{"id":13637,"date":"2018-09-26T08:00:33","date_gmt":"2018-09-26T13:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/taxprocenter.proconnect.intuit.com\/?p=13637"},"modified":"2018-08-28T11:22:53","modified_gmt":"2018-08-28T16:22:53","slug":"how-to-automate-your-tax-and-accounting-practice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/accountants.intuit.com\/taxprocenter\/practice-management\/how-to-automate-your-tax-and-accounting-practice\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Automate Your Tax and Accounting Practice"},"content":{"rendered":"

In the modern era of tax and accounting, technology is becoming increasingly intelligent, enabling computers and software to do more transactional tasks for us so we can focus on delivering evermore value for our clients, helping our firms become more efficient and organized, and allowing us to take more time for ourselves, friends and family.<\/p>\n

However, adding technology and automation to a tax and accounting practice can be complex, and it can add challenges to your plate if not done right. Here are several steps I took to leverage technology to start automating my tax and accounting practice; consider these as you\u2019re automating your own practice.<\/p>\n

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  1. Enlist owner support of the automation process.<\/strong> If you aren\u2019t the owner of the practice, be sure you have their support for developing an automation process. This step is imperative.<\/li>\n
  2. Find a champion<\/strong>. Find a staff member \u2013 perhaps yourself\u2014who can champion the idea of automation for the rest of the practice, embrace the transition, and help test different process and technology options for the practice. This staff member will best be forward thinking and trusted by the rest of the staff.<\/li>\n
  3. Develop a timeline.<\/strong> Work with your partners to do this, and don\u2019t try to implement too many processes at once. Look at options that may save the most time as well as increase efficiency and organization; integration may be an important piece of this. Then, prioritize and select one to implement.<\/li>\n
  4. Ensure your basic technology is up to par.<\/strong> Upgrade your computers, scanners, printers and monitors \u2013 and consider multiple monitors to increase efficiency. Automation won\u2019t help you as much if a lack of technological foundation is slowing you down.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    We have implemented a number of Intuit integrations in our own practice that have helped us automate our tax preparation process. You may want to add these to your consideration set as you implement automation in your own practice:<\/p>\n