as you prepare to put tax season 2023 in your rearview, one thing to strongly consider is getting out to a live event as they are back, they need you, and there are even some new ones to take in.
i’m fully aware that cpe alone is not the only draw or reason to leave the comfort of your office or home area. and as i’veexpoundedonbefore, accountants need each other in a live setting. the learning and interaction from a live event full of your colleagues is almost invaluable, but i get the reservations.
traveling to a live event, especially when we know full well that any necessary cpe can be garnered from your computer screen any time of year, may not seem worth the expense. but as the profession continues to evolve, it is hard to compare the return on investment from physically being among the experts, as well as those in your profession who have similar struggles, hopes and dreams as you do.
you have to be intentional about creating the firm you want, said twyla verhelst, cpa. the head of accountant channel at freshbooks and creator of women in accounting mentorship said the first step is getting clear on your why, your firm’s why and your team’s why so you can approach growth more intentionally.
she said cpas should be asking, “why is it that a particular goal appeals to you?” “is that the right thing to be working toward now?” “what will you do to get there?”
there is always a conflict in trying to determine whether prices should be increased to make more money or decreased to create a greater demand so the business could make more money.
this can be calculated using simple arithmetic based on the break-even analysis model and applying it to a guess of how your customers would react versus the potential to gain added business. read more →
in 2000, our company created a quickbooks training dvd. the owner wanted it done professionally and hired a movie company and rented a studio. the rfp went out. all proposals received had a fee for discovery.
today, if you were to hire a development team to create, update or install code, they would charge you a certain amount for discovery before they would do any actual coding. what you are paying for is the development of the anticipatory set and a clear definition of the scope. read more →
break-even analysis is a budgetary process designed to tell you how much sales are needed to break even, and how much you will make or lose if you exceed or fall short of this “break-even” sales amount. properly used, it can become a very potent tool.
in a break-even analysis, all costs and expenses must be separated into “fixed” and “variable” categories. designations such as “costs of goods sold,” “selling” or “general and administrative” are irrelevant. read more →
after starting out in audit at a big 4 right out of college, he decided it was no longer what he wanted to do.
“i started an audit specifically, you know, not really having a great idea of what audit truly was, you know, because you take the courses in your undergrad, and you know, you have a section of it on the cpa exam,” birky explained. “but what that material is versus what the job is, you know, are two very different things.”
you need to look at what is on your calendar and to look at today’s date and ask, “where is the money coming from this month?” look at what recurring fees you have, look at the value of those fees and what they bring in. then consider what would happen if any of those fees did not recur. look at what would happen if those fees dropped out of the equation and think about how you would replace that income. read more →
heather smith has loved accounting since she was 14 and loves the flexibility the profession offers. since the mid-2000s she has been one of the original cloud accounting nomads, with an accounting business that she says fits in a lovely italian handbag.
in 2022, the anise consulting founder based in brisbane, australia, demonstrated that nomadic lifestyle by attending all three live xerocon events: london, new orleans and sydney. heather is a tireless advocate for her small business clients and a fan of technology to improve our lives, including staffing.read more →
the following are brief descriptions of insurance coverage not usually obtained or obtained in inadequate amounts. insufficient insurance can expose you to serious losses and could also jeopardize your future financial comfort and security.
note that i am not covering all types of insurance and this guide’s purpose is to alert you to the importance of the right insurance protection. some of this coverage can be as riders to existing policies. read more →
jackie meyer is a fan of value pricing and niching your practice. her favorite area is tax planning, which doesn’t require a huge investment of time to provide huge financial benefits for clients.
her own firm tripled revenues by focusing on tax planning.
dustin verity admits to being cautious. he also admits to being a technophile.
in the latest episode of transformation talks, the cpa explained being conflicted between his obsession with playing with the latest technology and finding the right fit for his firm.
“i’ve always been interested in technology and, and you know, efficiencies,” verity said, always wanting to know how his firm could produce more and work more efficiently. “that means less hours that we have to spend in the office ourselves.” read more →
there are many ways and purposes for valuing a privately owned business. there is no one “right” way. an appropriate method should be determined depending upon the reason and use for the valuation. here are explanations of some of the most used methods.
many people refer to a business’ value as its “fair market value” but this is generally a misused term. its derivation is from a 1959 irs revenue ruling that specifically addresses valuations for gift and estate tax purposes and does not necessarily provide a reasonable valuation for other uses. read more →
oates also believes accountants can choose whether they are playing a finite, zero-sum game with clients or the infinite game, which continues forever and results in an abundance forever mindset with clients, who will then be your clients for life.