Sharing is the Essence of Success
for a Quarter Century at CPAmerica
Sharing is the Essence of Success for a Quarter Century at CPAmerica
n its 25 years as one of the nation’s foremost networks of independent accounting firms, CPAmerica International has gained the well-deserved reputation of being consistently true to its service goal: “To always exceed members’ expectations.”
CPAmerica is able to achieve that goal by employing the nation’s largest home office team of 30 experienced staff members, who dedicate more than 55,000 hours a year developing a broad array of programs, services, and products to help its member CPA firms surpass their profitability goals.
“The
marketing, technology and technical resources available through
CPAmerica membership have allowed us to more than triple our gross
billings and per- partner profits in 10 years,” said Michael R.
Gillis, CPA, leading partner of CPAmerica’s
More than 70 large independent firms around the United States
For smaller firms under the $2 million revenue threshold, CPAmerica launched the CPAConnect companion network 10 years ago. That network has grown to nearly 140 firms nationwide and offers many of the same programs and services CPAmerica does, tailored for firms of their size. The larger CPAmerica firms typically sponsor CPAConnect firms and may look to each other for referrals and as potential merger or acquisition candidates.
The hallmark of CPAmerica membership is its sharing opportunities. Because of exclusive market areas, members are able to openly discuss all areas of practice management in an honest, informational, noncompetitive way. Members network and share ideas at five major conferences held around the country each year, at regional meetings, and in regular conference calls. There are also more than 20 themed listservs for daily online assistance and second opinions and one of the most thorough and probing practice management surveys available anywhere.
“We
love the benchmarking data from the Practice Management Survey. We
enjoy the consistent challenge to get outside the box and think
strategically,” said Stephen M. Tatone, leading partner of
CPAmerica’s Salem/Portland,
CPAmerica member S. Scott Voynich, 2004 chairman of the AICPA, says CPAmerica provides important additional perspective on issues facing his practice and in predicting the future direction of the profession.
“In
this challenging time in the economy, our membership in CPAmerica is
one investment that continues to provide solid returns,” said
Voynich, managing partner of
Sharing is made easy through CPAmerica’s online sharing library on its members-only Web site. Members from around the country contribute proposals, surveys, engagement letters, tax opinions and much more.
CPAmerica members also have instant access to the network’s resources through such new programs as the CPAmerica Engagement Concierge service and the WOW! Program. Through the concierge service, specific CPAmerica staff members are designated to facilitate engagements, especially when time is of the essence. In the WOW! Program, one CPAmerica staff member and one member of the board of directors serve as liaisons to firms in each of the five regions of the country. The focus is on regional sharing opportunities.
“We believe that in addition to ‘Certified Public Accountant,’ CPA also means ‘Close Personal Attention,’ and that is what we try to give to our firms,” says CPAmerica President Douglas H. Thompson, Jr. “We thrive on challenge. In the pursuit of excellence and success, we are not afraid to be unconventional.”
Thompson is one of the most respected practice advisors in the country. He uses his entrepreneurial leadership in creating new opportunities to keep member firms one step ahead of the competition. He is founder of CPA Mutual Insurance Company, which provides liability insurance for CPAs; CPACareerNet job recruiting service; and the subsidiary CPAConnect network.
“CPAmerica
CEO
Members are offered an extensive list of programs and products and pick and choose those they need. By using CPAmerica resources rather than purchasing outside, firms last year saved an average of $25,000 each.
Among the broad services CPAmerica offers its members are:
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CPE training. Called “the best custom CPE training available for firms of our size,” nearly 20 separate courses are offered annually, including sales and leadership.
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Print publications. More than 15 client newsletters, 60 client brochures, news bulletins and a nationwide ad campaign, all customized individually with firm logos, are created exclusively for network members to help them better market in their regions. Many are available online.
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Marketing services. Customized marketing consulting, marketing plan development, coaching and mentoring, and client satisfaction surveys are available to help affiliates grow their firms.
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Web development/technology. CPAmerica custom designs Web sites for its members and provides 24/7 accessibility on CPAmerica’s members-only Web site. All CPAmerica members are electronically linked for document sharing, e-mail and listserv networking.
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Consultants. CPAmerica retains nationally known experts to offer quick advice or in-depth expertise.
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Review programs. Members administer professional reviews for affiliate firms at no charge. In lieu of payment, hours are banked.
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Preferred pricing. Discounts are available to members from dozens of major national office supply companies, travel organizations, training institutes and other business groups.
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International affiliation. A strategic alliance with Horwath International expands CPAmerica’s network to more than 10,000 CPAs and consultants in 530 offices around the world. Together, the revenues of CPAmerica/Horwath firms approach $2 billion.
As CPAmerica enters its next 25 years, Thompson continues to repeat the refrain to members and staff that has been so instrumental to the phenomenal past growth of the network and its firms: “Just imagine how much more we can achieve and how much better we can become together.”