Transforming: Tales of Business Evolution

Creating a successful practice that meets your clients’ needs while providing satisfying and meaningful work for you and your staff requires focus, discipline, and time. Listen to this episode of the Small Firm Philosophy podcast as Jack A. Heil, CPA shares lessons learned while journeying from the Big 8 to a sole proprietor that loves what he does.    PCPS resources mentioned in this episode: Client continuance evaluation tool Client acceptance evaluation tool Client termination practitioner checklist and notification letter To learn more about Jack, please visit www.jackaheilcpa.com. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, email pcps@aicpa.org to schedule a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.

The AICPA’s Peer Review Board (PRB) is responsible for developing and issuing Standards for Performing and Reporting on Peer Reviews (standards). Listen as PRB Board Member Dawn Brenner, CPA breaks down the exposure draft proposing changes to the standards and discusses the potential implications for small firms. Mentioned in this episode: Clarification of AICPA Standards for Performing and Reporting on Peer Reviews Template for comments and suggestions AICPA’s Peer Review homepage To learn more about Dawn, please visit Grant Bennett Associates’ website at gbacpa.com. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, check out our membership information or sign up for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.

The Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) CPA Firm Top Issues Survey identified tax-related challenges affecting small firms. Listen as April Walker, CPA, CGMA Lead Manager, Tax Section and host of the Tax Odyssey podcast discusses these tax issues and what you can do to address these challenges. Resources mentioned in this episode: Resources to address CPA firm top issues  Client Evaluation Tool. PCPS CPA Firm Top Issues Survey  Tax Odyssey podcast AICPA tax hub  IRS Hotlines Quick Reference Chart  Contacting the IRS FAQs  Client Termination Practitioner Checklist and Notification Letter  Extension Reminder Letter for Client Tax Return   This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, check out our membership information or sign up for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.

Small firms face familiar challenges in unprecedented times What’s keeping you up at night as a firm owner? Listen to this clip from the AICPA’s September 2nd Town Hall series as the AICPA’s Lisa Simpson, VP of Firm Services, Carl Peterson, VP of Small Firms, Barry Melancon, CEO, and CPA.com’s CEO Erik Asgeirsson discuss the results from the 2021 CPA Firm Top Issues Survey. 2021 Top Issues commentary: Familiar challenges in extraordinary times Resources to address CPA firm top issues This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, visit aicpa.org/pcps or email pcps@aicpa.org for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.

“Technology: it’s just oxygen. It’s the tools that are available to us and some of us breathe it better than others.” Listen as Byron Patrick, CPA and Manager with Botkeeper shares his take on technology in public accounting and what you can do as a small firm to stay in the know. Resources mentioned: 2021 Top Issues commentary: Familiar challenges in extraordinary times Resources to address CPA firm top issues Digitally Speaking with Roman H. Kepczyk, Director of Firm Technology Strategy at Right Networks.   To learn more about Byron, follow him on Twitter or connect with him on LinkedIn.  Find out more about Botkeeper at www.botkeeper.com. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, visit aicpa.org/pcps or email pcps@aicpa.org for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.  

“The average person spends about two hours per day in drama…and lack of accountability is one of the sources of drama”. Listen to this excerpt from the August 12th Town Hall Series as Reality-Based Leadership’s Alex Dorr joins Lisa Simpson, the AICPA’s VP of Firm Services and Eric Asgeirsson, CPA.com’s CEO, to discuss workplace drama and how to create an engaged and accountable firm culture. Resources mentioned: Increase accountability in your firm Streamlining the “you got a minute?” meeting Gain insights for your firm with the Employee Value Self-Assessment To learn more about Alex and Reality-Based Leadership, please visit their website at https://www.realitybasedleadership.com/. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, visit aicpa.org/pcps or email pcps@aicpa.org for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.

The AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS) CPA Firm Top Issues Survey has identified developing the next generation of firm leadership as a pressing concern for practitioners. Hear how Brent Forbush, CPA Managing Partner of Forbush and Associates, leads the way with staff development in his small firm and how you can start today in your practice. Resources mentioned: PCPS Firm Competency Model AICPA Leadership Academy Journal of Accountancy Top firm challenges in unprecedented times To learn more about Brent and his firm, please visit their website at forbushcpa.com. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, visit aicpa.org/pcps or email pcps@aicpa.org for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.  

The International Auditing and Assurance Standards Board (IAASB) has issued an exposure draft on auditing the financial statements of Less Complex Entities (LCEs). Listen to the latest episode of the Small Firm Philosophy podcast as Samantha Bowling, CPA, CGMA Partner with Garbelman Winslow CPAs provides a high-level overview of the exposure draft, the potential implications for small firms, and what you can do now to participate in the process. Resources mentioned: Exposure draft, proposed international standard on auditing of financial statements of Less Complex Entities To learn more about Samantha, please visit https://www.gwcpas.com. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, visit aicpa.org/pcps or email pcps@aicpa.org for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.

As highlighted in the Succession Planning Survey, small firms know they need a Practice Continuation Agreement (PCA) yet less than 10% have one in place. Listen as Mike Shost, CPA discusses key takeaways and best practices from his experience constructing and executing PCAs in his small firm. PCPS resources mentioned in this episode: Practice Continuation Agreements: A Practice Survival Kit PCPA Succession Planning Resource Center Work on your firm now, retire will later To learn more about Mike, please visit his website at shostcpa.com. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, check out our membership information or sign up for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.

The ASB’s proposed quality management standards are open for comments through Aug. 31. But small firms can get a head start on understanding the implications and ensuring ongoing A&A quality. In our latest episode of the Small Firm Philosophy podcast, Dustin Verity, CPA, CGMA Founder & Managing Partner Verity CPAs provides a high-level overview of the proposed standards, the potential implications for small firms, and what you can do to participate in the process. Resources mentioned: Exposure Drafts of Proposed SASs, SSAEs, and SQCSs Get involved with the Technical Issues Committee (TIC) To learn more about Dustin and Verity CPAs, please visit their website at www.veritycpas.com or follow them on Twitter @veritycpas. This episode is brought to you by the AICPA’s Private Companies Practice Section (PCPS), the home of small firms. To learn more about PCPS, check out our membership information or sign up for a free web tour. Note: If your podcast app does not hyperlink to resources, visit https://aicpasmallfirm.libsyn.com to access show notes with direct links.