This is the 1,162nd blog I have posted in the last thirteen years without missing a week. I posted twice a week for the first eight and a half years and then once a week. I posted my first blog on February 7, 2012, and while I think everything will last forever, most things do not. Things, people and circumstances change. However, my blog’s focus and topics haven’t changed – much.
When I started my blog, I wanted to be able to post my perspectives and opinions on whatever I felt was necessary for me to comment on. Naturally, I wanted to focus on financial matters and issues that concerned my clients. At that time, I ran Withum’s Partners’ Network, which grew to include 2,500 accountants for whom we provided practice management tips and continuing education. I did not imagine this blog would encompass practice management since I regularly post on this topic on the CPA Trendlines website.
I asked our marketing team to help me set up this blog, and I received a call from Sarah Cirelli to congratulate me because Partners’ Network was available. This was not my preferred domain name, but I did not have the heart to tell her, so it became my blog’s name. Over time, the name became less pertinent since the blog contains my thoughts and musings. I also include posts about my hobbies, interests and college teaching. I even use the blog to create messages for my students.
About a year after I started this blog, I started writing a weekly column for AccountingToday which has an 11-year run of weekly practice management tips. Five years ago, I started a weekly Torah lesson that I email to those who request it.
These projects keep me busy, and sometimes I wonder if I should cut back on some of them. But whenever that thought creeps into my mind, I notice something I want to comment on, so I continue. On some level, I realize no one cares as much as I do, and I enjoy writing these blogs and columns. Writing keeps me looking at things in a critical way and unleashes spurts of creativity. One example occurred this past week. We were out for dinner when the check was presented to me with a 20% tip included in the total. The waiter had the courtesy to put a star next to that amount so I would notice and not think they were trying to fool me. It was 20% of the food and drinks. When I received the credit card receipt to sign, I noticed the check had three suggested tips: 18%, 20% and 22%. However, these suggested percentage tips were on the total bill, including the tax. I didn’t care since I typically give generous tips anyway. However, the check I signed had an extra line labeled additional tip, followed by a line for the grand total. It seemed like they were trying to hustle me for an extra tip. I was left wondering if this would be a good topic to write about, and I actually pulled out some other receipts. Writing these weekly blogs keeps me alert to changes occurring around me that I would not normally pay much attention to.
The ideas for my Art of Accounting column in Accounting Today come from colleagues who call me to discuss issues they experience when running their practices. I volunteer my help for half an hour and explain to them I no longer do this kind of work, so they cannot engage and pay me for an exhaustive analysis of their situation. I have reached a point in my life where I do not want to be tied down to do something by a specific time, which usually is yesterday! My payment is material for a new column. My column won a first prize award from Folio magazine.
I find writing the first draft of a blog easy. I usually spend twice that time editing the text to get it exactly right. I want everything I write to be perfect or as close as possible. Many of my columns end up as chapters in articles or speech handouts. The best professional use of my blog is when I address my clients’ questions and then provide them with free advice when I send them a link to my blog. This works well since when one client has a question, it follows that others have the same concerns. Occasionally, I post a blog about a new tax loophole and send it to potential clients who might benefit from engaging Withum to follow through with them. These posts generated substantial fees for Withum and millions in tax savings for our new clients.
I do not produce my blog alone. I have backup and support from the entire Withum’s Marketing, Digital Marketing and Social Media Team, especially Ruby Castañeda and Linda Howard, and perennial support from Heather Campisi.
Next week, I will provide my take on last year’s stock market performance. I will share a link to my annual stock market update for my virtual program for the East Brunswick Public Library on February 20.
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If you have any tax, business, financial or leadership or management issues you want to discuss please do not hesitate to contact me.
