Posts by Michelle Knights

Client Protection as Partnerships Go Pear-Shaped As a profession, accountants are often criticised for their lack of communication with clients. In some instances, communication pieces are written with very little consideration as to how it will be received by clients. This is particularly the case when things start going pear-shaped amongst the partners. The success…

Are Traditional Partnership Models Still Your Best Choice? For as long as everyone can remember, professional practices have typically run on the basis that an individual performs their related training, commences work in a firm and gradually progresses up the ranks in experience and seniority. Some individuals will then have a view or desire to…

Staffing Black Spots Most firms would agree (with perhaps the exception of our insolvency colleagues) that the most recent GFC and the subsequent fall-out this has had on business and the profession as a whole has generally not been helpful or positive. On a more optimistic note, one aspect previously representing the ‘bane of existence’…

Will Global Growth Rates & Industry Reform Impact Upon Your Firm’s Growth Aspirations? Last month I attended a conference where Dr John Hewson, economist and ex leader of the Liberal Party in the 90’s, presented on the economic future of small business in Australia. He reflected on the broader international climate, the potential impact this…

What Type of Growth does Your Firm Desire? Over the last couple of days I have been reading the latest growth updates provided by firms at the bigger end of town. Those who have achieved 1-2% growth whilst others are reporting 10%+ growth and it made smile. Looking at some of the reported results, it…

How Easy is it to do Business with Your Firm Now before I head down this path, it’s essential to acknowledge that it is impossible to be perfect in this area, as much as we may all want to be. While we all endeavour to put in place processes and procedures to master the art…