Rita Keller, an award-winning and widely respected voice to CPA firm management, is uniquely positioned to help CPAs and their teams face rapid and significant change.
“My hope still is to leave the world a bit better than when I got here.” – Jim Henson
It’s not easy being green. Sometimes CPAs might feel like they are green.
Here’s this Friday’s Flashback for St. Patrick’s Day. Learn about Green from Kermit.
“If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception; it is a prevailing attitude.” – Colin Powell
This brief story is about the importance of a mechanical pencil. I am not sure if the mechanical pencil is still important in the world of public accounting, but it once was.
As the years evolved, when I was working in a CPA firm, accountants and CPAs developed a love for mechanical pencils. Of course, they used pencils because they have erasers! Much of the use of a pencil was to sign off on a route sheet as work flowed through the office. As work moved from hand-calculated depreciation schedules to computerized worksheets, the mechanical pencil still had a starring role.
The accountants always had a favorite (brand or type) of mechanical pencils, and the firm supplied each accountant with their favorite. Not everyone loves the same brand of mechanical pencil. Lively discussions often occurred about which brand/type was the best. If someone lost their pencil, it was panic time. Another must be found of the same exact type and even color.
Now it seems the accountant’s tool, always in their hand, is their iPhone.
My mechanical pencil is on my desk, and I use it daily.
“There is a time for departure even when there’s no certain place to go.” – Tennessee Williams
Here’s a Friday Flashback post from last year. It is a tongue-in-cheek look at partner sabbaticals. Some days, in dealing with your other partners, you might wish this was true.
Have a great weekend!
“The essence of America—that which really unites us—is not ethnicity, or nationality or religion—it is an idea—and what an idea it is: That you can come from humble circumstances and do great things.” – Condoleezza Rice
“It will be celebrated with pomp and parade, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other.” – John Adams
Enjoy this 4th of July message. Click here.
Have a great holiday weekend.
“In life, it’s not where you go… it’s who you travel with.” – Charles Schulz
Of course, the above quotation refers to Charlie Brown and Snoopy. They are different species and have different experiences. They enjoy different things and don’t speak the same language. Yet, they are on life’s journey together.
According to a Peanuts fan page, Charlie Brown loves Snoopy and cares for him deeply, and thinks he is a great dog. In early strips, Charlie Brown seems to miss Snoopy when they go to sleep, even though he knows that they will see each other first thing the next morning.
In strips from later years, Charlie Brown gets a little annoyed by Snoopy’s laziness. All Snoopy ever seems to do is sleep on his doghouse, and wait for Charlie Brown to bring his dog food out.
Does this sound somewhat similar to how you feel about some of your partners? I imagine it does, yet, you are on life’s journey together.
“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” — William Penn
When you work in the CPA profession whether you are a CPA, a firm administrator/practice manager, an HR director, a marketing director, or a technology specialist, you are always busy. Very busy. It is the nature of the CPA profession. So much to do and so little time.
You want to do more things to improve your life, like exercise, read, spend more time with family, etc. But for some reason, you just can’t find the time.
You may have missed it. So, take a couple of minutes and read this interesting post by Daniel Hood (@AccountingEdit), the Editor-in-Chief of Accounting Today, titled Carving Up The Day. I think you will be able to relate!
“The rare individual who unselfishly tries to serve others has an enormous advantage.” – Dale Carnegie
I have dealt with male CPA partners for decades.
I have read Dale Carnegie books and quotes for years and love them.
Here’s a quote via Carnegie that I read this morning. It does not apply to most male CPA partners!
“When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion.” – Dale Carnegie
All partners need to keep this quote in mind as they deal with their valuable employees. It does apply to today’s workforce.
“People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.” – John Maxwell
Many think accounting and being a CPA is a number business. A number career. A career for a math whiz. Wrong! It is a people business.
I remember an extremely knowledgeable CPA tax advisor who told me he just loved to work on taxes and figure out challenging situations but when faced with meeting with a client, in person, his stomach began to ache.
Of course, you have to be knowledgeable, experienced, and creative when it comes to numbers but you also need to develop exceptional people skills.
Through your career, you will develop some wonderful and meaningful relationships with clients and also with your peers, employees, vendors, and even competitors. However on occasion, whether it is certain situations with certain clients or with certain peers/employees, you might feel like Jerry and Elaine.
“Elaine: Ugh, I hate people. Jerry: Yeah, they’re the worst.”
“You’ll never get bored when you try something new. There’s really no limit to what you can do.” – Dr Seuss
It’s time to welcome a New Year.
Don’t keep doing the same old “tax season dance” this year.
Jazz it up and have some fun. Click here.
(Card via JacquieLawson.com)
