Accounting Influencers Podcast Martin Bissett & Rob Brown

Episode 127. In today's news episode, we discuss "Accountant Hiring at Record Levels (in Industry)."

Key takeaways from this episode include:

★ shout out to the new podcast shows we are launching

★ citing research to prove hiring of accountants into industry and commerce is rising rapidly

★ why accounting firms might be losing out to accounting talent who see more career opportunities outside practice

★ the range of career options available to professionals with accounting qualifications

★ why it is no longer sustainable for companies and accounting firms to charge their people with manual, repetitive, automated and tedious work

★ the importance of employer brand and why firms must work hard to offer support and career progression to new hires

★ the high attrition rates of accounting staff from firms and why it presents massive problems

★ the opportunities for accountancy practices to stand out as an employer of choice

★ what potential new accounting hires are truly looking for in prospective employers

Original Source: Commerce and Industry accountant hiring at record levels

https://www.theaccountant-online.com/news/commerce-and-industry-accountant-hiring-at-record-levels

NOTE TO LISTENERS:

The Accounting Influencers Podcast is a daily radio-style show with four segments coming out every Monday which are repeated on the other 4 weekdays as standalone episodes, plus a bonus 'from the client's perspective' episode on Saturdays. On Sundays, listeners get a short min trailer for the coming week's episodes.

Every Tuesday the show gives you a relevant news topic from the accounting and fintech world with a direct application to accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay informed and build your commercial acumen.

Every Wednesday and Friday, we feature an uncut interview with top authors, leaders, thinkers and performers in the accounting and fintech world.

Every Thursday the show gives you a practical 'here's what works' tips concerning a key challenge, need or strategy for accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay current and keep your skills topped up.

Finally, every Saturday gives listeners a bonus episode which focuses on the buyers of accounting services - the clients themselves. In particular how they feel, react to and experience their interactions with accountants. That includes why they buy or don't buy, why they move or stay and why they think how they think about you, your firm, your prices and your offerings.

Martin and Rob love to hear from the show's 26,000 unique listeners in 150 countries around the world. If you like the show and listen to multiple episodes, we'd really appreciate your appreciation with a review or rating. As most of our listeners tune in via Apple podcasts...

How to leave a review on Apple Podcasts

① Open the Podcasts app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

② Navigate to the page of the Accounting Influencers Podcast.

③ Scroll down to find the subhead titled "Ratings & Reviews."

④ Under one of the highlighted reviews, select "Write a Review."

Anything about the style of the show, the frequency, the content, the CPE/CPD, the hosts Martin and Rob, the guests, the different segments or something in particular that's made a difference. Listeners can rate the show on a scale of one to five stars and can also add a written review.

Please also recommend the show to people in your network because we'd love to reach a wider audience. Thank you from Rob, Martin and the whole Accounting Influencers Podcast team.

Episode 126. On this week’s Accounting Influencers Podcast:

➜ News - "Accountant Hiring at Record Levels (in Industry)."

➜ Special Guest Interview: "The Disruption Proof Accounting Firm: Joe Woodard."

➜ Practical advice and tips on "What Works in Accounting Firm Employer Brands."

➜ Expert Interview: "Recruitment & Retention Tips in Accounting: Lee Frederiksen."

For full shownotes on these segments, check out the stand-alone episodes coming out this week and outlined on the days below.

NOTE TO LISTENERS:

The Accounting Influencers Podcast is a daily radio-style show with four segments coming out every Monday which are repeated on the other 4 weekdays as standalone episodes, plus a bonus 'from the client's perspective' episode on Saturdays. On Sundays, listeners get a short min trailer for the coming week's episodes.

Every Tuesday the show gives you a relevant news topic from the accounting and fintech world with a direct application to accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay informed and build your commercial acumen.

Every Wednesday and Friday, we feature an uncut interview with top authors, leaders, thinkers and performers in the accounting and fintech world.

Every Thursday the show gives you a practical 'here's what works' tips concerning a key challenge, need or strategy for accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay current and keep your skills topped up.

Finally, every Saturday gives listeners a bonus episode which focuses on the buyers of accounting services - the clients themselves. In particular how they feel, react to and experience their interactions with accountants. That includes why they buy or don't buy, why they move or stay and why they think how they think about you, your firm, your prices and your offerings.

Martin and Rob love to hear from the show's 26,000 unique listeners in 150 countries around the world. If you like the show and listen to multiple episodes, we'd really appreciate your appreciation with a review or rating. As most of our listeners tune in via Apple podcasts...

How to leave a review on Apple Podcasts

① Open the Podcasts app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

② Navigate to the page of the Accounting Influencers Podcast.

③ Scroll down to find the subhead titled "Ratings & Reviews."

④ Under one of the highlighted reviews, select "Write a Review."

Anything about the style of the show, the frequency, the content, the CPE/CPD, the hosts Martin and Rob, the guests, the different segments or something in particular that's made a difference. Listeners can rate the show on a scale of one to five stars and can also add a written review.

Please also recommend the show to people in your network because we'd love to reach a wider audience. Thank you from Rob, Martin and the whole Accounting Influencers Podcast team.

BONUS: a short bonus episode in a new series to help accountants price better and win more business - "The Price Is Right Part 13 - Establishing Bottom Line."

In these bonus episodes, we focus on upskilling the accountants, bookkeepers, CPAs and commercially focused fintech vendors to better handle key challenges in their professional role like client service, closing deals, negotiating, pricing, hiring, reputation and differentiation.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

➜ acknowledging how prices are being squeezed for accountants on tax and audit work and all forms of compliance

➜ what 'not all business is good business' means for accounting practitioners looking for more clients

➜ the pathetic excuses some more experienced accountants give to justify taking on low value work

➜ what a pricing baseline or bottom line looks like for accountants and how it works practically in firms

➜ the political infighting and objections you may expect if you push for higher fees in your accounting firm

➜ what fear, acceptance and old traditions sound like in an accounting firm when it comes to recalibrating pricing

➜ the importance of setting accounting firm policies on things like pricing to help professionals follow protocol

➜ the circumstances under which different people in an accounting firm can charge different prices for similar work

➜ the benefits for accountancy practices who get serious about pricing vz making it individual and personal

➜ mechanisms to take the emotions out of pricing for accountants and CPAs

******************************

If you have a business development, sales or growth angle to your role, and are expected to bring in new business, here's a great resource for you:

Are you a busy accountant struggling to create more revenue and career opportunities?

As an accounting professional, you likely have a business development strategy, selling or work winning dimension to your role and the ability to generate new revenues is what makes you wealthier, more promotable and more valuable to your employers. Many accountants struggle to bring in the kind of work that gets them noticed or makes them promotable. If you’re a partner, you’re under pressure to show you’re worth a seat at the table. If you’re below partner level, you know that beyond technical competence, the passport to partnership is the ability to drive growth.

This unique guide is designed for accounting professionals in practice with 5 simple but effective things to do every day to create significant new career opportunities, greater influence, a better network and new business conversations. What you will learn:

✓ What is a 'reachout' and how to create your target list

✓ How to keep in touch with your contacts and how to approach follow up

✓ How to make an introduction and extend your network by being helpful

✓ How to start a conversation with someone you don't already know

✓ How to make a new business offer without being salesy

If you follow and implement this guide, you will create significant new career options and new business opportunities in the next 30 days. Start today by taking control and toning up your business development skills with a tried and tested 5 step system you can apply with ease every single day.

DOWNLOAD LINK: https://accountinginfluencers.com/growth-opportunities-accountants/

NOTE TO LISTENERS:

The Accounting Influencers Podcast is a daily radio-style show with four segments coming out every Monday which are repeated on the other 4 weekdays as standalone episodes, plus a bonus 'from the client's perspective' episode on Saturdays. On Sundays, listeners get a short min trailer for the coming week's episodes.

Every Tuesday the show gives you a relevant news topic from the accounting and fintech world with a direct application to accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay informed and build your commercial acumen.

Every Wednesday and Friday, we feature an

Episode 125. In today's interview, "The Drivers of Change in Accounting with Gary Shamis."

Gary Shamis is a former top 40 US accounting firm managing partner who sold to BDO in 2015. He is now CEO of Winding River Consulting, a high-level strategy consulting for the Restaurant, CPA, and professional services industries. Amongst many other accounting accolades, Gary won EY Entrepreneur of the Year and is a Top Ten Managing Partner Elite (Accounting Today) where he was called the “very model of the modern managing partner. he was awarded Most Admired Peer (INSIDE Public Accounting) and has more than a dozen appearances on the Most Influential list (Accounting Today). He has served within the ranks of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and is co-author of How to Manage Your Accounting Practice: Taking Your Firm from Chaos to Consensus.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

◆ what have been the biggest changes in the accounting profession over recent years

◆ why many accounting firms should be proud at how quickly they managed to adapt to the pandemic - almost overnight

◆ the challenges for accounting practices in dealing with the culture of remote working and the pace of technology

◆ how the private equity money and appetite for mergers and acquisitions is changing the accounting landscape

◆ the lessons accounting leaders can learn from history with private equity and the changing priorities of big companies

◆ how the majority accounting firms are now 'boomer owned and millennial compromised' in their make up

◆ how generation shifts in accountancy practices are driving consolidation and changes in business models

◆ explaining the difference in mentality with baby boomers and younger generations with live first, work second

◆ a warning to equity partners in accounting firms on how they must set up their firm so millennials will pay for their exit

◆ an example of how succession plans in accounting firms can collapse overnight

◆ the problems coming up for many accountancy firms with their business model and succession planning

◆ the number one thing that attracts private equity money in the accounting sector

◆ the potential phasing out of managing partners and the evolution of the c-suite in accounting firms

◆ the concept of non-accountants and non-CPAs running large accounting practices

◆ the increasing importance of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in accounting, and how many firms are getting it wrong

◆ where professional accounting associations and institutes are falling short in pushing for a stronger DEI agenda

◆ examples of what accounting firms must do with DEI to attract more and better talent

◆ how the pace of M&A activity and PE interest is only going to increase in accounting

◆ the kind of accounting firms that will do really well in the future

You can connect with Gary here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-shamis-wrc

https://windingriverconsulting.com

Check out this related interview: "Accounting Firm Leadership Priorities: Gary Shamis"

https://bit.ly/3lyBIgW

NOTE TO LISTENERS:

The Accounting Influencers Podcast is a daily radio-style show with four segments coming out every Monday which are repeated on the other 4 weekdays as standalone episodes, plus a bonus 'from the client's perspective' episode on Saturdays. On Sundays, listeners get a short min trailer for the coming week's episodes.

Every Tuesday the show gives you a relevant news topic from the accounting and fintech world with a direct application to accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay informed and build your commercial acumen.

Every Wednesday and Friday, we feature an uncut interview with top authors, leaders, thinkers and performers in the accounting and fintech world.

Every Thursday the show gives you a practical 'here's what works' tips concerning a key challenge, need or strategy for accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay curre

Episode 124. In today's practical episode, "Employer Branding & Mental Wellbeing in Accounting." In these segments, we pick out key trends and events in accounting and fintech media and analyse/interpret them for accountants in practice.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

▶ what employer brand means for accounting firms and why it is important with today's war for talent

▶ where an accounting firm's employer brand shows itself publicly

▶ the problems for accountants in trying to shape culture, sell and communicate 'at distance'

▶ the reasons why CPA and accountancy practices must prioritise employee wellbeing and mental health

▶ comments on the ICAEW report saying workplace wellbeing is an area the accounting profession is failing on

▶ comparisons of the accounting world to competitive sports in the welfare and care of athletes and employees

▶ quoting mind.org on how employees are much more likely to recommend their employer if they support mental wellbeing

▶ why accounting practice employer brand is so much more than initiatives and rhetoric

▶ how greater staff retention affects future recruitment for accounting firms

▶ the need for different approaches to different people when supporting staff in your accounting firm

▶ considering what 'going the extra mile' looks like for people who work in accountancy firms

▶ wellness strategies for accounting firms and the benefits of putting mental health first for productivity and profits

▶ why nobody has life all sorted, so thinking everyone in your accounting firm is okay is a mistake

▶ the need for metrics and measurement to keep a handle on accounting firm employees mental health and wellbeing

▶ why investing in training for leaders, managers and bosses helps retention of talent in accounting

▶ why diagnosis and aware of the stress triggers and signals are a feature of good wellbeing support in accountancy

▶ the importance of self-care and self-recognition of stress, overload and mental pressure for accounting leaders and managers

◤━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━◥

Follow Accounting Influencers on Linkedin - we'd love to keep you informed on latest interviews, episodes and behind the scenes goodies from the Accounting Influencers Podcast and events. Just go here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

◣━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━◢

NOTE TO LISTENERS:

The Accounting Influencers Podcast is a daily radio-style show with four segments coming out every Monday which are repeated on the other 4 weekdays as standalone episodes, plus a bonus 'from the client's perspective' episode on Saturdays. On Sundays, listeners get a short min trailer for the coming week's episodes.

Every Tuesday the show gives you a relevant news topic from the accounting and fintech world with a direct application to accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay informed and build your commercial acumen.

Every Wednesday and Friday, we feature an uncut interview with top authors, leaders, thinkers and performers in the accounting and fintech world.

Every Thursday the show gives you a practical 'here's what works' tips concerning a key challenge, need or strategy for accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay current and keep your skills topped up.

Finally, every Saturday gives listeners a bonus episode which focuses on the buyers of accounting services - the clients themselves. In particular how they feel, react to and experience their interactions with accountants. That includes why they buy or don't buy, why they move or stay and why they think how they think about you, your firm, your prices and your offerings.

Martin and Rob love to hear from the show's 26,000 unique listeners in 150 countries around the world. If you like the show and listen to multiple episodes, we'd really appreciate your appreciation with a review or rating. As most of our listener

Episode 123. In today's interview, "CFO Consulting Services in Accounting with Kevin Appleby."

Kevin Appleby is COO at GrowCFO. He hosts the GrowCFO show, a weekly podcast dedicated to finance leaders. He is also co-host of long running business show The Next 100 Days Podcast. He qualified with BDO, worked as European Business Accountant for ICI’s Plastics Business, and as a management consultant with PwC and BearingPoint. Key takeaways from this episode include:

⍟ the evolving role of a CFO in a company, particularly with a more external focus

⍟ the two key areas accountants are expected to speak into with today's business clients

⍟ defining the portfolio or fractional CFO from an accounting perspective

⍟ how accountants can take natural steps from compliance to more project and consulting based services

⍟ key questions finance professionals are asking themselves and their peers to stay current for today's business owners

⍟ examples of the topics finance and accounting professionals need to gain knowledge of to be better advisors

⍟ the extent to which CFOs and accountants need to be tech experts, geeks and nerds in advising clients

⍟ how accountants can do so much more for their clients, and in doing so, hit all of their growth or new business targets

⍟ the VITAL vz FUNCTIONAL framework of GenCFO of accountants and CFOs

⍟ the confidence and authority that accountants can gain from claiming expert status and living up to it

⍟ final words of advice and encouragement for accountants wanting to more confidently and effectively deliver CFO advisory services

Here is Kevin's VITAL framework mentioned in the show - being VITAL instead of functional. The functional becomes a commodity and can be automated out of existence (MTD, cloud accounting, automation)

VISION. Taking a role in strategic planning, helping with financial models of the business etc. KPI reporting. This is a core skill - the financials are like driving a car through a rear view mirror.

INSIGHT. Understanding the economic engine of the business and not just the P&L. Activity-based costing is a core skill.

TEAM. Supporting the business owner and their management team, answering the questions that keep them awake at night.

AGILITY. Driving change, implementing finance systems, automation, bringing technical expertise, project management and change management.

LEARNING. Everything is changing so CFOs and accountants must constantly reinvent themselves as subject matter experts and trusted advisors.

Outside work, Kevin is passionate about Newcastle United Football Club in the UK and can often be found in his railway room playing trains. Contact @jkevinappleby on Twitter and here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-appleby-295417a

https://www.growcfo.net

https://www.kevinappleby.com



━━━━━━━━━▼━━━━━━━━━

We'd love to get to know you!

Join, follow, subscribe, like, share and engage with the Accounting Influencers Communities on any of these platforms:

➺ Main show website. For access to every single show with full shownotes: https://accountinginfluencers.captivate.fm

➺ LinkedIn. For announcements of published shows, tagging guest so you can build your network and offer feedback on the show: https://www.linkedin.com/company/accountinginfluencers

➺ Youtube. For videos of all podcast interviews and bonus video content: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3AwPLSr2rCqTylGj0s7TJQ

➺ Twitter: https://twitter.com/accinfluencers

➺ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/accountinginfluencers

━━━━━━━━━▲━━━━━━━━━

NOTE TO LISTENERS:

The Accounting Influencers Podcast is a daily radio-style show with four segments coming out every Monday which are repeated on the other 4 weekdays as standalone episodes, plus a bonus 'from the client's perspective' episode on Saturdays. On Sundays, listeners get a short min trailer for the coming week's episodes.

Every