If you are thinking about modernizing your firm, you don’t want to miss this podcast. Brannon recently sat down with Tate Henshaw to discuss the ins and outs of transitioning a traditional firm over to a cloud-based firm.
Tate led the charge transitioning Polay+Clark from server to cloud, which led to his current position at Xero as a local ambassador in the Atlanta area, sharing insights from his experience running a cloud-based practice. Tate was also recently named a 2019 “40 under 40 Honoree” by CPA Practice Advisor.
The first time Polay + Clark tried to convert to a cloud-based firm, it didn’t go as planned, and they abandoned their efforts. The second time around, they were able to make the changes stick! On this podcast you get to learn from another firm’s obstacles and successes in modernizing their practice.
The changes have allowed year over year revenue growth without an increase in total staff. It has also enabled the firm to begin the transition away from brick and mortar to a truly remote presence.
Tate has great tips/insights, he explains what works and what didn’t and why this is such an exciting time to be in the accounting industry.
Some important parts to highlight:
1:40 – Tate’s background
9:00 – Polay+Clark’s initial attempt at going cloud-based
11:15 – Steps that led to trying again
12:04 – Why Xero?
19:00 – Build trust with clients faster through transparency
22:10 – How “going cloud” improved employee satisfaction as well as owner
25:20 – Training and getting staff on board, CPAs are adverse to change!
28:08 – Some things people don’t think about when they migrate to the cloud
32:00 – How long did the changeover process take?
36:20 – About Polay+Clark’s advisory services and their niche focus/providing high level advisory services
38:48 – Tate’s book recommendations (Wild at Heart by John Eldredge and The E-Myth by Michael Gerber)
40:00 – Contact Tate via LinkedIn
Twitter: @str8t814, @polayclark
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PolayClark/
About Tate Henshaw: Over the last 11 years, Tate has been helping Grammy Winners, NBA All-Stars, and Emmy Winning Television hosts navigate their financial futures at Polay+Clark. Since 2017, Tate has served as a National Xero Ambassador and is helping other accountants, bookkeepers, and advisors with their businesses. When Tate is not tied to his computer, he can also be found leading worship at Northpointe Church in Adairsville or spending time with his wife and two daughters.
About Brannon Poe: Brannon is the founder of Poe Group Advisors and has been facilitating successful accounting practice transitions throughout the US and Canada since 2003. Brannon started his career in public accounting as an auditor with Ernst & Young before working for several years in auditing and tax preparation for the regional firm of Elliott, Davis & Company. He is the author of “Accountant’s Flight Plan: Best Practices for Today’s Firms” (published by the AICPA and CPA Canada), “On Your Own: How to Start Your Own CPA Firm,” as well as multiple blogs and the “Accountant’s Flight Plan” podcast.
Follow us on Twitter @PoeGroupAdvisor and LinkedIn
