HOW YOU LOOK MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Tuesday, February 15th, 2011

Some deny it. I believe it.

How you look makes a difference. First impressions do count.

I apply “how you look” and what kind of “first impression” you make not only to individuals but also to CPA firms, in general. You know, your website for instance. One of my recurring messages to firm leaders is if your firm is not healthy on the inside, it definitely shows on the outside. If you think your people and even your clients don’t talk about your firm’s visible shortcomings, you are living in Management Land.

There was a lot of hoopla late last year over the UBS dress code. Did you read about it? It was VERY detailed and immediately became the target of ridicule. You can read more about it in the Wall Street Journal article.

CPA firms need to give their team members guidance. Hopefully, your experienced CPAs know how to dress (that statement is rather tongue-in-cheek because I often see more experienced accountants slipping backwards in how they dress for their professional role). But, young college graduates entering public accounting especially need some guidance.

Of course, it also depends on your firm culture, but even if you are a smaller, more rural firm or a firm of full of younger, free-spirits whose clients never “dress-up,” you are still judged on that first impression.

Women, especially, face challenges. Sylvia Ann Hewlett, President of the Center for Work-Life Policy, notes on her blog post some findings from a recent survey:

53% of women felt aspiring female execs needed to toe a very conservative line.
Half of the women surveyed and 37% of the men considered appearance and EP (executive presence) to be intrinsically linked; they understood that if you don’t look the part of a leader, you’re not likely to be given the role.
There is a lot of confusion and mystery about what “looking professional” actually means these days.
It is difficult for women to get guidance because their superiors are afraid to give it. Men wouldn’t think twice about telling a male colleague to take a breath mint but they clam up around women.

Follow the links above and read Hewlett’s blog post and the UBS story (they have now recanted their 43-page employee dress code because of being mocked by the press) and decide for yourself if your firm needs to provide documented professional dress advice. Most CPA firms do have written policies.

Females in CPA firms, do your own research, ask your mentor, talk it over with other female CPAs.

Young accountants, new to the firm, be sure to follow the example of the leaders of your firm.

Everyone working in a professional business culture, always take a close look into a full-length mirror before you leave the house.