How to Use a Smartphone to Increase Your CPA Firm's Productivity
If you have have a website for your CPA firm you've already made a good start. Websites for accounting practices are the obvious way to win the constant struggle to improve efficiency.
But don't just stop there.
There's a revolution going on, and accounting professionals ought to embrace it: the smartphone.
A lot of people think of smart phones as some kind of fad or toy. They're a status symbol for kids, and these young people often spend hours a day texting and playing video games on them. It's understandable that they are earning a reputation as "time sinks", but nothing could be further from the truth. In the hands of a responsible adult a smartphone becomes a powerful business tool.
Once you join the "smartphone revolution," you'll see why they're so popular. With this tool, your productivity reaches new heights - and you even strengthen your relationship with clients.
Smartphones Increase Efficiency
Work from Anywhere. This is especially true during tax season - but it applies anytime of year: accountants are spending more time outside the office.
Whether it's visiting clients in their office, taking an afternoon for their daughter's ball game, or just working from home after hours, CPAs find plenty of reasons to leave the desk behind.
Smartphones make it easier to do business away from your office. You can access to phone numbers, addresses, your calendar, and your email - all while getting your life done.
Not Ready to Start Hiring Again? When the recession hit, many accounting firms had to lay off staff - and they're not yet confident enough in the economic recovery to rehire.
Smartphones give partners a way to conduct the business of the office with fewer admins and assistants.
Smartphones Strengthen Client Relationships
More and more, accountants find that their clients expect a return phone call right away. If a client calls in with a question, it's not acceptable to wait until you're back in the office to call them back.
A smartphone is crucial for keeping that client relationship as healthy as you can. With a smartphone, the client's phone number and address is right at your fingertips, wherever you are.
And because you can sync a smartphone with your email, you're able to access lots of relevant information about your client, too.
50 Million Users Can't Be Wrong
There's no denying the popularity of smartphones. Here's a breakdown of the most popluar brands' market shares:
Blackberry - 41.7%
iPhone - 24.4%
Microsoft - 13.2%
Google - 13% (the Android operating system)
All told, nearly 50 million people in the United States use this technology, an 8.1% increase from earlier this year.
That's a lot of smartphones.
Take Advantage of the Experts
There's only one catch: if you're not technically savvy, it can be a bit tricky to set up your phone to sync with your email.
But not to fear. Providers of websites for accountants do this all the time - and they can help. Let your Webmaster handle all the techie details.
Whether you choose a Blackberry, iPhone, or the up-and-coming Droid - join the smartphone revolution today. Your accounting firm will benefit.