Working from Home Series for Nonprofits – A Case for Automation
With the pandemic entering a new phase but still omnipresent, organizations are settling into a new normal. If you are like most organizations, the new normal looks a lot like the old normal but with a few stark differences. Employees now expect that if all or part of their job can be done remotely, then it should be done remotely, and that organizations should embrace that flexibility. At a minimum, organizations should offer the flexibility to WFH at least part of the time. The toothpaste is out of the proverbial tube. There’s no going back.
Embrace that change. Embrace automation.
Now is the time to move your accounting processes into the cloud. Start with your accounting system. Yeah, I’m looking at you, Quickbooks Desktop. Doing so will allow your employees to access your system from anywhere, anytime. From there move on to accounts payable, and ditch the laborious process of printing and signing checks. There is a plethora of solid payment automation solutions out there (e.g., bill.com) that can simplify your bill approval and bill payment processes in the new WFH world, most of which will also integrate with your new cloud-based accounting system.
Cloud-based platforms also offer user-friendly apps for your phone. You can literally be approving vendor invoices or processing checks from your phone while waiting to pick up your kids from school.
You may not like change, especially when it comes to foundational processes that involve your organization’s most important internal controls. The question you need to ask yourself is: if I don’t automate now, what other larger problems will I face down the road in this new world? You can’t put the toothpaste back in the tube.
Find out how CLA’s IT and Outsourcing teams can assist you with system conversions and implementations today.
Kevin has spent 10+ years in senior finance roles at small to mid-sized companies, and brings more than 13 years of experience with nonprofits, including as an auditor and also serving as Board member and volunteer Treasurer for seven years.
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