Tech reflection: Time to evaluate your firm.

• Author: Blitz, Adam
• Position: TechTalk

In the fall of 2016, CPA firms across the country invested in software, web applications, trainings and hardware in the hopes of implementing their most efficient tax season. It's the spring of 2017 and the early returns are in. Over the last six months, some firms threw their hands in the air and went back to tried and true-practice, some firms worked through the growing pains and other firms adopted to change no problem.

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As your firm moves into Q2 and beyond, it's important to evaluate your technology changes and determine how to move forward.

How to Evaluate

As tax season is over and firm management and other team members return from some much needed R&R, schedule an evaluation session devoted to discussion about the your firm's 2016 investment. Preferably, this meeting should take place outside of the office, but the real goal is to have no distractions, limited interference and an open dialogue on the good, bad and indifferent.

During this evaluation, there are several questions that should be asked:

* Going back to the original issues which prompted the technology change: What was the problem?

* Was the implementation plan followed?

* Were changes met with resistance or excitement?

* Did the firm meet or exceed the budget?

* Are there any loose ends that need to be completed before moving on?

Answering these questions will lead directly into developing any next steps needed in determining the firm's next technology investment.

Successful Adoption

During the evaluation, your firm found technology implementation was perfect! Results met expectations, and your budgeted time and funds was spot on. The firm jumped into tax season with the pedal to the metal and is ready for an unprecedented 2017!

Congratulations--the firm overcame one challenge, but there are more to meet head on. Just because the initial adjustment went so well doesn't mean your firm needs to jump right back in for new changes. The reason being is that your firm shouldn't be overwhelmed by constant change. With that being said, your firm is your firm. The leadership team has the best idea of how the firm is feeling so, based on your judgment, jump in for the next adventure! If the team can handle the speed at which the firm moves, more power to you!

Continuing Challenges

This is the most common result for technology changes within an accounting firm. Some team members are all in, others are all out, while the majority are somewhere in the middle...