Voices

Intuit launches 'Firm of the Future' contest

On Tuesday,Intuitannounced the launch of its Search for the Firms of the Future contest, celebrating future-forward firms nationwide. The program offers up to 20 accounting firms across the U.S. the chance to win a one-week vacation in Hawaii, an expenses-paid trip to Intuit’s annualQuickBooks Connectconference in San Jose, or a technology prize pack valued at $2,500.

To enter, firms simply need to visit Intuit’sFirmoftheFuture website and create a short, 30-second to 2 minute video detailing how yours is a "Firm of the Future."

The call for entries will run from July 7, at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time, to August 11, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. The contest criteria, developed in collaboration withDarren Root, CEO ofRootworks, and author ofThe Intentional Accountant, is designed to celebrate those that have embraced the cloud and change.

“Over the past year, I’ve seen and heard many inspiring stories of accounting and bookkeeping firms that are future-ready, now. They’re leaving compliance behind and adding real value to their customers by being on the cloud, becoming trusted advisors and making their website their new lobby,” saidJim McGinnis, vice president, Intuit Accountant and Advisor Group, in a statement. “We’re pleased to partner with Darren Root and recognize accounting professionals that have embraced change and built a future-ready firm now.”

To participate, firms will need to create a video submission detailing as many of the below criteria as possible in two minutes or less:

1.     The Future You Want: Share the vision you have for your firm.

2.     Leadership:How have you communicated this vision to your team and how do you help them successfully implement it?

3.     Your Business Model:Explain how you run your firm on cloud-based technologies by leveraging QuickBooks Online and/or other technologies and systems to provide advanced services to your clients.

    a. How do you leverage the cloud to run your firm?

    b. What percentage of your business clients do you collaborate with using cloud-based accounting solutions?

    c. How are you implementing and using a digital document delivery strategy and process?

    d. Describe your value billing model.

4.     Your Firm’s Brand:

    a. How are you leveraging the web and social media to effectively market your firm to attract your ideal client?

    b. Illustrate how your firm’s web presence and mobile capabilities support your service delivery system.

    c. Describe how you’re using social networks to interact with clients and reach new prospects.

5.     Ideal Clients: Describe your ideal client and what percentage of your current client base fits this description.

6.   Ideal Days:Describe your ideal work day and what you are doing to have as many of them as you can.

7.     Closing:Why are you a “Firm of the Future” right now?

“Being a Firm of the Future is about finding your sweet spot — the zone where your business and your life are optimized with the right clients, the right tools, and the right people,” stated Darren Root. “Identifying those firms with an entrepreneurial and future-ready approach to practice leadership and operations today will encourage others to create a business that they love and that drives success for their clients now and for years to come.”

A panel of qualified judges, including Jim McGinnis, Darren Root and Intuit Accountant and Advisor Group senior leaders, will select up to 20 firms who best embody the Firm of the Future, originality and creativity criteria. Applicants may only submit one video during this contest and only one video per accounting firm. Winners and finalists will be notified on August 26.

The contest can be tagged on FacebookandTwitterusing "#QBFirmOfTheFuture." For more information on official rules and how to enter, visit the Firm of the Future websitehere

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