Workshops and Presentations

Partner Retreats, Team Meetings and Association Workshops

The following sessions have been developed for firm partner retreats, team meetings and association workshops. In addition, we customize programs based upon specifically requested practice management topics or from the results of our Practice Management Assessment Tool.

Turbulent Times Survival Series Presentations

Leading a Firm in Turbulent Times - Survival or Opportunity

Difficult economic conditions cause many firms to go into a defensive mode. They tend to cut back on the very things that will help them prepare for better times. Successful firms understand that they need to be forward thinking and seek opportunities to grow their business. This program focuses on the potential risks and opportunities in today's business climate. It presents ideas on strengthening the firm's internal operations, preparing for the next economic upturn and bringing value to clients as their priorities change.

Managing Your Practice in Today's Economic Environment

Successful firms embrace management and leadership and use it to create a unified partner group focused on achieving the firm's vision. Further, they have developed a growth culture that supports the recruiting and retention of talented staff and results in increased practice value. But what do these firms look like? What are the attributes of a firm with high value and profitability? This workshop discusses the attributes of successful firms and how to manage for growth and longevity.

Developing Your Staff for the Future

Growth-oriented firms spend considerable time developing a culture that attracts and retains good employees. They understand that they are in a service business which requires them to have the best and the brightest people. They also know that good employees have choices of where to work. Therefore, these firms have taken the time to understand what today's workforce values. This offering discusses the importance of having an employee friendly culture and what firms can do to develop and train their staff to be future leaders, thereby providing for its long-term continuance.

Creating a Governance Structure for Growth and Profitability

To be successful in today's business world, an accounting firm needs to have an organizational structure that provides for clear strategic direction, effective risk management, rapid decision making, and frequent communication. The partner group should focus on partner activities that bring value to the firm every day. This session presents the key elements of an effective governance model and the long-term benefits it brings to the firm. Further, it discusses the attributes of good partners, vital partner activities, and how firms need to hold partners accountable and reward them for their contributions.

Who Is Going to Take Over My Practice?

Many firms are struggling with succession issues as their baby-boomer partners are nearing retirement. Potential future leaders of the firm have not been developed, or have left the firm or are just not interested in the commitment required to be a partner. What are the options remaining for firms? This session discusses succession issues facing firms, the various solutions available to resolve them and the steps firms must take now to ensure a successful transition in the future.

Other Popular Presentations

Driving Practice Value and Profitability

Practice value is a concept that many CPA firms do not often consider. However, high-value firms consistently display solid growth, greater profitability and are very attractive to existing and potential employees and clients. What are the attributes that create practice value? What are the components that lead to greater profitability? This workshop is an interactive session that uncovers the attributes of high-value firms and discusses how to manage for growth and profitability. Partners come away from the session with increased knowledge of where the firm is strong and practice tools and solutions to address those areas needing attention.

The Core Competencies of an Effective Partner

Successful firms understand the need to develop the leadership and management skills of their future leaders. But where do firms go for information? Designed for seniors, managers and young partners, this offering discusses the core competencies that need to be mastered in order to be an effective leader in the organization. Some advance reading is required; however the program is intended as an interactive discussion. Participants will come away with a good understanding of the attributes needed to be successful and will design a personal plan of action they can follow for further personal development.

Senior-Manager Workshop

Designed for senior and manager level team members, this interactive workshop exposes the team member to the practice management issues facing CPA firms. Highly customizable to the specific needs of the firm, topics may include firm finances, leadership issues such as integrity and trust, management issues such as thinking like an owner, leading a team, billing, client communications and work-life balance. Participants will be asked to place one or two items on the agenda for discussion. They will leave the session with a better understanding of the practice management issues facing CPA firms. In addition, firm management will be better informed on the issues and concerns of its leaders of tomorrow.

Strategic Planning

Many firms operate on a day-to-day basis without any central purpose. The team members spend time on whatever is closing in on a deadline or which client calls with a fire to put out. The organization is just wandering and never seems to have a goal it is striving to achieve. At best, the partners lack a shared vision. At worse, they are just sharing space and personnel. There is a better way.

Our strategic planning workshops are designed to help firms "paint the picture" of what they want their firm to be in the future. Through interviews and planning sessions with partners and other important members of the team, we help create a comprehensive vision, set objectives and strategies, assign responsibilities, determine timelines and ensure accountability. As a result, the members of the firm are united in their efforts and the firm grows profitably. And, because there is a road map, the leadership of the firm doesn't get distracted by every new idea that comes along.

Recent and planned speaking engagements

June 2009 - CPA Associates International Managing Partner Conference

June 2009 - Ohio Society of CPAs Annual Summit

June 2009 - CPA Associates international Succession Planning Presentation

October 2009 - PKF North American Network Large Firm Roundtable

October 2009 - The Growth Partnership Management Summit

November 2009 - PKF North American Network Managing Partner Conference

May 2010 - AGN International North America Managing Partner Conference

June 2010 - AICPA Practitioners Forum

June 2010 - Association for Accounting Marketing Summit

June 2011 - The Leading Edge Alliance Managing Partner Conference

June 2011 - Association for Accounting Marketing Summit

July 2011 - The CPA Leadership Institute - webinar - Who is Going to Take Over My Practice?

August 2011 - The CPA Leadership Institute - webinar - Driving Practice Value and Profitability

September 2011 - The CPA Leadership Institute - webinar - The Core Competencies of an Effective Partner

November 2011 - The Platt Group and Inside Public Accounting - The PRIME Symposium