Productivity in Practice: Frog Kisser

Despite overseeing a very technology-centric part of the practice, Golay says she isn’t a “techie,” and that the aspect she most enjoys is project management. “Finding potential business opportunities and relationships and putting deals together, then building those client relationships is the key. I focus on our commitment to our clients, providing them with the best service possible.” And this often circles back to the use of technology.

“I’m always looking for a prince; dreaming of new things,” Golay said. This role has led her to an unofficial title of “Frog Kisser,” the firm’s visionary, with no billable time requirement. The gauge of her success is in the bottom line, which is doing quite well. The firm has revenues of approximately $10 million.

“We have taken the combination of accounting and technology down to a fine art and, most of the time, can perform accounting and bookkeeping for clients more effectively and efficiently than if they tried to do it themselves. We saved an oil company client $750,000 in one year just through handling their accounting.” Now, that should make a client happy.

Finley and Cook will need a new Frog Kisser in about three years, however. Janet plans on retiring in 2008, joining her already retired husband Paul in Texas, and spending time focusing on her children and grandchildren.