Optimizing CPA Firm Technology

Source: Inside Public Accounting

In this article, Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA, CITP, and president of InfoTech Partners North America, Inc., offers tips on optimizing technology to increase CPA firm productivity. Excerpts are reproduced with permission.

The key to improving productivity is to document the various interactions or client "touches" utilized to service clients and the way client information flows throughout the firm. Each department should evaluate these processes and prioritize them based on areas that stand to benefit the most from improvement and standardization.

InfoTech has created the "Quantum of Paperless" guide, which includes a checklist of 32 opportunities for improving productivity. Here are some key considerations:

Tax Production

• Have the appropriate number of monitors and the right scanners and software
• Consider the benefits of front-end scanning
• Use tax workflow tools that manage tax production effectively and promote billing with the completion of each individual return, all done through secure portals your clients can actually use

Audit Production

• Use remote communications to eliminate field synchronization issues
• Provide real-time access to all firm personnel through digital cellular and client Internet access
• Use real-time work and expense capture
• Equip personnel with the right field audit "kit"

Administrative Efficiency

Eliminate redundant costs and administrative time by transitioning internal reporting, payables, deposits, human resources, and payroll to processes requiring "less paper"

Technology Opportunities

• Know when to transition your firm to a "virtualized" server environment and when to move to an externally hosted provider
• Reevaluate Internet bandwidth on a fixed schedule
• Take advantage of the next generation practice management systems
• Determine the firm's Windows XP versus Windows 7 strategy

For the complete article, click here.

To download the free checklist, click here.

From Inside Public Accounting, February 2010, "Consultant's Forum -- Partner's Guide to Accounting Firm Optimization," The Platt Consulting Group, www.plattgroupllc.com. Subscription $409 per year; back issues -- nonsubscribers $50. 317-733-1920.