2017 Paperless Benchmark Survey Results
The CPA Firm Management Association completed their 2017 paperless benchmarking survey to find out the status of paperless office practices in accounting firms this upcoming busy season. The survey has been conducted every two years beginning in 2003 to help identify trends in adopting “less paper” processes. This year, 176 firms participated in the survey, powered by Canon.
Member firms are leading the profession by adopting digital workflow tools, scanning tax documents at the front end and using digital tools to bookmark and input data into tax returns as well as delivering organizers and returns electronically. Audit teams are reducing the amount of equipment they are taking into the field and doing more work and planning remotely as they too utilize portals and secure email solutions. Administrative teams are transitioning payables, receivables and accounting to completely digital solutions as well as starting to tackle human resources issues. Compare your firm against these findings to see if you are on the bleeding/stable edge or behind with an opportunity to implement some leading practices this busy season!
We encourage you to complete the survey and compare your firm’s answers against the 2017 listed adoption rate amongst member firms. If you answered NO and 80% or more of your peers have implemented the solution, you would be considered on the “dull” edge and should look into implementing a solution immediately. If 50% or more of your peers had implemented a solution that you had not yet adopted, we suggest you attend the next CPAFMA chapter/regional meeting and inquire others and garner resources to fast track the implementation of that practice. For items under 50% adoption, actively monitor the top tools by reading reviews and attending sessions at conferences, so you are ready to respond when the opportunity arises.