Partners of CPA firms work very hard during the year, but it's just as important to work smart. It is critically important that partners take the time to assess their overall satisfaction with the firm, evaluate its operations, resolve problems and set goals for the future. This is best accomplished at a retreat, away from the office and its distractions.

Clients find it effective for us to lead their retreats because they benefit from our experience in working with over 600 firms. I always tell new clients that I am "one firm better than the last firm I worked with." I approach your firm with a "fresh set of eyes." I see firms in ways that you cannot. I ask questions that would never occur to you. And afterwards, I help you implement the ideas we come up with. I don't want anyone to feel like the retreat was a waste of time.

Here is what we do:

1. Help you form the agenda
2. Interview the partners before the retreat
3. Benchmark your firm to our proprietary survey of MAP statistics and to other national surveys
4. Update you on the hottest trends in the profession
5. Lead the discussions on each topic
6. Get everyone to contribute
7. Bring every topic to a conclusion; get agreement on goals for implementation
8. Provide a brief report after the retreat is over, summarizing all action steps
9. Touch base periodically with the managing partner over the next 12 months