Leadership in an accounting practice is the ability to guide people and the firm toward shared goals through influence, clarity and consistent action. In high-performing firms, strong leadership shows up in measurable outcomes across practice management.

What great leaders improve:

• Revenue growth
• Profit margin
• Technical excellence and capability building
• Client satisfaction and retention
• Staff morale, development, training and tenure
• Professional reputation and brand value

Leaders do things differently, and they get superior results. Above all, they work well with people. They show passion, act with compassion and help others feel confident and capable. The following twelve practical ideas will help you become the kind of leader people want to follow.

1: Align goals with what people value

Ask each team member what they value most. Where you can, set practice goals that support those priorities so work and life are aligned.

2: Recognise extraordinary effort

Help people reach their potential by noticing exceptional work and calling it out. Timely, specific praise builds confidence and momentum.

3: Share a monthly internal newsletter

Publish a short internal update that recognises wins and learnings. Staff value acknowledgement, and it helps instil pride in the firm.

4: Communicate early and often

Good leaders are clear communicators. Stay in touch with your team, close loops quickly, and make sure expectations are understood.

5: Host a team activity every second month

Create space to connect outside daily work. A simple lunch, breakfast or short activity can refresh energy and build loyalty.

6: Build consensus on operational changes

Invite staff input before changing processes. When the frontline is involved, implementation is faster and buy-in is stronger.

7: Keep a positive, disciplined mindset

When challenges arise, stay measured. Work step by step, reassess when needed and avoid letting emotion drive decisions.

8: Trust people to decide and deliver

Give team members room to make sound decisions. Autonomy grows self-esteem and expands the firm’s leadership bench.

9: Provide meaningful work and training

Stretch people with work that matters, then support them with the training required to succeed with new responsibilities.

10: Celebrate weekly wins

Share the previous week’s successes at least once a week. A small surge of energy improves productivity for the days ahead.

11: Keep learning

Great leaders keep sharpening their knowledge and skills, and they share what they learn through workshops and training.

12: Learn from industry leaders

Engage with firms and thought leaders who specialise in practice performance. As Jon Andrews of PwC London says, “In today’s world, people are taking a clear perspective that making the investment in people pays back multiple fold in the risks that you avoid because people know what they’re doing.”

Great leadership in an accounting firm is about managing people well, deepening client relationships and driving the practice to sustained success.

Do you need to lift leadership capability in your firm?
Explore Smithink’s leadership development programs, including the Young Guns Workshop for emerging leaders.