Practical ideas, lessons learned and shared experiences for those in the world of CPA firm management, human resources, administration, marketing and technology.
My son, Ben, was just a lad back in 1981 when the first space shuttle, Columbia, was launched. He (and a generation of kids) were completely enthralled. He made space shuttle models and drew space shuttle pictures until his room was overflowing. He soon thereafter attained the ultimate thrill (for him at the time), his grandparents took him to Florida to actually see a launch (something on my life list that won’t get checked-off). Yes, like all Moms do, I saved some of his childhood artwork, dug them out of my cedar chest and took this picture yesterday.
Later in his boyhood he became an Apple fan – see this old post about our first Mac.
I bet he likes this recent cool news. Two iPhones have been approved for the last space shuttle mission. The iPhones will have the SpaceLab for iOS app installed on them. they will be used in four experiments to test the performance of the phone’s gyroscope and sensors in this weightless condition.
This isn’t a publicity stunt or a way to entertain the crew. Odyssey Space Research, the company behind the SpaceLab app, wants to use the data to design iPhone-assisted navigation systems for future spacecraft. Now, that’s cool.
I don't think the human race will survive the next thousand years, unless we spread into space. There are too many accidents that can befall life on a single planet. But I'm an optimist. We will reach out to the stars.
I often ask this question and it encompasses a large body of work inside your firm such as, recruiting, orientation and other HR activities, processes/procedures, firm financial analysis, technology and practice growth. Many firms allow the internal operations to be the last group to adopt a paperless environment.
If you have procrastinated, get busy this summer. No excuses – this is one of those Do Things! topics that I nag you about.
Roman Kepczyk, Director of Consulting for Xcentric has some great tips in his column on the CPA Practice Advisor site. Here are his “10 Opportunities” along with some comments from me.
Digital Pay Stub Delivery (I hope you have all embraced this one, most firms have.)
Integrate Expense Reimbursement with Payroll (Direct deposit these funds.)
Process Expense Reports through Practice Management
Utilize Remote CheckScan for Deposits (Most banks provide scanners – it’s time to eliminate the daily “trip to the bank” which turns into someone always leaving early or someone being absent for 30 minutes or more)
Deliver Firm Financial Reports via Portal (Ever had a copy of the firm financials left behind in the breakroom? They should be accessed via the owners’ desktop.)
Transition as Many Payables as Possible to Dedicated Credit Card (This provides better tracking and accumulates discounts for the firm.)
Move Remaining Payables to Web-Based Workflow Companies (I see more and more firms moving to Bill.com – you can learn all about it at AICPA PractitionersTech next week. Some of my clients are paying me via Bill.com and it is directly deposited into my account. This transaction… my invoicing and their payment completely paperless.)
Link Images of Source Documents to Accounting (leading accounting programs have the ability to do this)
Make the Most of On-screen Billing (At my former firm, this was the very first thing we took into the paperless environment way back in 1999! Why? Because of the amount of paper generated in the billing process. Everyone should be billing on-screen using the practice management software.)
Utilize Digital Invoices (Deliver your invoices via email or via the client portal.)
This week I traveled to Charleston, WV to take part in the West Virginia Society of CPAs first annual Women to Watch Awards. It was a beautiful day and a great view from the University of Charleston, looking across the river at the State Capitol’s golden dome.
Many state CPA societies are taking part in the program co-sponsored by the AICPA (follow the link above). The awards recognize women who promote, within the accounting profession, a work environment that provides opportunities for the successful integration of their personal and professional lives and the advancement of women to positions of leadership.
More pleasing than the view across the river was seeing these women honored and feeling the vibrancy of all the other women and men in the room. Plus, a bonus, I got to talk with my long-time friend, Fred Dillon, West Virginia Regional Administrator for Dixon Hughes Goodman.
The following Women to Watch Awards were presented
Established Leader: Gayle Mason, Gayle E. Mason, CPA
Established Leader: Lois Wilson, Lois K. Wilson CPA
If your state society is not participating in this wonderful program, speak-up and ask about it.
Today’s quote is one of my very favorites and I like to use it for myself and all women who are “fighting the good battle, the battle to lift women in business higher.”
I've never been to New Zealand before. But one of my role models, Xena, the warrior princess, comes from there.
Back in January, I did a post about Guy Kawasaki’s new book titled, Enchantment. At that point I had not read the book, I had just viewed some slides Kawasaki posted on Slideshare.
The book was released on March 8th and it is one I will be adding to my CPA Reading List for 2011. Why do I want you to read it? See if this title speaks to you: Enchantment – the Art of Changing Hearts, Minds, and Actions. As CPA firm leaders, isn’t this your mission inside the firm?
As noted, the book drew me to it, even before I read it because of the slides. I simply liked the title. When you say it out loud, it’s soothing, it’s magical – at least it is to me.
After reading the book, highlighting and taking notes as I moved from chapter to chapter, I still had a magical feeling. My beliefs were reinforced – that the simple, common sense things could make all the difference. Being interesting, being engaging, being kind, dressing appropriately, being well read and well spoken and having the magical ability to build relationships and connect people will make you successful. At least, it will go a long way towards enabling you to spread enchantment. As Kawasaki says, “Jerks seldom enchant people”.
How much better would things be at your firm if you and the other leaders enchanted your people? What if you enchanted your clients? CPA firm team members, what if YOU enchanted your boss?
As Kawasaki recommends, “The way to use Enchantment is to try these ideas, modify and adapt them as you go, abandon the losers, and run with the winners.”
Want a copy of my 2011 Reading list? Download it here, from my Dropbox site.
I am going to show you how to change the world, not understand it.
After I did my lighten-up post this morning, I realized that I could not let the week-end go by without sharing the fantastic Super Bowl commercial from VW. You’ve probably seen it by now since there are about 28,000,000 hits on You Tube.
I love this world of technology we live in. Of course, you know I have an iPhone, iPad, Kindle (still use it even though I have an iPad), Nintendo DS and so on.
I was impressed when I came across this cool commercial – a car that comes with an iPad owners manual. Check it out, it will help you start the week-end with a smile. The voice in the commercial is Jeff Bridges.
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
I will be in Las Vegas for the rest of the week for the high-profile CPA management conference, Winning Is Everything.
If you want to stay in-tune with what is going on and what is being said, follow me on Twitter. I’ve been suggesting to CPA firm partners that they begin experimenting with Twitter. Here is your chance – - sign-up, you don’t have to write anything. Select some people, news sites and organizations to follow and read what’s going on at the conference, in the profession and in the world.
Did you receive my January newsletter? If not, you can sign-up via my website. Click here and look for the sign-up option in the red box on the right.
I am getting lots of questions and feedback on the article about the managing partner tweeting. Many are just curious (at least I got your attention), most admit they are NOT familiar with Twitter at all.
This doesn’t just apply to the MP. I am hearing from PICs for audit, tax, etc. One audit PIC has 70 auditors to keep in the communication loop.
Sure, the holidays are busy. Sure, your clients keep asking year-end tax questions. However, you have two long week-ends and early January is often fairly quiet for many CPA firm leaders. Why not read some books that will help you become better at what you do. My suggestions, right now….. if I had to pick two? Download them to your Kindle or iPad – enjoy and learn!
SWITCH: How to Change Things When Change Is Hard by Chip and Dan Heath
A magazine ran a contest for real-life Dilbert type manager quotes. Here’s one of the winners:
“As of tomorrow, employees will only be able to access the building using individual security cards. Pictures will be taken next Wednesday and employees will receive their cards in two weeks.”
How’s the communication thing going inside your CPA firm?
Doing it right is no excuse for not meeting the schedule.
My son, Ben, was just a lad back in 1981 when the first space shuttle, Columbia, was launched. He (and a generation of kids) were completely enthralled. He made space shuttle models and drew space shuttle pictures until his room was overflowing. He soon thereafter attained the ultimate thrill (for him at the time), his grandparents took him to Florida to actually see a launch (something on my life list that won’t get checked-off). Yes, like all Moms do, I saved some of his childhood artwork, dug them out of my cedar chest and took this picture yesterday.
Back in January, I did a post about 
