Nominees for Insightful Accountant's "Top 100 ProAdvisor" awards should begin receiving email notifications (to the email address from your nomination process) by the end of this week. The email will direct you to where you can login to complete your formal applications.
We have streamlined the Phase II Application process in a couple of ways.
First – If you've participated in the "Top 100" during either 2015 or 2016 (either or both of the last two years), you'll be completing a much shorter application form this year. Once you fill in your basic information (on page 1) and answer the question about your 2015 or 2016 participation, you'll be taken to page 2. This is intended to gather updated certifications and related credentials, as well as the current status of your professional client exposure.
A few more general questions will be found on the last page. (In my tests, I could go through the short form in five minutes or less.) Your updated information will be added to your prior score from either 2015 or 2016 (whichever is highest) to produce your 2017 application score.
Second - If you have NOT participated in the "Top 100" during either 2015 or 2016, you must complete the full application. However, we have streamlined several questions. Many questions that previously required an answer for each part, even if that answer was "Not Applicable," no longer requires you to answer every part. You only answer those parts that are applicable to you.
One of the biggest areas where this comes into the play is the list of third-party add-ons and apps. You now can select your status related only to those products and apps that specifically apply to you. In our tests, we found that these changes were a substantial time savings for those completing the process.
Let me emphasize that the information you provide is used to evaluate your personal skills, abilities and practice. These questions are not intended to reflect your practice as a whole (your entire firm) – only your own standing.
The information you provide in your application is critical to your standings among all of the candidates. It determines such factors as your categorical emphasis used as the basis for your ranking in the various categorical awards, as well as your overall standings. Be sure to accurately provide the information we request in the application form(s).
Note: Do not share the web address you receive for accessing the application portal.
The email you receive with the application web address also will advise you as to the deadline (date) for completion of your application. But I can tell you right now that you'll have until after the March 15 business tax deadline to complete your applications.
Important: We will not accept applications after the deadline.