Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/160971
becoming the face of their sofware and are forging real relationships. Tis certainly has a positive efect on sofware. Tey're listening to the CPA and consultant and constantly asking, "What do we need to improve upon?" Likewise the CPA and consultants are stepping outside of their boxes and saying "Hey, what great ideas have the vendors put in place that we haven't thought of and how can we use that to our advantage?" MICHELLE: We're seeing the trend of blurred lines between practitioners, vendors, and consultants – and I like it. Lots of "recovering CPAs" join companies that serve accountants, whether product-based or advisory. Te companies and their CPA customers wisely embrace the views they get from these experts from within. Looking inside the profession for ideas has its limitations though, and so it's good to see much more willingness to deviate from in-profession navel-gazing and consider ideas and develop approaches and business models inspired from well outside the profession. Consultants and vendors are working more efectively with CPAs because of more real-time collaboration and franker conversations—it's the same between CPAs and their own clients. Technology certainly contributes to the need for and acceptance of more transparent, authentic relationships. Tis makes business beter for everyone. What will you do with all the time XCM saves you? Whether your goal is to grow your practice, improve your proft margins, or achieve a better quality of life for your staff, XCM can help. It's the only web-based application that automates and standardizes processes for completing work across the frm, providing instant access to real-time task and work management information. As a result, you save countless unbillable hours spent searching through paperwork, updating log sheets, and managing work through email. Firms using XCM have reported signifcant time savings at all levels across the frm. So, the only question you need to ask yourself is how will you spend the time you save? Facing Down Challenges We're all in a quest to move the profession forward and experience speed-of-adoption obstacles with clients, partners, and a slow-moving industry as a whole…but we don't let that stop us. MICHELLE: It has to be about working with the right people. Everet Rodgers introduced the Difusion of Innovations (en. wikipedia.org/wiki/Difusion_of_innovations) that illustrates how new ideas (and technologies) are adopted: 2.5% are innovators and 13.5% are early adopters followed by early majority, late majority, and laggards. To be efective, enjoy the process, and stay personally inspired to innovate, I work with the 16% at the front of the curve. When there's opportunity to grow or improve, an atitude of "maybe someday" isn't found in frms who are serious about staying competitive, serving customers exceptionally, and being around for generations to come. It's exciting to see the number of frms with emerging leaders who see a need to embrace new ideas. KIM: With so many moving parts in today's business world, roadblocks can ofen appear out of nowhere. Just when you think you've convinced the last person to stop being afraid of the Cloud, something happens that forces all of us to face reality: not even the Cloud is perfect. Finding the right balance between the ability to have anytime/anywhere access and en-suring data is always safe and secure can be a difcult feat. In the end, frms that fnd ways to creatively overcome obstacles for themselves and their clients are the ones who will thrive. SHAYNA: As we all know, tax laws only keep growing and the accounting rules keep evolving. Historically, frms would spend lots of time going through their limited library of paper books and researching issues. With social media, research websites, and vendor's assistance programs online, frms have a wealth of knowledge to access and people to collaborate with to help guide them to proper answers and challenge them to "Janover LLC plays ball with the time it saves using XCM — sponsoring company softball and soccer teams." See how much time you can save. Visit CPA.com/Workfow or call 781.356.5152 Firm-Wide Workfow Automation Automating workfow since 2004