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Busy Day , Important date , 3d render

The CPA Firm Top Issues Survey

Every two years, the American Institute of CPAs’ CPA Firm Top Issues Survey reveals the profession’s biggest concerns, broken down by firm size. You can see the top five concerns of each size grouping in our story here; what we’re presenting here are the most important issues overall – based on how many of the five groups noted them, and how concerned they are about them. (Note that the lower the average rank, the more important an issue is.)
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Middle aged man celebrating his birthday giving thumbs up, isolated on white background

Aging of owners/partners

1 group; average rank -- 5

Groups concerned: Firms with 6-10 professionals

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New Customers Concept - Green Pushpin on a Map Background with Selective Focus.

Bringing in new clients

3 groups; average rank – 4.6

Groups concerned: Sole practitioners, 11-20 professionals, 21+ professionals

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Businesswoman wrapped in red tape

The effect on firms caused by new federal and state regulation

2 groups; average rank -- 4

Groups concerned: Sole practitioners, 2-5 professionals

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Busy Day , Important date , 3d render

Seasonality/workload compression

All groups; average rank – 3.6

Groups concerned: Sole practitioners, 2-5 professionals, 6-10 professionals, 11-20 professionals, 21+ professionals

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Four children with surprised faces in the Business center near the turnstile

Succession planning

All groups, average rank – 3.4

Groups concerned: Sole practitioners, 2-5 pros, 6-10 pros, 11-20 pros, 21+ pros)

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Closeup of businessman and woman with jigsaw puzzle pieces in office

Owner/partner accountability and unity

1 group; average rank -- 3

Groups concerned: 21+ professionals

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Beautiful girl lay under a big red tax

Keeping up with changes and complexity in the tax laws

2 groups, average rank – 1.5

Groups concerned: Sole practitioners, 2-5 pros

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Retaining qualified staff

3 groups, average rank -- 1.5

Groups concerned: 6-10 pros, 11-20 pros, 21+ pros

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We want you written on a memo at the office

Finding qualified staff

4 groups, average rank – 1.5

Groups concerned: 2-5 pros, 6-10 pros, 11-20 pros, 21+ pros

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