Tina McGill: How to Create Lasting Client Impact | The Disruptors
Feb 18, 2025
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Tina McGill, founder of MMAS CPA, shares her insights from transitioning into public accounting, focusing on delivering true value to clients. She discusses the importance of understanding client needs beyond mere data delivery. Tina emphasizes the role of technology in improving client communication and highlights innovative strategies for building lasting relationships. Additionally, she talks about the significance of flexibility in employee practices and the advantages of listening to clients to navigate advisory success.
Encouraging clients to look beyond Profit and Loss statements fosters better decision-making and a holistic view of financial health.
Engaging in advisory services through regular meetings enhances client relationships by providing tailored solutions to their pressing concerns.
Establishing a niche market enables accounting firms to deliver specialized expertise, leading to more meaningful client engagements and satisfaction.
Deep dives
Understanding Client Financials
Many clients primarily focus on their Profit and Loss (P&L) statements and bank balances, as these are the numbers they find most comprehensible. This limited view can hinder their ability to make informed decisions about their financial well-being. It is crucial to shift clients' mindsets away from solely relying on these metrics by providing them with actionable insights that connect these numbers to their overall business health. By fostering a deeper understanding of their cash flow and other financial indicators, clients can take a more holistic approach to managing their affairs.
The Importance of Advisory Services
Advisory services play a significant role in client relationships, helping clients address their most pressing concerns. Regular monthly meetings allow clients to articulate their challenges and receive tailored solutions from their advisors. Instead of simply delivering traditional financial statements, engaging clients in meaningful conversations can help identify issues that may keep them up at night. This collaborative approach fosters an advisory relationship that empowers clients to make informed decisions about their business endeavors.
Niche Marketing in Accounting
Establishing a niche market is essential for accounting firms to effectively serve their clients and streamline their services. The speaker emphasizes focusing on specific industries, such as medical specialties like ophthalmology and dermatology, to build depth of knowledge and expertise. This niche approach enables firms to better understand the unique challenges faced by their clients, leading to tailored solutions that can significantly enhance client satisfaction. By concentrating on fewer, well-defined areas, firms can create more meaningful and effective engagements.
Flexibility and Employee Retention
Offering flexibility in the workplace is key to retaining top talent in accounting firms. The ability for employees to work from home or set their own schedules fosters job satisfaction and encourages a healthier work-life balance. By recognizing the diverse needs of their team members and creating personalized packages, firms can cater to individual circumstances while maintaining productivity. Prioritizing employee well-being and creating an environment of trust will ultimately contribute to stronger relationships and long-term success.
The Future of Accounting and Technology
The evolution of technology in accounting is paving the way for real-time updates and interactions between clients and accountants. As the industry progresses, the demand for real-time financial conversations will become paramount, pushing firms to adapt to clients' expectations. Maintaining a personalized, white-glove service amidst this technological shift will allow firms to differentiate themselves from automated solutions. The key is to leverage technology while preserving the personal touch that clients value, ensuring ongoing relevance in the changing landscape of accounting.
When Tina McGill, founder of MMAS CPA, transitioned from working as an assistant CFO at a university to public accounting, she first noticed “how segmented we were from the client experience.” She was delivering the data the partners told her needed to be delivered, “But the client didn't necessarily understand what I was delivering.” For seven years, in her conversations with clients, she followed the “checklist of what I'm supposed to give you.” While she felt good about achieving what she was supposed to do, she realized that she "wasn't creating meaningful impact.”
That insight inspired her to start her advisory journey to provide clients with the information they need for success. “What business owners are really looking for are actionable insights,” says McGill. She points out that, as accountants, “there's so much value that we can bring to the table with these numbers and analytics and data, but we're not providing it in a way that's efficient and effective for them to make decisions.”
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