Life after accounting - Ray Cummings
No one ever really starts their career with the end in mind. Often, it's not until many decades down the track that people find themselves suddenly on the edge of retirement. Long-time contributor to Business in Focus is chartered accountant Ray Cummings, has been thinking long and hard about the …
How well are you leading your team? - Lynda Steffens
Accounting firms suffer from a lack of leadership, according to consultant Lynda Steffens. Often, they come into their roles from a technical background and don't learn how to lead. If you want more from your team, she says, you need to be the leader they want to follow. She explains what bosses c…
Building your practice in hard times - Brad Turville
Business development is a skill largely untaught, particularly in the accounting profession. But, it's a terribly important skill, particularly these days as we face worsening market conditions and stiffer competition. Consultant Brad Turville discusses how to bring in new clients and increase exi…
AI: The future for accounting starts now - David Smith
Whether we like it or not, artificial intelligence, including ChatGPT, will have a transformative impact on the accounting profession. These tools are like employing a junior accountant, says David Smith of Smithink. Don’t be afraid of it, he insists. Use it, it saves you time, and it’ll provide y…
Are you targeting your ideal client? - Mark Holton
Some clients can be more trouble than they’re worth. They take up too much of your time, they don’t pay on time and some can be downright frustrating to communicate with. Mark Holton of Smithink says you need to create ideal client criteria – so that everyone in your team is on the same page, and …
Latest business advisory trends - James Mason
If business advisory is part of your firm’s offerings, you might be interested to know what other business advisors are doing and whether their approach might work for you, too. James Mason, Managing Director of Mindshop, has researched the latest trends in a report conducted on business advisory …
The keys to a great accounting practice - Brad Turville
To differentiate your accounting practice from others is the way you service your clients. That’s according to Brad Turville, a coach and consultant to accountants. Word-of-mouth is a powerful marketing tool, and if you offer an exceptional service, he says, they’ll tell their friends, family and …
Helping clients with their finances - Peter Angelini
It’s always hard for businesses to secure finance at any point, but it’s getting increasingly difficult these days as banks tighten their lending requirements. So how can accounting firms help their business clients obtain finance? It’s something that Peter Angelini and his team take quite serious…
Is your advisory losing to business coaches? - Brad Eisenhuth
Are business coaches taking business away from accountants, and is there anything you can do about it? Brad Eisenhuth says accounting firms which offer business advisory are often better placed to service businesses that are looking to grow. Brad is founder and CEO of The Outperformer, a consultan…
The year ahead for accountants
A lot of businesses and accounting firms are happy that 2022 is over. It’s been a brutal few years with Covid, and now many practice owners are looking forward to a more prosperous 2023. That observation is from advisor to the accounting industry, Mark Holton of Smithink. Mark outlines what accoun…