Are Bookkeepers and Accountants Obsessed with Technology?

By SBS

          In the bookkeeping industry, you hear a lot about the “Firm of the Future”. It’s a buzz term for bookkeeping firms that build their infrastructure around all the latest technologies and apps. The benefit sold to bookkeepers and accountants is that it will allow you to work so efficiently that you can handle more clients. That’s a wonderful benefit for sure! I’m not going to debate whether gassing up on all the latest technology is the right thing to do. What I want to point out is that having all that technology doesn’t automatically equate to more clients. It’s not a sales tool, it’s a management tool. Maybe some businesses will sign up with you because you showcase so much technology, but in my experience, most of them won’t care much. So, don’t invest all your hard earned money on all these cool 3rd party apps if your book of business doesn’t warrant it. You’re only making these vendors wealthy – not you! I want you to build a bookkeeping business that creates a wealth generating asset for you. The technology companies don’t have that same interest. They want to convince you that you need more and more technology in order to keep up with your competitors and stay relevant. I argue that you will outperform your competitors if you focus more of your attention on branding, messaging, and marketing. That is what will distinguish you from the others. Most bookkeepers and accountants are comfortable dealing…

5 Questions You Should Ask Your Accountant

By qSdCcPjb

Most people make an annual appointment with their accountant on or before April 15th each year, and then don’t see them again until next tax season. Others never even bother engaging an accountant, preferring to use cheap or free accounting tools to save a few extra bucks in the short term.  But the reality is, an accountant can and should provide you with so much more than a completed tax return. A good accountant can help you make informed business tax planning decisions as well as advise against decisions that could be detrimental (and maybe even irreversible).   To determine how your accountant can best serve you, begin by asking a few questions. To help you get started, we’ve put together a short list of questions everyone should ask their accountant. #1 Do You Offer Tax Planning Services? Financial decisions made today can mean the difference between significant savings and a huge tax bill in April, so it’s important to know whether your accountant can advise you on these types of decisions. Using an accountant to plan ahead can often help reduce your tax liability. He/she will be current on all the latest tax laws governing everything from asset purchases to expense rules so you can take advantage of every deduction available. These are decisions that can ultimately affect your individual, family and organization’s finances, so it’s well worth asking if your accountant can provide you with guidance along the way. #2 Do You Offer Business Consulting Services? Some accountants or…