The Unplugged Vacation - How Accountants Can Better Value Time

Join the accounting influencers conversation at one of our virtual speed networking events for influential leaders and professionals in the accounting, finance and tech world: accountinginfluencers.com/events
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Brannon Poe is the author of "The Unplugged Vacation," and founder of Poe Group Advisors and Accounting Practice Academy. Rob Brown and Brannon Poe delve into the often-overlooked challenges accountants face in managing their time and achieving work-life balance. Brannon, sheds light on the realities of the accounting profession, where the relentless demands of clients and the struggle to maintain boundaries can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction.
Brannon's book, "The Unplugged Vacation," serves as a guide for accountants to reclaim control over their time and learn the art of truly disconnecting from work during vacations. Through personal anecdotes and insights, he underscores the importance of setting boundaries, purging underperforming clients, and implementing value-based pricing to create a sustainable and fulfilling practice.
The conversation explores the challenges accountants face in saying "no" to clients, leading to unfocused and overextended practices.
Brannon emphasizes the importance of firm culture, work-life balance, and the need for accountants to break free from the billable hour mindset, which can perpetuate the cycle of overwork and undervaluation.
Key Takeaways:
- Accountants often struggle with time management, staff shortages, and an inability to let go of work, leading to burnout and dissatisfaction.
- Setting boundaries, purging underperforming clients, and implementing value-based pricing are crucial steps to creating a sustainable and fulfilling practice.
- Taking a truly unplugged vacation requires advance preparation, team readiness, and acceptance that some balls may drop during the absence.
- Firm culture, work-life balance, and moving away from the billable hour mindset are essential for attracting and retaining top talent in the accounting profession.
- Booking a vacation and committing to being unplugged is an actionable step accountants can take to recalibrate their priorities and improve their overall well-being.
"You don't like your practice, keep raising your prices until you do." - Brannon Poe
"If you're equating your time to money, well, there's probably one of the first problems you got to solve." - Brannon Poe
1:00 - The harsh realities of the accounting profession
4:00 - Why accountants struggle with time management
7:00 - The importance of taking an unplugged vacation
11:00 - Preparing for an unplugged vacation
15:00 - Accepting failure and addressing challenges
18:00 - The power of detachment and rejuvenation
21:00 - Staycations vs. true vacations
24:00 - The future of accounting firms and talent retention
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The Accounting Influencers Podcast is for accountants, bookkeepers, finance professionals and those who lead, work in, and serve them. Hosted by Rob Brown and special guests who are influential within their field, the podcast covers topics such as leadership, business growth, technology and automation, diversity and career development. Join the accounting influencers conversation at one of our virtual speed networking events for influential leaders and professionals in the accounting, finance and tech world:
accountinginfluencers.com/events