January in Australia tends to be a “quiet” month (if there is such a thing). People are on holidays, the sun is shining, the beach is packed, the beer is cold, the cricket is on and we don’t have many lodgement deadlines.

It also happens to be the start of the calendar year, so it’s the perfect time to not only think about what you want to make happen before 30 June, but also what you want to achieve in 2016 more generally.

So we thought we would re-label January as “The month of the thinking accountant”.

A month that is an opportunity for accountants to get a jump start on the competition. A month where you force yourself to take a few hours each week to think about where you want to be in June and December and what it’s going to take to get there. It’s not just about thinking, but also the action list of what you will need to do the rest of the year. Because there is no point in thinking without action!

So we compiled the topics which, if you think and plan for in January, you’ll be running a more efficient and profitable firm by December.

And we came up with 4 key areas that accounting firm partners (or accountants thinking about starting their own accounting firm) should focus on. You, the design of your business, your people and action, action, action!

We’ve engaged with Steph Hinds from Growthwise, accountant and former elite athlete, who is passionate about sharing what she’s learnt. Together we have devised a 4-part series of webinars that will run every Friday and take you step-by-step through transforming your practice in order to kick arse!

Reflection + Self Awareness — Learn about you and your firm’s current status first. This is the key to building the rest.

Design the firm that you want — What are your ideal clients, work and systems?