A payroll question surfaces
The client raises a process, reporting or deduction question during ordinary accounting work.
CPAs & Accounting Firms
For CPAs & Accounting Firms
Your clients already trust you with their business. When benefits, payroll or workforce questions fall outside the engagement, Norman can help examine the issue without trying to replace the CPA relationship.
When Client Questions Expand
Some Client Questions Go Beyond Accounting
The CPA does not need to become the benefits, payroll or workforce expert. Sometimes the most useful action is knowing who can help examine the question.
A benefits concern comes up
Employee costs, deductions or administration bring a wider business issue into view.
Workforce administration affects the business
Employee records, classifications or recurring manual work begin shaping the financial conversation.
The client asks who to speak with
The useful next step is identifying the right outside perspective, not solving every issue personally.
Protect the Relationship
You Keep the Client Relationship
The CPA already has the client's trust. TriState Pay can provide an outside perspective for a specific question without displacing the advisor who brought the issue forward.
CPA
Trusted Advisor
Brings forward the client question and remains central to the professional relationship.
Norman
Outside Perspective
Examines benefits, payroll and workforce questions when his perspective is useful.
Client
Business Decision
Decides whether a further conversation or any action makes sense.
Beyond the Accounting Question
The Numbers May Point to a Bigger Business Question
A question that first appears financial may involve the employee decisions and administrative processes behind the numbers.
Benefits
Employee costs, benefit deductions and the administration surrounding them.
Payroll
Reporting, pay processes, corrections and responsibility inside the business.
Workforce Management
Employee records, classifications, time information and administrative friction.
A Deliberately Short Process
How a Referral Actually Works
A CPA or accounting firm can contact Norman before deciding whether a client introduction makes sense. The conversation can begin with the question itself.
Describe the Situation
Share the client question or explain what prompted it. A client introduction is not required to begin.
Norman Gives a Direct Read
Norman asks questions and helps identify whether a closer conversation may be useful.
Decide the Next Step
Your firm and client decide whether any further discussion makes sense.
Founder-Led Guidance
An Experienced Resource When the Question Falls Outside Your Lane
Norman Michaels is the Founder and President of TriState Pay. For more than 30 years, he has worked with employers and advisors around benefits, payroll, workforce and the business questions that connect them. The conversation is directly with Norman.
Direct access to Norman
What Happens Next
Bring Norman the Client Question
Start with the situation that prompted the conversation. Norman can help examine what may warrant a closer look.
Explain the Question
Start with what the client asked and what was happening in the business at the time.
Review the Wider Context
Consider the benefits, payroll or workforce factors that may sit behind the question.
Choose What Comes Next
The CPA and client decide whether to continue the conversation or leave the current approach alone.
Talk With Norman About a Client Question
Start with the situation. Norman can help determine whether TriState Pay is useful to the conversation.