June 2007

This electronic newsletter is prepared especially for public practitioners and is sent bimonthly to members of the (Name of State CPA Society). This e-newsletter features regular commentary from Bill Reeb, a CPA firm consultant based in Austin, Texas.

From the BILLiverse
How does your firm decide the dollar amount on partners’ paychecks? According to CPA firm consultant Bill Reeb, you should align partner compensation with your firm’s strategic plan. Firm size also can come into play. You won’t want to miss Reeb’s insightful commentary on his “eat what you kill” and “building a village” philosophies regarding partner compensation.
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Bringing Your Firm’s Brand to Life
You probably know the “rules” for color coordination where belts, handbags and shoes are concerned, but what about coordinating the look of your firm? In this article, ConvergenceCoaching covers the physical representation of your firm’s brand like your logo, its graphic and color elements, and the importance of consistency.
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Staffing Issues Revealed: Survey Finds What It Takes to Keep Staff Members
Staffing is still one of the biggest issues facing CPA firms today. How is your firm addressing recruitment, retention and the proper utilization of staff? A CPA firm consultant recently conducted a survey of 1,400 CPA firm staff from across 30 states on what it takes to keep staff members and keep them contributing to your firm. This article from the Institute of Management and Administration provides highlights from the survey and gives practical information on revamping your firm’s career paths, changing your leverage and making technology work harder for your practice.
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The Baffling State of Outsourcing in the U.S. CPA Industry
Do you outsource? Since a recent survey found only five percent of CPA firms in the U.S. planned to outsource a meaningful amount of 1040s during the 2007 tax season, chances are you don’t. But maybe it’s something your firm should consider. Marc Rosenberg, a management consultant for CPA firms, makes a case for outsourcing with four compelling factors.
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Gaining an Understanding is Now Mandatory Per the SASs
Auditing standards require you to gain an understanding of the entity and its environment before you perform a risk assessment. Now SAS 109 expands on that requirement. This article focuses on SAS 109 and covers required procedures outlined by the American Institute of CPAs.
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