CPAs Don’t Pay Enough Attention to Workflow

Source: Accounting Today

L. Gary Boomer, of Boomer Consulting in Manhattan, Kansas, lists what he describes as “workflow myths.” Here are some of them:

• Errors are best controlled by the review process. In fact, errors are best controlled at the lowest levels of work with quick feedback, as in the Six Sigma method.
• Partners know best what processes to use on their jobs. This means staff must adjust for each partner, which is inefficient.
• Scheduling is easily handled by spreadsheets. Using spreadsheets just creates an additional database. Firms should have systems that combine databases.
• It isn’t possible to collect for work until it is completed. It is possible, and it should be documented in engagement letters.
• Monitoring the progress of small jobs isn’t necessary. Outsourcers in India monitor workflow processes for every 1040.
• “If it isn’t broke don’t fix it.” Diagram every process to look for duplications or omissions. For example, failing to automate the process of preparing financial statements can be costly.

From Accounting Today, October 16, 2006, SourceMedia Inc., One State Street Plaza, 27th Floor, New York, NY 10004. For the complete article, click on the following link: http://www.webcpa.com/article.cfm?articleid=22196&;pg=acctoday.