Smithink - helping accountants turn their practices into great businesses

It's almost 50 years since the first practice management computer system became available for small to medium accounting firms. The core functionality of tracking work and billing clients continue but systems have evolved to provide a host of other insights and functions to significantly improve practice performance. David will highlight the changes that occur in this important application for firms in his latest webinar. PRESENTED BY: David Smith

Often, we are asked to sit on boards of charities, sporting clubs, community organisations, and other similar organisations. One consideration is “Should I accept the appointment?” and “Is it for me?”. The other is understanding the benefit of helping others, doing “your bit” for the community, making key contacts, and developing your firm. This session will focus on my experience and the personal benefits gained from working with charities and other not-for-profits over 25 years as a Board Member and Treasurer and 15 years as a Chair. Presented by: Mark Holton, Smithink

There is a vast array of software and solutions in the market all designed to assist accountants in providing initial and engaging business advisory services to their clients. Understanding the differences and how products fit into the business advisory process is critical if firms are to select the right tools for their firm. This session will provide some insight into some of the key solutions available in 2024. PRESENTED BY: Mark Holton

Every practitioner knows the importance of quality but many have not realised that quality reviews can be a very effective way to not only ensure clients are receiving high-quality service but to unlock other service opportunities. David will highlight how firms are achieving success in developing new work from their quality reviews in this webinar. PRESENTED BY: David Smith

Smithink is proud to launch The Crunch, a new benchmarking service for accounting firms, in partnership with The Benchmarking Group. If there is one take-home message from the first Crunch Report, it's quality over quantity. In this session, David will highlight key results from the first survey and discuss the issues behind the stand-out firms. PRESENTED BY: David Smith

Today's accounting advisor must provide high-level advisory services as well as simple accounts management. Learn how to be a proficient storyteller, extracting meaning from the numbers and helping clients understand their financial story, using powerful web-based techniques like the 4 Chapters for Success, the Power of One and the 3 Big Cash Flow measures. Presenter: Mark Holton, Smithink

For an accounting firm to be successful there are a large number of systems, people and processes that need to be effectively lead and managed. This session will focus on what makes a great leader. We will also cover the 10 common mistakes managers make and how to overcome them. PRESENTED BY: Mark Holton

In an age where the boundaries of business are being redefined, offshoring emerges as a pivotal strategy for accounting firms to harness global talent and drive economic efficiency. That said, the success in offshoring is not merely about transferring tasks overseas; it demands a meticulous approach, profound understanding, and nuanced organisation. This webinar will share: Key preparatory steps to ensure offshoring seamlessly integrates into your existing business model. How to recognise and adapt to cultural, operational, and technological nuances inherent in offshoring. Best practices for communication, training, and continuous improvement to ensure enduring success. Real-world examples and interactive discussions, offering attendees actionable takeaways. PRESENTED BY: Mark Holton, Smithink + Boobalan Madhavan, Founder and Director of AccSource If you would like to contact Boobalan directly here are his details: BOOBALAN MADHAVAN Founder & Managing Director M +61 40 672 7061 E boobalan@accsource.net W www.accsource.net

Clearly, the leaders of the firm have a huge influence over the success of the business whether it is growing the business, managing client relationships or managing the practice. Yet, all too often, unlike employed team members, performance reviews do not occur and performance targets are not set. This can result in the firm not optimising the contribution from these valuable leaders. This session will explore how firms can work to optimise the performance of their leaders. Presented by: David Smith, Smithink

As the baby boomers move to retirement and the hereafter we are going to see an enormous transfer of wealth to the following generations. Yet, family structures have become more complex so it is not a simple task to create appropriate plans. Often beneficiaries are not aligned with their goals. Estates can sometimes need to continue for many years after death. Presented by: David Smith, Smithink

Join us for a compelling panel discussion webinar featuring esteemed leaders in the accounting profession as they share their valuable insights and highlight essential practices they feel should be prioritised over the next 12 months. Gain exclusive access to expert perspectives and actionable recommendations to stay ahead in the evolving landscape of accounting. PRESENTED BY: Mark Holton + David Smith with David Francis, The Access Group; Petris Lapis, Artisan of Change; Matthew Feehan, Salt Financial and John Tsoulos, Global Business Camps + Indigo Financial

Join us for an exclusive webinar featuring an insightful interview with Maree Jones, Manager at McKinley Plowman who has leveraged technology alongside her team to help fuel the organisation's thriving accounting advisory business! Discover the secrets behind their success and gain valuable tips for implementing technology-driven strategies in your own practice. PRESENTED BY: Mark Holton with Tom Bilton, Fathom and Maree Jones, McKinley Plowman

Every professional service firm acknowledges that there are extra services they provide that many of their clients need but do not use. This is particularly the case when someone else in the firm provides the other service. This session will explore how firms can unlock these extra opportunities and achieve effective cross selling in their business. PRESENTED BY: David Smith

Measuring performance in an accounting firm is a critical task. This session will examine the recent Accountants Pulse Report 2022 that details the industry the challenge now is measuring how we compare to our peers. This session will review the latest industry trends and benchmarks and how they relate to the performance of your firm. PRESENTED BY: Mark Holton, Smithink

A common theme when we interview team members in firms is dissatisfaction with their performance reviews and how their performance is being measured. In this world where recruiting team members is often a challenge, retaining strong performers is critical. This webinar will consider effective ways to provide feedback and assist individuals to grow and develop. PRESENTED BY: David Smith

There is a vast array of software and solutions in the market all designed to assist accountants in providing initial and engaging business advisory services to their clients. Understanding the differences and how products fit into the business advisory process is critical if firms are to select the right tools for their firm. This session will provide some insight into some of the key solutions available in 2023. PRESENTED BY: Mark Holton, Smithink

In an era of acute labour shortages, it is critical that there is a strong focus on training to ensure not only high efficiency and technical competency but to also provide team members with the knowledge they need to advance their careers. This webinar will outline the topic categories that should form part of any training program, how training should be managed and how suggestions for training topics can be fed into the system. Presented by: David Smith, Smithink

Strategic planning starts with aligning your client's business with its vision, mission and values. Then taking the time to think through where it makes sense to focus energy and resources in order to reach intended outcomes and results, and ensure all stakeholders are aligned and working toward common goals. This session will help you determine where your clients are today, where you want to get them tomorrow and more importantly how and when to get them there. Presented by: Mark Holton, Smithink

Utopia is to never have any mistakes and all the work is produced with maximum efficiency. Unfortunately, the reality is that often some trade-off is required between efficiency and the possibility of error. In this session, we will review how firms endeavour to maintain operating efficiency while effectively managing the risk of errors and the resulting consequences. Presented by: David Smith, Smithink

There are many key performance indicators that can assist accounting firms in monitoring performance and efficiency. This session will look at some of the common compliance performance drivers, how they are used, monitored and what to measure your team against. We will also examine other “non financial” engagement KPIs that can help monitor activity and delivery of more diversified services. Presented by: Mark Holton, Smithink

There are only two ways to solve resource shortages. Find more labour and/or get more production from existing labour. In this session, we will review how firms are addressing the labour shortage with strategies to unlock new sources of labour. We will also review how firms are using resourcing planning and other tools to boost productivity. Presented by: David Smith, Smithink

What will an accounting firm look like in the future? What will clients expect from us? Let's look forward and consider the future of the profession and what firms should be doing now to be successfully positioned in the years to come. Presenters: Mark Holton + David Smith, Smithink

There is a vast array of software and solutions in the market all designed to assist accountants in providing initial and engaging business advisory services to their clients. At first glance, many appear to do the same things. Understanding the differences and how products fit into the business advisor process is critical if firms are to select the tools for their firm. This session will provide some insight into some of the solutions that can assist in your advisory service delivery. Presented by: Mark Holton, Smithink

Introduction to process automationWhy the accounting profession is a perfect fitReal-life examplesDifferent approaches/leading vendorsPitfalls to avoidPresented by: David Smith, Smithink + Rob Cameron, FYI

How do professional service firms re-focus from compliance services to value-added reliance services? Mark shares his innovative 7-step to success divisional advisory process that includes insight on the correct firm structure, infrastructure requirements, turning numbers into knowledge, action planning and identifying your clients' additional needs through innovative engagement strategies.Presented by: Mark Holton, Smithink

David Smith discusses with OpenInvest co-founder Andrew Varlamos how clients unwilling to pay for financial advice often make poor investment choices, potentially damaging their chances of a financially secure retirement. The webinar will highlight how accounting firms can help while also avoiding the regulatory burden that comes with the financial advice regime.

Many small businesses struggle with the strategic management of their business. They are often in the here and now of solving today's issues. Yet, we all know that taking a regular step back to review progress, set targets and develop plans is highly beneficial to ensure focus is maintained on the issues that matter over the longer term.Many small business people do not have the skills to establish an appropriate framework for monthly management meetings, governance and accountability. This session will outline how, as your client's key adviser, you can assist in creating and participating in these important meetings.PRESENTED BY: David Smith

Today's accountants and consultants need to consider providing high-level advisory services as well as compliance services to their selected clients. In this webinar we will cover how to be a proficient financial storyteller, extracting meaning from the numbers and help clients understand their financial story, using web-based techniques like the 4 Chapters, the Power of One, and the 3 Big Cash Flow measures. Turn numbers into knowledge using simple strategies that will really impress your clients and help develop your firm's advisory services.Presented by: Mark Holton, Smithink

Most firms find their senior people are often overloaded with work and have very little spare time. Yet it is these same people that need time to drive further growth and development of the firm. This webinar will highlight how firms can improve delegation so that additional capacity can be unlocked for your senior people.Presented by: David Smith, Smithink

Having completed the Exceptional Leadership, Recruitment, Selection and Training and Exceptional Customer Service programs at Disney University in Anaheim, California, Mark shares his insights on the hugely successful Disney management model of “on stage and off stage” service delivery and “over managing” through an attention to detail that drives success. Mark will also articulate the learnings into how they can be applied to an accounting firm staff, operations, efficiencies and client service standards.Presented by: Mark Holton, Smithink

Recruitment seems to be getting harder and harder. Traditional channels have dried up. This webinar will explore different alternatives firms can consider as they hunt for staff and how firms can be positioned to give a competitive edge in recruitment.

Being in business is a constant battle of key decision making for an accounting firm's clients. Decisions like; “should I or should I not?” or “do I commit or do I not?” are often a regular occurrence. This session will show you the impact of key financial decisions before they are made using a simple graphical software solution. Any debit or credit can be shown and the consequences considered before a decision is made. You and the client need to know in advance!Presented by: Mark Holton

Driving the right behaviours from your people should be the objective of any accountability framework. In this webinar, David will highlight the accountability measures that firms can adopt that can be readily managed and drive desired outcomes.PRESENTED BY: David Smith

What will an accounting firm look like in the future? What will clients expect from us? Let's look forward and consider the future of the profession and what firms should be doing now to be successfully positioned in the years to come.Presented by: David Smith + Mark Holton, Smithink

With the advent of cloud technology, there are now a vast amount of dynamic, client focussed business advisory software solutions in the accounting market. Which one is best? Which one suits your firm and its current and planned service offerings? In this webinar, we will look at the primary solutions available at this time and link them to the type of services you currently want to offer in your firm and those that may be on the horizon. Mark will also recommend what solutions he believes firms should invest in to get advisory services moving.Presented by: Mark Holton, Director

Historical financial information is an important and often safe part in the provision of advice on business improvement, however, is it all that we should be using? Do clients really want to be looking backwards each quarter and discussing items they cannot change? Further, what happens if a firm cannot correlate the compliance data into advisory services? This webinar will concentrate on how to profit from compliance delivering innovative advisory services from compliance data.Presented by: Mark Holton, Smithink

Since the dawn of the profession, debate has raged about the optimum team structure for firms. In this webinar, David will highlight pros and cons of various structures and why one structure tends to create the best outcomes in terms of team member performance, delegation and accountability.PRESENTED BY: David Smith

With the new rules about audit independence for SMSFs now is the time for every firm to review their SMSF audit arrangements and choose an auditor that will deliver high quality services at the right price. David will review the issues and consider the options for firms wishing to get the most out of their SMSF audits and the criteria that should be used in selecting an auditor.PRESENTED BY: David Smith

This session will concentrate on the need for a business advisory implementation plan for accounting firms when undertaking business advisory work. Material covered will include; managing commitment and capacity issues, developing a proven implementation system for advisory work, selecting the right staff, appointing a business advisory champion and resourcing them, overcoming confidence and the comfort zone and finally finding the right clients to work with.PRESENTED BY: Mark Holton

One of the best ways to get clients engaged and on deck with ongoing advisory services is by using strategic planning and engagement services. This webinar will demonstrate online how to engage clients and get them thinking about future business visions, goals and directions and your firm offering more recurrent advisory services.PRESENTED BY: Mark Holton, Smithink

Are you thinking about hiring external resources to assist you in your marketing? Before you do, listen to this webinar where we highlight the 17 things you should do before external help should be considered. Much of marketing is about process and consistency. We will highlight the key things you should consider in an effective marketing plan.Presented by: David Smith, Smithink

If you want to re-engineer your processes you need a goal. Perhaps that goal is to now eliminate the paper in your firm. It is possible – an increasing number of firms have been doing it. It needs a commitment to process change and a variety of technology solutions. Hear how firms have achieved their goals.PRESENTED BY: Mark Holton, Director

In this low growth world, it is difficult for firms to achieve substantial organic growth. An approach taken by many is to look to acquire fees to improve economies of scale and create a book for emerging leaders. However, care is needed. An ill conceived acquisition can be a disaster costing by time and money. In this webinar, we will highlight the key issues to be considered if you’re thinking of acquiring fees.PRESENTED BY: David Smith

Often in the accounting industry, we are asked to sit on boards of not for profit organisations. One consideration is “should I accept the appointment?” The other is the benefit of helping others, doing “your bit” for the community and growing your network of contacts. This web session will focus on my experience and the personal benefits gained from working with charities and other not for profits.PRESENTED BY: Mark Holton

David will share his predictions on what he thinks accounting firms will be implementing ongoing coming out of COVID-19.PRESENTED BY: David Smith

We have changed our May topic to consider what firms are doing in quasi-advisory to support clients in these unforeseen times. Mark will summarise his observations and highlight some ideas that you may wish to build into your business advisory plans leading out of the COVID-19 crisis.Presented by: Mark Holton, Smithink

We changed our April webinar topic to consider what firms are doing practically in these unusual times. David will summarise his observations to highlight some ideas that you may wish to build into your plans.Presented by: David Smith, Smithink

Dealing with succession can often be a very stressful time. Many often put their head in the sand not wanting to acknowledge the problem. Many resist the idea that they need to plan to exit the firm. Firms that have a well considered plan have achieved an almost seamless succession with no angst or disruption. In this webinar, David will highlight the elements of a successful succession plan which he has used to assist firms in this transition.PRESENTED BY: David Smith

Historical financial information is an important and often safe part in the provision of advice on business improvement, however, is it what we should be using? Do clients really want to be looking backwards each quarter and discussing the same old points? Should we be using up to date representative data? These are all great questions however what happens if the data is not totally accurate or management entries have not been posted. This webinar will consider the risks of using certain data when providing financial analysis to clients.PRESENTED BY: Mark Holton

Every practitioner has a desire to be a holistic adviser to their clients to assist them in building their business and addressing their whole financial needs. However, it is not as easy as it sounds. Resource, deadline and regulatory constraints get in the way. Skills to engage effectively with clients to unlock their goals and concerns are required. Success can be achieved but it requires a plan, processes and training and accountability to achieve success. This webinar will highlight how success can be achieved.Presented by: David Smith, Smithink

To build an ongoing lucrative business advisory service in your firm, you need to address four key questions;Do I have the right structure in my firm and if not what do I need to do?What infrastructure changes do I need to make to ensure I have the right people and the right levels doing the right tasks?How do I build a client engagement system that really works? andWhat delivery models do I need to build when I have the clients signed proposal in hand?This session will address all these issues and we will start to build the Trusted Advisor model in your firm.Presenter: Mark Holton, Smithink