ACCOUNTING AUDITS AND REVIEWS: WORTH THE EXPENSE by Chris Burand Agencies can avoid a lot of grief by obtaining annual accountants reviews or audits. An audit can catch inno...

The cost of professional services continues to escalate, with partners in top CPA firms billing hourly rates of $400 or more, and partners in top law firms billing at rates even higher. Could a CPA or a lawyer really be worth that kind of money? How about an insurance agent? Kevin Stipe helps you to determine your effective hourly rate and its potential influence on your daily activities.

If you're a principal in a privately held insurance agency, establish a value creation quota for each shareholder. Here's how: A month before your next planning retreat, provide each shareholders with a statement showing the value of his or her share of the agency's stock. If you don't have an appraisal, simply use your best estimate.

AVOID THE EMPATHY TRAP by Chris Burand The ability to empathize is admirable. It requires listening, understanding, ...

BEST PARTNERSHIP Dear (Customer Name): When a business partner suffers a fatal accident, it's a devastating time for all those concerned. The remaining partners feel a great loss after spending yea...

CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG? by Al Diamond Conflict Resolution in Insurance Agencies You tell your clients and your carriers that your agency staff is not just professional and expert in the...

Dear (Customer Name), I'm writing you today for two reasons: one, to thank you for being a valued customer of [Your Agency Name] and, two, to ask you for a favor...

DISSOLVING SHAREHOLDER RELATIONSHIPS by Paul Di Stefano, CPA Issues involving the breakup of partners or shareholders can be more complex than one might consider at first blush. A break...

FIDUCIARY CLAIMS BECOME PECUNIARY PAIN Some chief executive officers (CEOs) think that fiduciary liability is solely the responsibility of the financial managers who manage and invest the money...

HIRING THE RIGHT PRODUCER ...