Let’s talk about something we all know needs to change: the way we measure success in our firms. If you’re still stuck on billable hours and realization rates, it’s time for a radical upgrade. Let’s ditch the outdated metrics and focus on what really matters — delivering value, keeping employees happy and making clients love working with you.
Here’s how to rethink your KPIs and make your firm not just a place to work, but a place where people want to work.
Why the Old Ways Don’t Work Anymore
First off, the world has changed. Customers expect Amazon-level service. Automation is taking over repetitive tasks. The next generation of accountants isn’t interested in grinding out 65-hour workweeks. If your firm’s culture is built on timesheets and utilization rates, you’re not just behind the times — you’re actively losing the war for talent and clients.
Face it. Nobody gets excited to wake up and log every second of their day into a timesheet. It’s bad data, it’s demoralizing and it’s not even accurate. Employees hate it, and clients couldn’t care less how many hours you spent. What they care about is results.
So, let’s fix this.
The New KPIs Every Firm Needs
Here’s what you should focus on instead of tracking hours like it’s still 1985:
