Mike Sylvester: Learn to Say No | The Disruptors

Be blunt. Give your clients the advice they should hear, not what they want to hear. 

The Disruptors

With Liz Farr

The talent crunch in accounting isn’t an issue for Mike Sylvester. Last year, 40 accountants applied to work at his firm, SBS CPA Group. He’s had serious inquiries from people at top 50 firms eager to work with him. Further, he just hired someone from a top 10 firm who says the benefits are better and who will make $10,000 more while working 300 fewer hours.  

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His not-so-secret secret? He talks “over and over and over” on Twitter about the unique way his firm operates. During busy season, all team members –even the partners – are paid overtime on 60-hour weeks. Then, after April 15, everyone works 32 hours a week and gets 37 three-day weekends in a row. “It's a very popular schedule,” Sylvester said.

His team agrees: he’s had zero turnover in the last four and a half years.