Selective reading can help accountants deal with information overload when looking for ideas on how to improve their firms.

Did you ever think about your value to your clients and what they are paying you for?

Back in 2010, I wrote a book called "Power Bites," containing some concise management, leadership and lifestyle advice I give to my clients.

All of the accountants I know and interact with are nice caring people and I like them. However there is one area where I believe they are being shortsighted and neglectful.

My office moved and I am left with a dozen boxes I am going through to throw away things or shred. Since I am a compulsive saver, I feel it necessary to go through every box looking for things that need to be retained. This is creating a trip through memory lane for me. Here is some of what I found.

“Tis the season for fee increases” is a song I hum every year in late December. This has always been a good time for me to review the year and fee structure with clients.

Mail or forward information to clients to let them know they are on your mind.

About nine years ago one of my clients went to an attorney for an estate plan. I asked to be involved and was told I wasn’t needed so I sat it out.

I had a meeting recently with an accountant and was led into his office while he was on the phone. I overheard him telling a client that he wouldn’t be able to get his work done as promised because his humongous client needed something done right away, and “you know how that is!”

I have found that clients, while they completely trust us for everything in their business, professional and financial lives, do not trust us when we price our services.