Mandatory CPE I Had to Take
Today I was “forced” to attend a firm wide training program for supervisors, managers and partners. The program was mandatory for firms contracting with the Federal government, which WS+B does.
The five hour training was in EEO, Affirmative Action, Harassment and other sensitive HR issues which, to be frank, seemed like a waste of time for me, but I had to go.
Much to my surprise I found it to be time well spent. I also commend my firm’s management and HR department for the choice of program and vendor.
This got me thinking about what else I don’t know about and have to take courses on. We had a Partners’ Network CPE program in June on advising clients on insuring against web security and IP breaches and personal asset protection issues that was an eye opener. I also have to take ethics courses, tax and accounting updates, IT system training and myriad other “mandatory” programs.
However, a group of courses not labeled as mandatory concern practice management – pricing, billing, training, supervising staff, staff career management, new business development, client retention, and partner personal and professional growth.
I suggest that these should be as mandatory as today’s HR program. CPA firm owners have a responsibility to protect the practice by honing skills in the non technical and non obligatory practice management areas. It seems that if each partner spent ten or so hours a year in this regard, there would be a large positive benefit to all stakeholders – owners and employees and their families, clients and vendors.
Make training in practice management part of your “mandatory” programs. It pays!