The New Year as ever brings with it ‘resolution season’ and many of us will be trying to cut back on our vices and make new habits for 2017. Commonly, these focus on personal habits, however, a professional change of habit can also have a massive effect on everyday life; and be much easier to maintain.
Mark Woolley, commercial director at Reckon Software, developers of Virtual Cabinet and Reckon One, has rounded up the five small bad habits accountants can break and replace with good habits to improve their working practice enabling them to save time and money for a more productive and successful 2017.
1. Avoiding technology
While adapting work processes to new technology can be a daunting prospect, taking the time to find software that comes highly recommended by industry experts and others in the sector, can in fact be a genuine timesaver – particularly when it comes to managing business finances. Scout out the best in technology and embrace software to help improve productivity. Remember it’s not just about following the crowd, look for solutions that will help you stand out and offer the greatest benefits.
2. Working alone
Many accountants commonly work in silos – particularly those operating within smaller teams. Using free online tools such as Slack and Trello can make sharing information super simple, all while saving time and money.
3. Just ticking the boxes (doing just enough)
Taking time out to train staff can easily drop down the list of priorities thanks to busy workloads. However, investing in the team when it comes to best practice for using internal systems and dealing with clients means they can be more productive and what’s more, offer an even better service and not just a tick box service to customers. Think of how much your customers will benefit from the added value services you and your team will be able to offer.
4. Hoarding paper
Storing documents can be a nightmare for accountants of all sizes – but especially so if working in a small space, having vital square feet occupied by filing cabinets can have financial ramifications especially when considering the cost per sq ft for office space in major cities . Just think, if the part of the office filled with filing cabinets could house a meeting area or additional colleague, how much more effective and profitable could the practice be? Investing in digital storage of documents can save time and space, meaning much needed new colleagues can be hired or that the business can even downsize to a size appropriate premises that will save serious money on rent.
5. Relying on print
Continuing the same theme, the money it costs to print and post documents can be prohibitive and time consuming – so why not go digital? E-signatures eliminate the need for that printer, therefore speeding up processes, as sign off from a client can be secured much more quickly.
Mark Woolley, commercial director at Reckon, said: “We firmly believe that breaking a few small habits can have a big effect on how an accountant and their firm operate on a day-to-day basis. Unlike most New Year’s resolutions, it doesn’t mean giving up something you enjoy, but making working life much more manageable.
“Just think, if your new approach means you’ve saved space, you can even get that office pool table you’ve always wanted – all while building an even better business.”
For more information about Reckon, please visit: www.reckon.com/uk/.
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