Discovering personal and professional rewards--one sole practitioner's experience.

A few years ago, I began developing a program to bring together sole practitioners and CPAs in small firms. It took time and determination, but the experience of getting the program started and watching it grow has been incredibly rewarding. The entire process has also been a great experience in meeting others in the CPA profession.

I started my own firm after 10 years in industry, which meant I didn't have a public accounting background and I didn't know any other CPAs, either. Fortunately, meeting other CPAs with established practices showed me how an accounting firm is structured, how quality controls are implemented, and how practice tools can be used. Now that I've been with my own practice another 10 years of my career, I'm still looking for ideas to improve it. The Sole Practitioners and Small Firm Roundtables give me excellent contacts to achieve that goal.

The name of the game

The Sole Practitioners and Small Firm Roundtables, a Member Connections-sponsored event, offers sole practitioners and managers of small firms the chance to interact with other local CPAs. Being a part of the roundtables takes a small time commitment but offers the potential for huge rewards.

The profession is becoming so demanding in standards that sole practitioners can no longer offer everything to everyone. Sole practitioners really need to focus on specific areas of expertise to compete. It takes time to maintain relevance and provide excellence in our services.

The monthly meetings of the Sole Practitioners and Small Firm Roundtables cover the latest concerns of our group of CPAs. I work with The Ohio Society of CPAs to deliver programs that answer our unique, specific needs. The Society, which has resources across Ohio, locates great speakers and prepares programs we enjoy, such as the Accounting Show and CPE Day in November.

The start of something great

A few years ago, former Ohio Society Executive Board Chair Sandy Pierce suggested that the Board focus on sole practitioners by forming a chapter committee. I thought it sounded like a good idea, and she asked if I would start the committee. The program began with a small group of local sole practitioners suggested through the Dayton chapter. It has since gone statewide thanks to the Member Connections program.

The idea of the Sole Practitioners and Small Firm Roundtables is to gather a group of sole practitioners and small firm managers that are in similar situations to brainstorm and share ideas. The roundtables are also a great way to build a personal and professional network with other CPAs and develop valuable contacts.

Networking offers big rewards

By virtue of my contacts with Dayton sole practitioners, I have been able to meet very talented people from other areas of Ohio and at the Society. A curiosity about others in the profession and what they do professionally helps me keep my practice fresh and exciting. Going to work every day is always interesting, and I have been fortunate to find that there is always more to learn as a CPA.

I encourage sole practitioners and small firm owners around Ohio to become involved in this valuable and rewarding program. The Sole Practitioners and Small Firm Roundtables will be hosted in seven locations across Ohio for the 2006-2007 series.

To learn more, or to become involved in the planning committee in your area, contact Megan Mattison Eufinger, manager, Member Connections at meufinger@ohio-cpa.com or 800.686.2727, ext. 372.

Ellen S. Fodge, CPA is a sole practitioner in Dayton. She specializes in tax, audits of non-profits, and accounting for small businesses. She has been a member of the Sole Practitioner's Committee for six years and in business for 11.

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By Ellen Fodge, CPA