From the BILLiverse
In this issue's commentary, Bill Reeb continues the series begun in last month's issue, covering management and leadership in a CPA firm. Specifically, Reeb reviews common perceptions of management and leadership, ways to improve and more. Read Commentary

In-Firm Workflow Opportunities
The current economic climate, coupled with the natural production slow down most tax and accounting firms experience over the summer, provides an opportunity for firms to take a look at their workflow processes, identify opportunities and improve upon them.  In this article, CPA and technology expert Roman Kepczyk discusses a number of firm processes and discusses ways to build on them. Learn More

Staff Layoffs: What’s Really Happening Now at Many CPA Firms
This article from the Institute of Management and Administration discusses staff layoffs during the current economic climate. While some firms were anticipating the need to downsize after busy season, other firms had already taken action. Have CPA firms incurred staff layoffs or taken other actions to cope with the recession? The Association for Accounting Administration (AAA) asked its members to complete the CPA Firm Staffing in Today's Economy Survey to learn about the state of layoffs and other recession fallout. Read the Article

Recovery Act Opportunities: How to Win Federal Contracts
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 offers additional federal contracting opportunities to small businesses across the country. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has put together a new online training program for businesses interested in learning how to participate in the Federal procurement arena. SBA’s training program is free and includes numerous recourses to help you understand and engage in the government’s contracting process. Learn More

Five Priorities to Consider as You Prepare for Year-End Planning
Fall is when CPA firms begin to think about planning for the year ahead. Considering the current economic climate and firm leaders not knowing exactly how to predict the way recovery will affect their firms, the planning process is particularly tough this year. Despite the extra challenges, planning is important for your firm's survival and also for its continued growth. The following article takes a look at five key areas that your firm should consider as you look back on the previous year and begin looking ahead to 2010. Read the Article.

Why People Buy
Most people buy goods or services to one of two reasons, they want to gain something or they want to avoid losing something. To make the most of your interactions with new and existing clients, it helps to understand their buying decisions. This article by ConvergenceCoaching, LLC provides tips and insight into why people choose to buy. Read the Article.