Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/432767
4 December 2014 • www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com By Gail Perry, CPA, Editor-In-Chief FROM THE EDITOR 'Tis the Season: Last Chance this Year to Connect with Clients 4 D e c e m b e r 2 0 1 4 • w w w . C P A P r a c t 800-547-7377 • www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com The opinions given by contributing authors are their own and are not the opinions of our staff. All trademarks used are the property of their respective owner. ———————————————————————————————————————————— Practice Advisor, (ISSN #2160-8725 (print), ISSN #2160-8733 (digital); USPS #017-576) is published four times a year (April, June/July, September and October) by Cygnus Business Media, Inc., incorporating two editions known as CPA Practice Advisor and NSA Practice Advisor, 1233 Janesville Avenue, Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin 53538. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 and at additional mailing offces. Printed in the U.S.A. Send all subscription inquiries or change of address to: Practice Advisor, PO Box 3258, Northbrook, IL 60065-3258. Phone: (877) 382-9187 (toll free); (847) 559-7598 (local) Fax: (847) 564-9453 Email: Circ.CPA@omeda.com Subscription Rates: The basic annual rate is $3, based on qualifying associations of 10,000 or more public accountants that may also subscribe for all their public accountant members (certain restrictive covenants apply) for a basic subscription rate of $9 per member for a three-year subscription. One year subscription for all others: USA - $48; CAN $70 GST; INT'L $99 GST #131910168. POSTMASTER, please send address changes to: Practice Advisor, P.O. Box 3258, Northbrook, IL 60065-3258. Canadian address changes to: Canada Post PM40612608. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Practice Advisor, PO Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2. Publisher: Jim Baker Editor-in-Chief: Gail Perry, CPA Managing Editor: Isaac M. O'Bannon Assistant Editor: Taija Jenkins Contributing Writer: Brian Tankersley, CPA.CITP Columnists: David McClure Doug Sleeter Jim Boomer, CPA.CITP Kristy Short Randy Johnston Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA.CITP Art Director: Rhonda Cousin National Sales Manager: Barry Strobel Site Manager: Angie Stevenson Media Production Representative: Barb Evenson Audience Development Manager: Angela Kelty Editorial Advisory Board: Bob Cedergren, CPA.CITP, CISA, CISM, CISSP, CGEIT Chris Fraser, CPA.CITP, CISA, MCP Jason Lawhorn, CPA.CITP Gary A. Masino, CPA Ryan McCowan, CPA.CITP Linda O'Neal Troy Patton, CPA David Primes, CPA.CITP Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP Doug Sleeter Sandra L. Wiley CYGNUS BUSINESS MEDIA CEO: John French CFO: Paul Bonaiuto VP, Human Resources: Ed Wood VP, Audience Development: Julie Nachtigal VP, Technology: Eric Kammerzelt CYGNUS PUBLISHING Executive Vice President: Gloria Cosby Vice President of Production Operations: Curt Pordes Director of Digital Business Development: Lester Craft VOLUME 24, NUMBER 12 You probably meet with your clients each year as the year-end approaches or early in the next year to talk about taxes or help with closing the books. Tose meetings are anticipated by your cl ients a nd probably welcomed by them. In addition to these traditional services, consider adding the following to your repertoire: Planning: A re your clients in a rut? Does their fnancial picture look the same year afer year? Have you worked with them in the past to construct a future plan for their business or their personal fnances? W hy not use the backd rop of t he hol iday season to s c he du le a p e r s on a l one - on - one meeting where they can bring their fnancial concerns to you and you can of fer adv ice a nd i nsig hts t hat w i l l beneft them for years to come. Technology: How current are your clients with technological advances? Te more technologically sav v y your cl ients a re when it comes to t hei r fnances, the easier your job is going to be. Take a look at the tools that are available for streamlining the informa- t ion-gat her i ng process, prov id i ng fnancial dashboards, and automating mundane tasks so that both you and your clients can use your time more advantageously in the future. Closing the books: Every year your clients need fnancial statements and year-end wrap-ups to help them with taxes, future borrowing, and informed planning. As you go through the steps that you repeat each year, think about what you would like to take of your plate. Eit her t ra nsfer some of t he responsibilities to your clients or to other members of your staf, or look into sof t ware options that can take away some of the burden of this repeti- tious process. How do you celebrate the holidays w it h you r cl ients? I nstead of or i n addition to holiday cards, think about channelling your holiday spirit in new and meaningful ways: • Share with your clients your best fnancial tips for the year(s) ahead. Instead of typing some ofen-repeated advice in an email message, take the time to really think about specifc steps your clients can take to improve their fnancial lives and send your clients those tips in color on slick paper or even in a small keepsake booklet that the clients are likely to keep. • Give back to your community through a volunteer efort that could involve not just your staff but your clients as well - join forces to make the area where you live and work together a beter place. • Use your signature lines in email messages and the home page on your website to ofer heartfelt greetings to clients during the holiday season. W hen you communicate with your cl ients, remember that they are spending these days connecting with family and friends and don't be afraid to ask them to refer your ser vices. Remind them of the start-up services you ofer to new clients. • Take your annual holiday party beyond the borders of your ofce and consider holding an event in conjunc- tion w ith one of your clients, or schedule a company open house and invite your clients to atend. • If you're trying to break into a new niche , hold your holiday party in a location that will atract the atention of the people and companies in that niche area. And remember that a hol- iday party doesn't have to occur in December. Start your planning now to schedule an event in the new year. Happy holidays from CPA Practice Advisor! — Gail Perry, Editor-in-Chief Follow me on Twiter at @gaperry For reprints and licensing please contact Nick Iademarco at Wright's Media 877-652-5295 ext. 102 or niademarco@wrightsmedia.com. Gail is the Editor-in-Chief of CPA Practice Advisor and a CPA. She is the author of over 30 books (including "Mint.com for Dummies" and "QuickBooks 2014 on Demand") and she maintains a small tax practice. She earned a bachelor's degree in journalism fom Indiana University and studied accounting at Illinois State University before starting her professional career at Deloite. Gail is the former publisher and editor-in-chief at AccountingWEB and is a former columnist for the Indianapolis Star newspaper. H ow are you interacting with your clients this holiday season? Are you sending gifts or cards? Are you answering your phones with a holiday greeting? Have you festooned your website with digital garland and blinking lights? Let's take a moment to consider the opportunities that the holidays present to us as we close out the year.