Episode 149 | Building An Effective Enrollment Process With Bruce Gerstenfeld
Jan 1, 2025
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In this engaging discussion, Bruce Gerstenfeld, a CPA with over 20 years of experience, shares his journey of modernizing his father's legacy firm. He candidly discusses the challenges he faced in updating systems and pricing structures while maintaining client loyalty. Bruce emphasizes the importance of transforming firm dynamics and fostering a supportive team culture for growth. He also inspires listeners to conquer self-doubt and embrace community support for achieving financial confidence, making bold changes that can lead to success.
Transitioning to a competitive pricing model allowed the firm to enhance profitability while emphasizing the importance of communicating value to clients.
Implementing a client-focused sales process led to significant improvements in client retention and revenue, doubling the firm's income within a year.
Deep dives
Transforming Pricing Strategies
Transitioning from a low-fee structure to a more competitive pricing model is crucial for accounting firms. A guest realized that the previous average fee of about $250 per tax return was unsustainable and sought to increase it significantly, aiming for a range closer to $1,000. This change not only addressed profitability but also highlighted the importance of communicating value to clients, emphasizing that existing clients could be retained with fewer customers at higher fees. The guest found that understanding the worth of services offered and effectively communicating that value were essential steps in successfully implementing these pricing changes.
The Impact of Coaching on Firm Growth
Seeking support from a coaching program provided valuable insights and strategies for a firm owner facing challenges transitioning from a traditional environment. The owner realized that by implementing a sales process focused on client needs rather than mere transactions, a significant change in client retention and revenue could occur. After applying the knowledge gained, the firm's income doubled within the first year, showcasing the effectiveness of aligning services with client desires. Lessons learned emphasized the necessity of viewing sales as a way to meet client needs, which transformed the owner's interactions with prospective clients.
Achieving Significant Client Wins
The firm successfully resolved a complex case involving a client owed substantial refunds from the IRS, demonstrating the ability to deliver exceptional value. After negotiating a successful payment that led to thousands in refunds, it was revealed that previous attempts by his father and attorneys had not yielded results, underlining the effectiveness of the new approach. This triumph not only highlighted the positive impact of improved pricing and service but also reinforced the perceived value of expert accounting services in resolving difficult financial issues. Ultimately, this success served as a powerful testament to the transformative practices and principles implemented in the firm.
Michelle Weinstein speaks with Bruce Gerstenfeld, a CPA with over 20 years of experience, about building an effective enrollment process for a legacy firm. Bruce shares his personal journey of taking over his father's accounting firm and the challenges he faced when updating old systems and pricing structures. Discover how he overcame fear, raised prices, and transformed his firm into a thriving business while still maintaining client loyalty. Tune in for insights on making bold changes that lead to business growth.
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