Your firm's secret weapon: saying 'no'
Plus: Why AI is making your job faster | A guide to better referrals
From turning "thanks, but no thanks" into better referrals to swapping spreadsheets for startups, this issue is all about making smarter moves that pay off.
We've got advice for positioning your firm to win the right work and a study showing AI can supercharge your productivity without frying your brain. Oh, and if you're still running manual accounting practices, don't. You'll see why.
But first: This company turned to TikTok to recruit its new director after two years of traditional recruiting measures failed.
Trust dividends: Showing weakness can be a winning move
Ask at your peril: The conversation habit driving coworkers up the wall
Rescue or retreat? How to decide when to walk away from a failing role
Click, don't tick: Why small businesses can't afford manual accounting
Accountants turn pain points into profitable tech
In this episode of the "Growing Your Firm" podcast, host David Cristello chats with Ben Taylor, CEO of SoftLedger, about why more CPAs are swapping spreadsheets for startups. Taylor shares how his frustration with clunky software like Microsoft Dynamics GP inspired him to build a better solution.
Taylor isn't alone. Leaders like Jackie Meyer, Kelly Mann and Hector Garcia have also moved from client work to coding. The takeaway? Industry know-how plus a dash of innovation is a recipe for powerful tools that solve real-world accounting headaches.
Why this matters: Who better to fix broken accounting tech than the people who've wrestled with it for years? (Jetpack Workflow)
Make them remember you (for the right reasons)
The best referrals aren't happy accidents; they're the result of smart positioning. In this episode of "The Profitable Accountant Podcast," host Reza Hooda, FCA, CTA, proves that saying "no" can be a power move. He shares a story about how turning down a seemingly perfect client led to a successful referral for another accountant who was a better fit.
From using your specialization to attract high-quality referrals to leveraging LinkedIn content that sticks and hiring in ways that reinforce your brand, Hooda breaks down practical steps to make your firm unforgettable.
Why this matters: In a crowded market, being memorable beats being everything to everyone. Your next great client might come from the one you politely passed on. (The Profitable Accountant Podcast)
71%
The percentage of small business owners who currently use AI and plan on increasing investment. (CNBC)
- This audit trailblazer proves asking the right questions opens more doors than having all the answers
- IPA's Top 500 list reveals who's holding steady and who's making waves
- When the product's not launched but payroll's still due, the CFO's job is equal parts strategy and survival
- Break free from the always-on mindset without tanking productivity
- Latest data from Thomson Reuters shows why smart pricing beats discounting every time
AI's not taking your job—it's making it faster
A recent Stanford-MIT study serves up some serious food for thought: accountants using generative AI are juggling 55% more clients weekly, logging 21% more billable hours and closing their monthly books 7.5 days faster, all without skimping on quality. The data also shows AI isn't steering the ship solo. It's lifting the heavy load so human judgment can steer.
Why this matters: Think of AI as your new bookkeeping sidekick, speeding through data entry while you get to shine where it counts: advising clients, spotting insights and flexing your professional muscle. More clients, more revenue and less grind, all with the same brainpower (and maybe a little more sanity). (PYMNTS)
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The Net Gains is curated and written by Janet Berry-Johnson and edited by Bianca Prieto.