Why Most CPAs Are Drowning in Admin Work —

And What Smart Firms Are Doing About It

by Joy Francis

Let’s talk about something every firm owner feels but few admit out loud:

You’re buried.In emails.In client requests.In to-dos that never seem to get done.

And you’re not alone.

Across the industry, CPAs are spending more time on admin and less time on actual advisory work. The problem? That’s not sustainable. Not for your team. Not for your clients. Not for your growth.

Manual Workflows Are Quietly Killing Your Firm’s Capacity

The bottlenecks in your firm aren’t just annoying—they’re expensive.

Every spreadsheet you manually update, every follow-up email you type from scratch, and every system that “almost” works but still needs a workaround?They’re costing you time, money, and momentum.

The most common signs?

•Your inbox feels like a full-time job

•Tasks fall through the cracks

•Onboarding a client feels like reinventing the wheel

•You’re constantly playing catch-up instead of planning ahead

These aren’t just workflow issues—they’re growth blockers.

The Hidden Cost of “Doing It All”

Many CPAs pride themselves on being hands-on. It’s part of the job, right?

But here’s the truth: what got your firm here won’t get it to the next level.

You can’t scale “hustle.” You can only scale systems.

Manual processes eat into your billable hours, drain your energy, and keep you stuck reacting instead of leading.Meanwhile, your most forward-thinking peers are building leaner, smarter, systemized firms—and pulling ahead fast.

What Smart Firms Are Doing Differently

There’s a quiet shift happening in the accounting world.

Firm owners who used to spend their days buried in admin are now operating as high-level strategists—because they’ve installed automation where it matters most.

They’re:

•Using AI-driven systems to handle routine tasks

•Implementing CRMs that manage client touchpoints without constant oversight

•Streamlining communication and workflows firm-wide

•Replacing chaos with clarity—without adding more team members

These aren’t pie-in-the-sky dreams. These are real, measurable improvements happening inside firms just like yours.

A Smarter Firm Is Possible—And It Starts with Systems

You don’t need more hours in the day. You need better systems that let you focus on what grows the firm: relationships, strategy, and vision.

And with the right setup, your firm can:

•Cut admin hours in half

•Improve client satisfaction with faster, more consistent service

•Free up capacity to pursue higher-value advisory work

•Attract top-tier clients looking for modern, tech-savvy partners

Want to See What’s Possible?

This month, we’re unveiling something built specifically for firm owners who are ready to break the admin cycle and lead their firms differently.

If you’re curious what it looks like to ditch the overwhelm and upgrade how your firm runs, you’ll want early access.

🟢Click here to join the early access list

Let others chase busywork. You’re here to build a future-focused firm.The shift starts now.

May the Profits be with you,

Joy Francis, CFO and AI Automation Strategist