Advisory as a Differentiator for Accounting Firms - Accounting Influencers Podcast

Episode 55

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Published on:

19th Jun 2019

Advisory as a Differentiator for Accounting Firms

Sara Lewis is the Communications Director for IRIS Software Group and is responsible audience engagement across its accountancy, HR and education sectors. Her background is in technology public relations, delivering essential and successful communications campaigns to directly support business and marketing objectives. Shownotes:

  • What attracted Sara to work for IRIS and the kind of people she works with
  • IRIS has been in accounting for 40 years and has software solutions for the HR and education sectors
  • While compliance is the core offering for IIRIS, they offer much in the advisory space for accountants
  • Accountants need the very best insights possible to really help their clients with advisory
  • The importance for IRIS of sharing stories that will resonate with accountancy professionals
  • The Iris strategy for success – a blend of acquisitions and organic growth
  • Many accounting practices are looking to nail MTD and then push for growth
  • The best accountants offer rock solid advice to clients that positions them as an advisor, not a mere supplier
  • The first steps in advisory for accountants wanting to get started
  • The importance for accountants of really getting to know clients rather than see them as a database to be serviced
  • When accountant productise their services, they can best deliver value to their clients
  • Accountants should be having conversations with clients about personal as well as commercial stuff
  • Many accountants struggle to step out of the comfort zone that is basic accounting
  • The real buzz in advisory is being able to make a difference to another business
  • The importance of a team approach in managing clients day to day and offering strategic consulting
  • Why accountants struggle to see advisory as valuable, and thus don’t feel comfortable charging for it
  • What the exceptional accounting people do that the rest don’t
  • Pushing yourself to get better and challenge the status quo is what avoids complacency in any industry
  • We are on the cusp of using artificial intelligence really well
  • You can’t build a strong advisory based accounting practice without having the right people in place
  • Not every accountant is a natural consultant or advisor, but almost all can be trained and coached to do it better
  • IRIS helps accountants obtain the best intelligence and insights from the data available
  • The best accountancy professionals are data story-tellers
  • Iris are as much about the education as the software itself in getting firms to adopt and integrate it into their firms
  • The future of the accounting profession will be vibrant and varied, with many kinds of firms and approaches
  • Accountants – approach everything with passionate authenticity and do the very best for your clients.

Sara Lewis of Iris on the BD Academy Accounting Influencers podcast with Rob Brown

When not working, Sara runs her local amateur dramatics society, directing pantomimes, plays and murder mystery evenings. She is also involved in organising her parish fete. She loves walking in the Cotswolds and was part of the first choir in the world to sing in Les Invalides in Paris. She’s had tea in the Cabinet Office and once spent a month volunteering for a charity in Phnom Pen, Cambodia. Contact Sara directly:

Sara on LinkedIn

Sara on Twitter

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About the Podcast

Accounting Influencers Podcast
Host Rob Brown shows accounting professionals and leaders how to be more influential, grow their personal brand and be more authoritative, relevant and high profile in their roles..
The Accounting Influencers Podcast, hosted by Rob Brown, is a must-listen for accounting professionals looking to strengthen their leadership presence, stay informed on disruptive forces in accounting and build credibility within their firms. Geared toward firm leaders, managers, partners and influencers, the show covers key topics like career development, influence, personal branding and interpreting the evolving trends impacting the accounting world. Rob brings his expertise to each episode, offering insights and guidance on how to grow your personal brand and stay strategically important in a rapidly changing profession. Whether you're aiming to influence within your firm or expand your reputation outside of it, this international podcast offers practical advice and forward-thinking insights that will keep you informed and prepared for the future.
Accounting leadership
Executive presence for accountants
Building influence in accounting
Accounting industry trends
Personal branding for accountants
Accounting firm strategy
Accounting business models
Leadership in accounting firms
Talent management in accounting
Authority in accounting profession
Career development for accountants
Accounting firm growth strategies
Influencers in accounting
Accounting firm management
Disruptive forces in accounting
Accounting leadership strategies
Accounting career success
Accounting firm decision-makers
Accounting business trends
Building credibility in accounting

About your host

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Rob Brown

Rob Brown hosts the multiple accounting podcast and chair conferences, panels and events globally for the accounting and fintech profession. He is co-founder of Accounting Influencers Roundtable (AIR) which helps vendors, experts and influencers serve the accounting and finance world. He is a dynamic speaker and accomplished expert on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, career development, succession, gen z/generations, employee advocacy and executive presence. Rob is author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk ‘The Personal Brand of You’ has been viewed 400,000 times on YouTube. He is a stroke survivor, has epilepsy, is a committed Christian and has a black belt in kickboxing. He is based in Nottingham UK, home of Robin Hood, plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.