1. Accelerating Opportunity
Imagine If . . .
Embracing Change,
Accelerating Opportunity
Michael Platt  INSIDE Public Accounting 

2. Client-Facing Forces Human Decision-Making Client Experience
Innovation
Relevance
Engagement
Client-Facing Forces
Product/Service Design
Immersive Interaction /
Big Data Analytics
Purpose
Your “Why”
IPA
© 2016 INSIDE Public Accounting

3. Imagine If . . .
Books could be closed and tax returns prepared within a week of a client’s fiscal year-end. Technology provided the tools to assure the trust, verification and integrity of all financial transactions. Just-in-time staffing was perfected and used in your firm. Outsourcing of tax returns was the norm.
IPA
© 2016 INSIDE Public Accounting

4. Imagine If . . .
Staff were paid for results, not time worked. Partners were financially penalized for star staff turnover. “Relationships” became virtual – no “face time” needed. Firms perfected a business model where staff choose to work for them for no more than four years.
IPA
© 2016 INSIDE Public Accounting

5. Imagine If . . .
Menu pricing replaced hourly billing. Partners were required to be re-elected every four years. An Orbitz-like website existed for buying audit and tax services. Knowledge sharing in your firm was absolute.
IPA
© 2016 INSIDE Public Accounting

6. Imagine If . . .
Staff evaluations were not a formal process. Owners’ book of business was not a key to partner success. Face time with staff was not critical. Ultimate career success did not hinge on achieving the status of “partner.”
IPA
© 2016 INSIDE Public Accounting

7. So What’s Stopping This?/
Challenging our shared belief system:
Is it still serving us well?
IPA

8. Some Very Sacred Cows of the Accounting Profession
Our pyramid-shaped business model is the key to a successful firm going forward
There is no time for additional value added work during busy season
“We are an accounting firm” is the answer to the question, “What business are you in?”
Partners own the relationships
Partners are best to run the firm
As a partner, no one else can do what I do
Compensation is based on production
Minimum hours are required during tax season
Face time is critical, team needs to be in the office
Entry point to a client is compliance
Technology can’t replace what our people do
IPA
© 2016 INSIDE Public Accounting

9. Some Very Sacred Cows of the Accounting Profession
We need to treat all clients like “A” clients
“They” need to put in their dues like I did to get ahead
Career success = Partnership
Firm success = NIPP
Traditional financial metrics tell us what we need to know about our business
We are a service organization, not a sales organization
Our client service teams need to be employees that are on our payroll
Quality work will ensure that we keep our good clients /
IPA
© 2016 INSIDE Public Accounting

10. It is through this lens that we invite you to roll up your sleeves over the next two days, to imagine together how to effectively address CHANGE, and to accelerate OPPORTUNITY for your firm. /
© 2016 INSIDE Public Accounting