Did you know that 91% of people who make New Year’s resolutions don’t keep them? That’s right—only 9% of people successfully keep their New Year’s resolutions. But before you use that as an excuse to skip resolutions altogether, hear me out.
The main reason resolutions fail isn’t lack of willpower; it’s timing and motivation. We’re conditioned to think that January 1 is the only day of the year we can start fresh. (Spoiler alert: It’s not.) No one’s going to come after you if you decide to start transforming your firm on, let’s say, April 16 instead.
But since we’re here and a brand new year is approaching, let’s talk about eight New Year’s resolutions for accountants that will help modernize your firm—and actually stick.
We resolve to…embrace AI (without the panic)
It’s 2025, y’all. AI isn’t just coming; it’s been here for quite some time. And while 89% of firm owners and leaders feel excited and intrigued by AI, individual contributors are almost three times as worried as partners and more than twice as anxious as managers. This year, resolve to thoughtfully incorporate AI into your workflow—starting small with tools designed specifically for accountants.
Begin with simple tasks like using AI for client communications or data entry. And as your team grows more comfortable, expand into more advanced applications. Remember: AI is here to help you focus less on tedious work and more on what matters: serving your clients.
We resolve to…make cybersecurity our bestie (or a priority…whichever makes you feel better)
Cybersecurity has to be more than just a buzzword in 2025. So, as an accountant, one of your New Year’s resolutions should be to develop a Written Information Security Plan (WISP)—it’s not just a good practice; it’s a requirement if you want to renew your PTIN. Also, be sure to:
- Commit to regular security awareness training for your team.
- Implement multifactor authentication (MFA) across all platforms (no exceptions!).
- Establish clear protocols for handling sensitive data.
Your clients trust you with their financial information; show them that trust is well-placed.
We resolve to…expand advisory services (because tax season can’t be everything)
Living and dying by tax season is so 2019. This year, save one of your accounting New Year’s resolutions for expanding your advisory services. While busy season has traditionally been the “bread and butter” of accounting firms, most modern firms are shifting to offering more advisory services. Your clients need more than just tax prep—they need strategic planning, cash flow management, succession planning…the list goes on. Build out service packages that provide year-round value and create recurring revenue. Bonus: This helps prevent the busy season burnout that is contributing to (in my humble opinion) the accountant shortage.
We resolve to…actually achieve work-life balance (for real this time)
Remember when pizza parties and a Ping-Pong table in the office were considered cornerstones of a great company culture? Those days are long gone. The demand for remote work has surged by 134.5% in recent years, showing that work-life balance means flexible schedules, remote work options and respect for personal time.
Set clear boundaries around:
- After-hour communications.
- Realistic workload expectations.
- Policies that support mental health.
And please stop expecting people to respond to Slack or Teams messages at 10 p.m. (Async meetings are OK.)
We resolve to…invest in our team (because they’re not mind readers)
Your team wants to grow, but they need more than just the obligatory CPE credits. This is especially important considering that since 2020, more than 300,000 accountants and auditors have left their jobs.
And here’s something else to consider: 89% of millennials and 86% of Gen Zs say having a sense of purpose in their jobs is important—and nearly half have turned down jobs because their values didn’t align. Create clear career paths, offer leadership development opportunities and provide training on new technologies and soft skills.
We resolve to…measure what matters (beyond billable hours)
In 2025, success isn’t just about billable hours. Which is why one of your New Year’s resolutions in your accounting firm should be to start tracking metrics that actually matter, like:
- Client satisfaction scores.
- Employee retention rates.
- Advisory service growth.
- Technology adoption rates.
Use data to make informed decisions about everything from hiring needs to service offerings. And please, stop measuring success by who stays latest in the office.
We resolve to…educate clients (because “that’s how we’ve always done it” isn’t working anymore)
Your clients don’t know what they don’t know. Make 2025 the year you become their trusted advisor by creating an intentional client education program.
Host webinars, create how-to guides, send regular updates about industry changes and teach them to use the technology you’ve implemented. (And by the way, the ones who refuse to use your tech stack, you can kindly point them to the exit.) Educated clients are typically more cooperative, appreciative and loyal (i.e., they’re your ideal client).
We resolve to…tidy our tech stack (so it doesn’t make us cry)
What’s your accounting firm’s next resolution? To stop hanging onto outdated systems just because “they still work.” Chances are the versions of software you have are outdated or are no longer supported, opening your firm (and your clients) to cybersecurity risks.
Audit your current tech stack and identify gaps and redundancies. Are you still manually entering data that could be automated? Is your team jumping between 15 different apps to complete one task?
Invest in integrated solutions that talk to each other and make your team’s life easier. And yes, that might mean finally waving goodbye to that spreadsheet you’ve so lovingly held onto since 2007.
Why these New Year’s resolutions for accountants matter
Here’s the thing about resolutions—they’re more likely to stick when you have support. While most resolutions focus on technical skills, these recommendations balance technology, culture and growth. And unlike traditional New Year’s resolutions for accountants that often fade by February, these can be started anytime you’re ready to begin.
Consider finding an accountability partner or joining a community of like-minded firms (hint: That’s what Rightworks Academy is here for) to help you stick to your goals. The most successful resolutions are backed by those with a solid support system and clear implementation plan.
Here’s to a resolution-sticking 2025!
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