By Vincent Howard, CPA | Managing Partner, Howard, Howard and Hodges | SkillAbility for Accounting Firms Last updated: July 14, 2026 | 24-minute read TL;DR — The Short Answer A CPA firm training needs assessment identifies the specific performance gaps preventing the firm from reaching its goals—and determines whether training is actually the right solution
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By Vincent Howard, CPA | Managing Partner, Howard, Howard and Hodges | SkillAbility for Accounting Firms Last updated: July 14, 2026 | 25-minute read TL;DR — The Short Answer An accounting competency matrix defines what people must be able to do at each level of a CPA firm—from new hire to partner—and the evidence that
By Vincent Howard, CPA | Managing Partner, Howard, Howard and Hodges | SkillAbility for Accounting Firms Last updated: July 14, 2026 | 28-minute read TL;DR — Key Takeaway A tax preparer skills assessment should prove that a candidate or seasonal employee can turn source documents and client facts into accurate, supported, review-ready tax work before
By Vincent Howard, CPA | Managing Partner, Howard, Howard and Hodges | SkillAbility for Accounting Firms Last updated: July 13, 2026 | 29-minute read The Short Answer An accounting skills assessment test should show whether a candidate can perform realistic accounting work accurately, document what they did, identify problems, follow instructions, communicate clearly, and recognize
By Vincent Howard, CPA | Managing Partner, Howard, Howard and Hodges | SkillAbility for Accounting Firms Last updated: July 13, 2026 | 17-minute read TL;DR — Key Takeaway An accounting firm knowledge transfer template should capture more than procedural steps. It should preserve the judgment, exceptions, client history, relationships, risks, and decision logic senior staff
By Vincent Howard, CPA | Managing Partner, Howard, Howard and Hodges | SkillAbility for Accounting Firms Last updated: July 13, 2026 | 18-minute read TL;DR — Key Takeaway CPA firm succession planning must transfer more than ownership. It must protect client trust, institutional knowledge, operating continuity, and the next generation of firm leadership. A complete
By Vincent Howard, CPA | Managing Partner, Howard, Howard and Hodges | SkillAbility for Accounting Firms Last updated: July 10, 2026 | 17-minute read TL;DR — The Short Answer CPA firm partner track criteria should measure whether someone can build, protect, and transfer firm value—not merely whether they are a strong technician or produce enough
By Vincent Howard, CPA | Managing Partner, Howard, Howard and Hodges | SkillAbility for Accounting Firms Last updated: July 10, 2026 | 17-minute read TL;DR — The Short Answer A workpaper review checklist should help staff catch incomplete, unsupported, unclear, and unresolved work before the file reaches the reviewer. Review-ready work clearly shows the purpose
By Vincent Howard, CPA | Managing Partner, Howard, Howard and Hodges | SkillAbility for Accounting Firms Last updated: July 10, 2026 | 16-minute read TL;DR — The Short Answer An accounting employee development plan should show how one person will become more capable in the role they have now and more prepared for the role
By Vincent Howard, CPA | Managing Partner, Howard, Howard and Hodges | SkillAbility for Accounting Firms Last updated: July 2026 | 15-minute read TL;DR — The Short Answer An accounting firm training plan template should not be a list of random courses. It should be a role-based development pathway that moves people from new hire
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