Intuit has emerged as a leader in the evolving accounting software landscape, continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation and ecosystem development. However, as the company strives to stay ahead of the curve, it must also navigate the delicate balance between introducing new features and addressing the specific needs of its accountant user base.
In a recent Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants podcast episode, Hector Garcia, CPA and Founder of Right Tool for QuickBooks, and Alicia Katz Pollock, CEO and Founder of Royal Wise Solutions, delve into the challenges and opportunities Intuit faces as it seeks to maintain this balance.
Intuit’s Successes
Hector and Alicia offer unique perspectives on Intuit’s successes and challenges.
Hector commends the company’s exceptional educational content for accountants, noting that “it’s above and beyond the call of duty. They get that absolutely right.” He also praises Intuit’s ability to gather and listen to feedback, describing the company as “a feedback gathering machine.” Furthermore, Hector highlights the ease with which developers can integrate with Intuit’s platform, citing it as the “easiest one to work with” among many companies.
On the other hand, Alicia emphasizes Intuit’s ability to foster a strong sense of community among its users, creating a passionate and dedicated user base that actively engages in helping one another. She stresses the importance of embracing change in the accounting industry.
A Challenging Transition to QuickBooks Online
A key challenge discussed is transitioning from QuickBooks Desktop to QuickBooks Online.
Hector says, “Moving to a single platform on the cloud is the right decision. The current state of things is rocky. We don’t have all the features we want. Desktop has more than online. There’s tons of glitches.” While rocky, Hector believes moving to a single cloud-based platform is the right decision for QuickBooks’s future.
To successfully navigate this transition, accountants must:
- Embrace change and adapt to new workflows.
- Leverage Intuit’s educational resources and training programs to build expertise.
- Communicate openly with clients about the benefits and challenges of the transition.
- Collaborate with peers to share best practices and troubleshoot issues.
Leveraging Third-Party Apps and Integrations
Effectively leveraging third-party apps and integrations is critical to thriving in the QuickBooks ecosystem. Hector emphasizes the ease with which developers can create integrations with QuickBooks Online: “The ecosystem of apps that integrate with QuickBooks is huge. The amount of options that you have in terms of using some other app to talk to QuickBooks is huge.”
To make the most of these opportunities, accountants should:
- Explore the QuickBooks App Store and familiarize yourself with the available integrations.
- Identify apps that streamline workflows, automate tasks, and enhance client services.
- Invest time in learning and implementing relevant apps to improve efficiency and value.
- Educate clients on the benefits of using integrated apps to manage their finances more effectively.
The Road Ahead: Balancing Innovation and User Needs
As Intuit continues to balance innovation and ecosystem development with the needs of its accountant user base, it must remain committed to open communication, transparency, and adapting to its users’ evolving needs.
By leveraging its strengths in areas like educational resources, user-friendly onboarding, and third-party app integrations, Intuit has demonstrated its commitment to empowering accounting professionals. However, more work remains in effectively prioritizing and addressing accountants’ needs as Intuit gathers feedback, integrates new products, and navigates the cloud transition.
For accountants, embracing change, adopting a positive mindset, and thriving in the face of evolving technologies and business practices will be key. As Alicia notes, “You just can’t be afraid of change. You have to embrace it.”
To dive deeper into the insights shared by Hector and Alicia and to learn more about how you can navigate the evolving landscape of accounting software, be sure to listen to the Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants podcast.
Alicia Katz Pollock’s Royalwise OWLS (On-Demand Web-based Learning Solutions) is the industry’s premier portal for top-notch QuickBooks Online training with CPE for accounting firms, bookkeepers, and small business owners. Visit Royalwise OWLS, where learning QBO is a HOOT!