One of the best tips for accounting practice management is to make a firm more visible to potential clients. Most accounting practices specialize in certain types of accounting or work with only certain clients. A manager might want to perform some market research and discover how best to reach to those who might benefit from his or her services. Some other great tips for accounting practice management include choosing software that can make administrative tasks easier to accomplish and developing clear frameworks for how processes such as audits should be completed.
Some accounting practices work primarily with individuals who require assistance with procedures such as financial planning and filing taxes. Other firms may focus on working with businesses. These clients tend to be smaller businesses that cannot afford the cost of in-house accounting departments. Firms that work with businesses often practice managerial accounting, in which documents are prepared so that business managers can make educated decisions and develop strategies.
An important step for any individual responsible for accounting practice management is to make sure that a firm is visible to all potential clients. Professionals who have worked as accountants for years can bring clients to new practices at which they are working. In many cases, a manager might need to perform market research that allows him or her to gauge potential clients' satisfaction with their current accounting practices. A manager also can use this research to find areas in a community where there is a lack of accounting specialization.
Choosing the right software can be an essential component of good accounting practice management. Many managers prefer software that makes administrative tasks easier to accomplish. For example, a professional might prefer a program that tracks employee time sheets and expenses. This software also might include email service and notifications that alert accountants when it is time for a meeting.
Effective software should also help accountants to perform their daily tasks. An accounting practice management professional may choose software that contains a database in which client accounts are stored. Access to spreadsheets and slide shows for presentations should also be included.
It often is the duty of a manager to make sure that all accountants in a firm are familiar with regular procedures. By adopting standardized methods of performing audits and documenting paperwork, a manager can reduce the number of instances of human error. Managers might provide each accountant with an ID number or user name that he or she can use to access accounting software. This practice allows all participating parties to see who is working on a project and which changes he or she made.
