​The Business Growth
Accounta​​​​​nt

“For any firm that is looking at staying ahead of the inevitable ‘march of automation’, this is the book for you.

Sharing knowledge and facts is no longer the role of the advisor, Google will do that far better. Your ability to remain relevant in the new digital age will depend on your skills in questioning, building rapport and connecting with your clients at a far deeper level.

As machines get better at answering questions… you need to get better at asking them. Paul’s book shows you just how to do that.”

The Business Growth Accountant is a treasure trove of advice on how to move your firm up the value curve – by giving your customers the services they need and want. In addition to Paul Shrimpling’s sage advice – and here I will reveal my bias – be sure to pay particular attention to three more Pauls quoted in the book: the late Paul O’Byrne, RIP, and his partner, Paul Kennedy, who continues to run what I believe is the most innovative accounting firm in the world, O’Byrne & Kennedy; and, of course, Paul Dunn, the man who blazed the trail and helped thousands of firms fulfill the transformational journey that is energetically articulated throughout this book.

‘If you’re serious about growing and developing your accounting business, then Paul Shrimpling’s book is essential reading. Don’t just read it, take action. Do nothing at your own peril.’

Paul provides many answers to the mysteries of how to deliver advisory services in his book, The Business Growth Accountant. Accounting professionals have been being told for years to be an advisor, with no real training on the path to get there.

Paul provides the steps with his "Higher-Value Route Map" in his book, as well as, real life scenarios from experienced accountants that deliver advisory services from around the world. This book will help you take the steps needed to be comfortable with the critical conversations that are necessary to be a truly value-added strategic partner to your client that they couldn’t imagine living without.

“Paul has packed this book with great detailed practical advice on a modern accounting business. It's jam-packed with insights on what you need to do to take your accounting business from where you are today, to where you want to be in the future. It's a must read, but more importantly, must action.”

“Just read Paul’s book through and found it to be very engaging and, in places, challenging (in a good way). I think the footnotes with links to online material really add to the value and I really liked the section on “Numbers To Grow By”. Lots of material there that I will use. I thought the Rugby story was a particularly excellent example of how changing the scoring (measuring) can change behaviour.”

“This is a truly brilliant Inspiring, Challenging and Supporting book from Paul that is a must read for every accountant in practice.

Even if you are not looking to become a “Growth Accountant” there are masses of ideas, tools, and tips you can implement in your practice to make your life easier and deliver a better experience to your clients.

Paul’s story around “Canary-like” KPIs will stick with me forever and the section on “Blind, deaf and dumb pricing” has helped me challenge the team on their communication skills. If you are in practice and want to make more of an impact in the lives of those around you this is a must-read book.

“I worked with Paul for a number of years. He was coach, consultant, adviser, friend and trusted aide all at the same time. Paul’s knowledge, experience and expertise of the accountancy profession is simply brilliant.

He helped transform our firm and I’m forever indebted to him for all his support. I’m thrilled that Paul has written this book where he openly and transparently shares key insights into how to create an exceptional accountancy firm.

I think the book is a must-read for all accountants who are serious about running a remarkable practice.”

“The effort, energy and passion that Paul has put into creating this go-to book for any serious accountant has been clear to see over the last year or so.

We meet with Paul every quarter and feel his inspiration! His enthusiasm transports itself across our team and fills us all with joy, anticipation and most importantly of all…drive. This is what the book does too. Paul’s book is full of inspiring, yes, literally awe-inspiring thought and insight into how you can make your accountancy business a better business by helping your clients, by caring.

Top tip, once you have read the book, pick one thing, just one thing and do it…this will make you feel good and will encourage you to pick another one thing to do, before you know where you are you will have done lots! Small steps!”

“Paul has interviewed some remarkably smart practitioners, and blended their remarkably practical insights with his own, to produce a remarkably useful book”

“Inspiration comes first and that is exactly what Paul’s book provides, along with his positive and realistic enthusiasm teamed with his refreshing energy to transform your accountancy practice into a more valuable one”

"The Business Growth Accountant is a game-changer for the accounting profession. It's a 'call to arms' for accountants everywhere to move from the 'bean-counter' to the strategic trusted advisor. ​ Technology is inexorably advancing client expectations and redefining what they deem to be of value.

To get ahead of the game, Paul Shrimpling's Higher Value Route Map is a powerful framework that charts the optimal path for accountants to be the difference makers needed by today's business owners. A terrific 3-hour read and a must for forward thinking accountants throughout the world."

"Paul has an enviable reputation as a thought leader in the accounting world, and this book just goes to show why that is the case. He makes a compelling case for all accountants, large and small, demonstrating why they need to be looking at being advisors, not bean counters or tax return filers. What's more, he gives some simple nuggets of advice that are priceless."

Having read Paul’s book this has opened my eyes to the clear challenges that the profession faces. New technology and new competition mean firms need to seriously review what they do and how they do it.

The book clearly identifies these issues and provides guidance on how you can turn these into opportunities for the practice. This has inspired me to make the necessary changes in my practice to ensure its future and the exciting growth that can be achieved.

If you want to safeguard what you have and build on it, this book is a must read.”

"Paul Shrimpling has done an awesome job of identifying what it takes to be a Business Growth Accountant and how important it is as accountants to embrace the change from compliance work to business advisory. Whilst it's easy to read, it's packed full of detailed information. This is essential reading if you want your accounting practice to thrive in the future."

“If you want off the hamster wheel of endless tax returns for unappreciative clients, and if you want to make a real difference in the lives and businesses of your clients, read this book.

While there’s plenty of buzz out there that accountants need to add advisory services to their firms, there aren’t too many sources that actually demonstrate how to do that.

Based on real world examples of accountants and advisors from around the world who are doing this work and on Paul’s years of experience guiding firms, this book lays out the steps you’ll need to take to transform your firm into Business Growth Accountants.”

“A lot of “Has Beans” style accountants are blindly burying their heads in the sand, blind to the fact that traditional accountancy work is rapidly disappearing out of their to do list. Paul’s book provides a practical route map to a valuable way of delivering profitable advisory services to business clients.”

“In his book Paul does not set out to be popular. He challenges you to be so much more than just another beige accountant. And let me tell you, the world doesn’t need any more of them!

In your hands is the book that every dull, boring accountant should read so they get a sense of what the wise ones are doing. Then why wouldn’t you leave mediocre and run-of-the-mill accounting behind you and take the actions and insights suggested by all the contributors to Paul’s book?

If I were an accountant I’d buy every available copy of this book so that the competition can’t get hold of a copy.

Paul, and the firms he’s interviewed for the book, re-invigorate my belief that the accountancy profession can deliver on its potential to change the way that businesses perform.”