
Smithink - helping accountants turn their practices into great businesses
We provide practical firm innovations, based on the decades we have spent as practicing accountants and business consultants. We know what works best, because we've done it. Smithink provides a wide variety of consulting services and educational events, tools and resources under the one roof. Now including a monthly podcast.
Latest episodes

Apr 20, 2023 • 31min
Making performance reviews more effective
A common theme when we interview team members in firms is dissatisfaction with their performance reviews and how their performance is being measured. In this world where recruiting team members is often a challenge, retaining strong performers is critical. This webinar will consider effective ways to provide feedback and assist individuals to grow and develop.
PRESENTED BY: David Smith

Mar 22, 2023 • 31min
Business Advisory Tools Update
There is a vast array of software and solutions in the market all designed to assist accountants in providing initial and engaging business advisory services to their clients. Understanding the differences and how products fit into the business advisory process is critical if firms are to select the right tools for their firm. This session will provide some insight into some of the key solutions available in 2023.
PRESENTED BY: Mark Holton, Smithink

Feb 22, 2023 • 37min
Building an effective training program
In an era of acute labour shortages, it is critical that there is a strong focus on training to ensure not only high efficiency and technical competency but to also provide team members with the knowledge they need to advance their careers. This webinar will outline the topic categories that should form part of any training program, how training should be managed and how suggestions for training topics can be fed into the system.
Presented by: David Smith, Smithink

Jan 23, 2023 • 28min
Strategic planning for your client’s business success
Strategic planning starts with aligning your client’s business with its vision, mission and values. Then taking the time to think through where it makes sense to focus energy and resources in order to reach intended outcomes and results, and ensure all stakeholders are aligned and working toward common goals. This session will help you determine where your clients are today, where you want to get them tomorrow and more importantly how and when to get them there.
Presented by: Mark Holton, Smithink

Dec 14, 2022 • 34min
The quality vs efficiency war – getting the balance right
Utopia is to never have any mistakes and all the work is produced with maximum efficiency. Unfortunately, the reality is that often some trade-off is required between efficiency and the possibility of error. In this session, we will review how firms endeavour to maintain operating efficiency while effectively managing the risk of errors and the resulting consequences.
Presented by: David Smith, Smithink

Nov 14, 2022 • 32min
Practice KPI’s that really drive accountability
There are many key performance indicators that can assist accounting firms in monitoring performance and efficiency. This session will look at some of the common compliance performance drivers, how they are used, monitored and what to measure your team against. We will also examine other “non financial” engagement KPIs that can help monitor activity and delivery of more diversified services.
Presented by: Mark Holton, Smithink

Oct 27, 2022 • 33min
Maximising your resources in a world of labour shortage
There are only two ways to solve resource shortages. Find more labour and/or get more production from existing labour. In this session, we will review how firms are addressing the labour shortage with strategies to unlock new sources of labour. We will also review how firms are using resourcing planning and other tools to boost productivity.
Presented by: David Smith, Smithink

Sep 22, 2022 • 48min
Firm of the Future – Part Two
What will an accounting firm look like in the future? What will clients expect from us? Let’s look forward and consider the future of the profession and what firms should be doing now to be successfully positioned in the years to come.
Presenters: Mark Holton + David Smith, Smithink

Aug 11, 2022 • 31min
Business Advisory Software – what is the industry using in 2022?
There is a vast array of software and solutions in the market all designed to assist accountants in providing initial and engaging business advisory services to their clients. At first glance, many appear to do the same things. Understanding the differences and how products fit into the business advisor process is critical if firms are to select the tools for their firm. This session will provide some insight into some of the solutions that can assist in your advisory service delivery.
Presented by: Mark Holton, Smithink

Jun 16, 2022 • 47min
Process automation - how it will change the accounting profession
Introduction to process automation
Why the accounting profession is a perfect fit
Real-life examples
Different approaches/leading vendors
Pitfalls to avoid
Presented by: David Smith, Smithink + Rob Cameron, FYI