Jean Marie Caragher, in the April 2008 Journal of Accountancy, states four irrefutable truths for successful marketing:
- By identifying target markets and resources, niche marketing can distinguish a CPA firm from its competitors while generating higher profit margins.
- A well-developed marketing plan is the key to successful niche marketing and can include, but is not limited to, the following components: a mission statement; situation analysis; and SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely) strategies.
- Find a niche champion with the industry knowledge (and experience), respect of partners and the ability to lead a team. If you lack champions, consider hiring and/or merging with industry specialists.
- Focus your marketing program using a variety of marketing tools and activities, and implement your strategy consistently.
Read the article, here…
Clifton Gunderson is acquiring the Arlington, Va., federal government practice of UHY LLP, according to WebCPA. All of the federal government practice professionals at UHY’s Arlington office are going over to Clifton and UHY partner Roger Von Elm joins Clifton as a lateral.  Most will remain at their current offices, and some will move to Clifton’s office in Calverton, Md. It’s the second sign of weakness at UHY in a week.
Pittsburgh-area firms have it figured out.
Sisterson & Co. LLP gave its employees “wellness kits” in February — baskets packed with antacids, tissues, aspirin, first aid kits and hand sanitizer — to make sure workers are prepared for the months ahead. “It’s tough this time of year because people have colds, and they’re working harder and not sleeping as well as they should,” says Cheryl Talerico, Sisterson marketing manager. READ MORE →
Connect the dots…
Check these recent posts. See a trend?
Is “independence†really essential?
“Independence may not be the cornerstone of audit. AICPA is looking into reliability as being the standard, particularly for small and private businesses.â€
Brown Smith Wallace Exits IT Business
Independence issues cited.
Scrap Independence?
The survival of CPA firms could depend on it.
For Betty, the owner of an “all-female” accounting firm in Cincinnati…
Busy season is slowing down. All the deadlines, the incredibly tight deadlines, have been met, sometimes surpassed, and our clients are happy with us. It was the easiest busy season we’ve ever had. The teamwork we accomplished would have put P&G to shame, I think. I’m proud of the folks I work with, proud of the clients I serve, proud of my accounting firm…oops. I meant to say, OUR accounting firm. (blush)
More from Inside Betty’s Head…
BKD veteran Jeffrey A. Layman has been named chief investment officer of BKD Wealth Advisors, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of BKD, LLP.
See Jeff Layman on CNBC, here.
Layman is the first individual to hold this high-level post since the subsidiary’s inception in 1998, according to the firm. With $1.5 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2007, BKD Wealth Advisors serves more than 1,100 clients in 32 states. Office locations are in Little Rock, Indianapolis, Denver, Kansas City and Springfield.
“This promotion signals another milestone in the firm’s strategic development,” says Jack E. Thurman, president of BKD Wealth Advisors, LLC. “With the growth of BKD Wealth Advisors, we are positioned to expand our integrated wealth management services under Jeff’s leadership as chief investment officer.”
With nearly 20 years of experience in portfolio and investment management, Layman is chair of BKD Wealth Advisors’ Investment Committee. He develops, implements and oversees the firm’s investment management process, including investment selection for high net-worth families and institutions.
Layman is a Chartered Financial Analyst® charter holder and received an MBA in 1995 from Missouri State University, Springfield. Before joining BKD, he was senior portfolio manager in the private bank group of a nationwide banking organization.
One year to the day after failed merger, UHY Advisors is heading back to Boston.
Larry Kaplan (pictured), managing partner of UHY’s Massachusetts practice, has told the Worcester (Mass.) Business Journal that the firm has laid off three employees from the Westborough, Mass., office, and will shut it down May 1, a year to the day after the company’s merger with Westborough-based Carlin, Charron & Rosen was supposed to close.
The remaining 10 staff members, mostly tax accountants, will move to UHY’s Boston offices.
He said leaving Westborough had “nothing at all to do†with the failed merger last year between UHY and Carlin Charron & Rosen. UHY would’ve taken on CCR’s more than 280 employees in Westborough, Providence, R.I., and Glastonbury, Conn.
UHY has about 1,200 employees in 20 offices, including about 120 in Boston and about 100 between two offices in Hartford and New Haven, Conn.
