With a growing number of business advisory software tools on and entering the accounting market it is often difficult to know what to choose.

At Smithink we recommend following our EnablerTM Seven Step to Success process using the best software at the critical steps. It is not as easy as having one tool for each step. There are several great applications that can be used. In this article we will look at some of the tools that are available for each step.

The first step in the EnablerTM process is preparing your firm to succeed with business advisory services. This is critical to the ongoing delivery of services and should include the appointment of a champion and analysis of the right clients to start with. Many firms are using Excel sheets and Word documents to plan out their service packages and strategies for implementation. Key to this step is the development of a Client Relationship Management (CRM) solution such as MYP’s Arm and Arm Pro.

From there you need to unlock your client’s business advisory needs with an interactive client needs analysis. This in my opinion is the most important step, as it will indicate where the client’s strengths and weaknesses are, and allows a proposal to develop to address specific needs. Great cloud tools here include Cash Flow Story’s simple four-chapter approach to business performance and My Yardstick What’s Important to you (WITY) tool, and E-Scope automated pricing system can assist here to understand client needs and develop innovative proposals.

The third step is to create a “disturbance” in your client’s mind using business value assessments. Paramount to this step is establishing how much the client thinks their business is worth against the commercial value and linking this to the concept of a Business Value Gap (BVG). Some of the best applications here are Cash Flow Story’s Business Value Indicator and Bstar’s materials, tools and programs that will calculate a capitalisation rate for the client’s business off financial data and a risk and value assessment. Another new tool in this space to increase the sellability of your client’s business is Sellability Score.

From there we introduce financial diagnostic software to fill the gaps by analysing and managing the clients key macro drivers and results that will improve their financial performance. We will look at where the business is today, its strengths (green flags) and weaknesses (red flags) and where it can be in the future. There are many solutions here including Cash Flow Story’s Power of One, PANALITX, Fathom and Profit Guardian.

It is then time to look at the strategies required to implement micro services using smart tools and resources such as ESS BIZTOOLS and ESS BIZGrants. Attaché Software also have great tools here that can assist to implement key strategies with your clients.

Then track the performance of the client’s business by preparing budgets and cash flows (or action plans) with Castaway, Calxa or Plan Guru. This step can link back to the development of business and action plans. MAUS Software’s Master Plan is an innovative solution to address this need. Another great tool here is MYP’s Estate Planning application to unlock your client’s estate planning needs and develop key strategies for the future.

Finally, generate new business by growing your business advisory specialisation through profitable scenario planning and offering your “how would you like to see the financial impact of very business decision before you make it” service. This look into the future requires software that can simply show the client their pre and postposition. Any of the financial diagnostic tools will adequately handle this task.

With this myriad of choices a firm needs to be confident that they select the right application for their clients and staff.

To get a better understanding of key business advisory and practice software available, come to the Smithink Accountants’ Technology Showcase Australia (ATSA) event on October 12 and 13 at the Sydney Hilton. For further information click here.

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