Workflow: Righting the Upside Down Pyramid

Source: Public Practice

In recent years, specialization and other factors have created a workflow process at many firms that looks like an upside down pyramid. The workflow hierarchy starts with partners, and the work they can't handle trickles down to managers and then staff. This approach leads to several problems, including partners doing non-partner work and staff that's underworked and undertrained.

In this article, Bill Reeb describes a process for reversing the pyramid. Key concepts include: 

• Getting partners to focus on partner-level work, such as managing larger client relationships, nurturing new business, high-level advisory or expert work, implementing strategy, and developing managers.
• Embracing a “learn, try, fail” approach to training.
• Addressing talent gaps within the firm.
• Ensuring that everyone has “one boss.” This doesn't mean that everyone works for one person only, but everyone should report to one person for the purposes accountability and consistency. 

For the complete article, read “Developing People Faster Takes a Different Approach – Part 1.”

From Public Practice, Texas Society of CPAs, October 2014, www.tscpa.org.