Happy New Year!

As we dive into 2013 and prepare for the upcoming busy season, I want to share an idea from Flowtivity to keep an eye on as we move forward in 2013.  We had a very exciting year in 2012, as did our clients, and just as we preach the ideas of “continuous improvement” with each one of our clients, we also like to practice what we preach.  We certainly enjoy being on the leading edge of efficiency and client service initiatives in the CPA profession, and are very excited to announce a new concept that we are calling “Transformational CPA Efficiency™”.

Based on our experiences working in and consulting to the profession over the last few years, one thing has become abundantly clear.  There are huge gaps in perception on what it means to be “efficient” as a professional service provider.  Too often, before a firm adopts Lean we see a detailed and very technical approach to efficiency initiatives.  For example, focusing on only one area of the process and even drilling down to specific tips and tricks to save “2 clicks here and 3 minutes there”.  While best practice tips and tricks related to technology, and specific changes to make on a client by client basis year over year are good to implement, they are not really contributing substantially to efficiency and effectiveness gains (and don’t translate to the bottom line substantially if at all).

Instead, we are finding that paradigm shifting ideas related to process and client value, that are not always thought about from those closest to the operations are really allowing individuals, teams and firms to make significant improvements in process performance, client service, and ultimately client satisfaction.  Transformational CPA Efficiency™ is a term you’ll hear us using a lot in the coming years.  We are continually exploring and working with firms to implement breakthrough ideas – not just save a few minutes here and there.  We are shifting paradigms and challenging the teams we work with to rethink what it means to be efficient.  And we’re seeing some transformational results.  We can’t wait to build upon our foundation and take these concepts to the next level in 2013!

Transformational CPA Efficiency™ will allow your firm and your people to elevate their level of service to clients.  Free up time in the form of hours at a time, not minutes.  This time can then be used for value added projects or for capacity to grow the business.  One element of our Transformational CPA Efficiency™ tool is collaborative review, which I’ve begun to speak more and more about.  I had a Senior Manager tell me recently it has changed her work life.  And a staff person tell me he has learned more in 2 months with his Manager performing collaborative review than he had in 2 years.  Both saving hours of time as well on the engagement. 

Let’s make 2013 the year we focus on client service and our people.  With comments like these, your people deserve the opportunity to transform their work lives!