Thomson Reuters sees globalization, commoditization and generational shifts as key issues facing CPAs and small business clients

“It’s about helping to educate business clients and that starts with the accounting firm understanding them better,” said Edi Osborne, another of the 2013 Thought Leaders, and CEO of Mentor Plus, a consulting firm that helps accounting practices improve their small business advisory skills.

“One of the key questions needs to be ‘where do these businesses want to be tomorrow’,” she said. “Instead of working only with the business’ past data and taxes, accountants need to be better at explaining why their numbers are what they are, what they can do to grow their business, and also show the client the impact and value their services are adding. It starts by understanding the client’s business model.”

The Thought Leader Symposium will continue on Monday and Tuesday, with leading technology vendors discussing their plans for future development and growth as it affects practice of tax and public accounting.