Expansion of the Role of Firm Administrator

Source: Practical Accountant

Practical Accountant interviewed Connie Harmsen, president of the Association for Accounting Administration, and director of administration for Henry & Horne in Tempe, Arizona, about her views on how the role of the administrator has changed and her expectations for the future. Here are some highlights:

• Firm administrators have been involved recently with recruiting and retention, since that is such a critical concern in the accounting profession.
• In larger firms the administrator may also have overall management responsibility for the human resources and technology areas. In smaller firms the administrator may be the HR or IT person. In smaller firms the administrator may also handle marketing.
• Work/life balance programs are often created and implemented by firm administrators.
• Administrators in any firm must have technology skills and should develop knowledge about where to find outside technology assistance.
• Membership in the Association of Accounting Administrators can be helpful to administrators. Members can send e-mails to other members to get help with marketing, practice management, technology, HR, and other subjects. AAA provides employee appraisal forms, job descriptions, etc.
• In the future, administrators will play a greater role in alleviating administrative burdens from partners so they can concentrate on better service to clients.
• Partnership opportunities may become more available to administrators.

From Practical Accountant, January 2007, SourceMedia Inc., One State Street Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10004, 800-221-1809. For the complete article, click on the following link: www.webcpa.com/current_issue.cfm?pub=prc, select January 2007, then select the article: The Firm Administrator’s Changing Role