Managing Accounting Teams

Objectives

This course will outline the key skills that a manager needs to have to ensure their team is engaged and performing well. It will consider the skills needed to deal with a variety of characters and tasks, as well as looking at personal prioritisation and time management tips for any busy senior member of staff.

Key topics

Key manager responsibilities - What do you think?

Key manager skills - What do you think?

“KNOW THYSELF”

• Why should I!
• What am I like?
• How do you process?
• Sleep well?

KNOW YOUR MANAGEMENT STYLE

• Authoritative
• Consultative
• Democratic or participative
• Laissez-faire
• Persuasive
• Transformational
• Transactional
• Collaborative

DELEGATION AND DEVELOPMENT

• Effective delegation
• The difference between delegation and abdication
• How people learn
• Why people learn
• Incentives
• Encouragement
• Praise and feedback
• Recognition and reward
• When it goes wrong
• When it works!
• Delegation tips
• Know What to Delegate
• Define the Desired Outcome
• Provide the Right Resources and Level of Authority
• Establish a Clear Communication Channel
• Deliver (and Ask For) Feedback
• Developing the team

TIME MANAGEMENT

• Time management techniques
• Prepare for meetings
• Plan effectively – the power of 3
• Don’t allow time wasting interruptions
• Planning ahead
• Paper handling and e-mails
• Be assertive – learn to say no!
• Prioritising and diagnosing the need
• Don’t be a scapegoat or let others be yours

MANAGING REMOTE TEAMS

Top Tips for Managing Remote Employees

• Invest in the Right Tools
• Facilitate Strong Personal Connections
• Be Intentional About Team Collaboration
• Establish Clear Remote Work Policies
• Be Responsive And Available
• Provide Face-To-Face Meeting Opportunities
• Make Meetings Accessible
• Hold Regular Check-Ins
• Include Remote Workers in Virtual Team Building
• Send Some Snail Mail
• Next Steps: Create a Great Workplace for Remote Employees

PRACTICE METRICS AND PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

• Why measuring the right metrics matters
• Common challenges in measuring practice metrics
• Resistance from your team
• Choosing the right metrics
• Manual vs. automated tracking
• Measure, improve, repeat: The process for success
• Document your processes
• Showcase the benefits
• Offer support and training
• Take control of your practice / team

DEALING WITH STRESS IN THE OFFICE

• Sources of stress
• Symptoms of stress
• Managing staff who are suffering from stress
• Plan to avoid stress

DEALING WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE

• Sickness / Missing work
• Bad attitude
• Dealing constructively with lack of achievement
• Giving constructive criticism

Who should attend

The course is aimed at seniors and managers that lead teams of accountants in practice, or who are moving to that role in the near future. This is specifically targeted at those who manage accountants.