How Accounting Firms Solve Succession & Rapidly Develop Skills - Accounting Influencers Podcast

Episode 151

full
Published on:

22nd Apr 2021

How Top Firms Solve Succession & Rapidly Develop Skills

Sam Allred is a qualified CPA and founder of Upstream Academy. He has been regularly recognized as one of the major influencers in the accounting profession and has been listed as one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting and as one of IPA’s Most Recommended Consultants. He is one of the most sought-after speakers in the accounting profession and is viewed as one of their top strategic thinkers. Shownotes:

  • Why the accounting profession is actually in a strong position in these uncertain times
  • The biggest challenge most accounting firms think will be their biggest challenge in growth
  • The most critical mistake professional firms make with their recruitment strategy, which is why talent holds them back in growing
  • The key differentiators between most accounting firms and the high performing ones
  • The three crucial areas in which high performing accounting firms excel that the rest fall down on
  • The importance of being intentional in teaching and training your people in soft skills if you lead in an accounting firm
  • The fallacy of hoping that strong technical skills alone will further an accountant's career progression or solve an accounting firm's succession problem
  • Why so many accountants 'flatline' after 8-9 years of career progression, often after reaching partner level
  • Where the responsibility lies to develop the talent in accounting firms, and how this ties to culture and leadership
  • How a lack of growth and personal development in accounting firm partners and leaders has such a negative impact on the rest of the practice
  • Debunking the notion that accountants have to 'serve their time' to reach partner or effectively contribute to their accountancy firm
  • How accounting firms can invest 12 years of career development into a new hire accountant with raw talent to make them 'partner-ready' in 5 years
  • Why time is the slowest developer of accounting professionals and partner talent in accountancy practices
  • Ways for firm-wide leaders to stretch and challenge their accounting professionals to develop their skills and experience more quickly
  • Creating the right mix for accelerated skill development with accounting firm top talent
  • What the older people in accounting firms need to do if they want to stay current, relevant and inspirational to others.

Sam and his wife, Marlene, live outside of Park City, Utah. His hobbies include spending time with his family, fly fishing and golf. Sam and Marlene have seven children. Contact him here:

Website

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for Accounting Influencers Podcast

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

Profile picture for Rob Brown

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.