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Fuzzy thinking
So, "only those actively implementing change or thinking about doing so were likely to make the trek to East London for Accountex".
How does that make any sense? The practitioners who are embracing the cloud and its new ways of working are the very same ones who are unlikely to perceive any value in trekking across the country to visit the same old suppliers hacking out the same old tat.
If I want to catch up with the latest innovations in cloud technology, I can do that most easily and quickly from my desk. That's kind of the point.
If it's "all about cloud, online accounting and interacting with clients", why the big emphasis on slogging across the real world to attend an event with less relevance every year, and at which some of the more innovative cloud software vendors were not even represented?
The practitioners who don't attend next year won't be those on the verge of dying out, it'll be the ones who keep coming that are living in the past.
Accountex and Cloud stuff
I go along with what Tim says above with regard to Accountex and Cloud Accounting.
Most firms who are looking to make changes to their methodology will look to do their major research in Feb-March (I always have) and, having attended Accountex once as a punter & once as an exhibitor, let's not con ourselves, the prime motive of exhibitors is to sell, and a punter is never going to get a balanced view of what the software can and can't do on a busy stand, with hundreds of punters in a 10 minute slot.
As Tim indicates, it is just silly to do your research and comparisons of cloud software based on a physical exhibition that only happens 1/2 days a year (and, was it not for the fact they make so much money, the people who run the exhibitions would agree with me), it defeats the whole benefit of the cloud approach in which you can view tours, participate in detailed webinars online and visit Accountingweb for unbiased opinions.
@John, I didn't download or play with any cloud apps until I'd researched the available systems and, picking up on Tim's comment on providers not being represented, I did a quick tally of the exhibitors a week ago and could only see about 50% of the cloud accounting providers. Clear Books ,who I work with, saw it as a complete farce last year and this year got far more enjoyment and customer appreciation by spending the time & money on their own "Accountex" for users. There is also a major supplier who exhibits only because it is expected of them, and I'm certain they are not alone, it's self fulfilling hype.
With regard to oldies not attending, I'm 60+ so may reflect a population your surveys didn't pick up and for the hard-core stay at home oldies, no matter how much hype there is about the speed of change to the cloud and other new technologies, there's still enough inertia in the accounting industry to give them years of status quo till retirement, plus what everyone seems to ignore is that their clients will look to them for advice on accounting, and will have no reason to doubt the accountant warning them off the cloud.
Norman Younger said that such an approach might seriously down-value the accountant's practice whereas, in reality, if I was looking to buy fees and was offered a practice of Xero, QBO, Kashflow, Wave, Gbooks, (or 15 others) users, I'd walk away. It's always been the case that you are far better buying a well run practice where you can make a positive difference to the clients and I'd jump at a practice with no cloud users.
@John, you mention how interesting you found yet another innovation from Sage, but don't balance it with the responses to your "Sage roll out" article a week ago. Despite the marketing budget it is finally dawning on people that the masters of hype's days are numbered, they should have been the first into the cloud, they weren't, and do not deserve the coverage they still get, when there are probably 20+ providers out there offering as many if not more, features and functions.
As far as the other non-cloud stuff at Accountex is concerned (including any of the unbiased talks) there is a benefit to attending, I'm sure, and I spent hours in the excellent small business ex that was taking place next door, far more enlightening.
PS: Here's another Q&A on Accountex this year
The Benefits Of Cloud Software For Accounting Firms
There are clear benefits to be had by adopting cloud accounting software. We have had great experiences with Xero & Kashflow software and are always on the lookout for new technologies to increase the efficiency of our practise.
We pass on these efficiencies to our clients, resulting in a better all-around service.
It's more about the people
I attended Accountex for the first time this year. For me, the real benefit was chatting to the people there (the visitors not exhibitors).
There are better ways to learn about and research new products. There are better ways to stay informed on the changing world of accountancy and likely future developments. But events like this are probably the best way to expose yourself to a "melting-pot" of people who just might have different ideas and different perspectives to you: ones that you can benefit from, or that will at least stimulate your own thinking.
As with most things these days, it's all about identifying the signal in the noise.
Adrian
www.checkmybooks.co.uk
Good point Adrian
This is the case for many events, Iris World is a good example and even some CPD courses I've been on. So how about Accountex where the exhibitors are behind closed doors?
What about client inertia?
There is a huge move towards cloud accounting with indisputable benefits. However, those accountants who resist this change will only lose business slowly. Accountants may be slow to change, but the biggest obstacle is clients, who are also slow to change. I am 60+ and like Paul Scholes, an avid advocate of cloud accounting (committed to Liberty Accounts). I am now a committed Taxfiler user too.
I don't need Accountex as I can check out products online at my leisure. Accounting Web is an excellent forum for exploring new ideas and that was where I found advice on Taxfiler. I also found Receipt Bank through Accounting Web. I have no objection to exhibitions in general, but my practice needs are very specific and I only introduce new offerings to my clients after a careful assessment against what I am offering now.
Many clients do not take full advantage of what we have available for them and they could just as easily not use cloud software. Client inertia is the biggest drag on getting the full access to the benefits of cloud accounting. Change is gradual and for the better, but there is no revolution going on.
not for me...
Once again I chose not to attend Accountex in no small part due to the 'corporate style' marketing, abundance of here today gone tomorrow redundant, worthless security risk software -
Really don't need another early adapter/adopter T-shirt...
In my mid fifties (have worked in public practice for thirty five years) and assure you, my small and thriving two partner firm will be here in twenty years time, providing traditional accountancy services
Incidentally, I don't use e-mail and own and use accounts prep software (for my c300 sole/par/ltd clients) which I bought in 1987... for those of you renting the latest version of iris, sage etc, well done, no doubt you got what you deserved.
Always find it more rewarding to create real jobs.
Is the hype a distraction?
I've got to say, whilst the cloud is of course a very useful tool. How long before the software companies make it super easy for clients to prepare a set of ixbrl year end accs and CT return at the click of a button with no real knowledge of whether they show exactly what they should?
You absolutely cannot substitute an accountant's knowledge - all very well having bank feed and automatic posting but how about knowing where things should go? The difference between accounting treatment and tax treatment? The list will go on.
Don't go thinking the cloud is the most important thing, it's not. It is a tool to help us. Knowledge is where we add value and justify our fees. Our personal service is the absolute key to the core business of accountants. I just think endless talk about the cloud distracts us a little bit from this.
Thanks D McIver
I couldn't put it more eloquently. I'm with you all the way. These wonderful software applications are no substitute for knowledge but they are marketed like they are. By all means use them where you find it useful, like I do, but don't fall for the hype,