Dumping IT?

Dumping IT?

Didn't find your answer?

I have been interviewing potential staff and am really surprised at the number of firms out there who still use non-IT methods to collect, process & provide their client work.

I programmed a Sinclair Z80 (or whatever it was called) to prepare & print a simple TB in 1981 & bought my first PC in 1983 and haven’t looked back since….or maybe I should? Today, nearly 90% of all my client work and communication, comes in, turns around & goes out electronically.

But, am I happy? How does what I achieve compare with the paper firm up the road, are their clients happier, better served? Is the fact I can work 24 hours a day from wherever I am a blessing or sad?

I’d be interested in views, however I do realise that there may be firms out there, who, by definition, will not read this so can you print it out & hand it to them please.

Thanks

Paul Scholes

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By User deleted
21st Sep 2007 12:37

Hello Paul
I've just been handed a piece of paper with a message on, and am sitting here dictating to my typist who will relay the message on something called the world wild net.

Seriously - it's a tool. You use it to do your work better and more efficiently. OK, the 24 hours access thing is a bit sad, but whatever gets you off, eh?

I saw a posting recently about tax return software (I think), by someone who had 250 clients - could you imagine dealing with over 250 MANUAL tax returns? I moved to a program when I had about 30 and have never looked back.

So embrace IT as a means to an end. If other firms are still using hand written lead schedules, that's their loss.

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By David2e
21st Sep 2007 12:54

Not seriously a question...
As Graham said, using technology is a tool for more efficient and effective work practises.

I do deal with some accountants that avoid technology where possible. I am not sure if it is some sort of laziness, or simply a fear of how it works and what it may mean in terms of changing their business.

Providing security, back-ups, plans should things 'stop working' and so on are all in place, the only real negative I have noticed is the possibility of, in some ways, being less hands on affecting client relationships and the impression they have.

That said, so much of it can be fast moving and with snappy electronic communication... many that are rely heavily on IT to provide their services can actually afford a little extra time to deal with the real stuff with clients. Less time & expense but higher quality I think is what you would be aiming for.

The others will catch up eventually, or pass on (can say that here since they probably aren't reading it!).

David Toohey
The Accountants Circle

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By User deleted
21st Sep 2007 14:19

Pros and cons
Recently been dealing with the old Inland Revenue enforcements office who requested a copy of a report. No it can't be emailed - it has to be faxed as there are only limited email addresses!

Similarly we had a power cut recently which effected PCs but not the telephones. Didn't appreciate how much reliance is placed on the computersied systems till they're no longer available. A paperless office would be great but hard copies are invaluable at times.

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By adam.arca
21st Sep 2007 14:28

I'm with Paul
Like Paul, I have doubts about the "benefits" of endless IT.

Obviously, I use technology or I wouldn't have seen the post, but that doesn't mean I worship at the altar of the god of everchanging technology (unlike some contributors, seemingly).

Yes, technology is wonderful when it is working, but what about the frequent (it seems) times that it is not? Financially, I'm sure the downtime doesn't cost anything like the savings we make from using technology; but it's the downtimes which stick in the memory and which I find extremely aggravating, tiresome and wearing (particularly when it is Revenue technological failings we are talking about). So, when the computers crash, I do daydream about going back to the pen and paper days...

I'm also far from convinced that the average client is better off on Sage or whatever rather than a Cathedral or Guildhall analysis book. Apart from the fact that computers waste an inordinate amount of rain forest by both the clients and their accountants printing virtually the same thing time after time, there's also the more insidious issue that client awareness of what their accounting packages can and can't do is generally poor: just because an accounts package says it can produce accounts doesn't, in my opinion, mean that all clients should use that feature and, even worse, rely on the garbage that is output. Yet that is exactly what clients do because they are reluctant to accept the GIGO concept.

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By AnonymousUser
21st Sep 2007 16:41

IT is liberating ..
I work form home, on the isle of wight, looking at the downs from my patio door whilst providing services to people who live and work on the mainland. Tell me how I could do this without IT!

However, don't be slave to technology. I do not do emails remotely, I leave my mobile at home when I am on holiday and I don't know what an IPOD does.

Choose the bits which make your life better and junk the rest.

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By User deleted
21st Sep 2007 17:44

I agree with Steven
Like him I work from home - looking out over the Shropshire Plain.

I have all my own Excell based templates, and do all my own computing /letter writing etc.

Two of my clients use spreadsheets for their VAT schedules, but it is very clearly understood by all my clients that if they want to use an "accounts package" rather than sandstone and chisel they can find another accountant - quite apart from anything else, I pick up so much info by doing the bank analysis myself I can't imagine how one could have any confidence in a set of accounts prepared any other way.

Since most of them manage their businesses by the seat of their pants and a bank balance marginally adjusted for the difference between debtors and creditors no-one's left.

I suppose you could say I do it all be hand - electronically.

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