MOVE Like This With Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk
For CPA Trendlines
In this episode of MOVE Like This, host Bonnie Buol Ruszczyk talks with Stacie Kwaiser, CPA and CEO of Rehmann, about the firm’s nearly three-decade journey toward building a culture where people stay, grow, and lead.
Kwaiser began her career in public accounting at Coopers & Lybrand before joining Rehmann, a firm that now employs more than 1,100 professionals across 22 offices. She rose through the audit practice and into firmwide leadership roles, ultimately becoming CEO in 2023. Along the way, she experienced—and helped shape—Rehmann’s evolution into one of the profession’s most recognized firms for women and equity leadership. READ MORE →
Gear Up for Growth With Jean Caragher For CPA Trendlines
Employee experience is no longer optional; it’s a strategic imperative, says Kassi Rushing, CEO and owner of Kassi Rushing Consulting. Appearing on Gear Up for Growth—hosted by Jean Caragher, president of Capstone Marketing, and powered by CPA Trendlines—Rushing shares practical insights for firms aiming to attract and retain top talent.
Hiring in the management consulting sector slows, but remains positive. Tax & accounting sector shrinks workforce.
By CPA Trendlines Research
The professional services industry is accelerating a quiet but consequential reshaping toward higher-end advisory services and away from low-end compliance work.
Consulting firms have added more than 27,000 jobs over the past 12 months, pushing total headcount to 1.56 million. In contrast, the accounting, bookkeeping, and payroll sector remains stuck near 1.155 million employees, a plateau that has persisted for much of the past three years, according to a new analysis by CPA Trendlines Research.
BONUS CHECKLIST: Onboarding from before arrival to month six.
By Jon Lokhorst
Mr. Joe Employee (not his real name, but a real story) showed up for his first day of work at ABC Company, somewhat nervous but excited to tackle the challenges of a new position. Although tired from moving halfway across the country the week before to work at this company, he was eager to get off to a good start.
Joe found it strange that the offices in his small department were dark and quiet that Monday morning. Thinking his anticipation had gotten him there a bit early, he found someone in a nearby department to ask the whereabouts of his new boss and teammates. A receptionist said she would make a phone call or two while Joe explored his new workspace. READ MORE →
Most firms have a high retention rate per client. That means their clients stay clients of the firm for a long period of time. Somehow the accounting profession has got most of their clients bluffed that it is hard to change accountants. It’s actually not.
Partners will argue that clients remain with the firm because of the great relationship they have with their clients. I beg to differ. How can you have a great relationship with someone when you see them once or twice per year? READ MORE →
We used to think the primary driver of staff productivity and retention was job satisfaction. But more important is employee engagement where staff think: “I get to go to work today,” instead of, “I have to go to work today.”
While satisfaction is important, an engaged employee is more productive, produces higher-quality work and is less likely to leave your firm. Equally important, engaged staff create engaged clients. These clients spend more money with you by purchasing more services your firm has to offer. READ MORE →
People fly and drive cars instead of using horses and carts. Technology has replaced calculators, slide rules and how books are written. Food is purchased at grocery stores instead of grown on the farm. READ MORE →
Hiring in the management consulting sector slows, but remains positive. Tax & accounting sector shrinks workforce.
By CPA Trendlines Research
BONUS CHECKLIST: Onboarding from before arrival to month six.Exclusively for PRO Members. Log in here or upgrade to PRO today.
Don’t wait for exit interviews; conduct retention interviews.
What they do now and are considering for the future.
8 best practices.
Focus on retention should turn into referrals.
Plus 3 steps each on leveraging and retaining talent.
4 reasons staff are the #1 key to firm success.