The real ROI of rebranding
Plus: CPA exam pizza parties and AI that still needs humans
Before we dig into this week's mix of savings shakeups and AI bot blunders, let's pause for a fun read: How to make accountancy cool again. Spoiler: Capes aren't mentioned, but we wouldn't be against it.
In this issue, we've got a podcast experiment to see if AI can reconcile the books while you sleep and a look at how rebranding could actually fill your pipeline instead of just keeping your marketing department busy.
Savings shakeup: What your clients with kids need to know about the new accounts with Patriotic branding.
Dream clients: How to find them (and skip the rest).
AI audit: Can bots really reconcile books while you sleep? "The Accounting Podcast" finds out.
Data goldmine: Qvinci turns multi-entity chaos into advisory profits.
Firms boost exam pass rates with bonuses and (paid) study time
Weinstein Spira, a Houston-based CPA firm, is tackling the talent pipeline problem head-on with a $10,000 CPA exam bonus, built-in study hours and even pizza-fueled study groups. The idea is simple: passing the exam is tough when you're working full-time, so the firm gives recruits the time and support to actually get it done. The result? Nine employees have passed since the program started, with many more in progress. Beyond cash, the real win is a culture where staff mentor each other and see the firm as invested in their success.
Why this matters: Supporting exam candidates can pay off twice: you'll strengthen your pipeline while staff feel valued and stick around. (Journal of Accountancy)
RS insider explains stakeholder liaison's role for tax pros
On a recent episode of the "Federal Tax Updates" podcast, hosts Roger Harris, EA, and Annie Schwab, CPA, sat down with Margaret Romaniello from the IRS Stakeholder Liaison team at the New Orleans Tax Forum. Romaniello breaks down how stakeholder liaisons act as advocates for tax pros, resolving issues like erroneous IRS letters sent to clients with valid extensions, guiding practitioners through data breaches and pushing for clearer communication from the Service. She also highlights the growing push for online accounts, why paper is still "IRS kryptonite" and how disaster response fits into their work.
Why this matters: Knowing your local stakeholder liaison can save you time, reduce client stress and give you a direct line to practical fixes without spending hours on hold with the IRS. (Federal Tax Updates)
$13 Million
Amount paid by Canadian investor Kevin O'Leary and friends for a signed Kobe Bryant-Michael Jordan trading card, setting a new record for the most expensive sports card ever sold. (CNBC)
- KPMG debuts tax-advising AI agent, but needs an accountant to interpret the outputs
- Billable hours are getting the axe as firm leaders focus on revenue per employee
- Roth conversions could outshine SALT deductions under new tax rules
- AICPA drops fresh quality management resources as December 15 deadline looms
- New survey shows Gen Z interns banking on automation takeover
New logo, who dis?
Rebranding an accounting firm isn’t just about swapping out logos or refreshing your website fonts. Done right, it’s a full-on growth strategy. A rebrand forces you to sharpen your value proposition, rally your team around a shared vision and signal to the market that you’re evolving. It can even reignite dormant client relationships and attract new ones if you tell the right story. Think of it less as a coat of paint and more as a rallying cry that tells people who you are now and why they should care.
Why this matters: Clearer messaging makes it easier to win new work, cohesive branding builds trust and clients see a firm that’s future-focused rather than stuck in the past. Translation: a smart rebrand doesn’t just make your website prettier. It makes your pipeline stronger. (Association for Accounting Marketing)
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The Net Gains is curated and written by Janet Berry-Johnson and edited by Bianca Prieto.