Issue #10 - Weekly check-ins, tool to monitor firm health?
6 Mac settings to improve productivity, plus Stacey Feldman's strategy for fuelling up despite a busy schedule
Welcome to "Get Work Done," where we dive into the nitty-gritty of running accounting and bookkeeping firms efficiently. This isn't your average newsletter – we're all about down-to-earth tips and insights that cut through the complexities, helping you streamline processes, embrace practical tech solutions, and boost your team's productivity.
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Small change, big difference
6 hours and 40 minutes.
That’s the average amount of time we spend on screens connected to the internet daily. For firm owners and operators, it’s safe to assume that most of that time is spent on your computer or desktop.
If you’re a MacOS user and find yourself struggling to find things or spending too much time on redundant work, here’s a small change you can make to see a big difference:
Stack your desktop icons
Save your searches
Type faster with text replacements
Know your shortcuts
Dictate, don’t type
Activate Hot Corners
Read all about them in this Gear Patrol article.
Help us improve Get Work Done; respond to this poll 👇
Firm spotl💡ght
G+F Business & Financial Consulting LLC provides tools, advice, and financial guidance so construction business owners know their numbers and improve their cash flow. The founder, Timothy L. Wingate Jr., is passionate about helping construction companies become sustainable, successful, and profitable in the long term.
Their services include bookkeeping, accounting, tax debt relief, advisory, budgets, and forecasts.
Yesterday, Timothy joined Roman on The Accounting Flow live podcast to discuss “How to Understand the Health of Your Accounting Firm with Streamlined Systems.” He touched on:
Why streamlined processes are game-changers for accounting firms
How to spot and fix those pesky workflow bottlenecks
The coolest tools and tech that can boost your firm’s efficiency
Tips on keeping a close eye on your firm’s health
Excerpts below:
Roman Villard (Host):
What comes to mind when assessing and reviewing the firm’s health?
Timothy Wingate Jr.:
When I think about the firm’s health, I think about the health of my people. How are they feeling? Are they overwhelmed? Do they need more training? To capture this information, I use a tool that sends out a weekly check-in at the end of the week. Team members rate their feelings on a scale of one to five and answer if they feel overwhelmed or need assistance. A few standard questions are asked every week, but I also include some that change every month or quarter to get more detailed feedback from the team. Sometimes, it leads to changes the next day if I see something concerning. For example, if someone feels their workload is a nine out of ten, I address it immediately. I need to understand why they feel overwhelmed and how we can adjust their workload. Maybe they are doing things the long way instead of the easier, shorter way. These insights are crucial for making quick adjustments that improve efficiency and morale.
H🔥t topics
10 Accountants share their cringe-worthy tales
A recent article by Accounting Web’s Molly Macfarlane curated the most embarrassing stories from 10 accountants. It all started when WinterDragon visited Any Answers to share an embarrassing moment from his career, hoping to find solace by asking fellow accountants: “In my moment of shame, have you ever done something similar?”
From mixing up names to taking unexpected tumbles, the Any Answers community responded with awkward stories that might make you feel better about your slip-ups.
Take, for example, this story 👇
“A client rang me to say that he’d gambled on the stock market following incorrect insider information and owed a stockbroker £300k,” he said. “My tongue-in-cheek advice was, ‘Do a deal with the broker or leave the country.’ The next day, he rang me up from New York and asked me to tell the broker. I next heard from him two years ago when he told me…
Finding Qualified Staff Ranks as the Top Concern for CPA Firms
The AICPA firm practice management section recently released a report that revealed that —
Finding qualified staff is the most pressing concern of accounting firms, except sole practitioners.
The two largest firm categories (11–20 professionals and 21 or more professionals) listed "retaining qualified staff" as their No. 2 issue.
Small to midsize firms listed "developing the next generation of firm leaders" as a top five concern or higher.
The largest firms named "effective staff utilization and management" and "staff compensation and reward programs" are among their top five concerns.
Firms with 6–10 professionals also recognized the aging of owners/partners as a top five concern, a ranking reflecting the need for firms to focus on leadership development.
Read the full report to see the graphics showing all the findings, including issues related to “keeping up with changes and complexity of tax laws.”
Swipe this workflow template
Simplify tracking & collections of accounts receivable with our FREE downloadable Accounts Receivable Template. Easily organize data, automate calculations & prioritize follow-ups for your clients
Meme
You: Try again tomorrow, 9 am sharp! 🫠
FOMO events
July 9
Workflow Summit with Kellie Parks, Heather Satterley, Courtney McKay, Mark Wickersham, Alexis Sadler, Stacey Feldman, and Joelle Kindret. (100% Virtual).
July 19 & 20
TaxTwitter Retreat at Chicago, Illinois.
July 22 - 24
Bridging The Gap Conference at Rosemont, Illinois.
Noteworthy
How Stacey Feldman CPA Makes Sure to Fuel Properly Even with a Busy Schedule:
Stacey’s days are meticulously planned to balance her professional responsibilities and personal well-being. “I wake up between 5 and 5:30 AM, have coffee, and head to the gym. I love working out; I prefer weight training and weightlifting. So that’s my preference, but all sorts of different types of workouts in the mornings,” she explains. This early start sets the tone for a productive day. After her workout, Stacey has a nutritious breakfast. “I’ve been eating the same breakfast for probably two to three years. Sweet potatoes, broccoli, and scrambled eggs have been my staples,” she describes. This consistency helps her maintain her energy levels throughout the day.
How to find errors in Excel formulas
Kelly L. Williams, CPA, Ph.D answered the question, “I am trying to create a formula in our accounting system, but I keep getting errors. What can I do to get the formula to work?” in a recent post for the Journal of Accountancy.
In a step-by-step guide, including a 7-minute video, Kelly explained how to find errors in Excel formulas, from tracing precedents and dependents to removing arrows, checking errors, showing formulas, and removing errors.
5 ways accountants are using AI to streamline workloads
In an article for Accounting Today, Courtney Hoff Dockerty shares how artificial intelligence continues to tighten its grip on how we engage with information at home and work, and the accounting profession is no exception. Despite fears about the ultimate impact on job security, accountants are finding new ways to embrace generative AI tools and machine learning to streamline their workloads.
Breaking Free from the Bottleneck: Strategies for Effective Delegation in Your Accounting Firm
As your firm grows, pressure mounts, and the quality of work and overall productivity can suffer significantly without proper delegation. Effective delegation is not just a managerial buzzword; it’s a strategic necessity. It enables you to break free from the bottleneck, redistributing tasks so that the firm can function more efficiently. Doing this will empower your team, leveraging their skills and allowing you to focus on high-impact activities that drive growth and innovation. In this article, we share the challenges of delegation and how to overcome them to become a delegation pro.
Until next time,
