IMGCAP(1)] CPAs with technology: You have the power to change your customers’ lives.
Now, don’t worry, I’m not about to get all preachy on you. It’s actually the title of a white paper I wrote with Fundbox. Fundbox, if you’re not familiar, is an online financial solution that helps small businesses fill in their cash flow gaps.
Why should you care? It’s simple: not all funding and lending is coming from the traditional sources anymore. Banks can be a let down for many small business owners. Credit cards are convenient but often don’t get paid off, and borrowing from family, well, you know how that goes. There’s now an emergence of online funders and they are making access to cash very easy for your customers.
Haven’t heard about it?
Well, I think it’s time.
After all, if you know about the tools, then you can craft a consulting service around it.
So, back to this white paper - We look at the slow death of traditional financing and how the role of the CPA is expanding. We talk about the benefits of the cloud, what you need to know about online lending, and I even offer my personal checklist on how I provide cash flow consulting.
We all know that one of the major reasons customers leave their accountants is because they are reactive. Here’s an opportunity for you to learn about what’s happening with new technology that will have a direct impact on how your small business owners are running their companies.
Cash flow is the lifeline of any business and there are now many more ways for a company to stay afloat. Learn them. Be familiar with them. Serve as a resource so your customers don’t look elsewhere. Because believe me, they will.
In the last three months alone, I have had two small business owners switch accountants and specifically mention they were looking for help with online lending or financing options. Be accessible. Make it known you are aware of what’s happening. I’m confident enough to say that you don’t want your customer asking you about a new tool and in the moment you’re dumbfounded and don’t know what to say.
Don’t be that CPA.
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Jody Padar, CPA, MST, is CEO and principal at New Vision CPA Group and author of
