Don’t overlook the simple improvements in your search for the big fixes

Richard Brewin • June 15, 2019

Great works of art are not photographs. They are not the result of a single action but many, many thousands of individual brush strokes and steps, improved upon every day until the final result, the outstanding near perfection, is achieved.

As an accountant in practice, you can spend a lot of time and mind space researching, sourcing and trying to integrate the resources and developments that you need to invest in to keep pace with the rapid rate of change happening around us and within our profession.

Decisions on software and recruitment in particular are big decisions, necessary for meeting the ‘grand plan’ but time consuming and often not immediately achievable.

There is a common danger that the progression of a firm can be put on hold as thinking is focused on finding the solution for the firm’s improvement.

Amongst these big changes, it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that smaller improvements in your firm can be made every single day that can lead to amazing, and just as grand, outcomes.

Everybody in your firm can make improvements every single day. Small actions that on their own may seem inconsequential but cumulatively, and over time, can achieve the sort of performance and success that you have been searching for.

Creating a culture of improvement in your firm, where every day you and your team look to improve personal performance, client experience, systems and processes, teamwork is hugely beneficial on every level.

We’re not talking about seismic changes here. Trying that bit harder, smiling more often, sticking to the system, thinking about a client or colleague a little more, making slight upgrades and changes…it’s not hard.

Like everything else that has the greatest impact, it’s something to grow into your culture. Lead by example, encourage support and remain consistent in your attitude towards growing this.

Small brush strokes and tiny corrections lead to amazing artwork.

Why not start by painting “Individually and together, we can do better!” on your office wall.

Why your accounting firm is unique

By Richard Brewin • June 5, 2025
All accountants are the same! We’ve all heard it said. It’s nonsense, of course, but, when you are asked what it is that your firm does that differentiates it from other accounting firms, it can be a challenge to come up with something tangible.  Accounting firms tend to offer similar services, that’s what makes them accounting firms. Differentiating from competitors based upon services provided is therefore an issue.

Will MTD ITSA be the next big gift from the accounting profession

By Richard Brewin • April 2, 2025
Question… Should accountants charge for the additional work and obligations they will have when MTD ITSA finally comes into play next April? Not sure? Let me ask another one… Should business owners and taxpayers be expected to pay for the work that their accountant does for them and for the expertise that they receive? Put down in black and white, the answer seems obvious but there are many in the profession who are losing sleep over this issue.

“Accountants can’t or won’t sell”

By Richard Brewin • February 25, 2025
Accountants selling to their clients is a topic as old as the profession itself. I regularly hear criticism from those looking to monetise the accountants’ relationships with their clients that “accountants can’t sell”. I also come across an attitude within the profession that “accountants shouldn’t sell to their clients…it’s unprofessional…it’s not what my clients expect”.  Let’s tackle the issue.