Top 10 Most Read Blogs of 2022

Key Points

• The most-read Inovautus blogs of 2022 highlight key challenges in accounting—staffing shortages, client management, and firm growth strategies.
• Readers showed growing interest in business development, client experience, and using technology to strengthen firm operations.
• These insights reveal that accounting professionals are prioritizing smarter growth, efficiency, and people-first leadership entering 2023.

Welcome to our annual recap of the 10 most-read articles from Practical Ideas for Growth. We always look forward to the insights this list reveals about the profession and what’s top of mind for marketers. Let’s take a look back at the topics that resonated the most with our audience!

Take this 1 Step Before Pruning Your Client Base

As the staffing shortage in 2022 continues to challenge professional firms, one solution has emerged – pruning clients. Firms are now carefully evaluating their client base and segmenting them based on their values and strategy, with tangible & intangible attributes playing a role in determining whether they come, stay or go.

Business Development and Sales Aren’t Scary (When You Break Down the Process)

Accountants are notoriously not stoked about taking on sales and business development; however, many don’t realize their number-crunching expertise makes them a natural fit for success in the realm of selling. With some creative tweaking to accountancy technique, closing deals becomes an enjoyable venture rather than a daunting task!

Does Your CPA Firm Have a Growth Culture?

The key to growth is more than teaching select partners how to become rainmakers. A true growth culture can only be achieved when every person in the firm understands the importance of service and embraces a growth mindset.

4 Steps for Developing and Implementing a Client Acceptance Policy

Being a CPA can be challenging at times, especially when you’re dealing with difficult clients. From tardy submissions and unwanted complaints to unethical requests – it’s not easy! Fortunately, there are steps every business owner should take to ensure they avoid such encounters.

5 Best-in-Class Ideas for Improving Client Service

The accounting profession strives to provide excellent service; however, it is an unfortunate reality that clients have grown accustomed to expecting mediocre services. There are ways for firms to reset expectations and elevate client service experiences – from collecting information to responding timely to emails or phone calls.

Do Your Buyer Personas Go Deep Enough to ID Ideal Clients?

Accounting firms are selling differently. Coupled with the profession-wide staffing shortage, firms are becoming laser-focused on their core services, expertise, and capacity to ensure they’re devoting the right time to the right clients. That’s where executing a buyer persona process comes in. But an effective buyer persona goes deeper than identifying their company size or industry.

Love Your People? Implement Pipeline Meetings to Reduce Staff Burnout

The accounting industry faces difficult times as it navigates its way through a surplus of work and the resulting burnout. A number of people are leaving or reevaluating their positions, but there is hope yet. Pipeline meetings offer an innovative approach to alleviating some stress while still meeting firm needs – something that many could benefit from in this upheaval.

How to Give Proper Attribution to Internet Content

Citing sources has come a long way since our days in grade school. From print works to digital documents, we need guidance on the new citation rules for today’s tech-driven world.

5 Questions to Ask When Evaluating Advertising Opportunities

Ever get one of those calls from a salesperson with an ‘amazing’ advertising deal? Don’t let the excitement cloud your judgment, and make sure you’re armed with information to help you decide whether or not this is right for your business.

Accounting Firms that Invest in Technology and Virtual Communication Likely to Come Out Ahead

Accounting firms were asked in the Inovautus and Association for Accounting Marketing Growth Outlook® Survey about their investment outlook into marketing and business development (BD) activities. The survey response pattern showed a correlation between a positive expectation for growth and increases in these budgetary areas.

We value our community of readers and look forward to providing additional insights over the coming year. If you’re looking for guidance on one of the topics above, please reach out to our team. We would love to help you make the most of 2023.