Episode 145

The Power of Key Performance Indicators for Accountants

Published on: 11th March, 2021

Bernie Smith coaches businesses to develop meaningful KPIs and present their management information in the clearest possible way to support good decision making. Frustrated by the random way in which performance measures are often chosen and implemented, Bernie set up Made to Measure KPIs in 2007. He has since authored author of 19 KPI books to share simple, structured and repeatable ways to create KPIs that normal humans could design and use to improve businesses. Selected shownotes:

  • What a KPI or key performance specialist actually does
  • The benefits of KPIs for accounting firms and the business clients they serve
  • The power of KPIs to support business clients with advisory services
  • Shout out to The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande and how checklists make KPIs more accessible
  • The importance of KPIs to breakdown and execute strategic objectives
  • The challenges and best practice tips for measuring intangible objectives like culture and client engagement
  • Top tips to gain buy-in for KPI thinking with the clients of or the staff in an accounting firm
  • How visual dashboards can show how KPIs are working and the mistakes accountants make with dashboards
  • Why traffic light approached to KPIs do not work and why they should be avoided
  • The similarities and differences between covid stats and business KPIs
  • Why KPIs are only as good as the data they are based on
  • How personal or health KPIs can help professionals with work life balance and wellbeing
  • The role of micro-habits and small KPIs in bringing about larger scale change
  • How accountants can add value to their clients by delivering content (workshops, webinars) on KPIs
  • A great KPI example around 'lifetime value of activity' which can really move the dial
  • A great KPI example that drives client loyalty and engagement.

Using the experience (and scars) of working with a huge variety of organisations over his consulting career, spanning banking (HSBC, Credit Suisse, UBS), aerospace (Airbus, AirTanker, Leonardo), and even cheesemaking, Bernie has boiled that experience down into simple, sensible and practical advice on performance measurement. When not working, Bernie is a keen hill walker, photographer and technology enthusiast. At any given point he has at least half a dozen over-ambitious and incomplete technology projects on the go. Contact him here:

Website and blog

LinkedIn

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About the Podcast

Accounting Voices Podcast
Accounting Voices helps people in the accounting world stay relevant visible and vocal. Host Rob Brown interprets trends reshaping the profession and gives listeners insight to build authority influence and a stronger voice in firms and markets.
Accounting Voices, hosted by Rob Brown, helps decision makers and leaders in accounting and finance stay relevant, visible and vocal in a profession being reshaped by technology, private equity, regulation and shifting client expectations. Each episode interprets the trends disrupting accounting and finance such as AI, automation, M&A, talent and the move to advisory and translates them into practical insight that strengthens authority and influence.
Accounting Voices is also a platform for the wider ecosystem of networks, associations, educators, consultants, software vendors and technology experts who serve accountants and finance professionals worldwide. It extends into regular Accounting Voices networking sessions that connect this audience and amplify ideas that move the profession forward. With its international reach and long shelf life the show delivers credibility and commercial value for listeners and sponsors alike. Search for "Accounting Voices" on YouTube for all episodes and connect with Rob Brown on LinkedIn to find out more: https://www.linkedin.com/in/therobbrown

About your host

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Rob Brown

ob Brown is the creator and host of the Accounting Voices Network, a media platform that includes the flagship solo podcast Accounting Voices and the panel shows Accounting M&A and Accounting Tech. He chairs conferences, panels and virtual events worldwide and is recognised as a leading advocate for the accounting profession.

He is an accomplished speaker and authority on trust, reputation, employer brand, talent, succession, executive presence and the forces shaping the future of accounting. Rob is the author of the bestselling book Build Your Reputation (Wiley) and his TEDx talk The Personal Brand of You has been viewed more than 400,000 times.

A former co-founder of the Accounting Influencers Roundtable, Rob now focuses on amplifying the voices of leaders, firms, networks, vendors and influencers across the global accounting ecosystem.

Outside of work he is a stroke survivor, lives with epilepsy, holds a black belt in kickboxing and is based in Nottingham, UK. He plays chess and backgammon, loves orange chocolate and is allergic to grapefruit.