Interaction

Continuous Improvement

The notion of continuous improvement invokes the concept of never being "finished" and always developing out the highest priority items (from the customers perspective) first and using feedback to determine the priority, not a boardroom.  

In true Interactive Accounting style, we have tried to embody the mentality of continuous improvement, focusing on delivering a better experience for our clients and consistently raising the bar. We'd love more feedback from our customers (share your ideas here) on how Interactive Accounting can improve, as, we are far from "finished". 

and

Practising what we preach

As a company Interactive Accounting promotes the evaluation and use of technology for businesses to  streamline business process flows and release bottlenecks from lead management through to debtor collection. Keeping that in mind, we looked at our own processes, business flows and have looked to make improvements embracing the concept of the "Modern Practice" taking it to the next level. 

Thank you

Additionally, we have had feedback from our clients and peers to help ensure that this website is next level in both form and function. 

Always make sure you validate your website and business models with customers, peers and professionals. The last thing you want to do is miss the mark. We just think we've made another step forward, and, we hope you agree. 

Version 3.0 features - What have we changed?

• Calendar Feeds
• About Us
• Events
• Knowledge Base
• Screen recorder for support packages
• Online quoting

Sync your calendar with relevant tax dates

Subscribe using RSS or .ics to keep up to date with either our Interactive Accounting events or your tax events with reminders in your existing tools. Never miss a lodgement deadline again! 

About Us

We've added a bit more about what Interactive Accounting does and provided a bit more of the journey we've taken and what we offer as a business and why. 

As a great little metric, we've filled our marketing/ account management position without the need for any additional marketing since our soft launch on Friday.

Events

We are Interactive. This is not just a branding, this is a way of business. So we've launched a few new events to share the interaction with out clients, networks and partners. We've launched #startupbeers and #xerocoffee. Click here for more information and to see what the events are like.

Free knowledge

Yes, an accountant is giving something away for free. We've made it easy to get access to those questions you always want to know the answer too. 

• Xero basic information
• Getting Started tips for new businesses
• Tax news and tips
• Feedback > what do you want to see next?

Click here to review what we've served up.

A screen recorder for your troublesome issues when you're signed up to a support package

No longer do you have to provide a lengthy email with screenshots, no longer do we have to struggle to understand your problem with accounting or software....

Now, you can simply click a button  and you can record and narrate your screenshot and one of our team will answer your question correctly first time around. 

Modular online quoting - choose the level of service that suits your needs

This has been a long standing goal of Interactive Accounting. We want to provide the ability for our new and existing clients to choose their own level of Interaction with their accountant. 

We now have this functionality linked directly into our website. 

Stay tuned for future blogs and information on the steps to this functionality, but, it's here and will continue to get better, so, our clients can choose what they want from their accountant. 

Change is a constant, we are simply embracing it. We hope you like the new site and look forward to your feedback. 

The Cloud

Well, what is it? Does it really matter?

Let's focus on a question that should be key to all decisions to buy something, what benefit does it provide me?

If we focus on this in purely a benefit/cost analysis:

• Free to trial the majority of software and cheap to purchase
• Access anytime, anywhere
• Less hardware requirements, you need only an internet connection
• Regular, free, updates with little/no downtime
• Support? - It's usually free & included
• Simple to use

Who can benefit from the cloud the most?

Small business has the most to gain, however, everyone that likes information and places a value on it's availability should be looking into this.

For instance, Google, now has an "apps" site, with programs that provide the basic spreadsheet & document platforms that can be stored online, shared amongst peers and usage history tracked at no cost. 

What's available in the cloud for my business?

• CRM - Client Resource Management (Client Database). We use WorkFlow Max
• Payroll - Paycycle has a great, easy to use product
• Mail - Google can actually host your mail and domain for free
• Share Portfolio Management - Sharesight, can link into platforms like Xero and provide all the extra data on your portfolio automatically. 

Other options are available, for other processes and information you wish to manage. The list and features of these platforms is growing exponentially every day.

So, I want to work in a cloud with my business where should I start?:

Xero is a great way to get started in the cloud, with a simple, easy to use, versatile platform.
 
From September live feeds from all major banks & credit unions will be in place daily. No more bank reconciliations!

Want some help deciding what to use? Why not drop us an inquiry.

Alternatively, all the sites mentioned above have free trials, try them out for yourself and see the potential in the fluid concept of the cloud.

Packaged Fees - what does it give me?

Packaged fixed fee accounting has come to light in recent years as a better way of doing business. Whereas previously clients were/are usually charged on a time cost method, a fix fee method allows you to fix things outside of just the cost of accounting:

• Fix the engagement parameters, so you get what you want from your accountant
• Fix the cash flow scenario to avoid any ugly surprises once your work is completed
• Fix the level of support provided

All of the above points are pluses for the consumer in any engagement as the expectations, costs and timing of payments are now outlined and agreed upon.

In addition, like most package deals, your accountant should throw more in with a package for the same fee as he used to charge as it's now guaranteed income.

Moving to the Cloud - How does this help me?

What we have seen happening, especially in the instances where the clients made the move into the cloud for their day to day accounting, is that the fees overall for the client are reducing and actual service is able to be rendered as opposed to a set of accounts and a tax return, which, let's face it, is an undesirable product that most people don't look forward to come 30 June.... It's just another expense... 

With the move online, the barriers of access to information are significantly reduced and that question you're too worried to ask your accountant can be answered and dealt with on the spot included in your package, along with tax planning reviews of your structure and potentially management reports being generated on a regular basis with feedback given by your accountant. What you should find, is that to get all this extra SERVICE, it won't cost you much more than you were paying your previous once a year visit to the man wielding the abacus.

How is this possible?

Online accounting platforms have made it easier to compute the raw data, which should allow for a higher focus on service and a reduction in your compliance fees.  With secure automatic bank feeds & data recognition the leg work is done for you.

How do I move online?

At present, Xero is the front runner in this space of Cloud Accounting. Designed by a CA in Wellington and one of his tech industry clients to make advice more clear cut, Xero was born. Now with 22,000 businesses online & a range of additional plugins seamlessly online. It's in a league of it's own, ask the founder of MYOB, who now sits on their board and not MYOB's.

How do I take advantage of this?

You can inquire about how Interactive can help you today here , alternatively if you look after the books yourself Xero provides a free trial on their website.


So why not ask your accountant how he can help you reduce your fees, increase your advice and provide that advice in real time? If their answer is sub-par, we are more than happy to provide an obligation free quote and introduce you to the Interactive way of working.....

Stay Tuned for an exclusive offer by Interactive Accounting to get your books online in the coming weeks....