Transforming Your CPA Practice With a Vision Statement: Moving From Dream to Reality

An essential step toward success in your CPAbusinesses with revenues up to $10 million and
practice is to have a clear vision. CPA practitionersindividuals and families.
need to be dreamers to become successful. TheyAnnual revenues will be $2,250,000 and a net profit of
should have the ability to dream big and envision in their$787,500 (35%), after all salaries.
mind the desired end result. The end result is someThe ABC & Company, CPAs will have 1 office
time in the future. It could be 3 years, 5 years, 10 yearswith 14 team members - 12 full time professionals and
down the road.3 seasonal employees.
You begin to develop your vision by asking yourselfThe USP or unique characteristics of the ABC &
some crucial questions:Company, CPAs is that it will be a "one-stop" shop for
•What is the big picture for your practice? Think ofaccounting, tax and financial services. Our services
your practice as a product. What does the enddelivery will be predictable, personalized, and friendly
product look like at some point in the future? Do youwith the intention of making it an enjoyable and
want to create a CPA practice with gross billings ofmemorable experience for the client. We will be
$200,000, $500,000, $1 million or several million dollars?people-centered and will strive constantly for high
• What is your desired net profit?levels of employee and client satisfaction. Every
• Would you like to operate from one location oraspect of the business will be standardized and tightly
several?controlled to be able to consistently deliver a high level
• How many employees will you have?of service. Our office will be a lively, clean and fun
• What services will you be provide?place to be. All our services will be delivered in our
• How many days/hours would you like to workoffice, or via phone, mail, fax or the Internet.
(during tax season, in the off season)?The ABC & Company, CPAs will grow at the
• How much time in the week will you spendrate of 20 percent from effective CPA firm marketing
towards marketing your CPA firm?techniques such as cross selling of our own services,
Having a clear vision of what your practice will look likethrough client referrals, referrals from other
in the future helps you to make it a reality. If you haveprofessionals, seminars / presentations, direct mail and
employees or plan to hire employees, having a clearlyour presence on the Internet. By June 30, 20014, the
articulated vision helps everyone to have a commonABC Company, CPAs will be well positioned to attract
purpose and be on the same page.prospective buyers, employees, lenders and clients. If
To understand what a vision statement looks like,the CPA practice were to be sold, it would sell for 2
consider a hypothetical vision statement for a firm liketimes the gross revenues.
your own.The ABC & Company, CPAs will recruit and train
Vision Statement of The ABC & Company,high energy, self-motivated individuals who will help the
CPAsorganization achieve its vision. Only individuals with a
Five years from now, by June 30, 2014, The ABCstrong desire to grow professionally and personally
& Company, CPAs will be a professionaland who constantly strive to bring out the best in
organization deeply committed to helping families andthemselves and others around them will be hired and
businesses attain their financial goals.retained.
The ABC & Company, CPAs will be a fullIf you are serious about transforming your practice into
accounting, tax planning and preparation and financiala successful CPA practice, you must develop and
services company catering to 2 niche markets: smallcommit your vision to paper.