Paperless CPA Firms

Source: Accounting Office Management & Administrative Report

Converting to a paperless office is complex. The technological aspects are less difficult than the management problems. 

Very small firms have successfully implemented paperless office systems. 

Firms that have made the transition, or are in the process of making it, have reported the following: 

·    A major management problem is persuading quality control people to do reviews of material on computer screens instead of hard copy.

·    One firm’s project leaders expressed dismay over the inordinate amount of training time they had to divert from their regular work.

·    Using scanners in the office as well as in the field will pay dividends. High-speed scanners integrated with the network also pay off. Dual monitors and remote entry are important.

·    The elimination of return calls to clients was mentioned by several firms as one of the biggest benefits.

·    The ability to share documents is also a major plus.

·    Several firms mentioned the time saved in hunting for files as a significant benefit.

·    Less volume of paper turned out to be, ironically, a nice by-product rather than a principal benefit of the system.

·    Some have found greater productivity by having professionals rather than staff do the scanning.

·    An interesting benefit mentioned was that the firm was forced to back up its computers on a regular basis.

·    Some expressed surprise at the ease of the transition.

For the complete story, see Accounting Office Management & Administrative Report Institute of Management and Administration, New York NY, www.ioma.com, (March 2005, p. 1.