Gary DeHart, Publisher
I was coming home from the airport recently (don't you love red eyes?), when I heard talk show host Herman Cain say, "If you are not on the cutting edge of technology, you at least have to be on the blade."
What a great statement. It's so true for ProAdvisors and small business advisors.
I've had the pleasure of exhibiting at close to 20 trade shows this year with the scanner group of Canon. I have exhibited in a wide range of events, from small table top events, to events like Scaling New Heights and AccountexUSA, and several that are focused on the tax preparation market.
These events have been very eye opening from the perspective of where the tax and accounting professionals are in relation to technology. I have talked to hundreds of people, ranging from independent bookkeepers, to owners of multiple store front tax preparation offices, and members of Top 100 accounting firms.
It's surprising how wide the technology gap is in our profession.
There is still a large number of tax and accounting professionals who are not even "on the blade" when it comes to technology. You would not believe the number of people who have told me they're considering the push to paperless.
Really?????
The trainers and "talking heads" have been preaching and teaching "value pricing/value billing." Value pricing relies upon a solid technology stack that allows you – the accounting professional and advisor – to offload the data gathering and entry onto technology. The tools are there. And they are not terribly expensive, especially when you consider the value you can bring to your clients when you're not keying data.
So, where are you in relation to technology? Are you on the cutting edge? Are you at least on the blade, or are you hanging out on the handle of a rusty razor?
We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comment section below.