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Relieve your tech overload

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10th Dec 2015
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Accountancy now more than ever hinges technology. Getting to grips with APIs, add-ons, and cloud book keeping is now an accounting requirement. The ICPA recently flagged this issue, and questioned how accountants are coping with the demand. ICPA's concerns are clear: “(accountants) have to spend more time not on tax or accounts but on trends and developments in Tech.”

To combat the extra tech pressures, the ICPA suggests practices consider taking on staff with ‘tech specific responsibilities’. Darren Hahn tells AccountingWEB how he has helped his firm Nordens relieve their technology overload.

Discussing this dilemma on Any Answers, Chris Maslin agreed: “Certainly when considering recruitment, I'd put having an in house IT bod above having an admin/secretary bod.”

Chris Maslin emphasised the importance in keeping up with their tech savvy client’s demands: “If I insisted on all our clients sending me an envelope full of receipts as I couldn't understand the tech side, they'd all go elsewhere.” I really should know… also agreed: “Tech people see things differently to accountants so it works well to work together so processes happen smoothly.” 

Glennzy agrees with ICPA. While he has kept up his tax knowledge, digesting the latest tech has been difficult. He notes the abundance of choice being an issue. “You always get the odd client who calls up stating he has just been offered a trial of some random product that you had not heard of and what do you think about it…

“I think young people coming into the profession will grow up with this as the norm and become very good at dealing with it,” Glennzy said.

We approached Practice Excellence unqualified/trainee of the year award winner Darren Hahn to see how his experience has eased the technology overload for his firm. Although he is still in a junior position, Hahn impressed the Practice Excellence judges with how he has applied his technology skills within the firm and on behalf of its clients.  

Hahn’s IT knowledge has been invaluable to the company, but his firm, Nordens, didn’t originally employ him for that purpose. “On my first week here,” Hahn said, “they were in the process of getting a whole new software system in order to get the preparation of accounts changed over. I was in the building while everyone else was having training, and I was listening to how some of the people couldn’t grasp what the training provider was telling them. So I took it on myself. I said ‘if anyone’s got any issues just let me know, and I’ll give you a hand’.”

Hahn’s solo IT crusade was utilised by Nordens to master their technology incline. “Everyone here is hot on keeping up to date with rules, regulations, and tax laws, but because of the time that takes, no one keeps up-to-date with what’s available out there to help improve the day-to-day accounting.”

Although Hahn didn’t arrive at Nordens from an IT employer, his school heavy IT education and an interest in the field fuelled him to guide Nordens’ IT trajectory.  “I am finding ways to get the same results whilst shortening the time taken to get things done by implementing new tech ways and systems.”

Hahn is on call to educate colleagues about the latest software. This knowledge is important to keep current with their client’s latest demands. “The clients that we deal with are up-to-date with technology and different techy ways they can keep up with their business,” Hahn said.  

Hahn is able to discuss the latest cloud book-keeping software products with clients, where in the past the firm may have stumbled. “The clients that we deal with are up-to-date with technology and different techy ways they can keep up with their business.” Hahn’s role in the firm has helped clients run their businesses in an efficient way.

However, while employing someone IT knowledge will help some firms become accustomed to the latest technology advances, The Kent accountant believes the relationship between technology and accountancy is something that many accountants have already embraced: “Unless we're talking about old school dinosaur accountants, most accountants are dealing with 'tech' sufficiently well for their client's needs.” 

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Simon Hurst
By Simon Hurst
10th Dec 2015 13:33

May the fourth?

Have I got the date wrong? "Hahn’s solo" can't have been accidental can it?

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