Michael Maksymiw, Jr

@AccountingAsArt Check out Truss. I know some good folks there. And I like what I see so far

NEED YOUR HELP: We are currently using too much of Thompson Reuters - and we are looking for something new. We like UltraTax, Engagement Manager and Fixed AssetsCS - everything else could be changed. What are other people using? Our biggest concerns are having something that allows an e-signature, plays at least decently with UT and has a friendlier portal.

@AccountingAsArt I like adding "awesome" to the good, bad, ugly group Cuz something went awesome and it's nice to celebrate some positivity during a tax debrief

Just did the post-season debrief with the team. The Good/Bad/Ugly posters made a huge difference! Some software issues to bring up TR. Some pain points to be addressed in operating procedures. Good conversations and still having fun together.

Welcome to the Show Congrats, Wardo!

Celebrating 14 years, made possible by the trust of our clients and the dedication of our incredible team. #VerityCPAs #14YearsStrong #Since2012 #CPA #Accounting #TaxPreparation #TaxPlanning #Audit #Advisory #SmallBusiness #BusinessOwners #FinancialStrategy #HawaiiBusiness

"Why does our top performer get the worst reviews?" the boss asked. I was reviewing their annual performance data. "Show me," I said. She pulled up the ratings. Diana: 2.8 out of 5. Below average on "collaboration." Low marks for "team player." "What's her actual performance?" I asked. "Exceeded every target. Landed our biggest client. Trained three new hires." "So why the low scores?" "Her peer reviews are dragging her down." I scanned the comments. "Too direct." "Challenges ideas too much." "Not supportive enough." "Let me talk to Diana," I said. "I used to give honest feedback," Diana told me. "Said our pricing model was broken. Got dinged for 'negativity.'" "What happened with the pricing?" "They finally fixed it six months later. After we lost two major accounts." "What else?" "I questioned why we needed eleven approvals for a simple contract change. Manager said I wasn't being collaborative." "Are you still giving feedback?" "No. I learned my lesson. Now I smile. Nod. Say everything's great. My reviews are improving." "But nothing's actually improving?" "We're making the same mistakes. Just with better vibes." She chuckled. I went back to the boss. "Your review system doesn't measure performance," I said. "It measures compliance." "That's not true." "When was the last time someone got promoted for challenging bad ideas?" Silence. "When did someone get rewarded for preventing a mistake?" More silence. "You've trained your best people to stay quiet. And your mediocre people to stay nice." A few months later, they redesigned the system. Added a category: "Constructive Challenge." Points for identifying problems early. Rewards for preventing costly mistakes. Diana got promoted. "What changed?" I asked the boss. "We stopped confusing agreement with alignment. Stopped mistaking silence for harmony." "And?" "Turns out our 'difficult' people were our most valuable. They actually cared enough to speak up." Here's the truth about performance reviews: Most companies don't reward performance. They reward performance theater. The person who says the meeting was great beats the person who says it wasted an hour. The person who agrees with bad ideas beats the person who prevents disasters. You think you're measuring contribution. You're measuring conformity. And your best people? They've already figured out the game. They're just deciding whether to play it or find somewhere that values truth over comfort.

@uptonaccounting Kindle unlimited /audiobook subscription for 5 yrs

A good friend is retiring from her accounting practice, I was invited to the retirement party and need a gift idea. Any thoughts on retirement gifts for accountants, drop them!

@cbriancpa Had a conversation with a smart person today. I asked: do you value your personal wealth accumulation over others' basic needs? Acknowledging that you "have enough" for more than your own basic needs (savings, vacation, etc) covered? Instant answer: yes Me: 🤔

I hate the greedification of our society. From just general rude behavior to selfishness in most encounters, it's just too much. Maybe schools should be teaching manners again.

@MichiganMattCPA Tell clients your staff is awesome and you're there when needed, and their other option is someone reading prompts off a screen w zero experience at a box store tax prep place Who do they want in their corner when they need someone?

Anyone on #taxtwitter bought a traditional 1 owner tax firm and tried staffing it with offshore labor and 1 on-site secretary? The numbers work but the unknown variable is how many clients would leave.

If you can help, reply and / or DM me and I'll connect you with the firm that asked for help

#TaxTwitter If you're reading this you might have capacity to help a friendly firm out. Sitch: SJ owns 2 India CFCs. Got proceeds from CFCs, buyback tax was paid by CFCs in India. Transaction not taxable to individual in India. How to report transaction in US?

@adammarkowitzEA @AprioAdvisors has an in house R&D team that's great working with other firm's clients I'm happy to connect you

Dear #TaxTwitter: I have a request from a client of mine who is looking to refer one of their clients. I don't do anything with R&D. This anybody's jam?

MICKEY MONIAK GOING FULL KEANU REEVES MY GOODNESS

@NeverCallMeRich Dude, I'm in Redlands! Were dropping our daughter off for sophomore year of college

I love the MCM vibe here in Palm Springs.

@andreamacdcpa We have two accounting only firm's in our Alliance. I am happy to intro him to both

I know a very smart young man who is interested in getting into bookkeeping. He graduated from high school with a 4.2 gpa. Good guy. He completed the Intuit bookkeeping course on Coursera (very good course, by the way) and now needs to get some practical experience. Is anyone open to working with an entry level Jr Bookkeeper? Unfortunately, I don’t have enough work at my firm (that I don’t already have staff assigned) to add another staff, or I would hire him in a heartbeat. Editing to add: In the meantime, I am going to start training him on a training QBO file that I use.

Dustin Verity spoke at #AICPAEngage on how tech is revolutionizing audit. From Inflo to AI workflows, Verity CPAs is leading smarter, faster, high-quality engagements. Want to elevate your audits? Let’s connect. 📩 info@verity.cpa | 808.546.5026 #FutureOfAudit #CPA

@Taxsavvyjessica @AtlantaTaxes moved his CPA firm, and family, to PR a few years ago. He may be able to chime in

I have a client who is listening to friends encouraging him to move to PR for the tax benefits. This isn’t my area of expertise but they’re asking my opinion because it’s a “too good to be true” scenario, according to what they’re being told. I have not confirmed all the facts but one this that sticks out is he wants to spend 6 months in the US and 6 months in PR and I’m pretty sure that blows the whole bonafide resident requirement and the supposed benefits. Am I at least right on that? 🙃 I plan to refer them out if they’re convinced they want to move.

Awesomesauce!!

@B4Transparency Awesomesauce!!

And just like that, first 2 interviews for folks impacted by the PwC layoffs are being scheduled 🫡 We move fast around here Shoutout to @MikeMax32CPA and the whole Aprio alliance for rallying behind this

@BrianWolfe6 How much it has changed since you started and how much it will change. It's not something you can know everything about, it's constantly evolving, and you won't be bored

#TaxTwitter #AICPA #MACPA I have a high school senior coming into the office this week to learn about the profession as part of their senior project. Any suggestions or resources are greatly appreciated.