The COVID-19 pandemic forced accounting firms to adapt at a speed and scale that was previously unimaginable. Overnight, businesses abandoned traditional workflows and embraced entirely new ways of operating.

Using Practice Excellence data from before, during, and after the pandemic, this report analyzes the key distinctions between firms that excelled through this period, and those that didn’t.

This report explains:

• Business tactics that leading firms prioritize

• Three key efficiency wins

• Management strategies leading firms are prioritizing

• Growth tactics that faced the biggest changes from pre- to post-COVID

• Strategies firms are implementing to engage and retain clients

• Exactly how each Practice Excellence Pillar and Competency changed from pre- to post-COVID

The key trait found among leading firms is a renewed focus on more efficient operations and truly doing more with less. Efficiency was, and continues to be, key to unlocking and sustaining Practice Excellence.