Episode 151

How Top Firms Solve Succession & Rapidly Develop Skills

Published on: 22nd April, 2021

Sam Allred is a qualified CPA and founder of Upstream Academy. He has been regularly recognized as one of the major influencers in the accounting profession and has been listed as one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting and as one of IPA’s Most Recommended Consultants. He is one of the most sought-after speakers in the accounting profession and is viewed as one of their top strategic thinkers. Shownotes:

  • Why the accounting profession is actually in a strong position in these uncertain times
  • The biggest challenge most accounting firms think will be their biggest challenge in growth
  • The most critical mistake professional firms make with their recruitment strategy, which is why talent holds them back in growing
  • The key differentiators between most accounting firms and the high performing ones
  • The three crucial areas in which high performing accounting firms excel that the rest fall down on
  • The importance of being intentional in teaching and training your people in soft skills if you lead in an accounting firm
  • The fallacy of hoping that strong technical skills alone will further an accountant's career progression or solve an accounting firm's succession problem
  • Why so many accountants 'flatline' after 8-9 years of career progression, often after reaching partner level
  • Where the responsibility lies to develop the talent in accounting firms, and how this ties to culture and leadership
  • How a lack of growth and personal development in accounting firm partners and leaders has such a negative impact on the rest of the practice
  • Debunking the notion that accountants have to 'serve their time' to reach partner or effectively contribute to their accountancy firm
  • How accounting firms can invest 12 years of career development into a new hire accountant with raw talent to make them 'partner-ready' in 5 years
  • Why time is the slowest developer of accounting professionals and partner talent in accountancy practices
  • Ways for firm-wide leaders to stretch and challenge their accounting professionals to develop their skills and experience more quickly
  • Creating the right mix for accelerated skill development with accounting firm top talent
  • What the older people in accounting firms need to do if they want to stay current, relevant and inspirational to others.

Sam and his wife, Marlene, live outside of Park City, Utah. His hobbies include spending time with his family, fly fishing and golf. Sam and Marlene have seven children. Contact him here:

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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.