{"id":1915,"date":"2017-06-02T19:27:33","date_gmt":"2017-06-02T23:27:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=1915"},"modified":"2025-12-05T06:26:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-05T11:26:08","slug":"real-time-cloud-technology-delights-customers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/real-time-cloud-technology-delights-customers\/","title":{"rendered":"How cloud technology delights your customers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAccountants<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tHow cloud technology delights your customers\t\t\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Ashley\t\t\t\tAshley Thompson<\/span>\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n

The emergence of new technology is changing the way we all do business and access information. Cloud technology and accounting software have given small business owners access to \u201calways on\u201d data that was once only accessible through their accountants. What does that mean for your role as an accountant? If customers can access their financial data at will, what value does your practice offer them? The answer is simple: offer\u00a0real-time advice<\/a>\u00a0based on current data. As technology changes, customers\u2019 expectations change as well. Per our\u00a0survey of 700 accountants worldwide, 67% of accountants have adopted a cloud-based practice, which Sage Executive Vice President and former accountant Jennifer Warawa is the best way to stay relevant in today\u2019s accounting landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat we are seeing here is a need for accountants to reevaluate how they value their time. While some may be hesitant to adopt technology out of fear of no longer being of use to their clients, what we know is these technological advancements are elevating their clients\u2019 expectations and today\u2019s accountants need to be able to change along with those expectations,\u201d she advised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


This means adopting cloud technology as part of your practice is essential. The value goes beyond having 24\/7 remote access to accounting information. It\u2019s partnering with your clients to set targets based on that information and empowering your customers to hit achievable targets that make the difference. 86% of accountants surveyed agreed that by automating data entry and reporting, they would be free to create services that add value for their clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBusinesses aren\u2019t going to look to their accountants to simply collate and analyze information any longer\u2014technology can already tick that box. They want advice on what to do next and will seek out accountants and bookkeepers who can offer actionable proactive services that add value to their business,\u201d Jennifer added. By establishing yourself as an advisory resource, you form \u201ccustomers for life\u201d throughout the entire 365 days of the year, not just during the peak of tax time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Being a real-time advisor also creates agility for your customers as they make business decisions based on your recommendation. When you proactively inform a client that, given current trends, the client\u2019s business might be unable to meet payroll two months from now, that customer will be grateful for the warning. In this way, accountants and bookkeepers earn their stripes as business advisors by identifying trends and coming up with answers to those potential challenges. Here are a few first steps for migrating to an advisory role and setting Key Performance Indicators (KPI):<\/p>\n\n\n\n