Business Management Review: Speials Magazine

Strategic Business Advisory & Tax (SBAT) is an accounting firm with a difference. It is committed to driving growth for small businesses while simplifying the lives of their owners. A distinctive hands-on, advisory-first approach guides clients from where they are to where they want to be while building sustainable businesses along the way. Starting as a traditional tax and accounting practice, CEO Randi Sorenson and president Kelly Hibbits quickly recognized that small business owners need more than bookkeeping and tax filing support. They require streamlined operations and clear pathways for profitability. This realization led them to strategically expand their portfolio to offer business advisory services. SBAT’s comprehensive advisory services span growth planning, business coaching and exit strategies, along with accounting and taxation support. All services are designed to help owners transform their processes, systems and cultures and set them up for success. “We ask the right questions and deliver impactful solutions to help owners fix their business and make it more profitable,” says Sorenson. HIGH-IMPACT, HANDS-ON ADVISORY SUPPORT Sorenson and Hibbits, both seasoned CPAs, embed themselves into the day-to-day realities faced by clients in running their ventures. They bring analytical, finance-driven viewpoints to delve into each client’s business model regardless of the industry. The advisory service begins with a comprehensive initial meeting. The first part of the meeting is spent thoroughly understanding the client’s business. In the second part, focus is on exploring the owner’s vision three years into the future. Following the meeting, the team develops a three-year growth roadmap, anchored by 12-month benchmarks and 90-day action plans. To further support business growth, SBAT uses specialized software that compares the business’s KPIs against industry peers of similar size and region. Based on the findings, it generates periodic reports highlighting market trends and competitor comparisons. The goal is to pinpoint specific areas for improvement. Regular meetings are held with the owner and key employees to analyze unexpected challenges, brainstorm solutions and refocus on evolving goals. These in-depth discussions frequently uncover deeper cultural issues that tend to hold companies back. One construction business owner, for example, described SBAT’s involvement as “life-changing.” The client was held back by the controlling nature of two key employees, the accountant and a production staff member, which led to a hostile workplace environment. Once Sorenson restructured the accounting processes, the problematic employees quickly departed. This turn of events brought an immediate shift in the company culture that transformed the workplace environment. She introduced systematic changes further down the line. Regular supervisor meetings fostered collaboration among team members, which helped boost productivity and profitability. Strategically delegating crucial operations to a seasoned employee reduced the owner’s day-to-day burden, freeing him to enjoy his hobbies and spend more time with family.