Seth Fineberg, Author at CPA Trendlines

Accounting Tech Doesn’t Have to Be Daunting

Getting unstuck on the tech stack and how to use AI today.

By Seth Fineberg
Analysis & Commentary

You’ve probably realized by now that the accounting profession has reached an inflection point. Professionals’ trust in the vendors that create and distribute the essential technology they use is strained at best. And with automation once again at the forefront, the very nature of accountant tasks is up for debate.

LIVE CHAT: Watch or listen to the entire Flash Briefing here.

In short, we needed a non-sponsored, real chat with actual practitioners who, by all accounts, know what it’s like to be a tech-forward accountant. Moreover, they know that’s not what the profession is comprised of and, despite being innovative, have struggled with tech adoption over the years. This is what our recent Flash Briefing, “Getting Real: The Accounting Tech Decisions You Need to Make Today,” was all about.

NEWS

Remembering John Stokdyk

The profession mourns a loss.

By Seth Fineberg
At Large

How does one honor a life? It’s a heavy thing upon initial approach. But when you start from a point of celebration of what was lived and not mourning what was lost, I think you begin down the right path. But this isn’t about me or anyone other than the man I knew barely eight years of chronological time and who, I believe, should be remembered in the accounting community.

MORE SETH FINEBERG: Who’s in Control? You? Or Your Clients? | Time Management Rule #1 for Accountants | Plan to Go ‘Live’ Post Tax Season | Why VC Is a Bigger Threat Than AI | What Does Taking Control of Your Firm Mean? | Accountants Need Each Other More Than Ever | Marchternity: Just Say ‘No’ | Some Thoughts on In-Person Events | So You Think You Know Accountants? | What Bogs Down Accountants

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To know John Stokdyk as an editor, thinker, avid statistician and collector of all manner of data on accountants and related technology only touches the surface. I met him as he still held the Editor title of AccountingWEB UK, which still boasts the largest audience of accountants in the UK. He and then AccountingWEB US Publisher Andy North interviewed me for the vacant Managing Editor role here.

CLIENT SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES

Who’s in Control? You? Or Your Clients?

Why clients need the “tough love” you didn’t know they craved.

By Seth Fineberg
At Large

Truth time, accountants. Regarding your client relationship, would you consider yourself a leader or a follower? In other words, do you lead them, or do they lead you more often than not?

MORE SETH FINEBERG: Time Management Rule #1 for Accountants | Plan to Go ‘Live’ Post Tax Season | Why VC Is a Bigger Threat Than AI | What Does Taking Control of Your Firm Mean? | Accountants Need Each Other More Than Ever | Marchternity: Just Say ‘No’ | Some Thoughts on In-Person Events | So You Think You Know Accountants? | What Bogs Down Accountants

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We raised This topic some years ago during my time at AccountingWEB. But while much has changed since then, even during the past five years in this great profession, one must wonder who is making the decisions about the direction of your firm and how you work. Is it you or your clients?

OUTLOOK & ANALYSIS

Time Management Rule #1 for Accountants

The “one big thing” you can do to take back control.

By Seth Fineberg
At Large

Accountants are constantly being told about “the one thing” they need to do to improve their professional lives, and in my view, the simplest and most powerful is to firmly adhere to deadlines that you determine for your clients. Not the IRS’s deadlines, not any governing body… You!

MORE SETH FINEBERG: Plan to Go ‘Live’ Post Tax Season | Why VC Is a Bigger Threat Than AI | What Does Taking Control of Your Firm Mean? | Accountants Need Each Other More Than Ever | Marchternity: Just Say ‘No’ | Some Thoughts on In-Person Events | So You Think You Know Accountants? | What Bogs Down Accountants

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The one change tax pros need to consider making going forward is setting their own deadlines – for themselves, for their firms, and, especially, for their clients.

All signs seem to indicate this year’s tax season was, comparatively, the most “normal” over the past three years. But tons of tax pros continue to stress, struggle, and even reconsider staying with tax work at all. While it may seem like a huge step, you would be surprised that by just having clients adhere to your deadlines, and no other due date, the level of stress will be reduced exponentially. This may not be a new tactic, but firms I’ve spoken to who decided to engage in telling clients about their deadline, and not the IRS’s, experienced a sense of relief not felt in years, if ever.

GROWTH STRATEGIES

Plan to Go ‘Live’ Post Tax Season

Take another step toward ‘normal.’

By Seth Fineberg
At Large

As you prepare to put Tax Season 2023 in your rearview, one thing to strongly consider is getting out to a live event as they are back, they need you, and there are even some new ones to take in.

I’m fully aware that CPE alone is not the only draw or reason to leave the comfort of your office or home area. And as I’ve expounded on before, accountants need each other in a live setting. The learning and interaction from a live event full of your colleagues is almost invaluable, but I get the reservations.

MORE SETH FINEBERG: What Does Taking Control of Your Firm Mean? | Accountants Need Each Other More Than Ever | Marchternity: Just Say ‘No’ |

Some Thoughts on In-Person Events | So You Think You Know Accountants? | What Bogs Down Accountants

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Traveling to a live event, especially when we know full well that any necessary CPE can be garnered from your computer screen any time of year, may not seem worth the expense. But as the profession continues to evolve, it is hard to compare the return on investment from physically being among the experts, as well as those in your profession who have similar struggles, hopes and dreams as you do.

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