Issue #12 - For the ADHD Accountant
An ADHD toolkit for accountants plus 5 unpopular opinions on pricing by firm owners
Welcome to "Get Work Done," where we discuss the complexities 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
“I’m going to focus on work for the next 3 hours” 🤓.
Twenty minutes later, you’re doing everything else but work. “Everything else” being watching your fifth skit on Facebook and chatting on iMessage.
Maybe you’ve got a confirmed diagnosis of ADHD, or you just struggle with focus in general. Being restless and unable to stay on track to complete tasks can feel crippling.
But what small change can you make to see a big difference? Find a buddy, someone you trust to hold you accountable. Someone who can check in with you and make sure you’re staying on task.
For context, read this inspiring story of Sabrina Parris, CPA, who, after years of misdiagnosis, found out she had ADHD. In this interview, she shares her strategy for managing her condition, seeing it as a strength and thriving as an accountant.
Firm spotl💡ght
Controller4Hire is a cloud-based firm that offers advisory, bookkeeping, and CFO services to small businesses in Canada. The firm is the choice for small businesses looking to grow, increase cash, and minimize risks.
Founded by the amazing Agnes Nkundabagenzi, the team of six made the switch from brick-and-mortar to cloud-based services a few years ago. In this podcast episode, Agnes shares what that journey was like for them.
Take a listen below:
Excerpts below:
Agnes:
There are two major challenges with switching to the cloud. One is to get your client to adopt the switch. The other one is to get your team to adopt it. From the client’s perspective, that’s when COVID helped a lot. Because people were not meeting physically, you had to do everything over the cloud. So, that pushed them to adopt technology very easily. Anyone who has gone through software implementation knows that the resistance to change is always really, really, really high. I would say the most challenging part for me was training and getting the team to come on board with the cloud. I ended up letting go of a few team members and hiring new ones who bought into my vision. I wish I had realized that early on instead of spending plenty of time convincing people. Sometimes, it’s better to realize very quickly that you need to react very quickly.
H🔥t topics
Working with ADHD: A Toolkit for Accountants
ADHD is characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity and can significantly impact various aspects of life, including the workplace.
The accounting profession is not an exception. There’s a growing number of accountants like Sabrina, CPA, and Blake Oliver, CPA, admitting they have ADHD and their struggles with it. This Reddit thread asking if there were ADHD accountants has over 140 comments, with people sharing their experiences of living with ADHD in accounting.
In light of all these, we created a toolkit to help accounting, bookkeeping, and tax professionals with ADHD. In it, you’ll find practical and credible tips to manage your ADHD, as well as ADHD checklists, podcasts, books, courses, and other resources to further help you.
3 Timeless Leadership Styles To Drive Innovation And Productivity
Effective leadership is critical to organizational success. Leaders who excel inspire their teams and drive performance and innovation. But what makes a leader genuinely exceptional? Is it their ability to coach, mentor, or sponsor their team members?
In an article for Forbes, Cheryl Robinson emphasizes that there is no single right way to lead a team. Good leaders understand that they must adjust their techniques depending on the situation or individual. Various styles cater to different organizational needs and team dynamics. Some leaders thrive by being transformational and inspiring change and innovation. Others succeed with a more transactional approach, focusing on structure and results.
Cheryl then went on to explore the three leadership styles that have been in existence for decades and how they help drive innovation and productivity.
Swipe this workflow template
Swipe the FREE Get-It-Out-of-Your-Head” blueprint, a free accounting practice process tracker by Leslie Liondas, CPA. This tracker helps you identify information gaps and prioritize process creation.
Meme
You: Oh Wow! So, so this is possible…? 😲
FOMO events
July 31, 1 pm ET
Upgrade Your Client Onboarding Process with Automation (Greg Scholten EA)
Learn how to impress new clients from the start with a smooth workflow and get paid seamlessly.
August 7, 1 pm ET
Standardize Your Stack (Kellie Parks CPB)
Don’t miss this session on the importance of standardizing your tech stack and how it can transform your business.
August 10 – 14, 2024
American Accounting Association (AAA) Annual Meeting
The 2024 American Accounting Association (AAA) Annual Meeting focuses on “Revolutionizing Accounting Education.”
Noteworthy
A Case For Pricing: Unpopular Opinions From Accounting Firm Owners
Accounting services often face commoditization, unlike industries where product differentiation can be clear-cut. Many potential clients view different accounting firms as interchangeable, leading to intense competition based primarily on price.
This pressure to lower prices can result in the undervaluing of high-quality, professional services, ultimately hurting the firm’s bottom line and the industry’s reputation. However, some accounting firm owners are beginning to challenge this status quo with bold, unpopular opinions on pricing. We recently put out a survey about this in the Accounting Workflow Club, and the answers were quite interesting.
5 Process Improvement Trends for 2024
With another busy season in the rearview mirror, many firms are looking ahead to the next one. What went well this busy season? What could use some improvement? Now is the time to change technology and processes to set up for success in 2025 and beyond.
To help identify these opportunities, five trends for process improvement have been highlighted by the good folks at CPA Practice Advisors. These trends focus on enhancing efficiency, embracing technology, and reshaping business models to stay relevant and responsive to ever-evolving market demands. In a recent article by Arianna Campbell, she discusses the trends and how firm owners can use them to remain at the forefront:
AI Everywhere: Integrating AI into continuous improvement plans.
Transformation Triangle: A framework for addressing all angles of transformation.
Evolution of the Business Model: Emphasizing accountability within evolving business models.
CPA Exam to be offered in the Philippines
The AICPA and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) have announced an expansion of international testing availability for the U.S. CPA Exam, now including the Philippines.
CPA candidates in the Philippines can begin registering for the CPA Exam immediately. Three testing centers will be available in the country—two in Manila and one in Cebu City.
In April, the AICPA and the Philippine Institute of CPAs agreed to collaborate on sharing continuing professional education courses and providing access to conferences and live events, according to a news release.
The AICPA and NASBA currently offer the CPA Exam in 18 other countries besides the Philippines.
Until next time,
