How to Pitch the Power of Paperless Accounting

The majority of accounting and bookkeeping firms are going paperless with cloud-based software.

As AccountingWeb estimates over 50% of their members now use cloud-based accounting software, here's how to make sure your clients are helping your cloud transition, not hindering it. Many practices switch to the cloud to enhance efficiency. Yet to unleash the full range of benefits, you will need to bring your clients fully onboard. Fortunately, cloud-based tools can solve a variety of your clients’ pain-points. Here’s how to get them hooked, by linking your services to what they need.

6 REASONS WHY GOING PAPERLESS BENEFITS YOUR CLIENTS

1. DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT

Client pain-point: Their financial records are stored physically in your office. This usually means they have to save all their receipts and invoice, store them up in shoeboxes or binders, then deliver them to you in person. Too often, this means lost documents, wasted space in the office and too much time spent organising paperwork. Plus, it's a nightmare to find anything.

The benefit of going paperless? Your client can now submit their business expenses, receipts and invoices on the go, by taking a photo as soon as they receive it. Dext Prepare’s document management means they can access data all in one place, at any time. 

2. MOBILE BUSINESS DATA

Client pain-point: Your clients are now accustomed to working on their mobile and on the move. Having to physically deliver paperwork to get an up-to-date view of their business health wastes their time and yours.

The benefit of going paperless? Clients can send you data in real time, wherever they may be, so they're always up to date. It’s quick, simple and convenient. Plus, they can track an accurate view of their business finances anywhere.

3. EXPENSE TRACKING

Client pain-point: Traditionally, your client may not have visibility of their expenses. They might need to wait until the end of the month to look at their spending. This makes tracking cash flow a huge headache. What's more, reimbursements then rest on everyone remembering to save their receipts in a legible format for 28 days.

The benefit of going paperless? Your client can track expenses more effectively and efficiently. Thanks to the document management and mobile business data, the business can claim back VAT more accurately and their team members can be reimbursed for their expenses on time.

4. DISASTER PROTECTION

Client pain-point: If your clients' records are just in paper format, they're liable to damage should a fire, flood or break-in occur.

The benefit of going paperless? Going paperless means all your documents are backed up in the cloud. While this does not mean your documents are risk-free, it means they can be restored. There are also steps you can take to protect your data; here are some key ways to make your data more secure.

5. AUDIT PROTECTION

Client pain-point: Any claimed expense needs to be backed up with corresponding documentation. Any claim missing its receipt or invoice could result in a fine. A full audit might take as many as four days, leading to overwork or delays on client work.

The benefit of going paperless? With complete digital records, you have a clear breadcrumb trail of all transactions and documents. This makes it quick and easy to search for the relevant audit documents without the worry of sticky questions.

6. FRAUD PROTECTION

Client pain-point: Without full visibility of invoices and business expenses, incidents of fraud or overspending might slip unnoticed and cost businesses thousands.

The benefit of going paperless? By displaying transactions all in one place, it is easier than ever to identify overspending and fraud. A Dext Prepare and Xero partner in Australia, for example, uncovered an employee fraud worth $200,000.

WHAT IF YOUR CLIENT PUSHES BACK?

After diving into these values and connecting them directly with your clients’ specific pain-points, do you still have pushback? Here are some objections you might encounter, and a tried-and-tested solution for each concern.

THE TRICK TO A GREAT PITCH?

One way to get your clients onboard for the long-haul is first to listen to their needs. You know them better than anyone. What are their biggest pain-points? Try mapping them out using an empathy map, then wrap your pitch around these.

Overall, pitching the power of paperless accounting could be as simple as taking your clients out for coffee and showing them how the app works. Take a photo of your coffee receipt and upload it to the Dext Prepare mobile app so they can see how it works, and feel confident going forwards.

YOUR FREE GUIDE TO GOING DIGITAL

For a step-by-step guide on how to switch to the Cloud, implement The Paperless Playbook today: the ultimate guide to perfecting your processes and taking charge of your time. Download now