Benefits
Make This a Learning Year for Tax Pros
Turn this year into the year you can set your firm and clients up for further success by testing the waters on operational goals and new products, before diving in. Becoming fully virtual doesn’t need to be the end goal but taking steps to modernize ...
Aug. 31, 2021
In the past year, we’ve had to quickly change how we operate, and while it was essential, now there’s an opportunity to take time to evaluate and ensure you are using the right tools for your needs. It can be difficult to change operations and implement new products and services, but it can be extremely beneficial to your firm and clients.
Turn this year into the year you can set your firm and clients up for further success by testing the waters on operational goals and new products, before diving in. Becoming fully virtual doesn’t need to be the end goal but taking steps to modernize your practice is key to the success of both you and your clients.
Set goals
Develop or consider your firm’s roadmap and where you want to be in the next year, five years and more. As accountants, we all know we need to set our SMART goals (specific, measurable, relevant achievable, and timely), but how can you do that? And where do you start?
It’s important to set clear, definable goals, and your staff can help you. Ask them what has been challenging for them in the past. What do they want to be changed in their role? How do they see the firm progressing in the next 1-3 years? Speaking with your staff will help you brainstorm and get a better picture of what to do as a firm.
Set short- and long-term goals to be achieved over the next year and beyond. Connect with your staff, but also ask yourself — What do you want to change? How do you want to operate in the future? Is there anything you want to get rid of that’s not working optimally, or is there a practice you’ve wanted to implement?
Test new products
Once your goals are set, then work to find the tools that will help you get there. Write out a list of tools that you’d like to try over the next few months and include what each will accomplish for your firm. Is there a tool that stands out? Start there and then introduce new tools one at a time.
Have a single employee test out a new product or a few new products with clients who are willing to help transition over slowly and iron out the details. This way, you can introduce things steadily without disrupting the full firm and all your clients at once.
Make sure to be transparent with your clients and check that they’re on board to work with you on the transition. If the switch was overwhelming to you at first, it may also be for clients, so show clients the quality of the new work and the benefits of it to get them on board. Also, make sure you’re organized and prepared ahead of time — using a new tool may take a bit more time than what you’re used to as you get up to speed, so make sure you have ample time to meet any deadlines.
Take it slow and showcase the benefits
You can take it slow to move faster and work towards an end goal of modernizing your practice. Once you’re set up with the new tools to modernize your practice, you’ll wonder why you waited this long in the first place. With the right tools, staff will be happier and have more time for advising and building relationships with clients, work will be streamlined, and clients will take note of your improvements as a firm.
It may be a learning curve, but after a year of so much change, now is the time to master new things, modernize your firm, stay relevant, and show your clients how you’re evolving and improving to build their prosperity. Start by talking to your staff, building out your goals, testing a few new tools and making the necessary changes.
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Dustin Kroeger is Director, Head of Marketing, Intuit Professional Tax Business Unit.