Posts by Marc Rosenberg, CPA
We are talking about none other than Michael Horwitz, the Executive Director of BDO Alliance USA, the largest association of US-based independent accounting, tax and advisory firms. The Alliance comprises more than 250 CPA firms and 150 advisory firms and vendors that serve CPA firms. Ninety percent of the BDO firms are under $30M, reflecting…
Embarking on big projects can be both exhilarating and daunting. While the allure of tackling significant challenges is undeniable, the risk of disappearing into a black hole, resulting in large write-offs, looms large. In this article, we delve into how problems get started in the first place and strategies to avoid being overwhelmed and…sucked in….
By Marc Rosenberg, CPA, with contributions from Kristen Rampe, CPA; Matt Rampe, ASA, PCC; Amanda Lilley, CPA, SHRM-CP, PHR; and Jeff Arnol, CPA, JD Ask random people on the street—or, even better, business executives—if there have been profound changes in the accounting profession over the past 10–20 years. The answer you’ll most likely get is,…
There is a little devil in me that will come out as you read my blog today. Devilish because this is a blog that will likely cause some readers to question some of my assumptions and statements. That’s okay. I love it. I can take it. This blog was inspired by two experiences: (1) First,…
Not all our “younger” readers may be familiar with the term “MAP.” They may have heard the term but not really know what it means or its historical significance. “MAP” stands for “Management of an Accounting Practice.” Prior to the mid-late 1970s, the term wasn’t in accounting firms’ vocabulary. That’s because the era of professionally…
On September 22, 2024, the Chicago Tribune featured a front-page piece about the dire shortage of CPAs. This article brought the problem to the attention of a large and probably previously unaware audience. I was so moved by the piece that I immediately wrote a “letter to the editor” response. Within 15 minutes, the managing…
Do lower income taxes help or hurt the economy? Is it better to be liberal or conservative? Should we worry about gas mileage when buying a car? Does AI pose a risk to civilization? Nature or nurture? Which way should toilet paper hang? These issues are endlessly debated and have no “answer.” Let’s add another…
“If I had an hour to solve a problem…I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.” –Albert Einstein Though it may appear that this blog is intended for college students or your young…
Allocating partner income used to be a science. Now it is a fine art. Not too long ago, the majority of firms allocated income with some combination of a formula (eat what you kill), ownership percentage, and seniority. Few compensation systems recognized subjective factors such as developing staff; firm management; teamwork; achieving formal, written goals;…
We know all too well that the #1 challenge in the CPA profession is finding and retaining people. Drilling down, the interrelated issues are: The declining number of accountants High school and college students’ reduced interest in accounting majors Partners being too busy to mentor staff and focus on this The challenge that firms have…
Marc Rosenberg, CPA
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