Small firms face familiar challenges in unprecedented times What’s keeping you up at night as a firm owner? Listen to this clip from the AICPA’s September 2nd Town Hall series as the AICPA’s Lisa Simpson, VP of Firm Services, Carl Peterson, VP of Small Firms, Barry Melancon, CEO, and CPA.com’s CEO Erik Asgeirsson discuss the results from the 2021 CPA Firm Top Issues Survey. 2021 Top Issues commentary: Familiar challenges in extraordinary times Resources to address CPA firm top issues This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, visit aicpa.org/pcps or email pcps@aicpa.org for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.

Small Firm Philosophy podcast

Small firms face familiar challenges in unprecedented times

“Technology: it’s just oxygen. It’s the tools that are available to us and some of us breathe it better than others.” Listen as Byron Patrick, CPA and Manager with Botkeeper shares his take on technology in public accounting and what you can do as a small firm to stay in the know. Resources mentioned: 2021 Top Issues commentary: Familiar challenges in extraordinary times Resources to address CPA firm top issues Digitally Speaking with Roman H. Kepczyk, Director of Firm Technology Strategy at Right Networks.   To learn more about Byron, follow him on Twitter or connect with him on LinkedIn.  Find out more about Botkeeper at www.botkeeper.com. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, visit aicpa.org/pcps or email pcps@aicpa.org for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.  

Technology: Oxygen for your small firm

“The average person spends about two hours per day in drama…and lack of accountability is one of the sources of drama”. Listen to this excerpt from the August 12th Town Hall Series as Reality-Based Leadership’s Alex Dorr joins Lisa Simpson, the AICPA’s VP of Firm Services and Eric Asgeirsson, CPA.com’s CEO, to discuss workplace drama and how to create an engaged and accountable firm culture. Resources mentioned: Increase accountability in your firm Streamlining the “you got a minute?” meeting Gain insights for your firm with the Employee Value Self-Assessment To learn more about Alex and Reality-Based Leadership, please visit their website at https://www.realitybasedleadership.com/. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, visit aicpa.org/pcps or email pcps@aicpa.org for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.

Engage your staff and increase accountability in your small firm

The AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) CPA Firm Top Issues Survey has identified developing the next generation of firm leadership as a pressing concern for practitioners. Hear how Brent Forbush, CPA Managing Partner of Forbush and Associates, leads the way with staff development in his small firm and how you can start today in your practice. Resources mentioned: PCPS Firm Competency Model AICPA Leadership Academy Journal of Accountancy Top firm challenges in unprecedented times To learn more about Brent and his firm, please visit their website at forbushcpa.com. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, visit aicpa.org/pcps or email pcps@aicpa.org for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.  

Developing the next generation of small firm leadership

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has issued an exposure draft on auditing the financial statements of Less Complex Entities (LCEs). Listen to the latest episode of the Small Firm Philosophy podcast as Samantha Bowling, CPA, CGMA Partner with Garbelman Winslow CPAs provides a high-level overview of the exposure draft, the potential implications for small firms, and what you can do now to participate in the process. Resources mentioned: Exposure draft, proposed international standard on auditing of financial statements of Less Complex Entities To learn more about Samantha, please visit https://www.gwcpas.com. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, visit aicpa.org/pcps or email pcps@aicpa.org for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.

Less complex entities in the limelight for small firms

As highlighted in the Succession Planning Survey, small firms know they need a Practice Continuation Agreement (PCA) yet less than 10% have one in place. Listen as Mike Shost, CPA discusses key takeaways and best practices from his experience constructing and executing PCAs in his small firm. PCPS resources mentioned in this episode: Practice Continuation Agreements: A Practice Survival Kit PCPA Succession Planning Resource Center Work on your firm now, retire will later To learn more about Mike, please visit his website at shostcpa.com. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, check out our membership information or sign up for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.

Protect your small firm with a Practice Continuation Agreement

The ASB’s proposed quality management standards are open for comments through Aug. 31. But small firms can get a head start on understanding the implications and ensuring ongoing A&A quality. In our latest episode of the Small Firm Philosophy podcast, Dustin Verity, CPA, CGMA Founder & Managing Partner Verity CPAs provides a high-level overview of the proposed standards, the potential implications for small firms, and what you can do to participate in the process. Resources mentioned: Exposure Drafts of Proposed SASs, SSAEs, and SQCSs Get involved with the Technical Issues Committee (TIC) To learn more about Dustin and Verity CPAs, please visit their website at www.veritycpas.com or follow them on Twitter @veritycpas. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, check out our membership information or sign up for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.

Quality management in the spotlight for small firms

How did small firms keep up with the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and other business relief programs to support their clients’ needs? Listen as Steven “The Singing CPA” Zelin, CPA shares how he and his staff educated themselves and assisted their clients during the pandemic and beyond. Resources mentioned in this episode: AICPA Town Hall Series SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) resources for CPAs To learn more about Steven, please visit his website or follow him on YouTube. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, check out our membership information or sign up for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.

Hitting the right notes in small firm client service

How did small firms cope with another tax season layered with business relief efforts, COVID, and filing extensions? Listen as Carl Peterson, CPA, CGMA, the AICPA’s Vice President of Small Firms, shares practitioner insights into tax season and where small firms are heading now. PCPS resources mentioned in this episode: Register for the June 23 Small Firm Update Take the Top Issues Survey today! Where opportunity meets value: Business model trends for accounting advisory surveys To learn more about Carl, read his bio or contact him directly by email at Carl.Peterson@aicpa-cima.com or by phone at 651.341.6377. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, check out our membership information or sign up for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.  

Small firm tax season recap

Do you want to promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts in your firm but don’t know where to start? Listen as Crystal Cooke, Director of the Association’s member-facing Diversity & Inclusion team shares tips, resources, and experiences to help firms advance their DEI efforts. Resources mentioned in this episode: AICPA Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives PCPS Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit The Business Case for Diversity and Inclusion Firm Competency Model Establish the next generation of diverse CPAs In celebration of women’s history month – supporting women’s initiatives in ALL firms Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, check out our membership information or sign up for a free web tour.

Advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in small firms

“Succession is easy. It’s a byproduct of running your business well.” Hear this and more practical information as the Succession Institute’s Bill Reeb, CPA and Tommye Barre, CPA discuss the high-level results from the PCPS and Succession Institute Succession Planning Survey. Resources mentioned in this episode: Succession Planning Resource Center Succession Planning Survey Webcasts PCPS Networking Groups Top Issues Survey Growing a Practice in a Pandemic Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, check out www.aicpa.org/pcps or sign up for a free web tour. To learn more about Bill and Tommye, please visit the Succession Institute’s website at www.successioninstitute.com.

Work on your firm now, retire well later

Does the thought of starting a new business line keep you up at night? Are you trying to grow your firm but don’t know where to start? Hear how REDW’s Steve Cogan, CPA, managing principal, and Mike Allen, CPA, principal, grew the firm by listening to their clients’ needs and expanding their service offerings. Resources mentioned in this episode: Trusted Client Advisor Toolbox Creating a One Page Strategic Plan Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, check out our membership information or sign up for a free web tour. To learn more about REDW, please visit their website. Steve welcomes phone calls at (505) 998-3256.

Listen to your clients, grow your firm to meet their needs

Does the thought of speaking in public cause you stress?  Do you want to get more involved in the profession but don’t know where to start? Hear how Luke Selvig, CPA and Manager with Boyum Barenscheer went from a reluctant, after work networker to committee chair and speaking in front of hundreds of people. Resources mentioned in this episode: Firm Competency Model PCPS Firm inMotion e-Toolkit Networking Policy and Procedures Template Networking Preparation and Tips Relationship-Building Tracker and Report Out PCPS Networking Groups Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, check out our membership information or sign up for a free web tour. To learn more about Boyum Barenscheer, please visit their website or read their blog. Attend Luke's session, "Step out of your comfort zone to achieve your maximum potential", at ENGAGE. Follow the Small Firm Philosophy podcast at Libsyn.

Step out of your comfort zone, connect with the profession

Do you have difficulty finding, retaining, and developing ethnically diverse talent? The PCPS George Willie Ethnically Diverse Student Scholarship & Internship connects PCPS member firms with ethnically diverse accounting students. Tairu Jozaitus, Intern and Michael Jamison, CPA,  President -  OnTarget CPA, are current participants. Hear their experiences and how diversity initiatives are being advanced through this scholarship program. Learn more about the George Willie Ethnically Diverse Student Scholarship & Internship. To learn more about PCPS, check out the membership information or sign up for a free web tour. To learn more about OnTarget CPA, please visit their website or read their blog.

Establish the next generation of diverse CPAs

 Jacquelyn Tracy, CPA, CGMA Co-Founder of Mandel & Tracy, LLC is the Chair of the AICPA's Women's Initiatives Executive Committee (WIEC). Listen as she discusses available resources and toolkits for supporting women's initiatives and the positive impact they have on a firm.    Resources mentioned in the show: Supporting You in Women’s Initiatives Start A Women’s Initiative Program Connect with Women in the Profession CPA Firm Sponsorship Success Toolkit Women’s Global Leadership Summit Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee To learn more about PCPS, check out the membership information or sign up for a free web tour.  

In celebration of women’s history month – supporting women’s initiatives in ALL firms

Welcome to the American Institute of CPAs’ Small Firm Philosophy podcast series. We'll talk with leaders from small accounting firms across the country about their philosophies on running a successful practice in today's rapidly changing environment. Hear about topics including, supporting a strong firm culture, running a virtual firm, providing services to a niche industry like the craft brewery business, planning ahead for succession and successfully implementing mergers and acquisitions.

hubhopper

Small Firm Philosophy podcast

hubhopper