Editor’s Note: In a recent Insightful Accountant audience study, we asked some members of the 2021 Top 100, including the "ProAdvisor of the Year" – Mariko Hayashi-Hall, to give us some of the strategies they use to stay on top of their games. Following is the first in a series of their insights—information you can use to help set the blueprint for your practice’s strategy.
In a recent audience study, 40% stated that practice efficiency is a top challenge. What are the keys to practice efficiency?
Lynda Artesani, Artesani Bookkeeping: One workflow that my staff is fully trained in increases the practice efficiency at our firm. We have mastered it. However, there are times when transactions come up that require me or my business partner, Sarah Prevost, to jump in and review them with our team and figure out the best way to handle the transaction. Take screenshots and document them.
If a new staff member takes over, they will have the solution at their fingertips. We document that scenario in our client account for Liscio.
In a recent audience study, 40% of the respondents stated that practice efficiency is one of their top challenges. We asked three of our Top ProAdvisors to give us some of the strategies they use to stay on top of their games.
Mariko Hayashi-Hall, Brilliant Solutions Group: Understand and optimize your internal workflows. Having clearly defined processes in place creates efficient collaboration. Prioritize the processes that have the largest business impact. Tackle the most important ones first before going more granular.
Also, cloud-based technology supports business continuity, an important metric for any accountant. It also creates a more seamless experience for your clients. Cloud-based documents and portals boost transparency and efficiency.
Kaizen—continuously improving processes, in Japanese.
Lauretta Finis, Quick Bizness Bookkeeping Solutions Aus: Always having a great client workflow process. Having software that helps you take control of your client work, such as when it is due and what needs to be completed daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly.
This is key for any practice to keep on top of, especially if you are doing monthly packages/services fees, as you need to know the time spent on each client and on each work job/project.
If there is an area that is taking too much time from a staff member you can address. As it may be training your staff member needs to complete the job in the time you had specified.
Like what you're reading?
Subscribe to our FREE newsletter and we'll deliver content like this directly to your inbox.