How to Choose the Right Accounting Event Speaker
Nine out of ten accountants believe that there is a notable shift occurring in accounting culture, increasingly favoring the use of technology. The profession finds itself at a pivotal junction navigating the ongoing digital transformation in accounting. CPAs must face pressures to adapt to new technological realities or risk falling behind the curve.
By embracing digital transformation, accounting firms stand to gain on multiple fronts—whether it’s improved efficiency, valuable data insights, automated routines or even enhanced client satisfaction. However, hesitating now could mean losing talent and customers to more nimble competitors.
In this blog post, we’ll explore strategies for transitioning smoothly into this new landscape and navigating the exciting digital transformation in accounting.
Advanced Tools Reshape Accounting
Modern digital tools have significantly reshaped accounting processes. Automating manually intensive tasks like logging transactions or generating reports saves time and minimizes human error. More importantly, it allows accountants to graduate into more consultative roles focused on dispensing strategic advice.
Sophisticated accounting platforms also enable smoother collaboration between teams and provide instant access to live financial information. This positions accountants to respond swiftly to evolving needs and offer clients proactive guidance on financial planning or strategy. Technology empowers them to become true strategic partners, with 82% of accountants reporting that technology helps them achieve more meaningful client interactions.
How to Plot a Successful Digital Shift
Implementing new technologies requires a coordinated approach spanning three key domains:
- Training: Collaborate with specialists to create customized digital literacy programs for your teams.
- Integration: Ensure seamless integration between new digital systems and existing workflows with help from transformation experts.
- Planning: Take stock of current IT infrastructure, define clear objectives, vet compatible solutions and craft detailed roadmaps to drive progress.
Understanding and leveraging this digital transformation in accounting protects firms against potential disruptions during technology overhaul. It paves the way for new systems to augment, not impede, established processes.
Serving Clients Better With Digital Tools
Migrating to modern accounting software has already unlocked speed and accuracy improvements. Automating error-prone manual work sharpens output quality, and real-time reporting provides clients with constantly updated financials.
But the benefits run deeper than productivity gains. New tools open communication channels through document sharing and video chats. Rather than just crunching numbers, accountants can now harness data analytics to deliver predictive insights.
Ultimately, digital transformation enables firms to genuinely improve client experiences. One key digital tool that can benefit CPA firm clients is ABLE, a CRM tailor-made for accountants. This software enables accounting professionals to prioritize their most important relationships and forge stronger personal bonds with their clients.
Securing Data in the Digital Era
Even as the digital transformation in accounting drives efficiency, it also poses new data security risks. Most firms now store sensitive client data digitally, including via cloud services. This introduces vulnerabilities like potential leaks and cyberattacks.
Firms must prioritize security to maintain trust. Key safeguards include:
- Robust protocols like multifactor authentication and encryption to control access
- Software updates to tackle emerging threats
- Employee training on cybersecurity best practices, including social engineering awareness
Additionally, firms should guide clients on basic precautions like strong passwords. Ongoing security education ensures everyone understands proper data handling.
Remaining vigilant around these measures allows firms to utilize technology while keeping data—and client relationships—secure. Clients will appreciate proactive digital security efforts concerning their finances.
Overcoming Resistance to Change
Digital overhauls inevitably face internal resistance over potential disruption and costs. Effective leadership can overcome such reluctance by nurturing transparency, collaboration and innovation. Positioning transformation as a strategic investment in the firm’s future also helps secure buy-in towards a shared vision.
The Future of Digital Accounting
Emergent technologies will continue reshaping accounting’s technological fabric and standard processes. AI and machine learning tools will enable more predictive planning and analysis. Blockchain promises to boost financial transparency and security. Cloud platforms are primed for further predominance to facilitate mobility and collaboration.
To capitalize on these emerging solutions, firms need to:
- Commit to continuous skills development via training on new and evolving best practices
- Foster a culture agile enough to accommodate constant technological change
- Research promising technologies proactively and integrate those aligning with organizational goals
The accounting technology landscape will continue to shift as new innovations materialize, and firms that invest in regular upskilling and remain strategically open to adopting the right solutions will transform themselves into indispensable hubs of financial strategy. They stand to boost employee capacity for judgment-intensive work rather than repetitive tasks. The result is elevated advisory services that anchor client success.
In Closing
Selecting the perfect speaker for an accounting event is no simple feat. Unlike most industries that can thrive on flashy headlines and clever soundbites, accountants prefer substance over style. However, that doesn’t mean the presenter should send the audience into a collective snooze. The right speaker strikes the ideal balance between relevant expertise and genuine charisma.
But what exactly constitutes the “right” speaker? Well, that depends entirely on the event’s goals and target demographic. By clearly defining your objectives and audience, you can narrow down the playing field to qualified candidates. This article provides practical strategies for identifying and securing accounting event speakers that will bolster your event rather than just fill a time slot.
Understanding Your Event’s Needs
Identifying the right speaker begins with a clear understanding of your event’s goals. Whether it’s an educational deep dive, a networking opportunity or a platform for professional development, the type of speaker required will differ:
| Event Type | Ideal Speaker |
|---|---|
| Educational | An expert who makes complex subjects accessible |
| Networking | A charismatic figure who fosters connections |
| Professional development | An inspirational speaker who offers actionable insights |
Identifying Your Audience
Understanding who will be attending your event is crucial in choosing the right accounting event speaker. Your audience’s experience level and areas of interest play a significant role in determining the type of speaker that will best resonate with them.
You may find it helpful to collect some demographic and psychographic information on your attendees, such as:
- Job types
- Specialties
- Learning objectives
- Topics of interest
- Experience levels
Where to Find Accounting Event Speaker Candidates
So where exactly should you hunt for eligible speakers? Well, the most direct method is consulting your professional network for recommendations. Industry partners and former event attendees can suggest experts who left a genuinely positive impression.
Speaker bureaus represent a wide gamut of industry veterans. However, pricing and specialty representation fluctuates greatly between agencies. You should thoroughly communicate event specifics so bureaus only recommend fitting candidates.
Don’t forget to tap into organizations related to niche attendee interests or specializations. For example, the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance (AFWA) connects events to female industry trailblazers that young attendees may find inspiring.
And of course, there’s always The Growth Partnership (TGP). Leveraging over 60 years of collective experience in the accounting world, our expert presenters blend genuine charisma with tangible value. No matter the session type, our speakers ensure audiences walk away engaged and equipped with actionable knowledge to advance their careers.
4 Key Accounting Event Speaker Attributes to Prioritize
Once you’ve compiled a list of potential speakers, it’s time to filter based on critical attributes that indicate success. These include:
- Subject matter expertise: Naturally, candidates should demonstrate deep knowledge of issues directly tied to the event theme and attendee interests. Examine credentials like academic training, professional certifications and previous speaking engagements at similar accounting functions.
- Dynamic speaking skills: Beyond just PowerPoint prowess, do they effectively employ storytelling, humor, audience participation and other presentation elements to amplify engagement? Watch previous speaking samples for a sense of their style.
- Crowd rapport: Review feedback forms—do attendees report feeling genuinely engaged rather than lectured at? The speaker must expertly cater their content and attitude to whichever audience sits before them.
- Logistical flexibility: No event goes 100% according to plan. Speakers must adapt well to last-minute changes in schedules, presentation length, technology issues and other potential disruptions.
Maximizing the Speaker’s Impact
The hard work doesn’t end once you finalize a signature. Successful events require actively spotlighting speakers in promotional media and pre-event communications to build anticipation. Tease selected themes the speaker will address or play up their credentials to underscore value.
You should also meet with speakers to ensure their planned content fully supports defined educational goals and addresses audience knowledge gaps. While presentations shouldn’t be overly sales-y, speakers may highlight resources that help audience members continue learning post-event.
Final Thoughts
Selecting an impactful accounting event speaker who aligns with defined goals and resonates with your audience is well worth the effort it entails. It elevates an ordinary event into an extraordinary, memorable experience that provides long-term professional value.
But securing the perfect speaker involves much more than just Googling “accountants near me.” It requires clearly defining your needs, conducting thoughtful research and leveraging insider industry perspectives.
Here at TGP, our specialists have planned hundreds of acclaimed accounting events over 60+ collective years. Our keynote and workshop leaders deliver dynamic presentations tailored to confront evolving issues facing modern accounting professions.
If you need guidance identifying the speaker that will maximize your event’s impact and stick to your budget parameters, don’t hesitate to pick our brains. We’re always happy to share insights or provide referrals.