This is my 312th weekly column. Once a week for six years! I have been very fortunate to be able to write and post them. I also had the support of a great editor, Michael Cohn, and the perfect publication for these types of articles — Accounting Today.
Believe it or not, but the hardest part of writing these columns is choosing a topic. Getting the topic means I need to be alert to what I see and hear and try to relate it to my and my colleagues’ practices, which I like to refer to as businesses. Workers work in a practice and owners run a business. I have made it my job to try to move my colleagues’ thinking toward the very important role of running their accounting business.
When I started this column, I hoped I would be able to write about two dozen columns that were somewhat autobiographical, sharing my experiences with colleagues, so I am very grateful of being able to continue for so long.
A few things occurred during this journey. Some columns had many comments posted that brought up new ideas or added insights. One of the articles generated over 60 comments and direct emails. The comment section was removed so there is no longer space for them but I still get plenty of emails. I try to respond to all comments and emails, except those I deem nasty, and they are ignored. Some of the comments end up as the subjects of later columns. Also, I appreciate the emails and comments since those give me the opportunity to learn.
I still try to inject my personal views or experiences, but along the way I seem to have become an advocate for small firms, for women and minority groups, and for a stronger and more deliberate management of accounting practices. My focus has always been on the practical application of takeaways to use to increase revenues. Further, I do not believe I have ever written anything here (or on my twice-a-week blog at
I actually learned my writing method from my son Andy when he was in junior high school (in the mid-1980s). One night I was bugging him to get the report he needed to do as homework finished and when he finally sat down, turned on the computer and faced the blank screen, I wanted to know where his report was. He gave me a quizzical look and my wife said, “He has to write a report and that’s how he writes.” Until then I had used the word processor as a fancy typewriter, simply typing out a document from my handwritten notes. That became an aha moment. Andy was using it as a tool while I was using it as a method of transcribing what I wrote. From that moment on, I have started with a blank screen and if necessary have some notes handy. See, you can learn from anyone, at almost any unexpected time.
I am proud of this column and even more proud that the editors entered this series in a publishing industry contest and it won the first prize in its category. This was the Eddie Award from Folio magazine last year. The Eddie name has nothing to do with me.
My first 156 columns were published in a book by Rick Telberg, publisher of CPA Trendlines and the first editor of Accounting Today, and hopefully he sold enough books so he will publish the 156 columns I just completed in another book. Here is
I thank all of my readers who inspire me with their emails and calls and will work hard at making the next 156 columns even better and more relevant.
Do not hesitate to contact me at
Edward Mendlowitz, CPA, is partner at
