Do Accounting Clients Use Software Features?

I'm wondering what you all think of the average accounting client out there. Are they secure enough to use the tools of SaaS? For instance, Client Portals or Online Document Management Programs - do your clients, on average, refuse to use this software? If so, why or why not? Is it out of distrust, or just the fact that it's not what they've done in the past?

I'm a CPA, and I've found that it's not that easy to get my clients to use these features. I have a few clients who are very gung-ho, but even more are hesitant.

Thanks for any insights or experience you can share!

Kathy

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Answers

Jane Levin Corporate Controller • October 17, 2010

A lot of SaaS acceptance depends on your company size, industry and even geography. Small and mid-sized companies, if they have aggressive finance/acct'g leaders who like tech, they will likely be amenable. They have probably been using Gmail and sf.com for years and realize that the security fears are entirely overblown and that they could never duplicate the security infrastructure of most SaaS providers. Larger companies are taking on SaaS, but in small bites and more due to IT resistance and NIH syndrome (Not Invented HEre) than F&A resistance. Finally, if you are in tech zones like New York City, Boston, SF Bay Area, etc., you are more likely to find an accepting audience. They hear about tech all the time and are much less likely to fear it.

My experience has been very different than yours, but i'm with a growth company in a tech geography and most companies I deal with are as well.

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Do Accounting Clients Use Software Features?

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