In today’s fast paced digital world, accounting is continually evolving. One of the most significant shifts in the accounting industry over recent years has been to move clients towards accounting software. While the benefits are clear – accessibility, increased efficiency, and accuracy to name a few – the transition process for clients can be met with resistance and challenges.
- Resistance to change – Clients can be set in their ways having kept their records on spreadsheets (or even the beloved cash books) for many years. The client is comfortable keeping their records the way they have done for years usually initiating a reluctancy to embrace new methods.
- Training and education – This is the investment in your client, showing them the ropes you can help them embrace their new digital age. This should help the client to understand the new tools and opportunities software has to offer.
- Data migration challenges – This can be a daunting task which will have to be personalised to the client’s data and processes. To be handled with integrity and patience to mitigate potential errors in migration.
- Integration with existing processes – This needs to be a seamless process to integrate the client’s current business and workflows with the software. This is easier said than done, for clients with unique systems or specific requirements. Add-on tools may assist in the customisation of the software to ensure it has the capability to meet the client’s specific requirements.
- Security concerns – We have all had a client resistant to the change because of their concerns for their data security especially when it involves the cloud. You can address these concerns and implement security measures to gain the clients confidence in using the new software.
Despite the challenges of transitioning clients, the benefits outweigh the struggles. Once clients have overcome the hurdles, they can enjoy their new system on software, with increased efficiency, accuracy and insights into their financial data and current financial position.
To conclude, although the move to software can present us with a great deal of challenges, it is necessary in today’s businesses to embrace the insights software can enable us to have and reflect on. With careful planning, communication, and support, we can successfully navigate this transition and help their clients reap the benefits of modern technology.
The next step
If you require any support with this, please contact Josie Pearce on josie.pearce@uhy-rossbrooke.com or your usual UHY adviser.
