Episode 161

Leaders Special – Martin Bissett of Upward Spiral Professionals

Published on: 1st July, 2021

Episode 161. In today's interview, Martin Bissett shares insights from 20+ years consulting to accounting firms, networks and software vendors.

Martin Bissett is THE trusted adviser to accounting leaders and future leaders internationally. He creates professional communities for fintech vendor partners as well as a range of accounting networks, associations and alliances. He is a knowledge partner to accounting influencers globally and has authored 9 books including Passport to Partnership, content from which has been adopted into the curriculum of AAT Level 3 courses, and taught in selected UK colleges and US CPA Societies.

He has spoken to audiences from over 40 nations on 4 continents and is retained by AccountingWeb and the International Accounting Bulletin as a judge of their prestigious awards. He writes for AccountingToday, AccountingWeb, CPA Practice Advisor and Chartered One, and has much to say on helping the accounting profession adopt an advisory role towards clients by moving away from compliance in order to create sustainable businesses, high levels of financial literacy in SMEs and therefore take the financial pressure off SME owner’s home lives.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

➯ Why the accounting profession is unique amongst all B2B sectors and industries

➯ What makes the accountant the true trusted advisor to today's small businesses

➯ What 'being fired' does for one's confidence and career trajectory

➯ Reasons for not going to university and going straight into entrepreneurship/an employed role

➯ Explaining the 'pinnacle point' in defining a legacy or finishing point

➯ What really defines success for today's leaders, influencers and business owners

➯ Challenges in separating work life and family life for high performing professionals

➯ The ways technology has driven change in the accounting profession

➯ Examples of risks taken throughout one's life and how they impact one's future

➯ Why everything you want lies outside your comfort zone

➯ How today's hype demands that we be more confrontational and challenging to truly serve clients

➯ Why 'silver bullet' solutions don't work for business owners and accountants

➯ The power of 'impact stories' in cementing track record and highlighting credentials

➯ The three things that attract accounting practitioners and leaders to join the Upward Spiral Professionals community

➯ What one thing that separates the good accountants from the truly great ones, and why it's no more than 10% of the profession

➯ The skills and attributes that makes an accountant promotable and 'partner material'

➯ Examples of bad doctrine and bad advice put out to the accounting profession

➯ The two best places to go for wisdom, learning and advice for accounting leaders

➯ The value of wisdom that doesn't go out of date - the role of 'the classics' in accounting literature

➯ The power of being someone 'without whom...' great things would NOT have happened.

Martin on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/martinbissett/

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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.