Technology has changed the accounting profession. The days of using pens, pencils, and battery-operated calculators to balance client accounts and check ledgers for accuracy are long gone, as is the old 9-5 lifestyle.
Oklahoma CPAs now work from anywhere, connect with clients in the early morning and even later in the evening, and use social media to grow their practices and position themselves as experts.
When new technologies appear, CPAs soon find a way to integrate them.
From Motionless to Mobile
Cloud computing and mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones make it possible for CPAs to work from anywhere, resulting in a heightened availability that is now the business norm.
The Internet has raised client expectations when it comes to rapid access to their accounts and the availability of their advisors. CPAs have adopted mobile devices and cloud-based applications to both work more efficiently and serve clients better.
Becoming Social
Social media has rapidly transformed into an extremely valuable communication medium for business professionals. Oklahoma CPAs are using Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook as sales and marketing platforms as well as networking tools.
They connect with colleagues, share information and industry news, and attract new clients while following industry-approved guidelines.
Cloud Accounting Apps
Certain applications have moved to the cloud, such as QuickBooks Online and other accounting services popular among small business clients. These tools enable CPAs to better serve clients who use QuickBooks and similar products: logging into an app gives the accountant access to the information they need to complete their responsibilities.
Oklahoma CPAs have leveraged these accounting apps to better deliver the low-margin accounting support that can otherwise diminish a firm’s profits.
Paperless Documents
One big change in technology for CPAs is the advent of the paperless office. Digitized documents reduce clutter, are easy to index for later retrieval, and improve data security because they can be encrypted and password-protected.
Even documents that initially arrive in paper form are scanned, digitized, and stored on an encrypted server. The myth of the messy, folder-laden CPA office is slowly disappearing.
E-Signatures
At one time, Oklahoma CPAs spent the final weeks of tax season chasing their clients to get signatures for e-filing authorizations and engagement letters. Today, many tax software providers include e-signatures, and there are also dedicated applications such as RightSignature, either of which enables the CPA to complete their responsibilities more quickly.
Bottom Line
Technology has allowed for major leaps in the evolution of the industry. Thanks to computers and specialized software, CPAs can interpret data accurately and rapidly, conduct a precise analysis of statistical information, and accomplish other accounting tasks with unprecedented levels of success.
Has your CPA firm evolved as technology has changed? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments box below.
And to follow up on the tips introduced in this article, be sure to download your free Information Technology Guide for Oklahoma City CPAs.
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