Top 10 Radical CPA Predictions for 2016

As we say good-bye to the last year and usher in 2016, I thought I’d share my radical predictions. Here goes:

10)  Cloud technology is going to get more advanced. There will be more players in the space as I have already seen some of their heads pop up. New business owners and next generation customers will continue to embrace and expect it.

9)  Vendors will continue to support older technology, but will keep encouraging and promoting adoption of new technologies. Recently, I’ve even seen cash come to the table as an incentive to move toward new technologies. Wow!

8) Payroll and sales tax will have a bigger play in the cloud space as they support the most mundane of all compliance tasks. I actually believe these are “starter” cloud technologies for CPAs to embrace. Did you know payroll was my first step into the cloud?

7) CPAs and accountants will be busier than ever as the economy is rebounding. The talent shortage is real. However, the question remains if they have the courage to change and use technology to replace labor.

6) Millennials will continue to expect more of a change embracing mindset toward firms running radical practices as the talent shortage continues.

5) More radical firms will emerge as the world around us continues to push CPAs to deliver more value in different ways. Also, more millennials will say, “I don’t need big firm infrastructure, I can do it myself from my parents’ basement.” Watch out!

4) Social business will continue to evolve and more will understand/get social business as LinkedIn has changed to include more of a blogging platform. And you know LinkedIn is “acceptable social media” for most CPA firms.

3) Periscope and video will start to impact how firms interact with their customers.  Almost like the Snapchat of customer service…(OK, even I think this one is a little out there.)

2) New business models will continue to emerge as last year’s cloud adopters understand how the billable hour no longer works in this new paradigm where value is everything.

1) Radical CPAs everywhere will be learning new things and radicalizing more of even the most traditional of firms, as they know using the radical principles will change your firm and your life. I blushed as one Radical CPA shared that with me at the Sleeter Conference. It actually kind of freaked me out in a good way and all I said was, “thank you.”

Spread the Word!  Get Radical and let’s do this!

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