Kickstart Your Accounting Technology Stack
The current state of the fintech and small business software environment is staggering in scale with a combination of product suites and hyper-focused offerings alike, especially when it comes to accounting technology.
Accounts payable. E-commerce. Payroll. Sales Tax. Point-of-Sale. Estimating. You name the function, and chances are there’s a handful of apps designed to solve your needs.
There are dozens (more like hundreds) of app repositories out there. Some, like apps.com, are niche in that their marketplace is specific to the Intuit partner ecosystem, while others are more inclusive, covering off both business and consumer tools.
- Apps.com
- ProductHunt
- GetApp
- Find Accounting Software
- TechnologyAdvice.com
- CPAPracticeAdvisor
- SoftwareAdvice.com
- Toptenreviews.com
If this is all a bit new to you, you’ll inevitably come across some terminologies or frequently-used terms associated with technologies. Some are more of a marketing/positioning play, while others carry significant weight in their impact to both you and your clients. The section below outlines some of the more commonly used terms with modern apps, along with a simple overview of how and why these matter to your business.
Cloud
Why You Care
This provides access to client information at any time, and also allows you to offer your services beyond your local geography
Why Your Clients Care
Cloud allows businesses to extend their access and productivity beyond their office walls. This removes many issues associated with approvers and decisions makers on- the-go or in the field
Workflow
Why You Care
Workflow allows you to enforce processes and best practices within areas of your clients business operations
Why Your Clients Care
By following defined paths, commonly erroneous practices can be reduced, while reinforcing a repeatable and beneficial process
Automation
Why You Care
Previously cumbersome tasks (e.g. data entry) can be automated, freeing internal resources to pursue higher value services
Why Your Clients Care
Client inputs and outputs can be more easily executed, removing process bottlenecks and activities which previously distracted from primary operational objectives
Integrated
Why You Care
This reduces client push back in that it allows for the introduction of new capabilities within their existing workflow and toolkit
Why Your Clients Care
They can continue to use the tools they are familiar with, and learning curves are limited to new solutions rather than a complete workflow replacement
Role-based Permission
Why You Care
This allows you to interject your activity within a client’s business based on your agreement and client needs
Why Your Clients Care
This allows a client to specifically provide access into areas of their business where their accountant can provide the most value
Scalability
Why You Care
Solutions can grow or contract with your client, making platform replacements less frequent.
Why Your Clients Care
Scalability allows clients to choose a solution that can accommodate immediate needs while allowing movement up or down based on the business objectives
