Your firm needs a contingency plan

Need help growing a team to support your firm’s vision? This week’s edition has plenty of resources, from tips on implementing accountability, supporting neurodivergent staff and normalizing change as you evolve. But first, find out which parts of the country are seeing sharp population declines and which areas are attracting more people each year, particularly in the South. 

Growth hack: Delegating alone isn’t enough to build a successful firm—you also need accountability to fulfill your intentions

Masks off: Want to build a forward-thinking firm? These five ways help neurodivergent staff switch from masking to thriving

Comfort zone: Create an agile team by normalizing change as a healthy part of business

Talent retention: Give the people what they want—fair pay, professional development and upskilling opportunities

Two realities: AI can either break your brain or alleviate exhaustion, depending on how it’s used

A cringe-free customer review strategy

How do you build trust and credibility as a small accounting firm looking for new clients? Try implementing a low-stakes process for collecting customer reviews. Send a shareable review link, QR code or quick text after completing services for a client. The sooner you ask, the better. And don’t worry about a few rogue negative posts. The goal is to create a pattern of positive reviews to cement your online reputation.

Why this matters: Not only do customer reviews show transparency, but they can also help your Google search reviews and give you free insights into what’s working in your business and what needs attention. (U.S. Chamber of Commerce)

Planning for the worst with business continuity

Firm continuity may not be top of mind when you’re swimming in tax returns, but ignoring this aspect of your business could be tempting fate. On the Accounting ARC podcast, Liz Mason, Byron Patrick and Donny Shimamoto chat about how CPA firm owners can (and should) prepare for the worst. 

After a recent ski accident resulting in a broken leg, Liz shares the continuity plan she developed alongside her business partner. It includes a key man life insurance policy and a buy-sell agreement so that if either partner dies, the other can use the insurance proceeds to buy full ownership without going through probate.

Why this matters: Whether you’re a solo owner or a partner, make sure you have a plan that protects you, your family and your clients, no matter what surprises happen down the road. (Accounting ARC)

58%

Gen Z and young millennials who think financial brand language doesn’t reflect how they think or talk about money (Reach3)

• As the accounting profession rebounds, AI can help keep the next generation of talent excited
• Step aside, Boomers: 18- to 24-year olds are actually the most likely to fall for a tax scam
• IRS accused of being too soft on large partnership tax returns
• Proposed tax bill targets the ultra-wealthy; includes a hefty exit tax for renouncing citizenship

AI is everywhere (including accounting job descriptions)

AI may be a newly emerging skillset, but more accounting jobs require experience or interest in learning more. A recent study compared job postings from January of this year to last year and found that in 2026, 30% of accounting-related jobs mentioned AI. That’s a 67% increase from 2025, when just 18% of job postings included AI skills. 

Why this matters: While many firms grapple with how to implement AI, there’s still a clear expectation to fine tune these skills in the accounting workplace. (CPA Practice Advisor)

The Net Gains is your one-stop shop for fresh, FREE accounting insights. You can reach the newsletter team at thenetgains@mynewsletter.co. We enjoy hearing from you.

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The Net Gains is curated and written by Lauren Ward and edited by Bianca Prieto.