There’s more to being a public accountant than tax!

Richard Brewin • October 19, 2023

Since running a poll last week on whether accountants should be inspirational, I’ve had some brilliant conversations around the globe.

Results first: 100% of voters agreed we should be, although almost 1 in 5 didn’t then know how. That’s okay, we can fix that.



I’ve followed up the question in my conversations.

Since running a poll last week on whether accountants should be inspirational, I’ve had some brilliant conversations around the globe.


Results first: 100% of voters agreed we should be, although almost 1 in 5 didn’t then know how. That’s okay, we can fix that.


I’ve followed up the question in my conversations.


·     Should we aim to be more inspirational?

·     Should we challenge more?

·     Should we be bolder?


Yes! Yes! Yes!


There’s plenty of agreement but is there action?


Okay, it’s not for everyone, and I’m not being derogatory of those accountants who focus on getting the job done, we all have a place in the process of providing client service, but we don’t talk about being inspirational, challenging more and being bolder enough, if at all!

Here’s the thing…


I know, from years of conversations, that, for many accountants, their driver is to make a difference.


I know, from conversations every day, that the need to change the behaviour and perception of both clients and teams is a primary challenge for accounting firm leaders. Lovely clients and lovely teams but both need to step up if change is to be effected.


You don’t effect change by taking the same approach that you’ve always done. Being inspirational, challenging more and being bolder needs to become part of the conversation.


We don’t need to be heroic to be inspirational. We just need to set a standard with a clarity and a consistency that others can draw strength and direction from.


We don’t need to work harder to challenge more. We just need to raise the bar for ourselves, our team and our clients and show that we have the trust, support and guidance to create successful outcomes.


We don’t need to become someone who we are not in order to be bolder. We just need to be more committed and honest with ourselves, our teams and our clients.


To kick things off, especially if you are one of the 20% who don’t know how to:-


1.   Set the standard

2.   Be true to your values

3.   Communicating clearly

4.   Be positive

5.   Lift others up, don’t knock them down

6.   Value time

7.   Show respect

8.   Face up to challenge

9.   Promote the value of learning


In other words, be you but on a good day, every day and, in the words of rock legends Crowded House, “Always bring the weather with you”.


How do you change your firm?


·     Be inspirational!

·     challenge more!

·     be bold!

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.