Building a Stellar Accounting Career with Sam Allred

Episode 40. In today's interview, "Building a Stellar Accounting Career with Sam Allred." You can also watch this on youtube here: https://youtu.be/TSabv_6zIkU Sam Allred is a qualified CPA and founder of Upstream Academy. He has been regularly recognized as one of the major influencers in the accounting profession and has been listed as one of Accounting Today’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Accounting and as one of IPA’s Most Recommended Consultants. He is one of the most sought-after speakers in the accounting profession and is viewed as one of their top strategic thinkers. Key takeaways from this episode include: ➯ why the accounting profession is in great shape despite the pandemic ➯ the two biggest challenges for accounting firms in these tough times (clue - it's to do with people) ➯ the impact of accounting firms realising that they can work remotely ➯ the major concern for accounting firms who have a remote workforce ➯ the first thing accounting firms must do if they want to maintain a strong culture ➯ why hope is not a strategy for survival, growth and recovery ➯ the difference between rockstars and superstars in a professional firm ➯ shout out to Jim Collins and his book Good to Great - get the right people on your team bus ➯ what attracting great people to your accounting firm allows you to do ➯ what new entrants to accounting need to understand if they want to get excited by their career ➯ a major but underestimated benefits of working as an accountant in practice vz industry ➯ why failing to clarify to emerging leaders what it takes to make partner is a sign of poor leadership in accounting firms ➯ what high performing professional firms do with their talent and succession that other firms don't ➯ the biggest mistake accountants make in carving out a stellar career for themselves ➯ how a stellar accounting career is very different to a good career ➯ the importance of recognising your strengths and unique abilities to forge a standout career in accountancy ➯ the dangers of staying in your comfort zone and what stepping out of it looks like for ambitious accountants ➯ the challenge of feedback and why most people don't grow/progress because they won't ask for it ➯ what accountants can learn from the Eisenhower Matrix as promoted by Stephen Covey ➯ the power of being intentional with your career planning in professional life Sam and his wife, Marlene, live outside of Park City, Utah. His hobbies include spending time with his family, fly fishing and golf. Sam and Marlene have seven children. Contact him here: Website and blog http://upstreamacademy.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-allred-1787337 NOTE TO LISTENERS: The Accounting Influencers Podcast is a CPE-accredited daily radio-style show with four segments coming out every Monday which are repeated on the other 4 weekdays as standalone episodes, plus a bonus 'from the client's perspective' episode on Saturdays. On Sundays, listeners get a short min trailer for the coming week's episodes. Every Tuesday the show gives you a relevant news topic from the accounting and fintech world with a direct application to accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay informed and build your commercial acumen. Every Wednesday and Friday, we feature an uncut interview with top authors, leaders, thinkers and performers in the accounting and fintech world. Every Thursday the show gives you a practical 'here's what works' tips concerning a key challenge, need or strategy for accountants, CPAs and bookkeepers. Great to stay current and keep your skills topped up. Finally, every Saturday gives listeners a bonus episode which focuses on the buyers of accounting services - the clients themselves. In particular how they feel, react to and experience their interactions with accountants. That includes why they buy or don't buy, why they move or stay and why they think how they think about you, your firm, your prices and your offerings....