Current era of
technological revolutions have changed the way we perceive our day to day life.
Accounting is also not left untouched by technological advancements and
disruptive thinking to make life easier and automated. Accounting firms
that don’t evolve with the changing dynamics always found themselves lagging
behind in the competition. This article is to introduce you to the current trending
topics in accounting which you should look for in 2019.
1. Artificial
Intelligence (AI)
In simple terms,
Artificial Intelligence is a computer system that can learn
from experience. Although AI techniques like machine learning are not new to the
market, now its pace of adoption in various businesses and industries is increasing.
Accounting & Auditing is also one of them. For the proper usage of the
technology and turn vision into value, we need to have a deep knowledge of the
artificial intelligence and its use in solving business problems.
Among other, Machine
Learning is one of the techniques which can play a vital role in the accounting
profession. Extensive use of ML in decision-making process enabled
accountants to make financial and non-financial analysis faultlessly. AI will
eventually take over laborious work from accountant such as data management,
data entry, report generation, etc. Therefore, accountants can devote time in
value-added services such as problem-solving, advising, strategy developing,
and leading.
2. Collaborating
platform
Nowadays, accounting
is not just taken as posting daily transactions and generating reports. It is
perceived as a total solution for Payable management, Receivable management,
Payroll Management and Regulatory Compliance management. These expectations
from the accounting department can only be met if accounting software uses some
collaborating platforms. This allows communication of accounting data with
various stakeholders precisely. Some examples of collaboration are as follows;
1.
Sending customer’s
the statement directly via accounting software on one click
2.
Generating &
submitting a tax return directly from accounting software
3.
Processing payslip
& sending to employees directly from accounting software
4.
Preparing payroll
compliances directly from accounting software
Such many more tasks
which can be done by creating a collaborating platform with accounting software
which minimize efforts by accountants.
3. Blockchain
Blockchain technology is
basically an accounting technology. With the use of Blockchain technology,
accounting efficiency can be increased via a system of universal bookkeeping.
Moreover, the scope of accountancy can also be expanded which will make accounts
more closure to economic reality.
Unlike database owned
other ledgers which are run by a single party, under Blockchain, ledgers will not
be controlled by one party. Experts have defined 3P’s what differentiate
Blockchain from other ledgers technologies of today as follows
i. Propagation:
Blockchain ledger doesn’t
have many identical copies without any affiliated principal copy. All authority
has a full copy of the ledgers. Thus, no single authority can exclusively control
ledger. All the new transactions posted by any participant will reflect in
all the copies with authorized participants.
ii. Permanence:
Because each user has
its own copy of the ledger, any dispute can be resolved with consensus. Moreover,
any posted transaction can only be edited with the approval of the majority of
participants. Thus, it can be concluded that once transactions are recorded on
blockchain ledgers, they are permanent and free from any illegitimate altering.
iii. Programmability:
Some blockchain ledgers
could allow programming which can automate ledger posting and journal posting
on meeting the criteria of the trigger point. Experts have termed it as ‘Smart
Contracts” under blockchain technologies.
4. Automation
Automation of accounting
processes, specifically for routine and voluminous transactions improves the speed,
accuracy, and reliability of the accounts. It helps greatly in reconciliation
and balancing tasks. Automation can be achieved through;
- Certifying and matching
business processes based on pre-defined rules
- Role-based controlled
access and permission matrix
- Automated validation of
vouchers based on pre-defined validation points,
- Creating peer to peer
linking and collaborate processes or source documents
As a result of
automation, accountants can get rid of process-oriented tasks and can utilize
their valuable time and skills on critical issues that fuel business growth.
5. Remote Staffing
Currently, where the real
word platforms are transforming into virtual platforms, accounting is also not
lagged behind. All the accounting related tasks are being managed on the cloud
or online platforms. This has broken the concept of an in-house accountant and staff
in front of the eyes. Even online time tracking, as well as staff reporting and
managing tools are more effective.
This makes possible the
concept of remote staffing where your place of business and place of work for
your staff doesn’t need to be the same. Remote staffing is beneficial in many ways;
some of which are as follows.
i. Cost reduction:
The cost can be reduced by
exploiting Trade-off opportunities between different markets. For example,
because of the wide differences in per-hour rates of different countries,
accounting tasks can be outsourced from the USA market to the Indian market by hiring
the remote employees in India.
ii. Better utilization of resources and
Increase productivity:
In the case of remote
staffing, you can hire staff for the required time and with required skills.
Moreover, you can hire diverse staff for different activities for a limited
amount of time. This gives you immense flexibility and ultimately “You pay
for what you need.” This results in increased productivity of the business.
iii. Increase in satisfaction:
As remote staff are
working from their place without another interruptive environment of the office
culture, they can better concentrate on their tasks and produce better results.
Moreover, they can work on task-driven approach rather than time-driven
approach which increases satisfaction among both the parties.
We at, CapActix have an expert team available to
understand your accounting, reporting and compliance requirements. Our remote
staffing solution will take all your accounting burden and add value to your
business. We are prominent accounting outsourcing company based
in India. We can help you to make your accounts accurate and reliable. For more
details you can reach us on biz@capactix.com or
call us on +1 201-778-0509.