May 2014

Like all businesses, nonprofits need to track expenses, monitor income, create budgets, and produce financial statements. Also unlike their for-profit counterparts, nonprofits also need to track programs, membership dues, association fees, donations and grant funds.

By now, you’ve probably heard of “content marketing,” even if you’re not sure what it is or why it’s being talked about in the accounting industry. It’s not just jargon thrown around by marketing professionals, and it definitely has a place in your firm. Simply put, content marketing is connecting with your clients without pushing your services on them.

Many years ago, in a warm sunny May of my youth, I finished college (or so I thought), packed everything I owned in a U-Haul truck, and drove to Washington D.C. I was so bold and happy. I had no job, no place to live, just a passion for whatever life had in store for me. I had no trouble finding a job. There were, in fact, several to pick from. And finding an apartment was just as easy. Every morning I started my day with enthusiasm and awe – how could I possibly be so lucky?

Most of the time in this column, discussion of the best or most promising technology tools is a primary source of interest. However, every once in a while a return to fundamentals is needed. One fundamental that has been consistently problematic for all size of firms is training. Frequently the need for training is either ignored, put off, or simply done poorly. Rarely do we see training done right. Why is that?

Innovation and growth are directly linked, and it should be no surprise that the most successful accounting firms commit focus, time, energy, and money to innovative services, processes, and technology.

Late nights of tax filings and days dispensing client advice are easily worth your fees. But how about valueless hours spent tracking down documents, exchanging e-mails, or educating staff? Compounded across all your clients, engagements, and staff, imagine how it adds up. Is this what’s (literally) keeping you up at night?

Intuit takes a look back at Tax Year 2013 and projects what changes lie ahead for the tax profession and its products.

Another busy season is under our belts and one of the most productive things a firm can do in the next few weeks is to take time to formally debrief the past few months, acknowledging what worked well and identifying where there were bottlenecks that could be improved upon.

While tax and accounting professionals were feverishly trying to finish the 2014 tax season, Microsoft dropped two bombshells on the Windows Operating Systems.

If you haven’t heard of the YOUtility concept, you are missing out on the most important marketing concept of the mobile age. YOUtility is a new way of marketing your firm’s services that enables you to become inherently and genuinely useful to prospects and clients.