Client strategies

If you find yourself talking for more than 10 consecutive seconds during a client meeting, stop and ask the client an open-ended question, and give them ample time to respond.

The key to commercialization is early adopters.

It’s a cultural issue, largely, but it doesn’t have to stay that way.

How many clients have told you they can’t wait until they’re retired? Suppose you ask them point blank, “What does retirement look like to you?”

Your clients’ complex financial lives offer major opportunities.

As the trusted advisor, you need to assume the role of the point person, or integrator.

Auditors need to provide value beyond the compliance function.

Next time you meet with a client, instead of just making small talk or asking, “How’s the family doing?” take it a step further.

CPA firms have lost sight of their central mission: building client value.

Setting a growth goal is about much more than picking a percentage -- firms need to dive deeper to understand what it will really take to hit that goal, says Bob Lewis of The Visionary Group -- and they need to make sure they have people who can bring in the new business they need.

With a little bit of data analysis, accountants can help small businesses develop more profitable approaches.

I always prepare for client meetings. Sometimes I overprepare because I don’t want to be unprepared and also because I want to control the pace, direction and timing of the meeting.

Accountants should be ‘ladies and gentlemen serving ladies and gentlemen.’

Tax pros share how they handle estimate-seekers and price shoppers.

As your client’s most trusted advisor, you probably spend a lot of time on their business balance sheet. But how much focus is dedicated to their personal balance sheet?

To help individuals and businesses prepare for filing season, Grant Thornton has released a collection of year-end tax tips.

To get a better handle on your client’s personal cash flow situation, you need to go beyond their business and understand their family financial dynamics.

Taxpayers are more than twice as likely to use DIY tax preparation software as an accountant to do their taxes, but they’re 38 percent less satisfied with the results, according to a new survey.