Everyone fails: Here’s how to bounce back

Epic fail. We’ve all been there — set out to do something great, only to come up a little short of our expectations. But that’s when the real test happens. Do we choose to throw in the towel or do we push through and use our experience with failure as motivation?

Author J.K. Rowling, who experienced some disappointments before publishing her first blockbuster Harry Potter novel, said that “it is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case, you fail by default.”

If you’re preparing to take the CPA exam, you may be wondering about the possibility of failure. Did you know a significant number of successful CPAs don’t actually pass the exam the first time around? In fact, an average of 50% of test takers fail at least one section. The average candidate sits six to seven times before passing all four sections. So, if you’ve had a setback in one or more parts of the exam — or are worried that you might — don’t stress. You’re not alone.

7 ways women can advance their careers

Women’s History Month is a great time to take inspiration from the achievements of outstanding women, and a chance to check in on your own goals. Are you aiming for advancement and trying to decide the best ways to get there? These are some steps you can take to enhance your prospects for getting ahead.

1. Set yourself apart. What does your organization need? Someone to spearhead cybersecurity efforts or to develop a strategy for addressing the impact of blockchain technology? A professional with expertise or a strong interest in a new and promising service area? Becoming the go-to expert in a hot topic area can raise your visibility and put you in a better position to be considered for new roles or leadership opportunities.
2. Get on track with mentoring. Need an objective source for advice and career insights? Be sure to take advantage of any mentoring options inside and outside your company (these free mentoring and networking resources will give you some pointers). Once you have some experience under your belt, it’s also a good idea to offer to become a mentor to a less seasoned professional. It can be a satisfying and educational experience. It also helps you learn and demonstrate leadership skills that will benefit you as you move up the management ladder.

Switching to a C corp? Think twice about it.

Most people probably don't even know what toothpaste they buy; they just recognize the box on the shelf.

--Charles Duhigg

The recently enacted P.L. 115-97, known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, will have a significant effect on tax planning for clients, but many CPAs are also investigating what it will mean to their own firms. Best to listen to the advice of American Pulitzer prize-winning reporter and best-selling author Charles Duhigg on the process; make sure you know what’s in the tax planning “box.”

5 items you need in your firm’s owners’ agreement

What’s in your owners’ agreement? I recommend creating these critical documents when the firm is first formed and updating them as needed. An effective agreement can enhance decision-making and productivity, and it’s also the foundation for a successful changeover to new internal ownership. Even in a merger or acquisition, the decisions set forth in an owners’ agreement can set the stage for a smoother and more rewarding transition. Here are some significant issues that should be addressed in any agreement.

Firm governance. When you establish policies on who will run the organization and how it will be run, it can enhance efficiency and profitability. No matter how independently each partner may handle his or her work, there are many advantages to having common agreement on some key issues, such as:

3 things more important than tax reform in 2018

Your phone’s already ringing. Clients want to know how the new tax law will impact them. This is understandable, but don’t worry if you aren’t ready to answer their questions just yet It’s a big law and the IRS has yet to provide even the most basic guidance. For most businesses, taxes aren’t the first thing to look at in 2018—in fact, taxes probably shouldn’t be your clients’ second or even third priority. During your client meetings consider tackling these other issues that haven’t made the 6 o’clock news.

1. Everybody needs to fully reevaluate their accounting.

To start with, after two years of delays, US GAAP is undergoing its biggest changes in decades with implementation of FASB’s new revenue recognition and lease accounting standards. Aside from the high-profile changes for software providers, virtually every business in America that reports under US GAAP will see significant changes to their accounting for revenue recognition. Most of these businesses have leases to look at too.