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TAX PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

goals through empowerment, knowledge Midyear/end-of-year planning
Firms want their sharing, compensation structure, and process
incentives. Bringing value to the team
Review and revise procedures for the
teams to be technical means, in part, putting your money be- planning process. Update procedures
experts and to hind the words. Firms want their teams on client contact for each stage. Review
to be technical experts and to become
technology tools that will increase the
become master master communicators, but they often speed of client collaboration and im-
communicators, but forget those skills do not magically ap- prove client communication.
they often forget pear. By demonstrating with dollars that
they want their team to not only succeed Exponential returns
those skills do not but to thrive, firms will find that team If a firm focuses its midyear efforts in
magically appear. members return that value to the team this manner, the expected increase in
value should be returned exponentially
many times over. Here are some ways to
bring value to employees: by the firm’s employees. Use the sug-
gestions above and other creative ways
Support subject-matter to show that you value your team, look
expertise for process changes that can add value
Provide opportunities for staff to to their work experience, and lastly
Help the team be a team stretch themselves on complex projects bring value to the firm by providing
The value of a team is that no person or receive hands-on training and sup- the team strong firm support in all
is an island. Create opportunities for port from more experienced staff or their endeavors.
the team to be a team. Consistent team partners in complex areas. Provide op- Now that the internal team is operat-
gatherings (virtual or in person) during portunities and resources that allow the ing at a high level of efficiency, it is time
the off-season provide opportuni- staff to become subject-matter experts. to turn your attention to your team’s
ties for the team to be more willing Then have them share their expertise interactions with clients. Coming in
to rely on one another when the road with others on the team or potentially June 2022, this column will continue
gets tough. Activities could be virtual by presenting to clients. the discussion of value from a client
happy hours, Uber Eats picnics, escape perspective. ■
rooms, scavenger hunts, golfing, spa day, Content creation
flower/pottery/painting classes, wine Challenge staff to develop and write
tastings, gifts, or significant-other gifts. summarized content on trending
Remember the key is to invite freely and/or emerging topics. These can be Contributors
and welcome openly, not force and de- used for internal training, client news-
Brent Forbush, CPA, CGMA, is the
mand attendance. letter articles, blog posts, or even exter-
managing partner of Forbush and
nal publication, depending on the topic
Include different levels in client and exposure wanted. This is an added Associates in Sparks, Nev. Jeffrey
meetings value for both parties since it shows Solomon, CPA, CVA, is the managing
Introducing the team to clients and your firm’s expertise and gives kudos to shareholder of Katz Nannis+Solomon
inviting them to participate in planning the team member. in Waltham, Mass. April Walker, CPA,
meetings, exit meetings, and year-end CGMA, is lead manager–Tax Practice
meetings accomplishes several goals. Not Book club & Ethics, Public Accounting, for the
only will it help the staff begin to see the Start a book club for employees. This
Association of International Certified
whole picture of what being a trusted can be done in a traditional way, where
Professional Accountants. Ms. Walker
adviser is all about, but it will provide everyone reads the same book and
is the staff liaison of the AICPA Tax
training at the same time. This helps discusses it, or different team members
Practice Management Committee
employees to become more valuable not could share summarized content from
only to the client but to the firm as well. books or articles they have read. Team (TPMC). Mr. Forbush and Mr. Solomon
members could share unknown pitfalls, are members of the TPMC. For more
Bring value traps, experiences, or client situations information about this column, contact
Bring value by aligning firm manage- that are relevant to the book of the thetaxadviser@aicpa.org.
ment goals with employees’ personal week to provide real-world context.

46 March 2022 The Tax Adviser