Can Cloud Computing for CPA Firms Revolutionize the Accounting Industry?

High-speed Internet, mobile technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning; the harbingers of the present day’s digital transformation are now preparing the stage for the fourth Industrial Revolution across the globe with cloud computing at the centre of this revolution.

Can Cloud Computing for CPA Firms Revolutionize the Accounting Industry?

High-speed Internet, mobile technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning; the harbingers of the present day’s digital transformation are now preparing the stage for the fourth Industrial Revolution across the globe with cloud computing at the centre of this revolution.
As a result, a rapid and widespread increase in the adoption of cloud computing has been witnessed in many organizations irrespective of size, sector and geography. As per a report published by a global consulting firm during 2019, more than one-third of the industry experts surveyed worldwide consider putting money in best cloud solutions for CPA firms as one of the top three investment priorities with a potential of exceeding USD 300 billion in the coming years.
What is Accounts Payable Automation?

Cloud computing is defined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as a means of on-demand access to shared pools of computing resources including networks, servers, storage applications, and services that can be rapidly configured and made use of.

The cloud is simple terms can be visualized as massive clusters of super-sized and scattered servers across the world and are run by Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) such as Amazon AWS that also provides hosting services. Accounting firms using cloud computing are adopting a cloud-first strategy for new systems or when replacing systems.

Cloud accounting firms are now migrating from onsite servers to those in the cloud and accessing programs and data files on the cloud from any device at any time by choosing public, private, community or hybrid cloud infrastructure.

What is the Difference between Traditional Accounting and Cloud Accounting Software?

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How is Cloud Computing Unfolding for CPA Firms?

Not every CPA firm is bullish on cloud computing. However, a shifting trend is now gradually unfolding as many CPA Firms are realizing the cloud as a viable and cost-effective alternative to local networks.

The mood appears to be cautious as many CPA firms are still in a dilemma and not looking very enthusiastic about the idea of depending on outside resources. The firms are preferring to be selective in the adoption of cloud and looking in some specific areas and categories initially rather than taking a quantum leap. The main areas of interest have been seen in audit solutions, workflow and practice management and billing.

Why many CPA Firms are opting for Cloud Solutions?

What are the models for cloud deployment?

Accounting firms using cloud computing can choose the following services deployment models such as

What are the models of cloud solutions?

Best cloud solutions for CPA firms are built on the following three primary cloud solution models

Want to learn more about Cloud Accounting Hosting Solution for CPA Firms?

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What are the benefits of using the Cloud Accounting Software?
Cloud accounting offers numerous benefits to the users and some of these benefits are

Ease of Access

The only thing you need as a finance and accounting professional of cloud accounting firms is just an internet connection which can give you access to your organization’s financial data to work upon from home or even during travelling.

Productivity Improvement

Accounting firms using cloud computing always experience higher productivity through automated processes and reduced manual work. Automated software also ensures error-free operations and leaves you more time for focusing on strategies and plans to increase profit margins for your organisation.

Environmental Protection

When we avoid any large scale paperwork we automatically protect our environment. By storing all our records and documents in the cloud, we can attain a paperless working environment. Large scale. And saving papers get you a little closer to saving your environment.

Auto Updates

Your CSPs can provide automatic software updates at a nominal cost to keep your accounting systems healthy and free of bugs.

Scalability

Accounting firms using cloud computing can easily and quickly scale up or scale down operation and storage space requirement based on the market situation and business loads.

Increased Collaboration

Collaboration has become vital in the face of the pandemic when more and more companies are resorting to remote working from home. Cloud accounting offers the advantage of coordinating and collaborating effectively without any loss in work efficiency.

Reduced IT Cost

As cloud computing doesn’t need any upfront investment for IT infrastructure build-up and is free of regular periodic maintenance, the best cloud solutions for CPA firms can be availed at a fraction of on-site IT cost.

Security of Financial Data

With a high level of encryption and multi-level authentication, accounting data remain safe and secure in the cloud taking away worries and anxieties from daily work life.

Backup of Data

Cloud accounting software comes with automatic data back features freeing eliminating any possibility of lost data due to unforeseen calamities.

What are the risks and challenges of Cloud Computing?

Though cloud computing offers many benefits, it also comes with a fair share of challenges. The new normal due to pandemic had given rise to widespread remote usage of cloud computing and increased security risks and data confidentiality breaches including some other challenges.

Realising the risks and challenges, many accounting firms using cloud computing firms are planning for their private cloud or purchasing public cloud services from other cloud service providers (CSP), including Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS.

Some of the immediate risks challenges are

Conclusion
There is no doubt that even with some risks and challenges, cloud computing is all set to have the last laugh as the winner which has been reinforced by the recent changes to the CPA examination syllabus that emphasized an understanding of business processes, automation, data analytics and advocated the replacement of some earlier topics such as the difference between IFRS and GAAP standards, estate taxes and trust.
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