Effective Performance Management
Source: CPA Trendlines
The following includes excerpts, reproduced with permission, from an article by Steve Erickson.
Improving partner and staff accountability is essential in these economic times. Here's how you can immediately improve accountability and performance in your firm:
- Communicate your expectations clearly.
- Discuss the plan to accomplish the goal.
- Make sure the plan is understood and agreed to, and that success is defined.
- Use direct or supportive coaching/supervision techniques appropriately.
- Give timely feedback.
- Celebrate success.
What is needed is a formalized process to communicate the requirements for a specific task or position and how success will be measured.
The Cycle of Accountability, Performance, and Success
To begin the cycle of accountability, performance, and success (CAPS™) the person in the supervisory role must clearly communicate the ultimate goal and help develop a plan to achieve that goal. Whether the task is doing a tax return, auditing cash, responsibility for an entire client engagement, or annual job performance, the time needed to complete the cycle will vary significantly, but the CAPS™ process follows the same flow.
Direct and Supportive Supervision
Staff accountants with less experience need more direct supervision because they haven't been exposed to the complexities of public accounting before. Specific instructions concerning the steps to be performed, the time expectations, and frequent checking and feedback are needed to make sure you get the result you want rather leaving it to chance.
Supportive supervision techniques are used with those individuals who have more experience. General instructions are given as to expectations, and we generally tell experienced accountants that if they have any questions to please let us know.
For the complete article, read “6 Steps to Improving Accountability in Your Firm.”
From CPA Trendlines, http://cpatrendlines.com, November 3, 2011.