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Enhanced Points-Based Revenue Sharing Model for CA Firms

Discover an innovative Points-Based Revenue Sharing Model tailored for CA firms! Designed for fairness and balance, this model rewards diverse contributions, from revenue generation to knowledge sharing, ensuring each partner's unique impact is recognized. Curious about transforming your firm?
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Model Overview

This enhanced points-based revenue-sharing model for Chartered Accountancy firms in India aims to be objective, comprehensive, and easy to implement. The model is designed to fairly reward all types of contributions to the firm's success while preventing over-focus on any single area.

Detailed Criteria Table

Criteria

Marking System

Maximum Cap Points

Remarks on Capping

Benefits of Adopting this Criteria

1. Base Points

Automatic allocation to all partners

            100

No cap. Ensures base compensation for all.

Guarantees a minimum share for all partners, promoting equity.

2. Number of years of holding COP

5 points per year of COP

              50

Capped to recognise the seniority / professional standing of the partner and paving way for senior members to join the firm.

Recognizes and rewards professional standing.

3. Firm Association

5 points per year of association

              50

Capped to balance between rewarding loyalty and allowing new partners to grow.

Recognizes and rewards long-term commitment to the firm.

4. Capital Contribution

1 point for every ₹1 lakh contributed

             100

Capped to prevent overemphasis on financial investment vs. other contributions.

Acknowledges financial risk and investment in the firm.

5. Revenue Generation

1 point for every ₹1 lakh of revenue directly generated

          No cap

Uncapped to directly reward performance, but balanced by caps in other categories.

Directly incentivizes billable work and client service.

6. Client Acquisition

10 points for each new client with annual billing > ₹5 lakhs; 5 points for ₹1-5 lakhs

             100

Capped to encourage focus on quality clients and prevent neglect of existing clients.

Promotes firm growth and expansion of client base.

7. Firm Management

Specific points for different roles (e.g., Managing Partner: 100, HR Head: 75)

             100

Capped to ensure balanced contribution across various areas.

Recognizes importance of non-billable management roles.

8. Specialization and Innovation

25 points for new practice area; 20 points for additional certifications; 10 points for specialization

             100

Capped to encourage continuous learning without overshadowing other contributions.

Encourages professional development and firm diversification.

9. Knowledge Sharing

Internal: 10 points per training, 5 points per mentee. External: 15 points per public lecture, 20 points per client seminar

              75

Capped to balance with billable activities while still encouraging knowledge dissemination.

Promotes skill development within the firm and enhances firm reputation.

10. Professional Contributions

20 points per article, 30 points per book, 10 points per panel discussion

              50

Capped to recognize importance without overshadowing core business activities.

Enhances firm's industry standing and thought leadership.

Firm Management Category
The Firm Management category has been expanded to include more specific roles and responsibilities:

Role

Points

Responsibilities

Managing Partner

       100

Overall firm strategy and leadership

Finance Head

        75

Financial planning, accounting, compliance work, tax filings

HR Head

        75

Recruitment, employee welfare, performance management

IT Head

        75

Technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, software management

Administrative Head

        75

Office management, vendor relations, facilities maintenance, regulatory compliance

Quality Control Head

        50

Maintaining practice standards, peer reviews, quality audits

Note: Partners can accumulate points from multiple roles up to the category maximum of 100 points.

Calculation Method

  1. Sum up the total points for each partner across all categories
  2. Calculate the total points for the entire firm
  3. Determine each partner's percentage share: (Individual Partner's Total Points / Firm's Total Points) * 100
  4. Allocate profits based on this percentage

Implementation Guidelines

  1. Clear Communication: Thoroughly explain the system to all partners
  2. Regular Reviews: Conduct quarterly reviews to assess point allocations
  3. Transparent Reporting: Provide monthly reports showing current point standings
  4. Annual Calibration: Review and adjust point categories and maximums yearly
  5. New Partner Integration: Clearly outline how new partners will be integrated
  6. Dispute Resolution: Establish a committee for addressing any disagreements

Potential Challenges and Solutions

  1. Challenge: Partners focusing only on high-point activities Solution: The implementation of category caps, as shown in the table above, ensures a balanced approach. Partners are incentivized to contribute across multiple areas rather than focusing solely on one high-point category.
  2. Challenge: Adapting to firm size changes Solution: Annually review and adjust category maximums. In case of significant firm size changes (e.g., due to mergers or rapid growth), consider proportional adjustments to category caps.
  3. Challenge: Tracking points accurately Solution: Implement a simple software solution or spreadsheet for tracking. Regularly audit point allocations to ensure accuracy and fairness.

Special Scenarios

Mergers and Demergers

1. Mergers:

  • Combine total points of both firms
  • Adjust category maximums proportionally to the new firm size
  • Reassess management roles and adjust points accordingly

2. Demergers:

  • Separate points based on agreed-upon division of responsibilities and clients
  • Adjust category maximums for each resulting firm based on new size

Partner Changes Mid-Year

1. New Partner Admission:

  • Award pro-rated points based on months of association
  • Adjust firm total points accordingly

2. Partner Retirement/Death:

  • Calculate points up to the date of retirement/death
  • Allocate profits pro-rata for the period of association
  • Redistribute remaining responsibilities and reassess points for other partners

Conclusion

This structured points-based model offers an objective, comprehensive, and flexible approach to revenue sharing in CA firms. By implementing category caps and providing a wide range of point-earning opportunities, the model encourages partners to contribute across multiple areas of the firm's operations. This balanced approach not only recognizes diverse contributions but also aligns individual partner incentives with the overall success and growth of the firm.

Regular review and open communication will be key to the successful implementation and ongoing effectiveness of this model. Firms adopting this system should be prepared to make adjustments based on their specific needs and experiences, always keeping in mind the principles of fairness, objectivity, and comprehensive recognition of partner contributions.

Partner Assessment Marksheet Template

Category

Criteria

Points Available

Points Earned

Base Points

Automatic allocation

            100

 

Period of holding COP

Current year – COP year (5 points/year, max 50)

             50

Firm Association

Years with firm (5 points/year, max 50)

             50

 

Capital Contribution

₹1 lakh = 1 point (max 100)

           100

 

Revenue Generation

₹1 lakh = 1 point (no max)

         No cap

 

Client Acquisition

New clients > ₹5 lakhs (10 points each)

           100

 

New clients ₹1-5 lakhs (5 points each)

   

Firm Management

Managing Partner

           100

 

Finance Head

            75

 

HR Head

            75

 

IT Head

            75

 

Administrative Head

            75

 

Quality Control Head

            50

 

Specialization & Innovation

New practice area (25 points each)

           100

 

Additional certifications (20 points each)

 

Areas of specialization (10 points each)

 

Knowledge Sharing

Internal training sessions (10 points each)

            75

 

Mentoring junior associates (5 points each)

 

Public lectures (15 points each)

 

Client seminars/webinars (20 points each)

 

Professional Contributions

Published articles (20 points each)

           50

 

Authored/co-authored books (30 points each)

 

Panel discussions (10 points each)

 

TOTAL POINTS

 
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