Elevate Accounting Firm Leadership with the NSA Leadership Certificate
Program Overview:
The “NSA Leadership Certificate” program is a specialized six-session leadership training program tailored for leaders of accounting firms. This program is designed to equip accounting professionals with the skills, knowledge, and mindset required to excel as effective leaders. Each one-hour session is carefully crafted to address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by accounting professionals, while drawing inspiration from Stephen Covey’s “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”
The NSA Leadership Style and Habits Self-Assessment is a tool you can utilize to gain insight about your natural leadership style and can help you set goals for yourself. We encourage you to take a few moments and complete the assessment.
Program Objectives:
• To integrate Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits into the leadership practices of small accounting firms.
• To enhance leadership skills such as communication, decision-making, and problem-solving, within the context of accounting.
• To foster self-awareness and emotional intelligence in accounting firm leadership.
• To cultivate strategies for building and managing high-performing teams within accounting firms.
• To develop effective remote workforce management skills, acknowledging the growing trend of remote work.
• To explore ethical leadership principles aligned with the 7 Habits in the accounting profession.
• To create a personalized leadership development plan that aligns with the unique needs and goals of accounting firms.
Session 1: Leadership Foundations for Accounting Firms & Habit 1 (1 hour)
• Introduction to leadership concepts tailored to the accounting industry.
• Habit 1: Be Proactive – Taking control of your leadership role in an accounting firm.
• Applying Habit 1 to your accounting firm.
• Self-assessment of your current leadership abilities in the context of accounting.
Session 2: Effective Communication in Accounting & Habit 5 (1 hour)
• The critical role of communication in the accounting profession.
• Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood – Empathetic communication in the accounting context.
• Applying Habit 5 to communication within your accounting firm.
• Practical exercises for improving communication skills specific to the accounting industry.
Session 3: Decision-Making and Problem Solving in Accounting & Habit 2 (1 hour)
• The decision-making process within accounting firms.
• Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind – Visionary leadership for accounting professionals.
• Applying Habit 2 to decision-making and problem-solving within your accounting firm.
• Case studies and decision-making exercises tailored to accounting industry challenges.
Session 4: Team Leadership in Accounting Firms & Habit 6 (1 hour)
• Team dynamics within accounting firms and stages of team development.
• Habit 6: Synergize – Creating effective accounting teams.
• Applying Habit 6 to team leadership within your accounting firm.
• Strategies for motivating and managing teams in the accounting profession.
• Role-playing and team-building exercises for accounting firm leaders.
Session 5: Remote Workforce Management for Accounting Firms & Habit 4 (1 hour)
• Adapting leadership to remote work environments within accounting firms.
• Habit 4: Think Win-Win – Creating collaborative remote work environments.
• Applying Habit 4 to remote workforce management within your accounting firm.
• Strategies for effective remote team communication, motivation, and collaboration.
• Tools and technologies for remote workforce management in the accounting context.
Session 6: Ethical Leadership and Integrity in Accounting & Personal Development (1 hour)
• Exploring ethical leadership principles specific to the accounting profession.
• Creating a culture of integrity within your accounting firm.
• Applying ethical leadership principles to decision-making.
• Personal development and growth in the accounting profession.
• Creating a personalized leadership development plan that aligns with the 7 Habits framework.
Program Format:
• The program will be delivered as live presentations at the annual National Society of Accountants convention.
• Each session will include engaging live presentations, interactive discussions, practical exercises, and Q&A sessions, tailored to the accounting industry.
• Participants at the convention will receive supplementary materials and resources for further self-study and reflection, with a focus on accounting-specific scenarios.
Program Duration:
The “Elevate Accounting Firm Leadership with Covey’s 7 Habits” program will be presented as part of the annual National Society of Accountants Aspire convention. Each session will last one hour, and participants are encouraged to attend all sessions for maximum benefit.
Participant Requirements:
• Convention attendees should have access to the sessions at the annual National Society of Accountants convention.
• A willingness to actively engage in live discussions and exercises during the sessions.
• Commitment to participate fully in the convention program.
• Each participant will receive a copy of “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” as part of their registration and will be expected to read it.
Program Evaluation:
At the end of each session, convention attendees will be asked to provide feedback through surveys and evaluations to assess the effectiveness of the training. This feedback will be used to make improvements and tailor future programs.
The “Elevate Accounting Firm Leadership with Covey’s 7 Habits” program, presented at the National Society of Accountants convention, is dedicated to equipping accounting professionals with the leadership skills and habits needed to excel in their roles within the accounting profession, including effective remote workforce management. We are excited about the opportunity to support and elevate leadership within the accounting industry through the application of Covey’s 7 Habits at this prestigious event.
For inquiries and further information, please contact the NSA Membership team at members@nsacct.org. Thank you for considering our leadership training program proposal designed exclusively for accounting professionals attending NSA Aspire 2024. We look forward to contributing to the success of the conference and the development of accounting firm leaders.