CPAs are an integral part of your business. Not only do they document and analyze numbers to determine where money is coming from and going to, but they also help plan for future business success. More than just number crunchers, CPAs are strategy, leadership, and change managers that help move your company forward.

3 Ways CPAs are Influencers

1) Strategy Managers

CPAs are skilled strategy managers. For instance, they get commitment to making their strategic plan work by tying individual and team goals, performance reviews, and compensation to it. To illustrate, if a firm is building brand awareness in a new market, a partner may need to commit to being involved in a business organization there and be rewarded according to its success. Also, CPAs are adept at executing strategy in steps. To illustrate, if a firm is offering a new service to increase revenue by 20%, implementing the service may include conducting a quarterly marketing campaign or developing a social media referral program. Additionally, CPAs know how to measure progress toward company goals. To illustrate, they create objectives, milestones, and benchmarks for success, then adjust their efforts when needed.

2) Leadership Managers

CPAs are adept leadership managers. For instance, they understand and embrace the meaning behind facts and figures and let them speak for themselves. Also, CPAs can see the big picture while paying attention to the small details. They use balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow to explain who is spending money where and when, what something is worth, and the overall health of the business. Additionally, CPAs interact with all departments to share information. They know marketing and sales, HR, IT, production and they know how each operates.   They also know where the greatest profitability lies, and what the pain points are. Further, CPAs deal with facts and remain cool under pressure, setting an example for others to follow.

3)  Change Managers

CPAs are strong change managers. For instance, they collaborate to develop a clear and unified change strategy, a plan to implement it, and a plan to communicate and promote the intended change. CPAs also work with other leaders to discuss and document what change is expected, what new behaviors or actions are required, and what steps employees should take and when. Additionally, CPAs determine what is not expected to change, why the change is happening, what factors drive it, and what benefits will be produced.

Find Your Next CPA Role with Mercer Bradley

Find your next CPA role with Mercer Bradley, an accounting and finance staffing leader in Western Canada!