There’s been numerous questions over the past few years around where this push (or pull) for “change” is really coming from, when the real issue, as it relates to firms and truly being a digital CPA, is ultimately a three-way conversation between clients, firms, and the vendor community.
Rather than wondering where the idea stems from or who is pushing or pulling who more, it is high time that all parties involved get on the same page with the common goal of simply moving forward. Progress is never easy, nor should it be, but why make it harder than it needs to be? The rate of technology adoption among businesses and CPA firms is clearly at a tipping point and rather than have it slip backwards or go in the wrong direction, meaningful exchange among all parties needs to happen, and happen now.
Where the profession, and business in general is at now is no longer a doom and gloom scenario of “change or die,” but one of acceptance of the need to evolve and the need for useful tools and the support of colleagues – and everyone involved – to get there.
I know in the 13 years that I have covered the technology component of the accounting profession, I have seen the evolution of not only the tools CPAs and businesses use to better their jobs, but also in the thinking of how technology truly fits in to a conversation about growth and the future.
This is no longer advanced thinking or discussions about what will come, but what is and what could be by knowing what technology is available, how it has evolved, and where exactly to apply it to the benefit of your practice and your clients. Again, necessary exchange on these topics is a paramount to the change that needs to happen.
Having an event like Digital CPA Conference creates the basis for such exchange – the right exchange -- to happen; an event where you have a good cross section of technical and practical information from those in the know. If you are a firm, whether you seek deeper direction on a particular product that is of use to your practice or simply want more direction on evaluating the latest tools and trends; this is where to begin and continue that journey. But it shouldn’t be the only one.
All too often the useful ideas and conversations at gathering of forward minded individuals, like the one coming up this month, tend to fade as the weeks and months following the event wane on. In short, it’s time to commit to keep the conversation going.
Extend your thoughts to the blogs, Twitter chats and community sites known for useful exchange between businesses, firms, and technology providers.
Make change and the betterment of your firm and your clients’ part of your everyday and be a part of the conversations that help you get there. It’s truly the next step you all – firms, vendors and clients – need to take.
Seth Fineberg is Managing Editor of AccountingWEB, a community site dedicated to useful information for practicing accountants, bookkeepers and CPAs. He has a 25-year career as a business journalist and editor, most recently serving as the senior B-to-B reporter for AdAge Magazine, as well as Technology Editor of Accounting Today and Editor-in-Chief of AccountingTechnology.com.
