Episode 20

Expert Interview Highlights: John Thompson (The Advisory Guy)

Published on: 1st October, 2021

Episode 20. On today's episode of the Accounting Influencers Podcast, Martin Bissett of the Accountants Influencers Podcast interviews John Thompson AKA the Advisory Guy on how accounting firms best move beyond compliance.

John is widely recognised as the primary thought leader on the practicalities of growing advisory services in an accounting practice. He is Head of CAS The Complete Advisory Solution for the UK and Ireland, working with accountancy practices both large and small to enable them to successfully grow advisory services by providing them with the CAS Advisory Delivery Platform and advisory training.

Formerly an Advisory Partner with a Top Ten Firm where he trained over 100 partners and managers, he was previously the New Business Director of a regional practice that tripled GRF in 2 years before selling the practice for several million pounds. John holds several consultancy and NED roles in sectors as diverse as construction, manufacturing and professional services. When not working, he lets Newcastle United play havoc with his blood pressure and chills out with his wife and family in Hampshire.

Key shownotes from the whole interview include:

➜ What 'The Advisory Guy' actually does for accountants and the accounting firms they work in

➜ How a qualified chartered accountant became an advisory expert for accountancy firms

➜ The 3 things that separate the good advisory accounting firms from the great ones

➜ Why advisory for accountants has not evolved over the last 50 years as much as it should have

➜ Why clients will never ask their CPA or accountant for 'advisory services'

➜ What best practice for advisory services looks like in an accounting practice

➜ Tips for handling an advisory-led conversation with clients to go beyond compliance

➜ The part empathy plays in better advisory conversations and why accountants can be coached

➜ How basic client relationships form the foundation for accountants to position advisory services

➜ What the accounting firm of the future looks like when it comes to winning more advisory work

➜ The role of technology in delivering advisory services for accountants and CPAs

➜ How accountants can write themselves into the future of their accounting firm clients

➜ Business wisdom for success in the accounting and fintech profession

➜ How virtually anyone can be taught to do virtually anything

➜ How gross recurring fees create apathy and complacency with some accounting practices

➜ What is most exciting about the next few years in the accounting profession

➜ Tools and next steps for accountants who want to take the next step with advisory services

➜ Why there are no accountants who cannot do advisory and how all can advise clients better

John Thompson on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnfthompsonf3c/

John Thompson website www.completeadvisorysolution.com

NOTE TO LISTENERS:

This is a condensed highlights version of the full interview (usually 20-30 mins long), which you can catch as a bonus episode at the weekend.

Martin and Rob love to hear from the show's 5000+ listeners in 136 countries around the world. If you have any questions, suggestions, comments or success stories, just type sayhi.chat/aip into your browser and leave us a quick and easy voice message. We may just feature you on the show!

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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.