After working for a large accounting firm and as the accounting manager for a Fortune 500 company, 30 years ago I opened my own CPA practice in Leominster, Massachusetts. Although the gross kept rising, the profits weren’t following suit. It got to the point where I was having to put my own money back into the office to cover the expenses.
I did Sterling’s practice management training just before the start of the 2002 tax season and saw an immediate, positive result. Looking at the program strictly from a financial viewpoint, it makes an excellent investment. It more than paid for itself in the first year, and I get the continuing benefit from here on out because Sterling is a continuing resource that a firm can utilize to get objective assistance in resolving business and staff problems. Sterling’s program of evaluating existing and potential staff, by itself, is worth the investment.
Without increasing the number of staff, I have nearly doubled the revenue and tripled my take home. Tax season is still intense, but instead of taking one or two weeks of vacation every year, I now can take 3 or 4. This gives me more time for my other passion: working with NASCAR auto racing teams. Since I have more control over my schedule, I am able to make it to the races I want to attend.
Just as the race cars need to be kept in tune, I also make sure my practice management skills get a regular tune-up. I take advantage of the added benefits Sterling provides with their weekend workshops. We make it to most of the ones in New York and have also been to Baltimore and Chicago a couple of times.
At these workshops is the opportunity to discuss issues with other business owners and draw upon their experience in solving common problems. Everyone is in the same boat when it comes to managing their business.
Overall, the Sterling program has given me a great boost. I invite you to give Sterling a look. They deliver good, solid, bottom-line results.
Henry Frye, CPA
