Partner’s Report suggests the following retreat discussion ideas:

• Billing practices—At a minimum modify your billing policies so that not all billing is done by the hour.
• Mergers—Whether you expect to be involved in a combination with another firm, or not, understand what is happening in the market. Discuss whether you should be a buyer or seller.
• Cost control.
• Compensation—Will you have to raise compensation levels to be competitive with others? Could a bonus program be instituted in lieu of major increases?
• Firm culture—What are your values and how do you relate to staff? Do staff and management view the firm’s culture the same?
• Technology—Are you effectively using the technology you have? Do you need a training program to ensure that partners and staff know how to use the available technology?
• Mentoring—This may be an essential program for your future.

For other articles on retreat ideas, click on the following links to articles in previous issues of CPA Leadership Report:

Discussion Topics for this Year’s Retreat

What to Discuss at Your Upcoming Retreat

From Partner’s Report—the Monthly Update for CPA Firm Owners, July 2006, p. 1. For subscription information contact Institute of Management & Administration, Inc., 3 Park Avenue, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10016-5902. One-year subscription $349. 212-244-0360, [email protected].