Rosenberg Associates Blog

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How Partner Compensation Systems Have Changed in 20 Years

Avatar photoMarc Rosenberg, CPAAvatar photoKristen Rampe, CPA / October 10, 2023

The CPA profession has witnessed profound transformations in firm management. This blog aims to shed light on the sea of changes in partner income allocation methods, showcasing how these changes have influenced the overall dynamics of CPA firms. We will reflect on the changes over the past 20 years and, more importantly, delve into the…

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Coins in growing increments

Why Most Firms Have a Big Gap Between Highest and Lowest Paid Partner

Avatar photoMarc Rosenberg, CPAAvatar photoMatt Rampe / September 19, 2023

The challenge to us Several managing partners have recently asked us what spread between the highest and lowest paid partner is appropriate. We use the term “partner” to mean equity partner. First, some facts The latest Rosenberg Survey showed the ratio of highest to lowest paid partner: Over $20M – 3.9 to 1 $10–$20M –…

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Linking Employee Compensation to Performance

Amanda LilleyAmanda Lilley, CPA, SHRM-CP, PHR / April 18, 2023

Firms use compensation as a standard reward for performance in areas such as meeting billable hours expectations, performing at a high technical level, delivering exceptional client service, taking on additional training or leadership duties, or mentoring staff.    Just as importantly, firms use compensation to give employees something to look forward to. Employees are motivated to…

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Most Popular Articles of 2022

Avatar photoKristen Rampe, CPA / January 16, 2023

2022 was a year full of great accomplishments. In recent weeks we have received messages about how our clients have gained competitive advantages in recruiting and retaining talented employees; built cohesion amongst partners; and accomplished meaningful goals. To give you a quick reference of actionable hot topics from the past year, here’s a list of…

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Partner Compensation: Do You Want Data-Driven Insights?

Avatar photoKristen Rampe, CPA / October 21, 2022

Together with Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, we’re working on a research project on partner compensation to gain insights from firms with 3-20 equity partners. We are inviting owners of multi-partner CPA firms to complete a research survey regarding partner compensation. We are studying features of various compensation systems commonly found at…

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The word trauma.

What Are the Biggest Challenges When Changing From a Comp Formula to a Comp Committee?

Avatar photoMarc Rosenberg, CPAAvatar photoKristen Rampe, CPA / August 24, 2022

Common choices are not always the best choices. Eating unhealthy food. Electing political candidates who are the most popular but not the best qualified. Doing work for clients who are unwilling or unable to pay your bills. Another example is the common decision by multi-partner firms – usually firms under $30M – to use that…

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Co-workers arguing.

4 Reasons You Might Get Angry with Your Partner Comp Consultant (But It’s Not Their Fault)

Avatar photoMarc Rosenberg, CPA / July 28, 2022

A good consultant knows “the buck stops here.” They may provide great service and solutions, but if their clients aren’t happy, then the consultant’s performance is less than acceptable. Two criteria determine a consultant’s effectiveness (or otherwise). First, good advisors solve a problem (“How do we bring an ancient buyout agreement up to current best…

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12 Practice Management Blunders: Part 3 of 3

Avatar photoMarc Rosenberg, CPAAvatar photoKristen Rampe, CPA / May 31, 2022

Providing consulting services to CPA firms is a great job. We get to work with dozens of successful, hard-working firms every year, which puts us in the enviable position of observing best practices and practices that are, well, not so good. The latter enables us to share with firms how to make changes that will…

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12 Practice Management Blunders: Part 2 of 3

Avatar photoMarc Rosenberg, CPAAvatar photoKristen Rampe, CPA / May 17, 2022

Providing consulting services to CPA firms is a great job. We get to work with dozens of successful, hard-working firms every year, which puts us in the enviable position of observing best practices and practices that are, well, not so good. The latter enables us to share with firms how to make changes that will…

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Frustrated professional at a desk.

12 Practice Management Blunders: Part 1 of 3

Avatar photoMarc Rosenberg, CPAAvatar photoKristen Rampe, CPA / May 11, 2022

Providing consulting services to CPA firms is a great job. We get to work with dozens of successful, hard-working firms every year, which puts us in the enviable position of observing best practices and practices that are, well, not so good. The latter enables us to share with firms how to make changes that will…

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