The Modern Firm®

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, hosted by Darren Root, Growth Strategist for Rightworks, founder of Rootworks (now Rightworks Academy) and an accounting firm owner for over 30 years, and John Mitchell, Culture and Workforce Advisor for Rightworks.   In this episode, Darren and John are joined by two special guests from GKM, Viji Sudhakar and Todd Steinberg. They delve into the origins and evolution of GKM, while highlighting the critical role outsourcing plays in resolving capacity issues for accounting firms. If you’re looking to optimize your operations and embrace modern business practices, this episode is a must-listen.  *** The Modern Firm® is produced and owned by Rightworks. You can learn more about the podcast, episode recaps and more at rightworks.com/resources/podcasts.  Follow Rightworks on social:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/rightworks_  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rightworksllc  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rightworks  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rightworks_

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast. In the latest episode, host John Mitchell, Culture and Workforce Advisor for Rightworks, interviews Tiffany Caponigro, Rightworks Academy coach, about the "retention revolution" and its impact on firm culture and staff retention. Tiffany highlights the significance of moving from a reactive to a proactive approach in managing staff well-being, focusing on creating a supportive and engaging work environment. They discuss the lingering effects of the Great Resignation and how firms can become more attractive to talent by prioritizing mental health, offering flexibility, and fostering a positive client and staff experience. Both John and Tiffany underscore that genuine care and understanding from firm leaders can significantly boost productivity and employee satisfaction, and ultimately lead to a greater client experience, as well.    ***The Modern Firm® is produced and owned by Rightworks. You can learn more about the podcast, episode recaps and more at rightworks.com/resources/podcasts.  Follow Rightworks on social:Twitter: https://twitter.com/rightworks_Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rightworksllcLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rightworksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rightworks_

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, hosted by Darren Root, Chief Strategist for Rightworks, founder of Rootworks (now Rightworks Academy) and an accounting firm owner for over 30 years, and John Mitchell, Culture and Workforce Advisor for Rightworks.In this episode, John and Darren explore the challenges and strategies for adapting to a post-pandemic work environment. They emphasize the need for firms to shift from outdated routines to more efficient practices better suited for remote work, including maintaining a consistent cadence for meetings, measuring what matters, and addressing the concerns of team members through effective leadership that ensures there are no unspoken expectations. Acknowledging that we are in a time when people are nervous about what’s next, they address how thriving in the new normal requires a balance of stability and adaptability, supported by clear communication and intentional leadership.    ***The Modern Firm® is produced and owned by Rightworks. You can learn more about the podcast, episode recaps and more at rightworks.com/resources/podcasts.  Follow Rightworks on social:Twitter: https://twitter.com/rightworks_Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rightworksllcLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rightworksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rightworks_

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, hosted by Darren Root, Chief Strategist for Rightworks, founder of Rootworks (now Rightworks Academy) and an accounting firm owner for over 30 years, and John Mitchell, Culture and Workforce Advisor for Rightworks.   In this episode, Darren and John discuss the fact that accounting firm owners say that less than 60% of their clients fit the firm‘s ICP (ideal client profile), and why defining that profile is essential for a firm’s long-term success.    *** The Modern Firm® is produced and owned by Rightworks. You can learn more about the podcast, episode recaps and more at rightworks.com/resources/podcasts.  Follow Rightworks on social: Twitter: https://twitter.com/rightworks_Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rightworksllcLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rightworksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rightworks_

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, hosted by Darren Root, Chief Strategist for Rightworks, founder of Rootworks (now Rightworks Academy) and an accounting firm owner for over 30 years, and John Mitchell, Culture and Workforce Advisor for Rightworks.   In this episode, Darren and John discuss what everyone in the accounting profession has been talking about for years: advisory services. But are advisor services more than just an add-on to compliance work? And where do CAAS, PAAS and TAAS (oh, my!) come in? Tune in to find out.  *** The Modern Firm® is produced and owned by Rightworks. You can learn more about the podcast, episode recaps and more at rightworks.com/resources/podcasts.  Follow Rightworks on social:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/rightworks_  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rightworksllc  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rightworks  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rightworks_  

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, hosted by Darren Root, Chief Strategist for Rightworks, founder of Rootworks (now Rightworks Academy) and an accounting firm owner for over 30 years, and John Mitchell, Culture and Workforce Advisor for Rightworks.  In this episode, Darren and John welcome Terry Offenberger, CPA and Managing Shareholder of Hammerman, Graf, Hughes & Company, Inc., to discuss an introverted accountant’s biggest nightmare: conversations that build client relationships. Terry touches on both the struggles and positive outcomes his legacy accounting firm has seen over the last 50 years and provides insights into creating meaningful relationships with ideal clients.  *** The Modern Firm® is produced and owned by Rightworks. You can learn more about the podcast, episode recaps and more at rightworks.com/resources/podcasts. Follow Rightworks on social:  Twitter: https://twitter.com/rightworks_  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rightworksllc  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rightworks  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rightworks_  

Welcome to The Modern Firm® podcast, hosted by Darren Root, Chief Strategist for Rightworks, founder of Rootworks (now Rightworks Academy) and an accounting firm owner for over 30 years, and John Mitchell, Culture and Workforce Advisor for Rightworks.  In this episode, Darren and John take a deep dive into The Modern Firm Maturity Continuum and walk through the five levels of maturity that occur on the path toward becoming a modern accounting firm. You may be surprised where 59% of firms fall on the scale—and where your firm fits in.   *** The Modern Firm® is produced and owned by Rightworks. You can learn more about the podcast, episode recaps and more at rightworks.com/resources/podcasts.Follow Rightworks on social:Twitter: https://twitter.com/rightworks_Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rightworksllcLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rightworksInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/rightworks_

In this episode of The Modern Firm® podcast, Darren Root welcomes Joel Hughes, Chief Executive Officer of Rightworks. Darren and Joel review some results from the 2024 Rightworks Accounting Firm Technology Survey and offer insights into the tech firms are—and aren’t—taking advantage of. They also introduce The Modern Firm Maturity Continuum, where firms classify themselves in one of several categories. Is your firm a Follower? A Contender? A Leader? Or do you fall somewhere else on the continuum? Check out this thought-provoking discussion.

How do accounting firms use the cloud and other tech to smooth the points of friction in their collaboration processes? In this episode of The Modern Firm® podcast, Darren Root and John Mitchell reflect on the surprising results of a new Rightworks survey that answers that question (hint: most firms don’t). But Darren and John are ready with some scenarios (spoiler: don’t miss John’s Chipotle analogy) that make a killer case for the use of the intelligent cloud and a one-click login for your firm.

In this episode of The Modern Firm® podcast, Darren Root and John Mitchell welcome TJ Lewis, Innovation Strategist for Rightworks and one of the creators of Spark—Rightworks’ new AI tool built for accountants. Darren, John and TJ discuss the advantages of using a separate, more secure AI like Spark, why you should identify an AI champion for the firm and why it’s so important not to wait for the future, but to embrace AI now.