{"id":4812,"date":"2018-08-09T15:49:43","date_gmt":"2018-08-09T19:49:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/?p=4812"},"modified":"2026-02-12T05:20:19","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:20:19","slug":"trusted-business-advisor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sage.com\/en-us\/blog\/trusted-business-advisor\/","title":{"rendered":"Keys to making the leap to trusted business advisor"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"L.\t\t\t\tL. Gary Boomer<\/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

Firms of all sizes are being challenged to meet the changing demands of clients and maintain relevance in the face of a rapid technological evolution that is automating many traditional core services. The convergence of technology, networks and sensors, artificial intelligence and deep learning are disrupting the profession. At the same time, these technologies present an opportunity to build upon the compliance and transactional services clients need and provide the proactive advice they really want and value. In short, they provide the key to making the leap from technical advisor to a trusted business consultant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CPAs are well-positioned to serve as a trusted business advisor to their clients, but it requires an investment in technology for two purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Big data<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When asked why some accountants continue to focus their efforts on the transactional, compliance and reporting services that technology is commoditizing, most respond that they don\u2019t feel comfortable providing advisory services that are performance-or strategic-based. Their training and experience have focused on data. But transactions can now be recorded and coded more accurately by machine than by human and technology continues to gain capabilities to search and quickly respond to queries that previously required professional assistance, judgment and time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ability to access, organize and report data trends is essential to management and leadership, but technology is quickly becoming better (and cheaper) at it than CPAs.  By investing in technology that can meet your clients\u2019 need for information, you can continue to provide these services, while elevating your focus. It will require a shift in mindsets, toolsets, and skillsets. But the alternative is obsolescence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Client experience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In the past, most firms focused on client service on a human level. Their IT strategy was driven by tax and accounting software. In the future, firms will need to spread their IT investment across:<\/p>\n\n\n\n