To kick off the new year, we’re re-running a short series of our most popular and impactful articles throughout January. Whether you’re seeing these for the first time or revisiting them as you plan for 2026, these pieces reflect the core of what it means to build a firm that serves you.
The ones who’ve looked up from another week where you and your key people have worked more than you expected and thought, “This can’t be it. There has to be a better way.” No more fooling yourself that you think you can make the needed changes on your own. The ones who know the problem isn’t more tech or a better hire it’s the business model. Serious firm owners are committed and accountable to improving their accounting firm. No more tinkering. The serious firm owner is ready to take agency over the firm’s condition. The ones who are done managing chaos and are COMMITTED to do something about it and ready to be held accountable.
Serious people design firms that serve them, not the other way around. Serious about Making the firm #1 Client. They know volume isn’t a strategy. They set minimum prices and stick to them. They dictate the terms of the client relationship. And they stop being all things to all people. They raise the floor. Then they raise the ceiling. They increase prices by increasing the value for the right clients.
Serious people say no to the wrong clients. They don’t get sentimental about the $500 tax-only client who sends too many “quick question” emails a year and calls them “my guy.” They know that saying “yes” to everyone is the same as saying “no” to the firm, their team, their families, and their life. They say no more often than they say yes. And they target ideal clients, not more clients.
Serious people take money off the table as they go.
They don’t wait around for the mythical “big exit.” They stop gambling on someone paying top dollar for a bloated, partner-dependent firm.
They build a model that makes money now. Then anything at the end is gravy.
Our client David is a serious person. At our annual conference 8 years ago, he made a commitment to develop a firm succession plan that explores opportunities for growth – merger, acquisition etc. (We capture EVERY commitment so we can hold you accountable). Fast forward 8 years, and David’s revenue is up 83%. Client numbers are down from 1,178 to 157. Average revenue per client group has increased from $1,431 to $19,617. Now, David has options for his transition plan.
Serious people don’t try to “balance” their firm and their life.
They build a firm that enables their life. You only have one life. Live it!
Like Seth, who revels in his title of Renew Vacation Champion. He’s realized that he doesn’t need his finger in every pie. By striving for leverage through people, pricing and technology, he can take 7-8 weeks away from the firm every year, knowing it will run beautifully without him.
Renew is not the right fit for everyone. But if you’re serious about your time, your team, your clients, your future we should talk. After all, it’s easy to spot other people’s bull$hit and nearly impossible to recognize your own.
Let’s build something that serves you for once.
If you’re not serious, it’s okay to keep scrolling. But if you’re ready to design your firm not just survive it—let’s talk.
Take Our Assessment and we’ll dig in, align on your priorities and show you how we can work together to help you take serious action.
