You might also be interested in
Replies (8)
Please login or register to join the discussion.
Broken record
While AWEB, for understandable reasons are continuing to bang the drum about the arrival of the cloud I just don't buy it.
Well, not all of it.
Yes, I use cloud based accounting software, I also work from a hosted desktop both of which are great.
However, most small businesses don't use cloud software and most of them won't (ever?) for a long time. Most small businesses still use manual records or spreadsheets - don't believe me? well ask Xero's UK MD.
So whilst the 'cloud' thing makes various elements of our work easier, better, quicker, more enjoyable there are plenty out there who will continue to get by quite nicely thank you without having to 'buy in' to it.
YOU TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH!
I see it that an increasing number of organisations are "selling" ideas for progression and improvement but for a material number of businesses at the bottom end of the size scale they will not "buy" it. Not in my lifetime anyway.
Get real, I do not know of any sole trader, tradesman/contractor, taxi driver, beautician, small retailer, market trader and generally "one man bands" who are interested in the slightest. Nearly all, if not all, are only focused on paying next months mortgage and feeding the kids!
The only way they would enter that world would be if they had to and there was no other option.
Banging the drum
Another arrestable offence?
Having been banging (and beating) away for over 5 years now, I agree with KA that the novelty has worn off. People have either heard the drum and decided against change or are deaf.
.
Cloud is just another tool, indeed its just a delivery mechanism.
As any good gardener knows, the key to doing a good job is having the right tool for the right job.
Trying to cut your grass with a ride on mower when you have a postage stamp lawn is not a good plan, ditto trying to cut an acre with a £30 flymo. Both will leave you with poor results.
Courses for horses
I don't think accountants fear change but more so applying the most appropriate model to suit client needs. Cloud accounting is as per the previous commentators point appropriate in the correct circumstances and thus should be applied on a case by case basis.Thus although I believe it should be adopted, to apply a blanket-based approach is both unpractical and uneconomical. Mainstream accountants have been around for a long time encompassing all technological changes to date and I don't believe this is suddenly going to change with the introduction of cloud-based accounting.
The human factor is mainly clients not accountants
Some of my clients do not want the cloud, even if fees are greatly reduced. Perhaps they should be charged even more for bookkeeping and accounts, which is already profitable work. VT takes a lot of beating.