Expanding Your Knowledge While Conserving Your Time. Vol. 7 No. 5, May 2009 CPA Leadership Report offers the most comprehensive exploration of new ideas in the accounting world. It is a monthly review of the best management and leadership articles published in the accounting press, and includes electronic links to enable you to read the complete article if you need information beyond the scope of our reviews. Accessing the articles below require a user name and password. But you can become familiar with CPA Leadership Report by reading the articles marked with an *. Subscribe as a Professional Member and attend all our Webinars free.  Click here for details. Contents     What You Can Learn From Susan Boyle Appearance matters, but you should learn to look beyond it. *Keeping a Merger From Falling Apart Develop a transition plan that addresses client and staff retention. *Common Pitfalls in Ownership Distribution Traditional distribution methods can lead to terrible results. *Lay Off the Layoffs Consider the alternatives before you let good people go. Technology: Is the Right Person in the Driver’s Seat? In selecting a technology leader, technical skills aren’t that important. Making Mentoring Matter The key to successful mentoring is to have a well-structured program from day one. Is it Safe to Raise Your Billing Rates? A surprising number of firms are making double-digit increases. Portals Open Door to Better Client Service Client portals make communications more convenient, more efficient, and more secure. Are Your Costs Going Up? Who Cares? It is not the responsibility of customers to cover a seller’s costs. Creating a More Perfect Union Partner unity is a key to success, but many firms don’t know how to create it. Don’t Let Your Clients Make You Sick You may be “sick and tired” of your clients, but client service is going to be critical during the remainder of 2009.     Buying Into an Accounting Practice? Kick the Tires First Eleven questions to ask.     Is Your Marketing Program Working? Five tips for measuring the value of marketing investments. A Tool for Building Trust From the AICPA, a presentation on the economic crisis that you can use to attract new clients. To Get Ahead, Promote Yourself If you don’t toot your own horn, who will? Recession Marketing and Sales Creative strategies for hard times. Marketing Your Practice in a Down Economy Marketing ideas that won’t break your budget.     Working With Delinquent Taxpayers A potentially rewarding practice niche that requires some specialized skills.     What Clients Want IOMA’s CPA Firm Client Satisfaction Survey.     Power Up Your Profits In this month’s issue we present Chapter Nineteen—“Speaking Attracts More Clients and Referrals”—from Power Up Your Profits, 2nd Ed., by Troy Waugh. This book covers principles, strategies, and techniques to help you build your practice by obtaining clients and building their businesses. We present one chapter per month, or you can order the book now at 888-797-RAIN (7246) or via mail@therainmakeracademy.com.   Sponsors  Helps CPAs manage the tax preparation process Equips top associates with essential rainmaking skills   CPA Firm Consultants in the Areas of Practice Management, Marketing and Human Capital   Merger and Transition Advisors Exclusively Serving the  National Accounting Community Professional Liability Insurance for Accountants. One of the world’s largest networks of large accounting firms Building Business Value  Measuring CPA Leadership Effectiveness       An intuitive workflow and information automations solution for the accounting profession     Directory of Resources for Accounting Firms Published by CPA Leadership Institute, Inc. Advisory Board for CPA Leadership Report Firm Management Financial Services Consulting for CPA Firms Increase Profitability Workplace Assessments Tax Return Preparation Association of  Accounting Firms Sales Training Work Flow Automation Merger/Transition Advisors Business Advisory Practice Development Writing & Research Insurance Practice Growth Should your firm be listed here?  If it should be, or you know of other qualified firms, call (888) 406-0088 Publisher and Editor-in-Chief:  Joel Shiffrin Managing Editor: Daniel Shiffrin Production Director: Gary Schweinshaupt Operations Director: Angela Ruggiero Director of Customer Service: Stephanie Klug Director of Program Development: Lisa Keane Douglas H. Thompson, Jr., CPA Alachua, FL CEO, CPAmerica International Irwin Friedman, CPA Lincolnwood, IL Chairman, The Friedman Group, LLC Sally Glick Livingston, NJ Chief Marketing Officer and Director of Marketing Consulting Services for Sobel & Co. LLC. Sam M. Allred, CPA Helena, MT Founder, Upstream Academy Troy Waugh, CPA Nashville, TN CEO, Waugh & Co. Rick Solomon, CPA Stony Brook, NY President, The Solomon Company Chandra Bhansali, Ph.D. Hauppauge, NY Founder, AccountantsWorld.com Richard A. Berkowitz Miami FL Managing Director, Berkowitz, Dick, Pollack & Brant Chris Frederiksen, CPA Mill Valley, CA Founder 2020 Group USA / Frederiksen & Company

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