Structure IS strategy
Plus: Scope creep is killing your margins. Here's how to fix it.
Between scope creep sneak attacks, lease accounting headaches and clients who think "just one more thing" is part of your engagement letter, this week's issue is packed with the stuff that keeps leaders up at night and strategies that just might finally let you sleep. We're talking OB3 curveballs, burnout and bounce-backs (courtesy of the Accounting ARC crew) and the simple structures that can save your scaling firm from collapse.
If you've ever questioned your pricing, processes or profession, this one's for you. BTW, have you heard these accounting jokes?
WFH wins. This virtual bookkeeper, @WFHBookkeeper on TikTok, spills her secrets to skipping the daily commute (forever).
Client comeback. Ryan Lazanis, CPA, shares three quick moves to turn rage into rave reviews.
Reply-all rage and endless meetings. Going Concern analyzes the latest Microsoft Work Trend Index report and discovers Microsoft 365 users waste a lot of time.
What's the KPI for that? Why accountants may be the first mental health responders of the small business world.
Build structure before it breaks you
Fast-growing firms don't collapse because of bad clients or weak talent. They collapse because their internal scaffolding can't handle the weight. The fix? Start simple: sketch out who's really accountable for what. Then add layers: clear roles, detailed job descriptions and recurring rhythms that bring calm to the chaos. The goal isn't bureaucracy. It's breathing room. Structure gives your firm the support it needs to grow without eating you alive.
Why this matters: As your client list grows, so do the cracks. A little intentional structure now can save you from a full-blown implosion later. (Thriveal)
Redefining grit, one meltdown at a time
In a refreshingly honest episode of the Accounting ARC podcast, hosts Liz Mason, CPA, Byron Patrick, CPA, CITP, CGMA, and Donny Shimamoto, CPA, CITP, CGMA, trade polish for real talk. From burnout and identity crises to server crashes and rejected dream jobs, they unpack the messy (and deeply human) side of building a career in accounting. But this isn't a pity party. It's a masterclass in resilience. You'll laugh, you might cry, and you'll definitely come away from the conversation rethinking what it means to "succeed" in this profession.
Why this matters: We've all been there: doubting our path, questioning our worth and wondering if it's time to bail. This episode reminds accountants that grit isn't about grinding harder. It's about having the guts to grow through the hard stuff. (Accounting ARC)
27%
Percentage of leaders who say their employees are "entirely aligned" with the organization's goals. Only 9% of employees agreed. (Axios)
- This managing partner says if you build your firm right, you can keep it
- New tax reform makes Roth conversions a tax tightrope
- Yes, you can charge for "just one more thing"
- How to serve clients faster (without digging through inboxes)
- Accountants step up to guide clients from rubble to rebuild
Beautiful or bonkers?
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OB3—or is it OBBB? What nickname have we landed on?) is the tax code's latest makeover and it has brought a suitcase full of questions. In his signature no-nonsense style, Tom Gorczynski breaks down reader-submitted head-scratchers about the new law: Do the new 2025 deductions reduce AGI? (Yes.) Did the W-2G reporting threshold increase? (It sure did.) What about the election to expense research and experimental expenditures? (Handle with care.) Gorczynski even dives into how the OB3 changes interact with ACA subsidies and estimated tax payments, reminding us that what the IRS gives with one hand, it might quietly reclaim with the other.
Why this matters: Clients will have questions—lots of them. And if you're not ready with clear, confident answers, they'll find someone who is. Understanding the OB3's ripple effects now means fewer panicked emails, cleaner projections and stronger trust when filing season hits full throttle. (Tom Talks Taxes)
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The Net Gains is curated and written by Janet Berry-Johnson and edited by Bianca Prieto.