The whole is greater than the sum of its parts. You’ve probably heard this expression before, but I find it especially true in the CPA profession. With firms growing faster than ever, it is important to have not only a great pool of talent but also a strong plan to guide individuals and create a collaborative, energized team. As President at Boomer Consulting, I work with CPA firms to develop their leadership, management, collaboration, culture, talent and training programs. Investing in these areas may not always seem like the most obvious choice, but consider this anecdote: A CFO asks, “What if we spend money on training our employees and they leave?” The CEO replied, “What if we don’t and they stay?” This is why I host training sessions across the country and am involved in many programs and initiatives that help build great talent: The Boomer Talent Circle – Our community of talent leaders from forward-thinking firms who are committed to aligning human resources and firm strategy at the highest levels. The Boomer Technology Circles™ – Our peer group of top firm & IT leaders collaborates via thought-leadership to help firms accelerate their progress by bridging the gap between technology and practice management. The Managing Partner Circle – Our peer group of Managing Partners who share knowledge and best practices to propel each other to higher levels of success. The Business Transformation Circle – Our peer group of advisory services leaders helping one another develop the mindset, skillset and toolset for growing advisory services in their firms. The Boomer Certified Consultant Program™ – Our small-group training program to help CPAs become confident and sought-after consultants. I’ve also written two books on how firms can support, teach and grow their team: The Journey Ahead: A New Roadmap to Collaboration in Your Firm – Industry interviews, case studies, stories, research and tools to guide you and your firm on a road to better collaboration. The Engaged Employee: 10 Initiatives for Successful Firms – Initiatives to recruit the best talent, connect firm needs with individuals’ passions, ensure emerging leaders stay and more! If you’re looking to grow your CPA firm, get in touch, and be sure to read my books!