CLIENT SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Why CPAs Leave to Work for a Client

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Money tree growing in the middle of green meadow

Is that grass really greener?

By Ed Mendlowitz
Call Me Before You Do Anything: The Art of Accounting

I know many CPAs who left public accountancy to take a “better” job. For many of them this was a mistake. For some it worked out, so if you are one of the lucky few, you can stop reading what I have to say.

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There are basically three types of companies the accountant could work for – a small client that does not have an in-house controller or CFO, one whose controller will be replaced by the departing CPA, or a large company that has an entire accounting staff already in place. Let’s talk about working for the small companies that do not have a controller.
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Create ‘Family Trees’ of Referrals

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Have you taken the time to trace who sends you business?

By Ed Mendlowitz
Call Me Before You Do Anything: The Art of Accounting

For those of us in public accounting, there is a continual need to get new clients. Many times we look beyond what we have for the “new” when the growth is there for the taking.

MORE by Ed Mendlowitz
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One of the most important ways a practice can grow is for existing clients to recommend new clients. I have always valued such referral sources, and this value surpasses the fees they pay us. They look out for us and help us grow – I owe them!
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Joe Pine: Navigating the New Transformation Economy | Holistic Guide

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From Experiences to Transformations: The Future of Value Creation.

Sponsored by The Balanced Millionaire: The Advisor Edition by Dr. Jackie Meyer | See Today’s Special Offer

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With Rory Henry
The Holistic Guide to Wealth Management

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When advisors talk about differentiating themselves from the pack, the conversation often centers on providing better service models, improved technology, or more personalized experiences.

But according to Fortune 500 management advisor Joe Pine, those levers are no longer enough. The real opportunity lies one level deeper: helping clients change.

MORE Rory Henry | MORE The Holistic Guide to Wealth Management | MORE CPA Trendlines Streaming Network

Cofounder of Strategic Horizons LLP, Pine is the co-author of The Experience Economy and author of the newly released The Transformation Economy. He argues that the U.S. economy has continued its long arc first from commodities, then to goods, services and experiences, and now to transformations. In this next transformation phase, the customer is no longer buying a product, activity or even a memorable event. They are investing in who they want to become. READ MORE →

When a Graph Made All the Difference

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Businessman holding word "success" and upward arrow in hands

A family member gets the credit he’s due.

By Ed Mendlowitz
Call Me Before You Do Anything: The Art of Accounting

I have a client who owns considerable real estate that her son manages. The son actually does a very good job maintaining the property, growing rents and keeping vacancies to a minimum.

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My client’s husband was the builder and driving force behind this mini empire, but he passed on a few years ago. He was a dynamic self-made person who amassed quite a fortune and turned over daily operations to his son about 10 years before he died to spend considerable time golfing and traveling.
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Why You Need a Specialization

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man holding pen touching the word "specialization" floating in air with symbols

The five types you have to choose from.

By Ed Mendlowitz
Call Me Before You Do Anything: The Art of Accounting

I was not a specialist. In some respects, I am the last of the “expert generalists” and generalists are fast becoming extinct.

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In this age of specialization and niche expertise, being a generalist is a negative to most people, indicating a lack of competency in their area. I tend to think of the old general practitioner physicians versus the modern-day specialists. No one looks at the whole patient.
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How to Choose a Specialty

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Woman's hand pressing words "ASK AN EXPERT"

Considerations that might not have occurred to you.

By Ed Mendlowitz
Call Me Before You Do Anything: The Art of Accounting

Once you decide upon a specialization, you need to go about making yourself an expert. Read, join professional associations, take focused CPE, and try to write articles or give speeches. Accountants who are industry experts become industry thought leaders.

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Some specialties require obtaining designations or certificates of completion that require study and time – an investment you and the firm would have to make. There is no easy path to growing and establishing expertise, but it is a joyful ride.
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Brainstorm for Your Clients

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four people talking in office

What helps one might help others.

By Ed Mendlowitz
Call Me Before You Do Anything: The Art of Accounting

We all use the cliché that we give the clients the best we got, but what does it really mean?

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I’ve written about value-added services and efforts we can do on behalf of our clients, but here is a different approach I have used.
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Three Steps to Better Client Communication

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What can you anticipate and prepare for?

By Jody Grunden
Building the Virtual CFO Firm in the Cloud

Clients desire transparency. Being transparent with clients and having open, honest communication with them helps build really strong, healthy working relationships. It’s never been so important for us to have open communication channels with our clients at all times no matter what form of communication is being utilized.

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In some organizations, people hide behind their computers if they feel too busy or if they don’t want to face the client because they aren’t able to meet a deadline. We, on the other hand, make it a priority to be available to our clients at all times.
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Client Trust Begins with Onboarding

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Smiling businesswoman offering a handshake

How do you want this new relationship to begin?

By Jody Grunden
Building the Virtual CFO Firm in the Cloud

Onboarding is critical when it comes to bringing on new virtual CFO clients. It’s also important to have a smooth onboarding process for clients receiving any other types of services. I want to dive into onboarding in each of our service areas a little bit more.

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I don’t mean to beat a dead horse here, but I simply cannot express enough how important the onboarding process is for establishing extremely solid client relationships. When it comes down to it, relationships are the backbone of our business.
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The Six Stages of 401(k) Audits

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green marker checking boxes

Keep the process from dragging on.

By Jody Grunden
Building the Virtual CFO Firm in the Cloud

As with any service area, it’s important to have a solid process in place. Without one, it can be a little bit like the Wild West! The 401(k) audit process involves six stages, which are typically completed within four to eight weeks.

MORE by Jody Grunden
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Once a prospective client confirms they want Summit to complete their audit, we send them the engagement letter and the questionnaires along with the governance planning memo that we’re required to give them.
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