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Older or outdated technology can be a critical threat to any business. Many Los Angeles CPA firms have taken several measures to protect themselves from any problems caused by older technology.
Firms start by identifying the problem areas in their business or hiring an IT consultant to guide them through this process.
There are several things you can do to bolster your infrastructure and keep your information systems up to date.
Hire a Professional
There are many technology consulting firms that specialize in working with CPA and accounting firms. For a Los Angeles CPA, this may be the easiest and quickest way to tackle any older technology issues.
The fees for consultants will vary from firm to firm, but investing in the right IT consultant can pay dividends down the road and save you money by preventing potential business disasters.
An IT consultant can perform a detailed analysis on your firm’s technology, highlighting key problem areas, and making recommendations on potential hardware and software upgrades.
Keep It In-House
Another alternative is to manage your business’s technology in-house. The benefit here is having someone available on a daily basis and dedicated to your business full-time.
Unlike a consulting firm, in-house staff can be called upon quickly to resolve any internal technology issues and provide ongoing maintenance.
The downside here is the full-time payroll obligations to fill this position.
Leverage Your Employees and Clients
Another route to consider is talking directly with those who use your CPA firm’s technology on a day-to-day basis. Request valuable feedback from employees on the systems and software they use, and have them document their biggest challenges.
In addition, if any of your systems are used by clients, solicit feedback from them on how the systems are performing.
You will quickly be able to highlight what the most pressing technology issues are and minimize future complaints.
Bottom Line
There are several options to battling older technology for Los Angeles CPA firms. The first step involves highlighting what needs updating, which can be done through consultants, internal IT teams, or through speaking with stakeholders.
It is important to make this a continual process by consistently reevaluating the systems and hardware your business uses.
Keeping technology updated is one of the most controllable aspects of any business and should never be an afterthought.
What measures does your CPA firm take to battle older technology? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments box below.
If you’re a CPA or accountant in the Los Angeles area, and you’d like to learn more about keeping your technology up to date, be sure to download your free guide, 12 Ways for CPA Firms in LA to Utilize Technology More Efficiently.
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