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Building Vision and Strategy: Kelvin Gieck’s Playbook for Accounting Firms
Kieran James catches up with Kelvin Gieck as they dive into the hard truths about scaling a professional services firm and why many owners unknowingly become the bottleneck in their own business. From adopting EOS to developing leadership at every level, Kelvin lays out a practical, founder-tested approach to building a resilient, values-aligned accounting firm that doesn’t rely on you for every decision.
- Most accounting firms don’t scale—they stretch. Growth without systems leads to burnout, not freedom.
- EOS gave the team structure, language, and alignment. Implementing tools like Rocks, Scorecards, and Vision/Traction Organizer (V/TO) was a game changer.
- Delegate outcomes, not tasks. You can’t scale if you’re the one solving every problem.
- The leadership team is everything. Train people to lead so the firm isn’t solely dependent on you.
- Values must be operational. Your core values should drive hiring, firing, and daily behaviour—not just live in a handbook.
“We didn’t realise it at first—but we had built a business that couldn’t run without us. That had to change.”– Kelvin Gieck“EOS gave us a common language. It’s not just a system—it’s how we think now.”“You’re not building a business if you’re still solving every problem yourself.”“Your people can’t hit a target they can’t see. Vision must be clear—and repeated often.”
Kelvin Gieck is the co-founder of TwentyEighty, a modern Canadian accounting and advisory firm focused on helping entrepreneurs grow with confidence. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) by training, Kelvin blends deep financial expertise with a passion for operational excellence.
Through his EOS journey, Kelvin has transformed TwentyEighty into a values-led, system-driven firm that empowers its people and scales without chaos. He’s also a speaker and advocate for helping other firm owners adopt better tools, habits, and mindsets for growth.
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