Successful Accountants’ Blog
Will accountants be affected by AI in the same way as doctors?
Have you ever thought about the similarities between accountants and doctors? And what we can learn from this? Let's leave aside the fact that many accountants have historically been described as general practitioners (GPs) - which is a direct take from the medical world. When we go
To what extent might you be Unconsciously Incompetent?
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Increased knowledge can be worrying and a lot of knowledge is empowering. This is something it took me years to learn when I was in practice. Think about your own knowledge of how a specific tax rule works. One you
The fallacies of focusing on technical skills
Throughout my career it was the case that trainee accountants studied a wide range of technical topics. We were tested on what we had learned and on how we would apply our accumulated knowledge in practice. Then, typically after qualifying, we found out from our managers and
How to do better than simply say that your business grows through referrals
Most of the accountants I meet claim that most of their best new clients come through referrals. When I dig deeper I find this is typically for one of the following reasons: They remember that their most recent new clients were initially generated by referrals; They don't get
What will be the canary in the accountancy coal mine?
For 75 years, from 1911 until 1986, miners carried caged canaries while at work. If there was any methane or carbon monoxide in the mine, the canary would die before the concentration of gas reached levels that are hazardous to humans. This is the origin of the
What are the threats and opportunities of increased automation in accountancy?
After I recently delivered a talk about the future for accountants I was asked a popular question: Do you see increased automation as a threat or an opportunity for accountants? I explained that I don't like giving a simplistic answer - although, if forced, I would have to
15 traits of a modern accountant
Recently I was asked this question: "Can a traditional accountant also be a modern accountant?" The person asking me this was what we might think of as an 'old-school' traditional accountant. But they liked to also think of themselves as modern. I think they had seen an
Which Competitive Force will most challenge you and your firm?
Whilst I pose this question about competitive forces in the context of accountants, you might also find the concept helpful when talking with clients. Michael Porter first published his five forces model in a 1979 article published in the Harvard Business Review. In the context of an accountancy
The future of compliance services for accountants (ten years on)
In June 2009 I wrote a blog piece titled: "The future of compliance services for accountants" I didn't go for big headlines in 2009. I didn't say anything outrageous and I didn't look to attract attendees at high-priced seminars to help accountants survive and thrive in a
Would this unconventional approach to risk management work for you?
An accountant I know (‘Jeremy’) is heavily reliant on his two full qualified staff. For the reasons explained below I suggested that Jeremy do something unconventional as a form of risk management insurance he’d never previously considered. Background In addition to his two full time staff Jeremy
Do you recognise these 9 types of commentator on the accountancy profession?
If you've been following me for a while you'll know I like to debunk the hype around many issues addressed by other commentators. Sometimes they are right on the money but often they are way off the mark - and this can be for any of a
What can you say when you call clients to ‘Keep In Touch’?
When I suggest to accountants that they call clients and ex-clients to 'keep in touch', my advice is often received with a shiver. If you are comfortable picking up the phone and calling clients and ex-clients for a chat, you won't get anything from this blog post.
What counts as CPD? More than you may think!
What does CPD mean to you? Do you consider CPD to be short-hand for post-qualification technical update courses? Ahead of Accountex 2019 I referenced the wide range of free CPD that would again be available at this major annual event, now in it’s 8th year in London.
How self confident are you, really?
Do you consider yourself to be a confident person generally? What about in terms of your ability to attract and win over prospective clients? And to keep clients happy and willing to pay you the fees you deserve for the work you do? Whilst many accountants I work with
What has the biggest influence on your ability to retain clients?
Accountants have a distinct advantage over most other service professionals. Your clients need your help on an ongoing basis, at least once a year and often more frequently than this. When we discuss the lifetime value of clients at meetings of The Inner Circle for Accountants we
