways from this episode include:》shout out to Susan's previous interview on what makes a good accounting client https://bit.ly/38F7rdn》what accountants should do to ensure their clients step up to be better clients》top tips for accountants to manage the expectations of their client》what makes the good accountants great in terms of going beyond compliance for their clients》what turns a good accounting client into a great one - the dynamics of a gr

Episode 119. In today's practical episode, "Employer Brand in Accounting - Developing Existing Talent."Key takeaways from this episode include:⍟ where young accounting talent often goes if they choose not to enter private practice⍟ why advancing and developing your people makes great sense for accounting firms⍟ advice for accountants to put their hands on the steering wheel of their own career.⍟ the critical question leaders and employers in accounting firms must answer when hiring or promoting talent⍟ the role that 'best' technology plays for accounting firms in showing your talent that you care and you want to develop them⍟ how technical skills are just the baseline or foundation for training and development of talent in accountancy practices⍟ the kind of training that is required for accounting firms to develop the soft skills and leadership qualities of their people⍟ what role coachability plays for accounting firm leaders trying to decide which people to invest most in⍟ the need for accounting firms to p

Episode 118. In today's interview, "Route to the Top for Black Accountants: Herschel Frierson."Herschel Frierson is the Strategic Networks Leader and a Principal at Crowe LLP with over 26 years of experience. He is responsible for expanding the firm’s influence with network partners, including associations and creating new opportunities and deepening existing relationships. He also serves on the firm’s leadership team with the Inclusion Excellence Council which focuses on Diversity and Inclusion for the Firm. Herschel is the 27th Chairman of the Board of Directors with the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA) and is a lifetime member. In 2020, he was named by Accounting Today as one of the Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting. Key takeaways from this episode include:➜ why there are many opportunities for the accounting profession at this point in time➜ the mistakes accountancy has made as a profession over the years with diversity, recruitment and retention➜ what helpi

Episode 117. In today's news episode, we discuss "Flexible Work Patterns in Accountancy Firms."Key takeaways from this episode include:✓ shout out to Barry Ross, partner at Crossland Employment Solicitors for the original article✓ why there is no return to how things used to be pre-pandemic in the business world✓ what the new normal is now with a hybrid workplace✓ what hybrid working allows accounting firms to do with their recruitment strategies✓ the challenges that arise for accountancy firms with hybrid working and remote workplaces✓ how accounting staff recruited in the pandemic have only ever known remote working✓ the importance of employment contracts for new accounting hires✓ whether accounting firm employees can actually demand flexible working with location of work and hours of work✓ answering the question 'how far can accounting firm employees actually live from their office?'✓ the key issues that arise for accountancy practices with the new world of work post-pandemic✓ the need for compromise betwe

Episode 116. On this week’s Accounting Influencers Podcast:➜ News - "Flexible Work Patterns in Accountancy Firms."➜ Special Guest Interview: "Route to the Top for Black Accountants: Herschel Frierson."➜ Practical advice and tips for accounting practitioners on "Employer Brand in Accounting - Developing Existing Talent."➜ Expert Interview: "How Clients Can Educate Accountants: Susan Bryant."For full shownotes on these segments, check out the stand-alone episodes coming out this week and outlined on the days below.NOTE TO LISTENERS:The Accounting Influencers Podcast is a CPE-accredited daily radio-style show with four segments coming out every Monday which are repeated on the other 4 weekdays as standalone episodes, plus a bonus 'from the client's perspective' episode on Saturdays. On Sundays, listeners get a short min trailer for the coming week's episodes.Every Tuesday the show gives you a relevant news topic from the accounting and fintech world with a direct application to accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers.

BONUS: a short bonus episode in a new series to help accountants price better and win more business - "The Price Is Right Part 11 - Pricing Tips for Accountants."In these bonus episodes, we focus on upskilling the accountants, bookkeepers, CPAs and commercially focused fintech vendors to better handle key challenges in their professional role like client service, closing deals, negotiating, pricing, hiring, reputation and differentiation.Key takeaways from this episode include:⍟ why pricing is such a difficult topic for accounting professionals⍟ the importance of not selling high end services to poor people who don't want it⍟ why accountants must get comfortable at raising their prices⍟ the difference in low ticket compliance and high margin, high value advisory work for accountants⍟ why accountants should never discount but what they should do instead⍟ what scarcity does for the accounting professional and how it makes prospects come towards them⍟ the fallacy of offering free consultations or offers up front

Episode 115. In today's interview, "Financial Literacy, Family Businesses & Wealth Management."Rory Henry has 15+ years of experience working in both the tax and most recently financial advisory professions. He has built a program, AFO Wealth Management Forward, that works with accounting firms to implement Holistic Wealth Management Services. A technology enthusiast at heart, Rory is adept at finding ways to improve the client experience using technology to streamline tax, accounting, and wealth management services. He is the co-host of a leading accounting and finance podcast called AFO Wealth Management Forward. Rory’s interviews include the WSJ, Forbes, Fortune Magazine, Accounting Today, AccountingWeb, as well as Venture-Backed Fintech Companies and Nationally Recognized Thought Leaders.Robert Santos has over 20 years of financial experience working with institutions, companies, and entrepreneurs. Robert is currently the founder of Arrowroot Family Office, LLC, a boutique wealth management firm worki

Episode 114. In today's practical episode, "Accounting Firm Employer Brand - Rewarding Talent." In these segments, we pick out key trends and events in accounting and fintech media and analyse/interpret them for accountants in practice.Key takeaways from this episode include:➯ the importance for accounting firms to pay their people what they are worth➯ why money isn't everything when it comes to rewarding employees➯ how a better job title or grander role can be more important to some staff than their salary➯ asking if you would take a 20% pay cut to work from home 100% of the time➯ how paying market rates for staff is the starting point for accounting firms wanting to attract and keep talent➯ what staff are often more interested in benefits other than money in their employment package➯ what accountancy staff are likely NOT to tolerate, no matter how much you pay them➯ definition of an employer value proposition (EVP) for accounting firms➯ five key components of a strong EVP or employer value proposition in ac

Episode 113. In today's interview, "Mental Resilience for Accountants: Randy Crabtree."Randy Crabtree is co-founder and partner of Tri-Merit Specialty Tax Professionals in the USA. Since 2019, he has hosted the bi-weekly “The Unique CPA,” podcast, which ranks among the world’s 10% most popular programs. (Source: Listen Score). You can find articles from Randy in Accounting Today’s Voices column, the AICPA Tax Adviser . He is a regular presenter at conferences and virtual training events hosted by CPA associations, state CPA societies and top 400 CPA firms across the country.Key takeaways from this episode include:◆ why mental health and resilience is especially important for the accounting profession◆ what is pushing accountants and CPAs into the 'red zone' or threshold of what they can cope with mentally◆ the physical and mental symptoms of overload in accounting professionals◆ why the hope that 'a slower day is coming' is false and how things are just getting faster◆ the challenges for a stable profession lik

Episode 112. In today's news episode, we discuss "3 Accounting Trends That Won't Go Out of Style."We agree 2 of these trends! Original source of this piece below. Key takeaways from this episode include: why accounting remains the language of business, and why not all accountants play on this fact enough how the best accounting professionals are able to not just report on the data but tell the stories behind the numbers why cashflow is like oxygen for small businesses, but accountants don't always see the issues for their clients the big 'intimacy problem many small business owners have with their accounting advisors why behind every great entrepreneur there is not always a great accountant how the 'great resignation' has led to the 'great re-evaluation' for many accountants why 'doing more with less resources' should be the goal for accountants by using technology and automation the proof that many accountants do not actually care about their clients how too many accountants simply fulfil instructions and fa

Episode 111. On this week’s Accounting Influencers Podcast:➜ News - Martin & Rob discuss "3 Accounting Trends That Won't Go Out of Style." ➜ Special Guest Interview: "Mental Resilience for Accountants: Randy Crabtree."➜ What works with "Employer Brand - Rewarding People Properly."➜ Expert Interview: "Financial Literacy & Wealth Management: Rory Henry."For full shownotes on these segments, check out the stand-alone episodes coming out this week and outlined on the days below.NOTE TO LISTENERS:The Accounting Influencers Podcast is a CPE-accredited daily radio-style show with four segments coming out every Monday which are repeated on the other 4 weekdays as standalone episodes, plus a bonus 'from the client's perspective' episode on Saturdays. On Sundays, listeners get a short min trailer for the coming week's episodes.Every Tuesday the show gives you a relevant news topic from the accounting and fintech world with a direct application to accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay inform

BONUS: a short bonus episode in a new series to help accountants price better and win more business - "The Price Is Right Part 10 - Don't Say the Price Early."In these bonus episodes, we focus on upskilling the accountants, bookkeepers, CPAs and commercially focused fintech vendors to better handle key challenges in their professional roles like client service, closing deals, negotiating, pricing, hiring, reputation and differentiation.***APOLOGIES FOR THE AUDIO QUALITY ON THIS EPISODE***Key takeaways from this episode include:✓ why it's common for a prospect to ask accountants for the price early, and how to avoid this✓ what should be the primary objective for accountants in a first meeting with a prospect✓✓✓✓

Episode 110. In today's interview, "Non-Profit Clients for Accountants: Jeremy Van Groll."Jeremy Van Groll is founder and President of Nonprofit Bookkeeping.  He has a Masters in Financial Management and has twenty years of experience in leadership roles including corporate accounting, banking, data analysis, and compliance reporting.  His company partners with domestic and international organizations to implement efficient financial and data management processes that allow non-profit leaders to focus their efforts on their Mission and building relationships with Donors.  Jeremy has been featured speaker on optimizing both personal and organizational financial management and was nominated for the Foundations Ethics in Business award.  Key takeaways from this episode include:▶ why it's no secret that non-profit companies are stretched thinly for resources▶ the factors to consider for accountants in niching for non-profit clients▶ what non-profit clients really need from their accounting ad

Episode 109. In today's practical episode, what works for accounting firms on "Accounting Firms - First Steps with Employer Branding." In these segments, we pick out key trends and events in accounting and fintech media and analyse/interpret them for accountants in practice.Key takeaways from this episode include:★ link to previous related episode: "What Works in Accounting with Employer Brand Websites" https://bit.ly/37T8XYY★ why almost all accounting firm websites are conflicted and therefore confuse Google★ how the war for talent in accounting means practices must have a strong employer brand★ the main benefits for accounting firms to have a strong employee value proposition and employer brand★ the % of candidates who research an accounting firm's reputation before applying for a job★ the proportion of accounting professionals who would leave their current firm if they received an offer from one with a better employer brand★ the high number of candidates who will apply to work for an accounting firm that i

Episode 108. In today's interview, "Challenging Prejudice in Accounting with Anton Lewis."Anton Lewis is a tenured Associate Professor of Accounting at Valparaiso University, Indiana, where he primarily teaches undergraduate financial accountancy and managerial accountancy, as well as undergraduate Audit and Accounting Information Systems classes. He also hosts the ‘Counting Black and White Beans Podcast' and makes monthly guest appearances on the NPR Radio Show Regionally Speaking (links below).You can also check out his previous interview on the show "Critical Race Theory & Black Accountants with Anton Lewis" here:https://accountinginfluencers.captivate.fm/episode/critical-race-theory-black-accountants-with-anton-lewisKey takeaways from this episode include:✓ the reasons why there are not more black accountants, particularly in the UK and USA✓ why it is hard to question any racial inequalities in the accountancy profession✓ the differences between structural racism in accounting and in individual people

Episode 107. "Checklist - 10 Practice Priorities for Accountants"***APOLOGIES FOR THE AUDIO ON THIS EPISODE***It's always interesting to hear the main challenges, opportunities, issues and priorities for accountants from different perspectives. Here is a checklist via software vendor SmartvaultKey takeaways from this episode include:➜ the importance for accountants of simply picking up the phone and talking to clients➜ the role of networking and maintaining relationships for accounting professionals➜ what is wrong with accountants sending documents and especially proposals via email➜ the increasingly critical role of cybersecurity for accounting firmsSource: 10 Accountants Practice Priorities (Infographic)https://www.smartvault.com/resource/practice-priorities-infographic/NOTE TO LISTENERS:The Accounting Influencers Podcast is a CPE-accredited daily radio-style show with four segments coming out every Monday which are repeated on the other 4 weekdays as standalone episodes, plus a bonus 'from the client's per

Episode 106. On this week’s Accounting Influencers Podcast:➜ News - Martin & Rob discuss "Checklist - 10 Practice Priorities for Accountants." ➜ Special Guest Interview: "DEI, Racism & Prejudice in Accounting: Anton Lewis."➜ Here's What Works: "Getting Started With Your Employer Brand."➜ Expert Interview: "Not For Profit Clients in Accounting: Jeremy van Groll."For full shownotes on these segments, check out the stand-alone episodes coming out this week and outlined on the days below.******************************If you have a business development, sales or growth angle to your role, and are expected to bring in new business, here's a great resource for you:Are you a busy accountant struggling to create more revenue and career opportunities?As an accounting professional, you likely have a business development strategy, selling or work winning dimension to your role and the ability to generate new revenues is what makes you wealthier, more promotable and more valuable to your employers. Many

BONUS: a short bonus episode in a new series to help accountants price better and win more business - "The Price Is Right Part 9 - Not All Business is Good." ***APOLOGIES FOR THE AUDIO ON THIS BONUS EPISODE***In these bonus episodes, we focus on upskilling the accountants, bookkeepers, CPAs and commercially focused fintech vendors to better handle key challenges in their professional role like client service, closing deals, negotiating, pricing, hiring, reputation and differentiation.Key takeaways from this episode include:★ asking whether all new business is good business for accountants★ what a scarcity mentality and fear looks like for today's accountants and CPAs★ why accountants cannot often control the quality of clients or business they look after★ the downsides for accountants of taking on all clients who do not fit your firm★ the reasons accountants feel forced to take on all clients who are referred to them★ positioning tips for accountants who do not want to win new business on price alone★ how say

Episode 105. In today's interview, "Accounting Firm Leadership Priorities with Gary Shamis."Gary Shamis is a former top 40 US accounting firm managing partner who sold to BDO in 2015. He is now CEO of Winding River Consulting, a high-level strategy consulting for the Restaurant, CPA, and professional services industries. Amongst many other accounting accolades, Gary won EY Entrepreneur of the Year and is a Top Ten Managing Partner Elite (Accounting Today) where he was called the “very model of the modern managing partner. he was awarded Most Admired Peer (INSIDE Public Accounting) and has more than a dozen appearances on the Most Influential list (Accounting Today). He has served within the ranks of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is co-author of How to Manage Your Accounting Practice: Taking Your Firm from Chaos to Consensus.Key takeaways from this episode include:◆ how the accounting firm managing partner role has not changed as it should over the years◆ what managing partners sho

Episode 104. In today's practical episode, "Three Signs of Executive Presence in Accountants." In these segments, we pick out key trends and events in accounting and fintech media and analyse/interpret them for accountants in practice.Key takeaways from this episode include:➤ how do people react when you walk into a room or show up on a video call?➤ what executive presence gives accountants and leaders in professional environments➤ the importance of avoiding non-words that dilute the communication impact of accountants➤ what executive presence means for trusted advisor status with clients of accountants➤ what style means in professionals like accountants who have executive presence➤ the relationship between character, personal brand and reputation for accountants➤ the role of substance in accounting executive presence, especially in thinking strategically➤ the importance of strong character and inner values in developing accounting executive presenceNOTE TO LISTENERS:The Accounting Influencers Podcast is a CP