Practice Management Admin support is key to growing your firm Read the Article Open Share Drawer Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) Written by H. Randy Hughes, CPA, EA, CTC, CTRS Modified Aug 15, 2023 3 min read In today’s competitive business landscape, efficiency and productivity are essential for success. When tax and accounting firms expand their teams, they often face the dilemma of whether to first hire seasoned accountants or administrative support staff. While both roles are crucial, there are compelling reasons to consider adding strong admin support before adding additional seasoned accountants. This article will explore the strategic advantages of this approach, highlighting its positive impact on operational effectiveness, cost management, and overall team synergy. Streamlined operations and enhanced efficiency One of the key benefits of hiring admin support early on is to establish a solid foundation for smooth operations. Admin professionals excel in managing important tasks, including scheduling, organizing meetings, and handling correspondence, while also creating and maintaining vital office workflows and processes. Their attention to detail and organizational skills create an efficient working environment for the entire team. By having admin support in place, seasoned and specialized accountants can focus on their core responsibilities without the burden of handing these details. This strategic division of labor allows the accountants you bring onboard to use their expertise more effectively, leading to enhanced productivity and higher-quality work. Prioritizing admin support in the early stages paves the way for streamlined operations, fostering growth, and success. Cost-effective resource allocation During expansion phases, financial prudence is essential. Hiring seasoned or specialized accountants typically involves higher costs due to their specialized skills and experience. On the other hand, admin support roles often require less specific expertise and can be filled at a comparatively lower cost. By first hiring admin support staff, firms can allocate their resources judiciously and optimize their budgets. The cost savings achieved by hiring admin support initially can be reinvested into areas that directly impact revenue generation or strategic growth. This approach allows companies to build a robust operational infrastructure before scaling their accountant workforce, enabling sustainable development and maximizing your return on investment. Collaborative team synergy Effective teamwork is critical for organizational success. By prioritizing admin support hires, companies lay the groundwork for a cohesive and collaborative team environment. Admin professionals possess strong interpersonal skills, and often act as a bridge between team members, fostering communication and cooperation. Support staff can facilitate knowledge sharing, encourage collaboration, and streamline information flow within the organization. When accountants join the team later on, they enter an environment already primed for collaborative synergy. The admin support staff serves as a central hub, ensuring effective coordination and fostering unity among team members. This integrated approach enhances the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the entire workforce. Scalability and adaptability Businesses undergo continuous evolution and growth, demanding flexibility in their workforce. Admins excel in adapting to changing demands and scaling operations. By hiring support first, firms ensure they have a scalable infrastructure to accommodate future growth. As the organization expands, the admin team can easily adapt to new responsibilities and challenges, ensuring a seamless transition. This adaptability allows businesses to respond quickly to market fluctuations and capitalize on emerging opportunities. With a solid administrative foundation, the organization can confidently add seasoned accountants when the time is right, knowing that the support structure is already in place to accommodate their needs. Focus on your firm While hiring seasoned accountants is undoubtedly essential, prioritizing support staff offers distinct strategic advantages. By streamlining operations, optimizing resource allocation, fostering team synergy, and enabling scalability, admins lay the groundwork for sustainable growth and success. This approach ensures you can focus on core responsibilities, promotes operational efficiency, and creates a cohesive and collaborative work environment. By strategically considering the role of admin support in their hiring process, firms can enhance their competitive edge and set the stage for long-term success. Previous Post Warning signs of ERC scams Next Post Sherwood and overtime: Hosting for Lacerte Written by H. Randy Hughes, CPA, EA, CTC, CTRS H. Randy Hughes III is the founder and lead instructor for The Well-Rounded Accountant, a 6-12 month mentorship program specifically designed for CPAs and accountants interested in leaving corporate to start their own practice, and for tax professionals looking to expand their tax preparation business to include high-level advisory services. Randy is also a member of the Intuit Tax Council, a small group of tax advisors from various parts of the country that look for ways to contribute to the proactive and forward moving world of providing effective tax planning and tax resolution solutions. Randy is also chairman and CEO of Counting Pennies LLC, a boutique private accounting firm that provides business advisory, bookkeeping, tax resolution, and tax planning services. He is fluent in American Sign Language, and enjoys teaching and traveling the world with his wife, Renèe. More from H. Randy Hughes, CPA, EA, CTC, CTRS Follow H. Randy Hughes, CPA, EA, CTC, CTRS on Facebook. Comments are closed. Browse Related Articles Intuit® Accountants News New! 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