As the head of R Accounting Group, I've spent my career focused on business operational improvement. I'm always looking for tools and services to enhance our firm's offerings and provide greater value to our clients. One such service that has recently caught my attention is QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted*. This article aims to share my thoughts on how Live Expert Assisted could be a valuable service for our firm, benefiting us in several aspects, both internally and externally.
A Fresh Perspective on QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted
Unlike some of my colleagues, I haven't used the Live Expert Assisted service, so I have no past experiences influencing my view. My interest in Expert Assisted is grounded in understanding how it could serve as a beneficial tool to leverage for our firm, both as an internal resource and as an external referral option for clients who may not align with our services.
During the call in April, when the service was announced, I noted several concerns from peers in the accounting field. While these concerns are understandable, I see Expert Assisted as an accompaniment to the services our firm provides, especially at a time when the needs of the clients are outpacing the resources of our accounting providers. At R Accounting Group, our focus is on optimizing our clients' businesses, and we are exploring whether Expert Assisted could potentially be an addition to our tech stack, aiding in this mission.
Potential Benefits for Our Firm and Clients
Enhancing Internal Resources and Addressing the Talent Shortage
As a CAS provider, our firm works closely with clients on business development and growth. We believe that QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted might be a valuable resource for our team and clients. In my previous corporate roles working with large ERP systems, there was a technical support team to assist with navigating the platform. Similarly, Expert Assisted could serve as a similar resource for clients using QuickBooks Online (QuickBooks), helping them navigate and utilize the product more effectively.
The Live Assisted experts can answer many questions about QuickBooks that aren't necessarily accounting-related but crucial for efficient product use. Questions like how to reconcile accounts, void a check, or find specific information within the product can be expertly handled by the experts from Live Assisted. This support could help free up our team's time, allowing us to focus on more strategic, value-added tasks.
Moreover, the accounting profession is currently facing a significant talent shortage, which makes it challenging to meet the growing demands of our clients. Live Expert Assisted could serve as an ancillary offering to help bridge this gap. By leveraging this service, we can provide our clients with the support they need without overextending our team. This could help ensure our clients receive timely and accurate assistance while allowing our firm to allocate resources more effectively.
Supporting Micro-Businesses
QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted has significant potential for the broader community of micro-businesses. Many small business owners prefer to handle their bookkeeping independently for financial reasons or a desire for autonomy. Live Expert Assisted can provide these business owners with helpful support to keep their financials on track without requiring a full-time accounting service.
A business's early stages are critical for correctly setting up books and learning proper processes. With Live Expert Assisted, micro-businesses can receive guidance during setup and beyond, significantly improving their chances of long-term success. This service acts as a 'phone-a-friend' resource, providing limited expert guidance and support when needed, which can be invaluable for small business owners navigating the complexities of QuickBooks.
Additional Support for Clients Needing Extra Hand-Holding
For some clients, additional hand-holding and support are crucial for their success. QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted offers a way to provide this extra layer of assistance without overwhelming our team. By referring these clients to Expert Assisted, we can ensure they receive the personalized help they need to navigate QuickBooks effectively. This approach not only improves efficiency but could also ensure that all clients receive the QuickBooks support they need, tailored to their specific requirements.
Learning and Continuous Improvement
One of the aspects of QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted that particularly appeals to me is the team behind it. The service is staffed by accounting professionals with experience in various systems and industries. No single expert can know all the nuances of every system or industry. However, with access to a team of experts, QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted can offer support to address a range of client needs.
Growth and Team Development
Access to the QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted team allows business owners and their teams to grow with QuickBooks as their needs evolve. Live Expert Assisted service provides more than answers to immediate questions; it can help users learn proper QuickBooks processes and methodologies. By engaging with the experts from Expert Assisted, users can deepen their understanding of QuickBooks, enhancing their overall accounting proficiency.
As businesses expand, their accounting needs become more complex. The QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted team can help navigate these changes by providing support. This can help businesses scale efficiently, knowing they have a reliable resource to turn to and get help when using QuickBooks.
Furthermore, the continuous interaction with seasoned experts could help instill robust accounting practices within the team. This may improve the accuracy and reliability of financial data and empower team members to manage their accounting tasks confidently. Over time, this can help contribute to a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence within the organization.
By leveraging the expertise of the QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted team, businesses can enable their teams to be well-equipped to handle the demands of a growing enterprise. This support system can foster an environment of learning and development, positioning the business for sustained success.
Conclusion: Opportunities for Growth
As we move forward, we feel QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted presents a promising opportunity for accounting firms and their clients. By leveraging this service, firms can enhance efficiency, address the talent shortage, provide better client support, and stay competitive in an ever-evolving industry. For micro-businesses it offers a lifeline to help ensure clients receive limited guidance about the use of QuickBooks from the start, significantly improving their chances of success.
As we continue to navigate the digital age, embracing innovative add-on services like QuickBooks Live Expert Assisted could help enable growth, efficiency, and excellence in our profession. I encourage fellow accounting professionals to explore how this service can enhance firm efficiency and client support.
About the Author:
Sheri Radler, a seasoned professional and corporate escapee, heads R Accounting Group, specializing in Client Accounting Services (CAS). Recognized as a 2024 Top 100 ProAdvisor and the 2023 Top Up-and-Coming ProAdvisor, Sheri is also a member of the Intuit Partner Council and Insightful Accountant's advisory board.
Footnotes and Disclosures:
*Live Expert Assisted requires QuickBooks Online and is a separate monthly subscription service that offers limited guidance from Live Experts. Live Experts can help you manage your books while you maintain full ownership and control of your books. They can provide guidance on bookkeeping automation, categorization, financial reports and dashboards, reconciliation, and workflow creation and management. They can answer specific questions related to your books and your business and based on the information you provide. Some basic bookkeeping services may not be included and will be determined by your Live Expert.
The views, information, or opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the individuals involved, and do not represent those of Intuit QuickBooks or any of its cornerstone brands or employees. The content presented does not constitute financial, legal, or other professional advice or services. The information presented is for general informational purposes only and no assurance is given that the information is comprehensive, accurate, or free of errors. Intuit QuickBooks does not have any responsibility for updating or revising any of the information presented. You should verify statements before relying on them.
Editorial Mention: A "big thank you" to Laurel Pierce at Access the Agency for coordinating this Intuit-furnished feature. Intuit and QuickBooks are proud sponsors of the 2025 ProAdvisor Awards.