Core Concepts of Consulting for Accountants

by Nancy A. Bagranoff (Miami Univ.); Stephanie M. Bryant (School of Accountancy, Univ. of South Florida); James E. Hunton (School of Accountancy, Univ. of South Florida)

• ISBN13: 9780471390862
• ISBN10: 0471390860
• Edition: CD
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

This consulting guide with a strong AIS influence draws material from several areas, including organizational behavior, interpersonal skills, and management to provide a single source for the information accountants need to provide consulting services.

Table of Contents

PART ONE INTRODUCTION TO CONSULTING SKILLS	1	(46)
The Accountant as Consultant	3	(23)
Introduction	4	(1)
Two Professions Evolve	4	(3)
Accounting Consultants Today and Tomorrow	7	(10)
Consulting Practice	17	(6)
Summary	23	(1)
Discussion Questions	23	(1)
Exercises	24	(1)
References, Recommended Readings, and Web Sites	25	(1)
Basic Skills for Consultants	26	(21)
Introduction	27	(1)
Communications and Leadership Skills	27	(7)
Strategic and Critical Thinking skills	34	(6)
Focus on the Customer, Client, and Market	40	(1)
Interpretation of Converging Information	41	(1)
Technological Adeptness	41	(2)
Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning	43	(1)
Summary	44	(1)
Discussion Questions	45	(1)
Exercises	45	(1)
References, Recommended Readings, and Web Sites	46	(1)
PART TWO SELLING, DEVELOPING, AND MANAGING CONSULTING PROJECTS	47	(90)
Marketing Professional Services	49	(22)
Introduction	50	(1)
Marketing Professional Services	50	(8)
The Marketing Process	58	(6)
Promotion and Advertising	64	(2)
Contracting	66	(2)
Summary	68	(1)
Discussion Questions	69	(1)
Exercises	69	(1)
References, Recommended Readings, and Web Sites	70	(1)
Writing and Presenting the Client Proposal	71	(22)
Introduction	72	(1)
The Proposals as a Marketing Tool	72	(3)
Components of the Proposal	75	(10)
Presentation of the Proposal	85	(2)
After the Presentation	87	(3)
Summary	90	(1)
Discussion Questions	91	(1)
Exercises	91	(1)
References, Recommended Readings, and Web Sites	91	(2)
Managing the Project-Part One	93	(20)
Introduction	94	(1)
The Role of a Project Manager on a Consulting Team	95	(1)
Overview of Project Management	95	(6)
Planning the Project	101	(8)
Summary	109	(1)
Discussion Questions	110	(1)
Exercises	110	(1)
References, Recommended Readings, and Web Sites	111	(2)
Managing the Project-Part Two	113	(24)
Introduction	114	(1)
Scheduling the Project	114	(10)
Monitoring the Project	124	(5)
Controlling the Project	129	(3)
Summary	132	(1)
Discussion Questions	132	(1)
Exercises	133	(2)
References, Recommended Readings, and Web Sites	135	(2)
PART THREE THE CONSULTING PROCESS	137	(62)
Documenting the Consulting Project	139	(20)
Introduction	140	(1)
The Role of Documentation	141	(1)
Graphical Documentation Tools	141	(13)
Software Tools for Creating Documentation	154	(2)
Summary	156	(1)
Discussion Questions	157	(1)
Exercises	157	(1)
References, Recommended Readings, and Web Sites	158	(1)
Data Collection and Analysis	159	(23)
Introduction	160	(1)
Data-The Heart of the Engagement	160	(1)
Data Collection Techniques	161	(8)
Data Analysis and Interpretation	169	(10)
Summary	179	(1)
Discussion Questions	179	(1)
Exercises	180	(1)
References, Recommended Readings, and Web Sites	180	(2)
Feedback, Implementation, and Follow-Up	182	(17)
Introduction	183	(1)
The Feedback Process	184	(3)
Implementing the Solution	187	(4)
Final Presentation	191	(2)
Follow-Up	193	(2)
Summary	195	(2)
Discussion Questions	197	(1)
Exercises	197	(1)
References, Recommended Readings, and Web Sites	198	(1)
PART FOUR SPECIAL ISSUES FOR THE ACCOUNTING CONSULTANT	199	(54)
Managing Change	201	(13)
Introduction	202	(1)
The Role of the Consultant in Managing Change	202	(5)
A Generalized Framework for Managing Change	207	(4)
Summary	211	(1)
Discussion Questions	212	(1)
Exercises	212	(1)
References, Recommended Readings, and Web Sites	213	(1)
Legal and Ethical Issues	214	(16)
Introduction	215	(1)
Legal Concerns	216	(6)
Ethical Concerns	222	(4)
Summary	226	(1)
Discussion Questions	227	(2)
Exercises	229	(1)
References, Recommended Readings, and Web Sites	229	(1)
Consulting Services	230	(23)
Introduction	231	(1)
Accountants and Consulting Services	231	(1)
Service Lines	232	(16)
Summary	248	(1)
Discussion Questions	248	(1)
Exercises	249	(1)
References, Recommended Readings, and Web Sites	250	(3)
Appendix A: Using Microsoft Project 2000	253	(18)
Introduction	254	(1)
The Star Project	255	(9)
The Circles Project	264	(5)
Summary	269	(2)
Appendix B	271	(6)
Glossary of Terms	271	(6)
Index	277