By Vincent Howard, CPA | Managing Partner, Howard, Howard and Hodges | SkillAbility for Accounting Firms Last updated: July 15, 2026 | 25-minute read TL;DR — The Short Answer First-time manager training for accounting firms should teach technical experts how to create results through other people—not simply how to complete more work personally. New accounting
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Accounting Workforce Development Archives - Page 12 of 13 - SkillAbility
By Vincent Howard, CPA | Managing Partner, Howard, Howard and Hodges | SkillAbility for Accounting Firms Last updated: July 15, 2026 | 27-minute read TL;DR — The Short Answer A staff accountant is ready for promotion to senior when the person can consistently produce review-ready work, recognize and escalate issues, understand client context, manage assigned
By Vincent Howard, CPA | Managing Partner, Howard, Howard and Hodges | SkillAbility for Accounting Firms Last updated: July 15, 2026 | 24-minute read TL;DR — The Short Answer A new staff accountant is ready for controlled client work when the person can complete a realistic assignment accurately, follow the firm’s workflow, protect client information,
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
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 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
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