Client Advisory Services Delivers Robust Accounting Capabilities To Small- And Mid-Sized Businesses
Over the course of your business’s lifecycle, you will face many obstacles; and how you go on to manage them will ultimately determine your short- and long-term success. To this end, the best way to ensure the longevity of your business is to maximize your team’s skills and bring the necessary professionals in to fill the gaps.
Owners typically don’t start a business because they’re passionate about managing cash flow or becoming a world-famous payroll guru – and this can lead to a lot of issues within a company’s back office. Most of the time, if there even is an accounting department, it’s understaffed. Your accounting professionals are too busy executing their day-to-day responsibilities to even think about using real-time data to proactively run the business.
Yes, bills need to be paid and invoices need to be collected, but the true value of a rock-solid accounting department lies within actionable data. By following accounting and bookkeeping best practices, you’ll gain the information needed to make more strategic decisions, embrace timely opportunities and drive long-term business growth. If your company doesn’t have an accounting department, if you need to expand or revamp your existing department or if you’re searching for a controller, consider looking into client advisory services (CAS) for outsourced accounting services; month-end support and consulting; and proactive advisor services.
Listen to episode 178, “Your Business’s Back Office: Take It Or Leave It,” on unsuitable on Rea Radio, featuring Matt Long, principal in charge of Rea’s client advisory services practice.
Introduction To Client Advisory Services
On their own, services such as bookkeeping, month-end accounting support and data-driven consulting aren’t new. But by taking a different approach to these traditional services, we can reveal new, exciting opportunities for owners of small- to mid-sized businesses.
In the past, for example, businesses would drop off their bookkeeping- and write-up-type work to be compiled and analyzed at month-end. Now, when businesses use CAS, the firm is responsible for maintaining the business’s records, assisting with daily transactions, and providing financial statements in real-time. As a result, the firm can better serve the client as an advisor.
CAS fills the growing need for general ledger maintenance; accounts receivable and payable services; bank and credit card reconciliations; month-end closes; and reliable advice from industry experts. CAS may also result in reduced employment costs and onboarding expenses.
CAS fills the growing need for general ledger maintenance; accounts receivable and payable services; bank and credit card reconciliations; month-end closes; and reliable advice from industry experts. CAS may also result in reduced employment costs and onboarding expenses.
How CAS Works
CAS requires you to rethink the traditional back-office structure. By providing custom, outsourced accounting services that leverage cloud-based solutions, your CAS team will take on the role of controller in your company. Beyond transactional work, these professionals will provide you with reliable advice and strategic insight designed to help you better understand the company’s financial wellness, gain momentum and consider the big picture.
Another great aspect of CAS is that it can be customized to address your business’s specific needs. If you need somebody to handle daily transactions, great! If you’re looking for ways to analyze real-time financial data to become more proactive in the market place, that’s fine too. You can choose as many or as few of the services as you want.
If you would like to learn more about our suite of client advisory services, email me to find out how CAS can help you get more from your company.
By Matt Long, CPA (Wooster office)