As I approach the end of my 27th year working in the accounting profession, I’m reminded of the maxim:
“The more something changes, the more it stays the same.”
Since the 90s, I’ve listened to keynote speakers at accounting conferences talk passionately about the hyper-connected world, the ever-changing profession, and the new era that is supposedly upon us.
And yet, looking back across almost three decades… what has actually changed?
The Audit Threshold
In the UK, the audit threshold has risen from £250,000 to £15 million during my career—effectively erasing, over a quarter of a century, the entire backbone of what accountants once charged for.
I’m also reminded of a dearly departed member of the profession who said to me (verbatim):
“Look Martin, all accountancy practices are built on audit. We’re all about audit. We always will be about audit.”
That one didn’t age too well.
What Really Drives Change
Across these 27 years, one truth has stood the test of time:
Legislative and regulatory change forces transformation in the profession far more than behavioural or technological change ever has.
When accountants must do something, it gets done.
Until then, it won’t.
The Only Choice That Matters
This leaves the modern practitioner with a decision:
- Build a practice and enjoy a relatively easy life because, truthfully, it has never been THAT difficult for an accountant to make money. Or
- Build an empire that designed to provide clients with as much support, value and protection as possible.
The choice, as always, is yours.
My Choice
For me, as we close out the year, my focus now turns to:
- Deals
- Deadlines
- And preparing several new initiatives for 2026
So, the BISSETT Bullet weekly update will take a short rest during December. The paperback version of the book is now available exclusively through CPA Trendlines:
Thank you for reading, reacting and responding throughout the year, your engagement has been invaluable.
We’ll be back in January.
For now, I wish you what I wish myself:
Peace, prosperity and proactivity in the year ahead.
To your success
Martin Bissett
