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Introducing ‘Shift Happens’: A New Guide for Accountants to Drive Strategic Value

The accounting profession is at an exciting crossroads, and personally, I think there’s never been a better time to be part of this industry. 

Over the last few decades, we’ve witnessed both a shift in how accountants are perceived by their businesses, and their actual value to those businesses. Even if some still view them as the number crunchers, accounting teams are treated more as the strategic partners driving key decisions — as they should be. For the companies that don’t: Good luck.

I’ve witnessed this from a pretty unique perspective. As an auditor at EY, as an actual accountant at Cornerston OnDemand, and, for the last 11 years, as the CEO of FloQast. This is all a long way of saying that, having observed (and participated in!) this transformation firsthand, I was inspired to write another book. 

Co-authored with FloQast’s Accounting Operations Evangelist (and an accounting veteran himself), Stefan van Duyvendijk, the goal for “Shift Happens: The Rise of the Operational Mindset and How Controllers Can Drive Real Value” was simple: To provide a guide that helps controllers and accountants navigate this new landscape with confidence and insight.

Why did we write this book? Well, it’s clear that the accounting sector faces significant challenges. With a substantial portion of the workforce nearing retirement and a noticeable drop in new entrants, the pressure is on to rethink and reinvent our roles. But with every challenge comes an opportunity. Accountants have always been more than just bean counters; we are the storytellers of business, capable of influencing success in ways we might not have imagined before. “Shift Happens” is our attempt to chart this transformative journey and empower controllers to step into roles that drive real organizational value.

What’s in the Book

“Shift Happens” is crafted as a comprehensive guide, encouraging accountants to look beyond traditional roles and embrace a future filled with strategic potential. The book delves into adopting an operational mindset that enhances efficiency and creates tangible value. Based on numerous interviews with well over a dozen accounting leaders, it’s filled with actionable insights and strategies to help accountants leverage their unique skills to foster growth and innovation within their organizations.

Key Points

1. The Transformational Journey from Accounting Operations to Strategic Leadership
   We explore how accountants can transition from their operational roles into strategic leadership positions. It’s about moving beyond the spreadsheets and daily reconciliations to play a crucial role in shaping business strategies. This shift enables accountants to act as catalysts for change, driving their organizations toward greater success.
2. The Importance of Embracing an Operational Mindset
   The operational mindset is at the core of this transformation. It empowers accountants to streamline processes, enhance visibility, and improve overall efficiency. By aligning operations with strategic business goals, accountants can ensure their roles significantly contribute to the organization’s overarching narrative.
3. Opportunities for Professional Growth and Skill Development through Platforms like FloQademy
   Continuous learning is vital in this evolving landscape. Platforms like FloQademy provide essential resources for accountants looking to expand their skills and advance their careers. The book underscores the importance of using these platforms to stay ahead of the curve, offering pathways to acquire new competencies and achieve professional milestones.

Conclusion

We think “Shift Happens” is more than just a book; it’s a blueprint for accountants aspiring to redefine their roles and impact their organizations positively. As we embrace this era of transformation, adopting an operational mindset and committing to lifelong learning are keys to unlocking new opportunities and driving real value.

I warmly invite you to delve deeper into these concepts by purchasing “Shift Happens” on the Amazon Kindle store. Plus, you can earn 10 CPE/CPD credits on FloQademy, further empowering your journey in the accounting world. Let’s embrace this exciting era of change together and help shape the future of accounting.

Michael Whitmire

As CEO and Co-Founder, Mike leads FloQast’s corporate vision, strategy and execution. Prior to founding FloQast, he managed the accounting team at Cornerstone OnDemand, a SaaS company in Los Angeles. He began his career at Ernst & Young in Los Angeles where he performed public company audits, opening balance sheet audits, cash to GAAP restatements, compilation reviews, international reporting, merger and acquisition audits and SOX compliance testing. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Syracuse University.