is the cpa business model the clog in the pipeline?

older woman showing young woman something on office computer screen

maybe a flip in perception is in order: 150 hours as an investment, not a burden.

by 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 research

the accounting profession is in trouble. big trouble.

cpa firms experience the problem as a difficulty in finding certified professionals. but the real problem is in the personnel pipeline that feeds the industry, the long, hard, expensive process of becoming a cpa.

more: can big data spot financial fraud? | will unclogging the accounting pro pipeline kill mobility? | accountants bullish on income | which niche’s the best niche? | ethics on sustainability puzzle some accountants | accountants hopeful, concerned and confused about ai | survey respondents see exciting year coming up | the 7 categories of cybersecurity solutions firms need
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

to continue the metaphor, it’s also the drain pipe – the increasing flow of professionals out of cpa firms and into retirement. in 2020, 75 percent of cpas became eligible to hang up their green eyeshades and find something else to do, such as get to know their families and experience the pleasures of daylight.
read more →

will unclogging the accounting pro pipeline kill mobility?

man placing box on desk to move into new job, with to coworkers in background

changing the 150-hour requirement could have unintended consequences.

by 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 research

the day-to-day of the cpa may be grueling at times, but one thing makes the day a little easier – the facility of mobility.

not only can a cpa with a driver’s license in one state drive in other states, but in most cases, they can practice their profession in other states, too. if you’re licensed to practice in one state, you’re good to go in every other state except, coincidentally, the one you can’t drive to.

more: accountants cozy up to clients with cas | accountants torn over 2024 economy, offer advice | are you offering the right services? | 42% of accountants turn away work over staff shortages | talent gap widening: be very scared | looking for recent grads? good luck
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

practice mobility is crucial in a business system that often as not transcends state borders, and it’s even more important as professionals work remotely, sitting in one state while practicing in another.
read more →

the big 3 success tips for 2024

three coworkers wearing suits, smiling and talking

profitability is just part of the picture.

by matt rampe
the rosenberg map survey

over the next 12 months, three big disruptions will shake the accounting industry.

more: firms must choose best workplace model | tech, capital will drive accounting profession growth | ‘great shakeup’ in cpa firms on the way | pe, consolidations to keep impacting accounting profession
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

fortunately, there are at least three ways that firms can prevail.

read more →

staff wages hit record high

line chart
payroll services staff hourly earnings

their bosses aren’t seeing the same increases.

by beth bellor
卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 research

going into the new year, the average american is doing somewhat better. earnings are up a bit; unemployment is down a bit.

more: despite staffing crunch, firms freeze pay raises | tax & accounting firms grow for 9th straight month | tax & accounting profession grows, but wages don’t | tax and accounting pay advancing at 5.9% pace | accounting jobs up 4% for year
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

for employees in the tax, accounting and bookkeeping business, things are more complicated. pay for employees overall? usually down, way down. but pay for staff in every sector? all-time highs.
read more →

firms must choose best workplace model

man sitting at desk in otherwise empty office, facing glass wall

what will help you move forward?

by kristen rampe
the rosenberg map survey

editor’s note: every year, the rosenberg map survey asks the industry’s top consultants to share their observations from cpa firms across the country. how do you think the next 12 months will unfold? also, how would you assess the last 12 months?

the obvious: staffing challenges will continue. firms that are stuck in their old ways must add younger talent with the ability to influence leadership ranks. senior partners who are seeking an internal buyout, or better priced external sale, need to recognize how essential this is.

more: tech, capital will drive accounting profession growth | new energy comes from new ways of doing business | ai for accounting automation will be significant | a 40-hour workweek is feasible | it’s time for a new business model
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

less obvious: workplace models will continue to be varied, and there is no one-size-fits-all. i have clients who hardly went home during covid-19, and their staff have to be asked to work from home to free up office space for a growing team. i also have clients with thousands of square feet of vacant office space because no one has returned. of both groups (and those in between), some have critical failures in productivity. some are crushing it.
read more →

survey: cpas culling clients for better work-life balance

bar chart

accountants don’t want just more clients, they want better ones.

by 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 research

some interesting early results from the 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 outlook 2024: emerging issues, opportunities, and trends:

  • 57 percent of respondents say staffing and retention are their biggest challenge.
  • 48 percent say burnout and the work-life balance is their biggest challenge.

note how these two most common challenges relate to each other. a shortage of staff is linked to an excess of burnout and imbalance.

more: are you offering the right services? | which niche’s the best niche? | women-owned businesses upbeat but need help | 42% of accountants turn away work over staff shortages | accountants to the rescue as startups struggle | talent gap widening: be very scared | accountants hopeful, concerned and confused about ai | looking for recent grads? good luck
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

now look:

  • 34 percent say getting better clients is their biggest challenge.
  • 31 percent say raising prices and billing rates is their biggest challenge.

read more →

pe, consolidations to keep impacting accounting profession

cash infusions make the recruiting environment more competitive.

by angie grissom
the rosenberg map survey

editor’s note: every year, the rosenberg map survey asks the industry’s top consultants to share their observations from cpa firms across the country. how do you think the next 12 months will unfold? also, how would you assess the last 12 months?

i believe competition will continue to increase and firm leaders will continue to make changes regarding business structure. leaders will continue to innovate their strategies to meet the market demands. private equity infusions and consolidations will continue at a steady pace, as structures will evolve to align with each individual firm’s leadership goals.

more: a 40-hour workweek is feasible | five ways staff shortages are changing firms forever | soft skills are front and center | it’s time for a new business model | rosenberg map: partner incomes surge 11.4%
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

firms will continue to place priority on building advisory practices and streamlining operations to increase efficiency and communication. firm governance structure, clear goals and increased transparency and accountability will be required to remain competitive.
read more →

despite staffing crunch, firms freeze pay raises

line chart
average hourly earnings of all employees in the accounting profession. hint: don’t show this chart to recruits.

 

millennials say compensation isn’t the most important thing. employers say, “heard.”

by beth bellor

suppose you’re a leader in a field that has fretted for months over staff shortages. would you put on your thinking cap, plug it in for a while and come up with… frozen pay?

more: tax & accounting firms grow for 9th straight month | tax & accounting profession grows, but wages don’t | tax and accounting pay advancing at 5.9% pace | accounting jobs up 4% for year
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

strangely enough, that’s what the latest tax and accounting profession earnings data show. compared to previous months, the trend is stagnant or even down. the only bright spot was in payroll services staff, which also added bodies – but cut hours.

(how’s that song go? if it weren’t for bad luck?)
read more →

outlook: a 40-hour workweek is feasible

business development can be done remotely, but it can’t be skipped.

by carl george
the rosenberg map survey

editor’s note: every year, the rosenberg map survey asks the industry’s top consultants to share their observations from cpa firms across the country. how do you think the next 12 months will unfold? also, how would you assess the last 12 months?

firms will continue to upgrade their client profiles and disengage from clients that no longer fit. disengagement is one of the major initiatives that must occur to meet the challenge of the “40-hour guarantee.”

more: five ways staff shortages are changing firms forever | outlook: soft skills are front and center | outlook: it’s time for a new business model | rosenberg map: partner incomes surge 11.4%
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

as it was explained so eloquently by a ceo of a large firm, “we do not have a staffing shortage, we have a ‘d’ client overage!” well said. traditionally difficult for us to do, but we do not have the option of not executing this critical strategy.
read more →

five ways staff shortages are changing firms forever

stock image of businessman pushing a giant stack of documents isolated on white background

top professionals provide their insights.

by 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 research

two crucial questions:

  1. what is causing the shortage of accounting professionals?
  2. what is the shortage of accounting professionals causing?

more: outlook: soft skills are front and center | outlook: it’s time for a new business model | rosenberg map: partner incomes surge 11.4%
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

each question has a few answers.
read more →

survey: 42% of accountants turn away work over staff shortages

bar chart
complete answers include “we’re turning away work because of it,” “we’re outsourcing at least some work” and “we’re upgrading comp & benefits packages.”

 

survey respondents offer their strategies.

by 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 research

the most shocking stat to come out of early results in the 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 outlook 2024 emerging issues, opportunities and trends survey is also the most painful.

it’s this: 42 percent of responding firms are turning away work for lack of staff.

more: ethics on sustainability puzzle some accountants | accountants to the rescue as startups struggle | talent gap widening: be very scared | accountants hopeful, concerned and confused about ai | looking for recent grads? good luck | cpa biz is booming, but for how long?
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

that’s a big ouch for firms that have spent time, effort and money on marketing, only to find that they can’t reap the results.

data is still coming in from firms across the continent (and a few from across the ocean), but the trend is definitely toward critical. and the prognosis isn’t good.
read more →

talent gap widening: be very scared

pie charts

 

five strategies for retention.

by 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 research

how long will your cpa firm or finance department be a going concern if a quarter of your accounting professionals walk out?

you shouldn’t just worry about that; you should be downright scared.

more: accountants hopeful, concerned and confused about ai | looking for recent grads? good luck | cpa biz is booming, but for how long? | survey respondents see exciting year coming up | survey: accountants economic outlook brightens | understanding the full cost of a data breach
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

devastating losses of staff and a dearth of job candidates have reached crippling proportions, according to a study from the institute of management accountants and personnel placement firm robert half, “talent retention in the u.s. accounting and finance profession.”
read more →

looking for fresh accounting grads? good luck

line chart of degree trends

the pipeline is just a trickle.

join the new staffing survey.

benchmark your firm.
be the first to get the winning strategies.
by 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 research

the american institute of cpas 2023 trends report on new graduation data has good news and bad.

which would you like first?

more: cpa biz is booming, but for how long? | survey respondents see exciting year coming up | survey: accountants economic outlook brightens | research: accounting pros cautiously optimistic about generative ai | why the u.s. must act now to protect our online privacy
goprocpa.comexclusively for pro members. log in here or 2022世界杯足球排名 today.

spoiler alert: even the good news is pretty bad.
read more →