How Client Accounting Services Are Redefining the Role of Accountants in Business Growth

"They swapped out ‘accounting’ for ‘advisory’ in CAS, but I still believe it’s 'client accounting and advisory services.' At scale, especially with small businesses, it’s hard to separate the two. You need a foundational understanding of their accounting model to help architect it in a way that truly tells their story." – Adam Hale

The finer details of this episode:

• The shift from compliance work to advisory roles in accounting.
• Differences between traditional accounting firm structures and mature CAS practices.
• Importance of leveraging resources and delegating tasks within accounting firms.
• Financial metrics and profitability considerations in CAS practices.
• The concept of selling access rather than time in service pricing.
• The role of regular meetings in managing client expectations and scope creep.
• Adoption of a corporate-like structure for improved efficiency and adaptability.
• The impact of a subscription model on client relationships and service delivery.
• Strategies for accounting firms to remain competitive in a changing industry.

Episode resources:
● Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/
● If you have questions or would like to be a guest on the show, email us at mcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.com
● Check out the Virtual CFO Playbook Course: https://vcfoplaybook.summitcpa.net/

Timestamps:
Welcome and Introduction (00:00:00)
The host introduces the podcast and its mission to provide insights for accounting firms.

Overview of CAS (00:00:22)
Tom and Adam discuss Client Accounting Services (CAS) and advisory services, highlighting their significance.

Defining CAS (00:00:46)
Adam explains the evolution of CAS from "Client Accounting Services" to "Client Accounting and Advisory Services."

Importance of Accounting in CAS (00:01:02)
Adam emphasizes understanding accounting models for effective advisory services, especially for small businesses.

Traditional vs. CAS Structures (00:01:52)
Discussion on differences between traditional accounting firms and mature CAS practices, focusing on corporate structure.

Leveraging Resources in CAS (00:02:06)
Adam talks about the importance of leveraging resources and delegating tasks for scaling CAS practices.

Transitioning from Traditional Models (00:03:29)
Tom shares challenges faced by accounting firms transitioning from traditional models to more scalable structures.

Financial Metrics in CAS (00:04:35)
Adam discusses financial metrics, contrasting traditional firm profitability with CAS models and their structures.

Understanding Profit Margins (00:06:19)
Tom and Adam analyze profit margins in CAS compared to traditional firms, aiming for higher profitability.

Building Client Relationships (00:09:24)
Tom highlights the importance of long-term relationships with clients for smoother operations and better service.

Delegation and Offshoring (00:10:06)
Discussion on the necessity of delegating work and utilizing offshore teams to enhance efficiency.

Measuring Performance in CAS (00:11:59)
Adam explains the shift from traditional hourly metrics to responsibility-based performance measures in CAS.

Book of Business Targets (00:12:57)
Tom and Adam discuss the importance of setting clear book of business targets for team members.

Compensation Structure in CAS (00:13:39)
Adam outlines how compensation structures differ in CAS, focusing on book of business rather than hours worked.

Efficiency Over Hours (00:16:32)
Tom advocates for valuing efficiency and client satisfaction over the n