Amplify! | Self-Advocacy for Solo Teams

Professionals in non-billable roles in accounting firms often find themselves navigating uncharted territory. Whether leading HR, operations or marketing functions, these professionals frequently need to advocate for their value in an environment where billable hours reign supreme.

In a recent Amplify! podcast season focused on proving your worth, I spoke with Amanda Simmonds, director of talent advisor services at Spiirall on being a One-Person Powerhouse. We explored the art of self-advocacy for solo teams and the critical lessons she’s learned from over two decades in the industry.

Creating Your Own Path

Simmonds’s career is a testament to the power of self-advocacy. As the first firm administrator in a 30-person public accounting firm, she quickly realized that while a job description might exist, it was often just a starting point.

“No one had done the role before, so it was a co-creation process,” she explained.

By confidently stepping into undefined spaces while remaining humble about what she didn’t yet know, she established credibility and laid the groundwork for future leadership roles.

Her experience underscores an essential lesson for professionals in newly created roles: Self-advocacy begins with clarity, both in understanding your own strengths and in communicating the value of your contributions to firm leadership.

Building Credibility and Demonstrating Value

A recurring challenge for professionals in non-billable roles is demonstrating their worth in a culture that prioritizes production. Simmonds emphasized the importance of building relationships with firm leaders who understand the strategic value of operations and HR.

“We bring worth, and I’m completely convinced of that,” she said. “If you hire an HR professional or payroll expert, you’re getting a specialist — not someone’s part-time job on top of everything else.”

She also pointed out that understanding how your contributions translate into financial impact can be a game-changer.

“My brain doesn’t think in numbers, but I surrounded myself with leaders who could help me frame my value in dollars and cents,” she shared.

By learning to articulate her contributions in a language that firm partners understand, Simmonds strengthened her ability to advocate for herself and her team.

Identifying Advocates and Navigating Leadership Dynamics

In firms with multiple partners and diverse personalities, knowing where to focus your energy is key. Simmonds advised looking for leaders who engage with operational topics and show a vested interest in strategic initiatives.

“It’s a feeling. You know who values your contributions and who sees you as overhead,” she said.

By identifying and aligning with those who recognize the importance of your role, you can build a network of advocates who will support your initiatives and champion your work in decision-making meetings.

The Power of Community and Mentorship

Simmonds has made it a personal mission to create and nurture communities within the accounting profession. Whether founding a state chapter of CPAFMA or establishing informal peer groups, she recognizes that professionals in solo or small-team roles need spaces to connect, share ideas and support one another.

“Sometimes, you need a community to talk about these things because if you’re the only one in your firm, no one else really understands,” she noted.

This philosophy extends to her leadership approach. Having experienced firsthand the challenges of proving her worth in the early days of her career, Simmonds is intentional about setting up her team members for success.

“I don’t want them to have to prove their value to the partners. I want them to be set up for success from the start,” she said.

Managing Workload, Setting Boundaries and Staying Resilient

Self-advocacy isn’t just about proving your worth to others. It’s also about protecting your own well-being. Simmonds highlighted three key strategies for effectively managing workload and avoiding burnout:

• Project management
• Over-communication
• Boundaries

For professionals juggling multiple priorities, learning project management fundamentals can be a game-changer. Clear, frequent communication with stakeholders ensures alignment on expectations and prevents misinterpretation of priorities. But perhaps most importantly, setting and enforcing boundaries is crucial.

“The world will take as much as we are willing to give,” she said. “Boundaries help keep us from burning out.”

She shared a simple yet powerful realization that transformed her approach to time management: “Guess who controls my calendar? Me.” Recognizing that she had the power to create space for deep work and personal time helped her regain balance in an otherwise overwhelming schedule.

A Better Workplace for All

After 20 years in the profession, Simmonds has reached a pivotal moment of confidence in her expertise.

“I know what I’m talking about,” she said. “I can tell you a project is going to take longer, and I can own that experience.”

As she embarks on a new chapter focused on leadership coaching, she is excited to continue investing in people. Helping them develop, advocate for themselves and navigate their own career journeys with confidence.

Her final takeaway? Self-advocacy is not just about getting ahead — it’s about ensuring that the next generation of professionals doesn’t have to fight the same battles. By building supportive communities, setting others up for success and establishing clear communication and boundaries, we can all contribute to a stronger, more sustainable workplace.