Every January, millions of people set out to transform their habits, only to find themselves struggling by mid-month. In fact, the second Friday of January is known as “Quitters Day,” when many throw in the towel on their New Year’s resolutions. For accounting professionals, the challenges compound: a 2024 Forbes study reports that 50% of resolution-makers quit by March—precisely when tax season intensity is at its peak.
In a recent episode of the Who’s Really the BOSS? podcast, Rachel and Marcus Dillon of Dillon Business Advisors (DBA) acknowledge these hurdles but also share practical ways to overcome them. As accounting firm owners, they see firsthand how easy it is for accounting professionals to abandon both personal and professional goals amid looming deadlines and long work hours. Yet the Dillons have developed reliable strategies—grounded in accountability and careful planning—that can keep momentum strong year-round.
The Unique Pressure on CPA Firm Owners
While most people struggle to sustain enthusiasm after the holidays, accounting firm owners have a double challenge. January’s fresh start quickly collides with ramping up for busy season, and by the end of March, many people’s goals have fallen by the wayside. After April 15th, it’s tempting to celebrate the season’s end or simply recover, making it even harder to pick up abandoned routines.
“I just do not like January at all,” admits Marcus. “A lot of us grew up in accounting—we dread January and starting the year new.” When you start with a clean P&L and the celebration of last year’s successes ends, accountants often feel they’re starting from scratch. Layer on the time crunch of tax deadlines, and it’s easy to see why many resolutions vanish by March.
Rachel adds, “You think ‘I just need to get through the next few weeks or this deadline,’ and really, you just let everything from January and February go.” Instead of waiting for post-deadline recovery to refocus, the Dillons recommend building accountability systems that prevent goals from slipping in the first place.
Goals for 2025: Firm Growth and Beyond
The Dillons prefer the concept of measurable goals over open-ended resolutions. DBA heads into 2025 with clear objectives:
- Organic growth. DBA plans to add 15 new monthly recurring clients in 2025. With a price point for each client at $2,000 or more per month, this goal translates to adding $30,000 in new monthly recurring revenue by year’s end. To manage quality control, DBA limits each “pod” to two new client onboardings per month.
- Potential firm acquisition. Beyond organic growth, the Dillons are open to non-organic expansion through the right acquisition. This approach provides additional career advancement opportunities for existing team members.
- Technology & process improvements. Newly hired Director of Technology, Angel Sabino, will evaluate DBA’s IT systems and relationships to ensure they can support future growth. The team plans to expand its use of Keeper for client workflows and more automation in their onboarding process. They also plan to eliminate software they’re not fully testing or utilizing to free up room in the budget and focus on enhancing core platforms.
- Team development. Client Service Managers meet monthly to share best practices, while Controllers hold their own dedicated development sessions. This ensures training and collaboration throughout the year. New and existing SMEs (Payroll, Tax, QBO) serve as go-to resources for the rest of the team. DBA plans to hire additional staff, including a Controller and a new Client Service Manager Assistant through TOA Global.
“Even though goals like these can feel daunting, we break them down,” Marcus explains. “We track them month by month, adding them to our weekly meeting agendas and quarterly reviews. That way, no one person is carrying the full burden, and we can re-evaluate often.”
Personal Accountability: Small Steps, Big Payoffs
Both Rachel and Marcus rely on personal accountability to stay on track.
Fifteen years ago, Rachel began a morning weightlifting habit and hasn’t stopped. In 2024, she hit 302 workouts—exceeding her personal target of 300—by tracking each session in a free app. Visibility of her progress, especially late in the year, motivated her to stick with the plan.
“I track everything so I can see how far I’ve come,” Rachel explains. “When we traveled to New York, I still got up early because I knew I had a goal I wanted to meet.”
Marcus uses a structured approach spanning faith, marriage, health, and more. “I assign a measurable goal or metric to each category—did I do it or not?” he says. That clarity helps him refocus on days he would rather skip workouts or other commitments.
“Sometimes I literally break a workout into percentage points. If I’m halfway done, that’s 50%, and I tell myself I’m not going to quit at 50%. Same when I’m at 75%. It keeps me motivated.”
Accountability Strategies to Withstand Tax Season
How do you maintain progress toward goals when you’re knee-deep in client work? The Dillons recommend three main strategies:
- Break it down. Make goals specific and measurable, then divide them into weekly or daily steps. Whether it’s limiting client onboarding each month or aiming for 20-minute workouts, smaller tasks are more achievable.
- Keep it visible. DBA incorporates goals into weekly meeting agendas, ensuring they’re never “out of sight, out of mind.” Similarly, Rachel’s app and Marcus’s weekly check-ins with his accountability partner keep them aware of their personal targets.
- Stay flexible. Life happens—especially during busy season. The Dillons suggest building in reassessment milestones (e.g., a mid-year retreat in May or June) to pivot if goals no longer make sense. Instead of abandoning them, adjust and realign.
Looking Ahead: The Collective by DBA Event
For accountants seeking deeper connections and guidance, the Dillons’ peer community, Collective by DBA, is hosting an in-person event on May 5th–6th in The Woodlands, Texas (with a third-day session on May 7th for forum members and one-on-one advisory clients).
Registration opens on January 28th, and only 50 seats are available. The retreat provides an opportunity to fine-tune your firm’s processes, swap insights with other leaders, and solidify your goals for the rest of the year.
“If it’s anything like our event last May, it’ll fill up fast,” Marcus says. “We’re building an agenda that dives into topics like firm growth, technology, and team structure—all the areas we’re working on ourselves.”
Maintaining Momentum Beyond January
While most resolutions taper off by March, the Dillons prove that real progress can happen any time of year—with the right structure. By breaking down targets, checking in frequently, and involving others, firm owners can continue working toward their goals well past busy season. Whether you’re building better habits in your personal life, scaling your firm, or both, the key is accountability—layered at the individual, team, and organizational levels.
Ready to learn more? Tune in to the Who’s Really the BOSS? podcast for the Dillons’ full conversation on goals and accountability, and consider joining them in May at Collective by DBA’s in-person event. Even in the throes of tax season, sustainable, measurable goals are possible when you have a plan—and a team—to keep you on track.
Rachel and Marcus Dillon, CPA, own a Texas-based, remote client accounting and advisory services firm, Dillon Business Advisors, with a team of 15 professionals. Their latest organization, Collective by DBA, supports and guides accounting firm owners and leaders with firm resources, education, and operational strategy through community, groups, and one-on-one advisory.