Conference season is approaching, and accounting technology will once again take centre stage.
Across the fall conference circuit, accounting firm leaders will walk through exhibitor halls, watch product demonstrations and speak with vendors promising to improve productivity, automate processes and solve long-standing workflow challenges.
Many of those solutions will be impressive. But a compelling demonstration does not necessarily mean a product is right for your firm.
Before you sign a contract, it helps to speak with someone who understands both the technology and the realities of your firm’s workflows.
More than 300 apps—and a practical point of view
The MoneyPenny team works with more than 300 applications across tax, accounting, bookkeeping, practice management and firm operations.
Because we work inside our clients’ existing technology environments, our experience is not limited to watching demonstrations or reviewing feature lists. Our team uses these applications as part of real accounting workflows, often across multiple firms with different processes, client bases and service models.
That gives us a practical perspective on questions such as:
- How easy is the application for team members to learn and use?
- Does it integrate effectively with the firm’s existing technology?
- Will it simplify the workflow—or merely move the bottleneck somewhere else?
- What processes need to change before the firm can take full advantage of it?
- Does it support offshore or distributed teams?
- Are there overlapping applications already in the firm’s technology stack?
Whether you are considering a workflow platform such as TaxDome, a collaborative bookkeeping solution such as Double, or another tax, accounting or practice management application, there is a strong chance someone on our team has used it. If we have, we probably have a point of view about where it works well, where it may create friction and what your firm should consider before moving forward.
The right tool depends on your workflow
Technology buying decisions are rarely as simple as comparing features and pricing.
A platform may be an excellent product and still be the wrong choice for your firm. Its value depends on how it fits with your existing workflows, the capabilities of your team, your client service model and the other applications you already use.
The more important question is not simply, “What can this tool do?”
It is, “How will this tool work in our firm?”
MoneyPenny can help you answer that question. Because our team operates within many different accounting technology environments, we can assess a prospective application in the context of your actual processes. We can help identify where it may improve efficiency, what implementation challenges to anticipate and whether your team is positioned to use it effectively.
In some cases, the conversation may confirm that the application is a strong fit. In others, it may reveal that your current tools can already accomplish what you need—with better processes, clearer responsibilities or additional training.
Either outcome can save your firm considerable time, money and frustration.
Make us part of your conference conversations
When you attend conferences this fall, take the opportunity to explore the exhibitor hall, meet vendors and see what is new. Ask questions, watch demonstrations and collect information.
Then, before you make a final technology buying decision, talk to us.
Think of MoneyPenny as another trusted supplier—one that can provide an independent, workflow-focused perspective on the tools you are considering. We can help you look beyond the demonstration and understand how a particular application could interact with your firm’s people, processes and existing technology.
With experience across more than 300 applications, there is a good chance we have already worked with the product on your shortlist—or with another solution designed to solve the same problem.
Technology should make your firm easier to operate, not add another layer of complexity. Before you buy, let’s make sure the solution fits the way your firm actually works.
Considering a new accounting application or reviewing your current technology stack? Contact MoneyPenny to learn how our team can help you make a better-informed decision.
