What accountants can learn from Waffle House
Plus: A busy season decision ban? | The soft skill that keeps clients
Ever feel like the accounting world is moving faster than a looming tax deadline in April? Today's newsletter has you covered. From AI surveys and startup secrets to Waffle House-level client loyalty, we rounded up stories to keep your practice sharp and your curiosity fed.
But first, should you consider a decision ban next busy season? This corporate trainer says yes.
AI pulse: Take Karbon's six-minute survey to share your take (and potentially win $200)
Next-gen focus: Stop selling out and start investing in your future partners
Cash flow clarity: Dext's Paul Lodder on turning automation into advisory gold
Startup grit: Five brutally honest tips for building a $200K bookkeeping biz
Trust (not billboards) builds business
Waffle House might not seem like the ideal marketing role model for an accounting firm, but it's a masterclass in reliability. FEMA literally measures hurricane severity by whether the local Waffle House stays open. That consistency, born from solid systems and a culture of service, is what keeps customers coming back. Accounting firms can take a page from that playbook: every client interaction, from a quick payroll email to a complex tax question, is a chance to show dependability and build trust. And just like Waffle House, professionals who show up when times are tough earn loyalty that lasts far beyond a single season.
Why this matters: Your best marketing tool is how you show up for clients, especially when they need you the most. (Boomer Consulting)
From tax prep to freedom: leveling up your practice
Have you ever wondered how to turn tax season chaos into long-term opportunity? CPA-turned-financial planner Dave Spence has the answer. He breaks down how tax planning can evolve into a true wealth-building service for clients and a sustainable growth strategy for firms. He explains how accountants can move from pure compliance to proactive planning, collaborating with financial advisors and using advanced tax strategies to create more value year-round. The discussion hits on everything from communication and client trust to structuring advisory services that scale.
Why this matters: Understanding how tax planning fits into your clients' bigger financial picture helps you serve them better and future-proofs your firm. (Canopy Practice Success Podcast)
124,200
That's how many new accounting and auditing jobs are projected to open each year through 2034. (NJBIZ)
- IRS rulebook takes a hit as vague standards get shut down
- Companies struggle to bridge a trillion-dollar gap between goals and reality
- Withum dives deeper into crypto with new cost basis tracking
- CFOs juggle tariffs and tactics in a global financial balancing act
- Govt. shutdown leaves taxpayers waiting as court cases hit a standstill
Read the room before you read the numbers
You can be the smartest accountant in the building and still lose a client to someone with better people skills. Imagine walking into a lighthearted client pitch meeting where everyone is chatting about weekend plans and interrupting to ask for an HDMI cable. It promptly kills the vibe. Expertise may earn you a seat at the table, but connection keeps you there. Knowing how to "read the room" —picking up on body language, tone and energy—can turn routine meetings into real relationship builders.
Why this matters: Accounting needs to be precise and accurate, but people aren't spreadsheets. Your ability to interpret what clients aren't saying can make or break a deal. The next time you walk into a meeting, scan the room before the balance sheet. It could be the smartest move you make all day. (Journal of Accountancy)
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The Net Gains is curated and written by Janet Berry-Johnson and edited by Bianca Prieto.