Intuit has launched their Firms of the Future contest, a search for future-ready accounting and booking firms. The program offers up to 20 accounting firms across the U.S. the chance to win a one week vacation in Hawaii, and expense-paid trip to Intuit’s annual QuickBooks Connect conference in San Jose, Calif. or a technology prize package valued at $2,500.
Firms simply need to visit Intuit’s www.FirmoftheFuture.com website in order to enter, there they will create a short (30 second to 2 minute) video detailing how their firm is a Firm of the Future. You may complete your entry anytime from July 7, at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time, through August 11, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The contest criteria, developed in collaboration with Darren Root, CEO of Rootworks, and author of The Intentional Accountant, is designed to celebrate firms that have embraced the cloud and change.
“Over the past year, I’ve seen and heard many inspiring stories of accounting and bookkeeping firms that are future-ready, now. They’re leaving compliance behind and adding real value to their customers by being on the cloud, becoming trusted advisors and making their website their new lobby,” said Jim McGinnis, vice president, Intuit Accountant and Advisor Group. “We’re pleased to partner with Darren Root and recognize accounting professionals that have embraced change and built a future-ready firm now.”
Contest Entries:
Simply create a video submission detailing as many of the following criteria as possible in two minutes or less:
1 - The Future You Want: Share the vision you have for your firm.
2 - Leadership: How have you communicated this vision to your team and how do you help them successfully implement it?
3 - Your Business Model: Explain how you run your firm on cloud-based technologies by leveraging QuickBooks Online and/or other technologies and systems to provide advanced services to your clients.
- How do you leverage the cloud to run your firm?
- What percentage of your business clients do you collaborate with using cloud-based accounting solutions?
- How are you implementing and using a digital document delivery strategy and process?
- Describe your value billing model.
4 - Your Firm’s Brand:
- How are you leveraging the web and social media to effectively market your firm to attract your ideal client?
- Illustrate how your firm’s web presence and mobile capabilities support your service delivery system.
- Describe how you’re using social networks to interact with clients and reach new prospects.
5 - Ideal Clients: Describe your ideal client and what percentage of your current client base fits this description.
6 - Ideal Days: Describe your ideal work day and what you are doing to have as many of them as you can.
7 - Closing: Why you area a “Firm of the Future” right now!
“Being a Firm of the Future is about finding your sweet spot — the zone where your business and your life are optimized with the right clients, the right tools, and the right people,” said Darren Root. “Identifying those firms with an entrepreneurial and future-ready approach to practice leadership and operations today will encourage others to create a business that they love and that drives success for their clients now and for years to come.”
A panel of qualified judges, including Jim McGinnis, Darren Root and Intuit Accountant and Advisor Group senior leaders, will select up to 20 firms who best embody the Firm of the Future, originality and creativity criteria. Applicants may only submit one video during this contest and only one video per accounting firm. Winners and finalists will be notified on August 26.
The Firm of the Future website, which curates actionable step-by-step guides and resource links developed by Intuit and key industry leaders, is also a hub where accounting professionals can learn and start their journey on how to become a Firm of the Future.
You can join in the conversation by using the #QBFirmOfTheFuture hashtag on Facebook and Twitter. For more information on official rules and how to enter, visit the Firm of the Future website.