Today's Technology for Tomorrow's Firm.
Issue link: https://cpapracticeadvisor.epubxp.com/i/49996
ADVER T ORIAL S Partnering with Professionals: Sage Helps Build the Firm of the Future age believes the greatest thing we can do to bene⇒ t the account- ing profession is to be their part- ner. There are many aspects of this partnership that we consider fundamental, which include col- laboraƟ ng, listening, educaƟ ng and supporƟ ng. Here are some of the ways we have demonstrated our commit- ment to the accounƟ ng profession: • Firm of the Future: Through our Firm of the Future workshops, Sage, together with Ron Baker of t he VeraSage InsƟ tute, has been evangelizing the idea that a professional organizaƟ on can be run more eī ecƟ vely when it becomes a knowledge ⇒ rm rather than a service ⇒ rm. CreaƟ ng such an organizaƟ on is hard work and not for everyone as it requires partners to think diī erently than they have in the past about what it is that they do. The concept provides accountants in small and mid- sized ⇒ rms the tools to expand services beyond tax and compliance funcƟ ons and outlines how to transiƟ on to other professional services that clients value and posiƟ ons consulƟ ng as an extension to tradiƟ onal services, not just an alternaƟ ve. Sage is broadening the reach of the Firm of the Future message and making it as accessible to as many accountants and partners as possible. • Sage Accountants Network: The Sage Accoun- tants Network (SAN) oī ers resources to increase technical competency and help grow an accoun- tant's pracƟ ce by providing informaƟ ve communi- caƟ ons and resources, product discounts, training, cerƟ ⇒ caƟ on and membership bene⇒ ts related to the Sage porƞ olio of products. Through the Sage Accountants Network, accounƟ ng profes- sionals also have access to Sage products that include ac- counƟ ng and business management soŌ ware, support services and automaƟ cally delivered upgrades and updates, including tax tables when applicable. In addiƟ on to soŌ ware, members receive a complimentary lisƟ ng in the Sage Accountants' Network member locator, which helps support SAN members in geƫ ng new clients. • Staying Connected on MaƩ ers that MaƩ er: Sage embraces opportuniƟ es to represent the views of the accounƟ ng profession whenever pos- sible. Recently, Sage has been taking part in meet- ings between the IRS, the AICPA and the vendor community on the accounƟ ng soŌ ware examina- Ɵ on program. This is just one example of how we conƟ nue to provide a voice of the profession for iniƟ aƟ ves that aī ect their ⇒ rms and their clients. • CPE Link: In an alliance between online conƟ nuing professional educaƟ on (CPE) provider CPE Link and Sage North America, CPE Link oī ers selected Sage product training and other topics relevant to the accounƟ ng community, via live and recorded webcasts presented by Sage and Sage partners. Sage customers and partners are able to browse, search and register for the Sage webcasts on the CPE Link website. In addiƟ on, SAN members receive a 20% discount on CPE Link courses, an exciƟ ng new membership bene⇒ t. This partnership was developed as a result of the expressed need for beƩ er accessibility to CPE by the SAN member- ship. • SAN AccounƟ ng Advocates: For the past 18 months, the SAN Accountant Advocate team has augmented the services provided through the Sage Accountants Network. Accountant Advocates are CPAs or accountants with industry or in-⇒ rm experience who have focused on working with and providing an excepƟ onal experience for accoun- tants, bookkeepers and CPAs in the Sage Accoun- tants Network. CPAs are their clients' partners and trusted advisors, and Sage wants to facilitate those relaƟ onships for members of our Accountants Network, and in turn be a partner for those in the profession, helping them to build their pracƟ ces and support their clients. The Accountant Advocate role is to fully support accountants and SAN members and be their part- ner in business development. Accountant Advo- cates are well versed in the Sage family of products and prepared to assist and guide SAN members with anything from basic installaƟ on support to running a markeƟ ng campaign in their local area to aƩ ract new clients. • Face-to-Face InteracƟ ons: Sage conƟ nues to spend a great deal of Ɵ me on the road connect- ing with the profession face-to-face. In a high tech world, building "in person" relaƟ onships is even more important, which is why you'll see Sage at more shows, hosƟ ng Listening Tours to gather feedback from our customers, partners and accountants, hosƟ ng our annual Sage Summit part- ner and customer conference, and by taking part in events such as the CPA PracƟ ce Advisor Thought Leader Symposium that allow us to increase con- necƟ ons within the accounƟ ng community. From the front line teams to the ExecuƟ ves, connecƟ ng with the accounƟ ng community is a key part of Sage's strategy. CONTACT INFORMATION Sage Accountants Network 866-565-2726 AccountantAdvocate@sage.com www.sageaccountantsnetwork.com Thought-Leadership Symposium2012