partner

management styles: partnership vs. corporate

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"that's okay i don't know what the chart means either."bonus checklist: 25 best practices for managing partners.

by marc rosenberg
cpa firm retreats

in firm management and governance, we find two distinct management styles: partnership vs. corporate.

partnership style. democracy heavily impacts the way partnerships are governed. in a democracy, every partner has a vote and there is a “majority rules” mentality. a system of checks and balances prevents leaders from becoming dictators. the “citizens” want a reasonable amount of input into decisions.

more on retreats: 30 marketing and growth questions to cover at a retreat | how marketing for cpa firms is different | why create a marketing plan? | thinking of merging? discuss it at a retreat | how to take action after a retreat | 12 simple rules for a retreat | leave your retreat with a to do list | every retreat needs a leader, but who? | retreats are no place for clowns | who should participate in a retreat? | retreat logistics: how long, what kind? | what should cpa firms discuss at retreats? | why do cpa firms conduct retreats?

in a partnership style, partners have “certain inalienable rights” like:
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how much do partners earn? and why

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dollar on question markbonus: the 18 factors that drive partner pay.

by marc rosenberg

what do cpa firm partners actually earn?

more on partner compensation: how partners view compensation: it’s not all about the money | why most partner comp systems are performance-based

the statistics below usually vary by the size of the population market, though our experience working on numerous client projects with firms in small markets has shown that it is quite possible for firms in small markets to earn “large market” income.

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partner compensation: an art, not a science

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the 4 engines that drive management.

by marc rosenberg

the allocation of partner income is much more an art than a science. anyone who thinks otherwise is either naïve or has never been a partner whose income was subjected to an income allocation process.

more on partner compensation: how partners view compensation: it’s not all about the money | why most partner comp systems are performance-based

partner compensation is not a science. if allocating partner income were a science, it would be easy to concoct the perfect formula that factors in all relevant performance metrics, both tangible (production) and intangible (leadership, mentoring staff, loyalty, teamwork, etc.), producing results that would be considered fair and acceptable to most or all partners. there would be few arguments among the partners because they would feel the formula says it all and leaves nothing for debate.
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mergers: assessing compatibility

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overhead view of people solving a large jigsaw puzzlebonus checklists: 8 questions to answer and 23 issues to negotiate.

by marc rosenberg

these questions can be explored via interviews or group sessions. but they are all great questions that will give insight into each firm’s culture and personality.

more on mergers: what to discuss at the first merger negotiation meeting | 14 provisions to include in a letter of intent | case studies reveal potential loi issues | want to merge? ask for data | the merger process in 21 steps | 13 ways to screw up a merger | 15 can’t-skip merger terms to decide | 14 keys to a successful merger | 13 reasons accounting firms merge | mergers 101: when negotiations aren’t really negotiations | 5 steps to take before merging

  1. why do the firms really want to merge? after the merger, will the firms have the commitment and wherewithal to realize their expectations? acid test: if some of the main reasons for doing the merger are clearly not realized 12 months later, which issues and failures would make you the most upset and frustrated?
  2. how would the new firm be better than the sum of the two individual firms?
  3. do both firms share a similar vision for what the firm should look like in five years? growth, services offered, specialties desired, industries served, number of offices, etc.?
  4. do you share similar values? values include things like how billable a partner should be, how important it is for a partner to follow the rules, the importance of being a business-getter, how staff are treated, work ethic, etc.
  5. each firm should tell the other the following:

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