how auditors can beat ai

ignore the coming tsunami of change at your own peril.

by alan anderson, cpa
transforming audit for the future

instant download:
the new manifesto for accountants.

the other day, i picked up a college textbook on auditing from 2001.

more: the disruptors: re-inventing accounting with tyler anderson | the big issues in audit: frustration, inconsistency and technologyfive ways to increase audit efficiency | early adopters gain an edge in audittalent retention: five tips for an audit adjustmentsix benefits of an internal audit | the ten financial controls that’ll make you a hero | five cash reports you can’t live without | when an audit is a great thing
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even back then, that book listed these as “critical forces on the profession:”

  • increasing market saturation with relatively little opportunity for growth
  • perceptions that financial statement audits have become a commodity
  • price competition and continual pressure to reduce fees
  • cost pressures that have resulted in the reduction of time devoted to engagements
  • perceptions that the incidence and severity of alleged audit failures have increased

in the 20-plus years since that book was published, not much has changed. today many of the college students who learned auditing from that textbook are in leadership positions at audit firms. they were warned about what we were up against.

that we are still facing those same “critical forces,” which have only exacerbated since then, is an indicator of the ossified state of leadership in the audit profession.

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business owners face one of three exits

businessman putting a card with text "don't resist change, embrace it" in suit pocketexpect to sell your practice? not if you resist change.

by frank stitely
the relentless cpa

in talking to firms from around the country, i realized there are three types of firms out there:

  1. firms and practitioners that are sliding into retirement, whether they know it or not
  2. firms that see the need for change, but don’t know where to start
  3. firms that see a clear path to the future through better practice management

more: don’t let clients dictate tax workflow | make fewer mistakes, increase revenue and capacity | how small firms can win the talent wars | easy ways to avoid ‘done but’ tax returns | six ways to create a millennial-friendly firm | do you know your turnaround time?
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since publishing my first book and launching my firm’s workflow and collaboration application, i have talked to practitioners from firms of all types and sizes. my cpa firm pursued a few acquisition opportunities. during the process, i learned there are a lot of practitioners who are either incapable of adapting to our profession’s 21st-century changes or unwilling to adapt. that’s okay, if you are making an informed choice to retire and don’t care about realizing much in value by selling your firm.

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center your firm around your client

two businesswomen shaking handsthere are three ways to change the product-market fit. only one works.

by jody padar
the radical cpa

it’s hard to look at your firm from a customer’s perspective. that’s why we gravitate to a firmcentric point of view. this point of view asks questions like: what do we sell customers? how can we reach customers? what do we need to establish with our customers? and how can we make money from our customers?

more: commit to change | your client base is global | ready for change, so now what?
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we’re thinking about ourselves internally. nobody wants to hang out with someone who only thinks of themselves, yet that is the way we run our firms.

instead, i’m going to ask you to look at your business from your customer’s point of view. design thinking asks the following:

  • what jobs do our customers need to get done and how can we help?
  • what are our customers’ dreams and aspirations?

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commit to change

post with two signs, "same" and "change"be sure to document every stage.

by jody padar
the radical cpa

before you consider adopting the cloud or any of the “new firm” mindset, you have to ask yourself if you are willing to be the change.

once you decide, first thing, first. own it! you have to commit. if you teeter it will be harder. jump in feet first and feel the shock of the cold water.

more: your client base is global | ready for change, so now what?
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i’m not saying it won’t work if you wade in, i’m just saying it’ll be more of a challenge. when you change all your processes, it’s a lot of hard work but part of what will get you there is commitment. if you are seriously considering uprooting your firm’s foundation, you need to ask the following questions:
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join the radical movement

who defines innovation? you.

by jody padar
from success to significance: the radical cpa guide

it’s time to get going!

you’ve read my beyond radical approach.

more on radicalism: quick tip: 7 ways to add value and charge for it | profits: new firms, new measures | when staffers meet clients | selling product, not hours | maximizing social media: the importance of people | what are ai and bots? | true diversity means creating equity
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are you exhausted or energized? if you know me, you know that i can’t wait to help you get started on your journey.
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why time and billing is over

young businessman punching and breaking clock with fistmeasure outputs, not hours.

by jody padar
from success to significance: the radical cpa guide

i know you must be tired of me saying this.

more on radicalism: quick tip: 7 ways to add value and charge for it | profits: new firms, new measures | when staffers meet clients | selling product, not hours | maximizing social media: the importance of people | what are ai and bots? | true diversity means creating equity | creating more diversity in accounting firm leadership
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but the real reason why i’m able to take on more and focus my energy on expansion is because utilization isn’t relevant to my firm.
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7 ways to add value and charge for it

hand turning a knob up to the maximum with a dial where it is written "value added"“this is the hardest for cpas…”

by jody padar
from success to significance: the radical cpa guide

first: create accountability. follow up. ask a question to a business owner, give them a deadline and then call them out on the follow-through.

more on radicalism: profits: new firms, new measures | deleon & stang launches ‘anticipatory organization’ model | how timesheets kill teamwork | top 20 social media hacks to build your business
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this is coaching 101. did they do what they said they were going to do? most small business owners have no one to report to, and they appreciate you taking an interest.

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profits: new firms, new measures

businessman carrying elephant on his backeasing the power struggle between succession and partner compensation.

by jody padar
from success to significance: the radical cpa guide

i’m going to address the elephant in the room. ready? it’s succession and how it relates to partner compensation.

more on radicalism: deleon & stang launches ‘anticipatory organization’ model | how timesheets stymie teams | eric majchrzak: taking risks with marketing | four rules for setting boundaries in a social and mobile world | blockchain: the basics
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i can give you many reasons why time and billing is no longer relevant. i can give you the reasons why customers want fixed or value-based prices.
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deleon & stang launches ‘anticipatory organization’ model

portrait of al deleon
deleon

when transactions post automatically, what will accountants do?

by jody padar
from success to significance: the radical cpa guide

al deleon, founding partner of deleon & stang in virginia and maryland, has introduced the anticipatory organization model to the firm.

more on radicalism: how timesheets stymie teams | when staffers meet clients | selling product, not hours | maximizing social media: the importance of people | what are ai and bots? | true diversity means creating equity | creating more diversity in accounting firm leadership | accodex sets up a platform for practice management | product management: start with these 6 steps
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what does that mean exactly?

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how timesheets stymie teams

four office workers in discussion“when you aren’t tracking the minutes, your team can learn to lead itself.”

by jody padar
from success to significance: the radical cpa guide

where is ownership and leadership in the old-school model?

uh, nowhere?

more on radicalism: when staffers meet clients | how timesheets kill teamwork | top 20 social media hacks to build your business | thoughts on ai from sage’s kriti sharma | technology + transparency = transformation | 5 ways to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace | product management meets strategy
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is that why everyone is complaining there is no one left to take over our firms anymore? whose fault is that?
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when staffers meet clients

senior businessman mentoring two younger workersare they asking the right questions?

by jody padar
from success to significance: the radical cpa guide

it’s our communication skills that need improvement.

more on radicalism: how timesheets kill teamwork | eric majchrzak: taking risks with marketing | four rules for setting boundaries in a social and mobile world | blockchain: the basics | technology + transparency = transformation | 5 ways to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace
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partners have the skills, but those skills don’t get transferred to our lower-level employees.
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how timesheets kill teamwork

high angle view of business people stacking hands in a teamwork gesturehourly record-keeping is an individual sport.

by jody padar
from success to significance: the radical cpa guide

capacity gives you and your team incredible opportunities for professional growth. never at any of my old-school firm jobs did i feel like i was part of a team.

more on radicalism: eric majchrzak: taking risks with marketing | selling product, not hours | maximizing social media: the importance of people | what are ai and bots? | true diversity means creating equity | creating more diversity in accounting firm leadership | the persona: a closer look | 3 challenges in shifting to product management | tips from a veteran product manager | productized 1099s the new vision way
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yes, i had co-workers who would help if needed. but it was always at the expense of an hour. that may seem harsh, but if your managers are looking at budget hours and you need coaching to get through your part of the assignment, they might only offer up their help begrudgingly.
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eric majchrzak: taking risks with marketing

portrait of eric majchrzak
majchrzak

3 experiments his firm is trying.

by jody padar
the radical cpa guide

eric majchrzak is a shareholder and the chief marketing officer of beachfleischman pc, a top 200 firm in tucson, arizona, with approximately about $28 million in revenue, 21 partners and 160 employees.

more on radicalism: selling product, not hours | top 20 social media hacks to build your btechnology + transparency = transformation | 5 ways to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace | goals, goals, goals | happy tax: why you need to know its name
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we go way back. he’s been known to be pioneering when it comes to digital marketing and social media. i asked him what he’s been up to lately; this is how he responded:
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