Ride the Bear: Strategies for CPA Firms to Thrive, Survive, and Grow in a Down Economy

Ride the Bear: Strategies for CPA Firms to Thrive, Survive, and Grow in a Down Economy tackles the daunting issue of how CPA firms can position themselves appropriately to take advantage of the kinds of opportunities the current economy presents.

Author Michael Ramos looks at the current situation in the context of other recessions and posits that more opportunity exists--for CPA firms and their clients--than may meet the eye. His analysis of how to fashion your firm's initial response and analyze your structure, culture, and "service offering curve" to maximize opportunities now and in the subsequent recovery are "must reads" for small and midsized firms that are ready to seize the opportunities that exist today and those that will shape tomorrow's economic norm.

You'll find information on how to take current economic conditions into account as you

• Get firm finances in order
• Adjust your client mix
• Analyze service offerings and align them to your firm's strategy
• Plan for transition to a post-recession economy

About the Series
This book is the first issuance in the Practice Forward series. AICPA Publications and the AICPA Private Company Practice Section have partnered on the Practice Forward series to bring you fresh thinking and creative approaches from recognized experts. Books in this series will tackle new and emerging topics of concern for CPA firms, as well as delivering new approaches to perennial issues. You'll get a "from the trenches" perspective on the issues facing firms today and strategies to help you shake up established paradigms and reinvigorate tired processes.

About the Author
Michael Ramos works with CPA firms to create and implement business development, communication, and marketing strategies. He is the author of 9 books, including The Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 Implementation Toolkit: Practice Aids for Managers and Auditors and How to Comply with Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404: Assessing the Effectiveness of Internal Control. Most recently, he was the primary author of AICPA Audit Guide Assessing and Responding to Audit Risk in a Financial Statement Audit, an authoritative interpretation of the risk assessment standards. Mr. Ramos began his career in the Los Angeles office of KPMG.