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The often unrealistic expectation exists out there that an expert bookkeeper will also be an expert on accounting software systems. In addition to being relied upon for accounting skills and knowledge, bookkeepers are frequently treated as systems ex
Realistically, most bookkeepers focus their CPE on maintaining and growing their BAS Agent, Payroll and other accounting skills and knowledge. Many simply do not have time to stay abreast of all the changes, updates, work-arounds, bugs and fixes across several software packages AND provide excellent service to their clients.
As software consultants we are frequently engaged by contract bookkeepers to provide software specific system expertise to their clients. Three questions arise almost every engagement:
The answers are fairly simple. Before you engage a software consultant ask yourself the following questions:
If you cannot answer any of these questions, then your potential consultant should be able to… clearly and concisely, in simple terms.
A good consultant should give you confidence – in themselves, the product and in your ability to implement and operate the system. They should actively pursue a working relationship with you, the client and their accountant to ensure all stakeholders can access and understand the information generated.
In short, the software consultant needs to become involved, be a partner in your business as well as the clients’. A consultant who fails to thoroughly understand their product and the client’s needs cannot teach you and your clients what you need to know about the product.
Be wary of the consultant who walks in and promises to have you “up and running” in a day. Unless they understand your current business practices and processes, how can they possibly create a system that fits the clients’ business and have it operating without their constant input, in just one day? A good consultant will sit down with you and the client and ask questions so they can manipulate the software system to suit how the business operates – rather than expecting the business to change to suit the system.
They should also be able to suggest and help implement ways the software can be used to improve current practices. Where current processes have to be changed to suit the software, the consultant should be able to provide a clear, detailed plan of how change is to be managed in order to minimise the effect on the business, on you and other system users.
Ultimately, the software consultant you engage will be the one who actively pursues the goal of adding value to your client’s business by becoming your systems partner, enabling you both to add value to your client’s business.
Article contributed by Fiona Mac Lean & Coralie Kemp, Remote Bookkeepers
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