{"id":52549,"date":"2017-08-10t12:00:42","date_gmt":"2017-08-10t16:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/48e130086c.nxcli.net\/?p=52549"},"modified":"2018-02-05t12:30:55","modified_gmt":"2018-02-05t17:30:55","slug":"accountants-still-not-working-everywhere","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/\/www.g005e.com\/2017\/08\/10\/accountants-still-not-working-everywhere\/","title":{"rendered":"soloists lead profession in mobile tech"},"content":{"rendered":"

but most firms still keep their accountants desk-bound.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"49<\/a>
49 percent of solo cpas work 11 percent or more time from a location other than their office. accounting firm operations and technology survey<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

by randy johnston and leslie garrett
\n<\/i>accounting firm operations and technology survey<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n

despite the increasing availability of cloud technology and mobile apps that ensure you can be instantly transported into your familiar desktop workspace while working remotely, accountants are still not working from everywhere, according to the 4th<\/sup> annual accounting firm operations and technology survey.<\/p>\n

more survey results: <\/b>how savvy cpas use the afot survey to make smarter business decisions<\/a> | keep pace first, change will come (like it or not)<\/a> | you\u2019re not tech-savvy if you\u2019re not cyber-safe, too<\/a> | lions and tigers and blockchain and bots, oh my!<\/a>
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solo practitioners are the most mobile; 49 percent work 11 percent or more time from a location other than their office, compared to 47 percent of accountants at medium and large firms, and 43 percent of small firms. very few firms are working more than 50 percent of the time from a location other than the office.<\/p>\n

top challenges of managing a firm<\/strong><\/p>\n

a recurring theme emerges in reviewing the list of top challenges of managing a firm. decision makers are stuck in something of a catch-22.<\/p>\n

several of the biggest challenges\u00a0\u2013 attracting new clients (32%), managing workflow (29%) and identifying opportunities for practice improvement and cost savings (24%)\u00a0\u2013 highlight the possibility there are better or more efficient ways to manage processes, yet the adoption of technology to resolve workflow or to maximize efficiency throughout the firm is not happening because decision makers are unsure how to identify areas in need of improvement.<\/p>\n

until inefficiencies or opportunities for practice improvement are defined, one cannot determine a starting point from which to launch an investigation into software to resolve the issue(s).<\/p>\n

furthermore, one can argue vendors could do a better job in the discovery process of understanding existing processes within a firm to provide a better-customized demonstration showcasing how the implementation of software impacts existing applications, process and workflow.<\/p>\n

\"<a<\/a>
source: accounting firm operations and technology survey<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

recruiting and retention will remain an issue in the foreseeable future. there is a shortage of accountants and cpas, resulting in great competition to recruit and retain.<\/p>\n

for example, it is becoming more common to recruit four to five years in advance of employment.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

some firms are recruiting high school seniors and guaranteeing a salary and three years of employment post-graduation, provided gpa is at an agreed-upon level. further, one should note offering value-added services (2016) was replaced by raising profitability in 2017.<\/p>\n

top technology challenges of managing a firm<\/strong><\/p>\n

our research has revealed security (29%), which made its first appearance in the 3rd annual afot survey, has become the leading technology challenge overall, surpassing workflow and efficiency (26%). firms acknowledge getting clients on board with working with the firm in a more digital way is a leading challenge; one might argue reasoning such as the desire to deliver or exchange documents digitally (security) and ease and speed delivery (workflow) via digital means (e.g. web portal and secure email) are motivators. seventy-five percent of firms are now using web portal to share files or documents with clients; one might surmise those who have web portal capabilities are not using them as much or with as many clients as they would prefer.<\/p>\n

of note, medium (12%) and large (11%) firms are showing some interest in examining which applications to move to the cloud.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

however, only 7 percent of all firms are considering which applications to move to the cloud. in addition, medium and large firms are most interested in investigating which applications to move to the cloud, which is ironic, given they are more likely than solo practitioners and small firms to be equipped with in-house it and hardware (e.g. server) to handle on-site applications.<\/p>\n

other key findings in practice management
\n<\/strong><\/h3>\n