Blog
Capacity? What capacity?
In many firms, the challenge continues to attract and retain star performers. Many are struggling to have sufficient capacity to complete their known work in the pipeline, let alone sufficient free resources to develop and deliver new services. Attitudes don’t help, either. I was recently in a firm where the partners were quite proud that…
Read MoreHow Digital Advice Can Be Used To Engage With More Clients
The problem in today’s advice market: We all know that the great majority of working Australians cannot afford the increasing cost of traditional comprehensive advice. We call that the ’advice affordability gap’, and it impacts approximately 10.4 million working Australians who have unmet advice needs. As well as these unmet needs, we know: The solution…
Read MoreThe Importance of a Strategic Plan for Accounting Firms
In recent weeks, I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with numerous accountants at various events, in particular, the Smithink 2024 Young Guns Workshop on the Gold Coast. One startling observation keeps surfacing: many accounting firms lack a recent strategic plan. Given that these firms help clients navigate their strategic pathways, it’s perplexing that they often…
Read MoreWhy is my AI behaving like a toddler?
I was so excited. The answer to all my questions, the increase in my efficiency, the road to a better life, was right before my eyes as I fired up the latest AI marvel. Why am I both amazed at what it can do for me and equally disappointed at the same time? Why does…
Read MoreAccountants should be key providers of financial advice
“I’ve been lucky to get some good overtime, but I’m being taxed quite a bit. Should I salary sacrifice into my partner’s super? Debt recycle? Or just stay the course with working, saving, and paying down the mortgage?” This is the kind of question accountants are frequently asked. And naturally so. Accountants are among the…
Read MoreDeveloping the Best Diversified Income Model for Your Accounting Firm
Are you looking to accelerate your accounting firm’s growth through diversified income channels? Many firms find that their traditional business advisory services need to perform better, with stagnant revenue growth and slim profit margins. Successful diversification into business advisory services can often feel elusive. With increasing pressure on fees for compliance and transactional services, now…
Read MoreBecoming a Memorable Leader
As an ambitious leader, you want to be someone that people recognise and remember, don’t you? Being a memorable leader can be easy because people tell their “horror stories” fairly regularly. If you think back on the leaders who stand out in your mind, it’s probably the ones who made mistakes who are remembered. You…
Read MoreBuilding an Accountability Culture Without the “Baseball Bat”
Creating a culture of accountability in professional service firms is a significant challenge. Many firms struggle with implementing an effective framework and process for being accountable. Challenges in Accountability A major hurdle is maintaining accountability in director or partner meetings. It’s difficult to hold others accountable when you haven’t fulfilled your own commitments. These meetings…
Read MoreHow do accountants compete in a changing landscape? A digital adviser could be the answer.
Accountants are bracing themselves for another busy season. It’s all the harder, as most practices face the same staff issues. Labour markets are still tight, and good staff are hard to find and expensive to recruit and retain. It leaves little time to devote to the idea of growing or future-proofing your practice. The financial…
Read MoreRunning Effective Advisory Board Meetings: Tips and Best Practices
What are advisory board meetings? An advisory board meeting is a collaborative and structured gathering where an organisation engages with a group of advisors and stakeholders to seek expert guidance and insights. Running advisory board meetings for clients can be crucial for providing valuable guidance and support to your clients and enhancing the value of…
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