Show notes
In this insightful episode of Building the Premier Accounting Firm, leadership development expert Jeremy Clopton of the Emerging Leaders Academy, sits down with host Roger Knecht to recount his transformative journey within the accounting profession, emphasizing the need for a paradigm shift towards entrepreneurship, innovation, and client-centric approaches in accounting firms. Jeremy's Journey: Jeremey discusses how growing up in a family of CPAs led him to an interest in forensic accounting. He recounts starting his career in forensic accounting and data analytics at a national firm. His decision to pivot to teaching, speaking, and eventually joining Upstream Academy is outlined. Shift in Accounting Paradigms: Roger and Jeremy discuss the importance of moving away from traditional metrics like billable hours. They emphasize the value of knowledge, expertise, and client outcomes. Roger discusses ways to measure productivity through deliverables and client satisfaction. Innovative Billing Practices: Roger and Jeremy make a proposal for flat-rate billing based on average client fees. Jeremey emphasizes the need to enhance efficiency and productivity through streamlined processes and technology. Client Relationships: Roger highlights the power of viewing tasks such as tax returns and bookkeeping as opportunities for meaningful client interactions. Jeremy shows how clients prefer growth-facilitating partnerships, and are often willing to pay higher fees for such support. Business Mindset in Accounting: They explain how to adopt a business mindset, focusing on marketing, accounting, and production. Jermey emphasizes the importance of effective marketing and sales strategies for client acquisition. Accountrepreneurs: The hosts encourage accountants to apply business principles within their firms. Roger notes the need for external help for small firms and solo practitioners for long-term success. Cultural Shift in Firms: Prioritizing client and employee satisfaction over long hours. Effective workload management to prevent burnout and maintain client relationships. Measuring productivity by completed work rather than hours worked. Flexibility in deadlines to enhance firm culture and employee well-being. Retaining Quality Employees: Fostering a supportive culture to attract and retain talent. Emphasizing metrics reflecting client deliverables and deadlines. Highlighting culture, people, clients, and growth as key areas for improvement. Conclusion: Jeremy Clopton's insights underscore the necessity for accounting firms to embrace entrepreneurship and innovation, focusing on client satisfaction, efficient processes, and a supportive culture to ensure long-term success and growth in the profession. For more information on how you can start your journey to becoming an Accountrepreneur, call 435-344-2060. Sponsors: Universal Accounting Center Helping accounting professionals confidently and competently offer quality accounting services to get paid what they are worth. Offers: They can find more information about our programs on our website: http://www.upstreamacademy.com Jeremy invites you to attend Upstream's HeadWaters Leadership Conference July 11-12 in Chicago. During this two-day event (widely regarded as one of the best accounting industry conferences available) experts from top firms in the US and Canada will help your firm understand and improve your process for making strategic transitions. Transitions are vital for firm survival, but they also provide opportunities to change, improve and grow. Let's move beyond simply weathering changes—mitigating damages, forcing compliance and fitting the new into the old mold—to strategically planning for transitions that energize your firm. Register at https://www.upstreamacademy.com/headwaters/. Get a FREE copy of these books all accounting professionals should use to work on their business and become profitable. These are a must-have addition to every accountant's library to provide quality CFO & Advisory services as a Profit & Growth Expert today: "Red to BLACK in 30 days – A small business accountant's guide to QUICK turnarounds" – This is a how-to guide on how to turn around a struggling business into a more sustainable model. Each chapter focuses on a crucial aspect of the turnaround process - from cash flow management to strategies for improving revenue. This book will teach you everything you need to become a turnaround expert for small businesses. "in the BLACK, nine principles to make your business profitable" – Nine Principles to Make Your Business Profitable – Discover what you need to know to run the premier accounting firm and get paid what you are worth in this book, by the same author as Red to Black – CPA Allen B. Bostrom. Bostrom teaches the three major functions of business (marketing, production and accounting) as well as strategies for maximizing profitability for your clients by creating actionable plans to implement the nine principles. "Your Strategic Accountant" - Understand the 3 Core Accounting Services you should offer as you run your business. help your clients understand which numbers they need to know to make more informed business decisions. "Your Profit & Growth Expert" - Your business is an asset. You should know its value and understand how to maximize it. Beginning with the end in mind helps you work ON your business to build a company you can leave so that it can continue to exist in your absence or build wealth as you retire and enjoy the time, freedom, and life you want and deserve. Learn what it is you can do to become an author, leveraging your expertise to market your services effectively and get the clients you deserve. This is a webinar you don't want to miss. Learn from Mike Capuzzi what a Shook is and how you can use it to position yourself as the Premier Accounting Firm in your area. This is a must-see presentation so get ready to take some great notes. In addition to becoming an author, see what you can do to follow the Turnkey Business plan for accounting professionals. After more than 40 years we've identified the best practices of successful accountants and this is a presentation we are happy to share. Check it out and see what you can do to be in business for yourself but not by yourself with Universal Accounting Center. It's here you can become a: Professional Bookkeeper, PB Professional Tax Preparer, PTP Profit & Growth Expert, PGE Next, join a group of like-minded professionals within the accounting community. Stay up-to-date on current topics and trends and see what you can do to also give back, participating in relevant conversations as they relate to offering quality accounting services and building your bookkeeping, accounting & tax business. The Accounting & Bookkeeping Tips Facebook Group The Universal Accounting Fanpage Topical Newsletters: Universal Accounting Success The Universal Newsletter Lastly, get your Business Score to see what you can do to work ON your business and have the Premier Accounting Firm. Join over 70,000 business owners and get your score on the 8 Factors That Drive Your Company's Value. For Additional FREE Resources for accounting professionals check out this collection HERE! Be sure to join us for GrowCon, the LIVE event for accounting professionals to work ON their business. This is a conference you don't want to miss. Remember this, Accounting Success IS Universal. Listen to our next episode and be sure to subscribe. Also, let us know what you think of the podcast and please share any suggestions you may have. We look forward to your input: Podcast Feedback For more information on how you can apply these principles to start and build your accounting, bookkeeping & tax business please visit us at www.universalaccountingschool.com or call us at 8012653777