This article, "A Manifesto for Change," originally appeared on AccountingWeb.com.
The accountancy profession continues to face rapid change. So it can be hard for accountancy firm owners to see what their next step should be when they want to progress.
We’ve been doing some deep thinking about this over the last few months, crystallising how we can best help accountants navigate this challenging landscape.
And the result is this – the AVN Manifesto for Change. Shane Lukas explains more.
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The AVN Manifesto – why?
I’ve been consistently highlighting the transformative impact that Artificial Intelligence would have on our profession for the past 15 years. But what was once a discussion about possibilities is now a pressing reality. The shift from compliance to advisory services has moved from what I’ve previously described as a ‘nicety’, to an absolute ‘necessity’.
Many accountants have already grasped this and are embracing the opportunities that technology – and AI in particular – brings. They understand how it frees up time from mundane, repetitive tasks to focus on delivering more value to clients and enhancing the services you provide.
But it’s not just about technology. Even more important is mindset. Time and time again, I talk to firm owners who are letting their business control them instead of the other way round. They don’t believe they have a choice about the kind of clients they work with or the prices they charge. They can’t see any alternative to working long hours and sacrificing time with family and friends (and frequently sacrificing their health in the process).
To be honest, this makes me quite angry!
Not with the accountants themselves but with a system that lets this happen.
Because there is a better way. We’ve worked with thousands of accountants over the last 26 years and they are proof that this gruelling treadmill isn’t the only option.
What AVN believes
So as we face these difficult times, I believe it’s more important than ever to show what AVN stands for. And just as importantly, to show the accepted norms that we reject.
As part of this, we’ve changed our logo and in fact, our name. We’re now AVN – The Accountants’ Network, a nod back to our origins as the Added Value Network. This more accurately reflects our community of AVN accountants, sharing knowledge and supporting each other.
And we have a different focus too, which can be summarised as Empowering Firms, Advancing Business, Enriching Lives.
What this means for accountants is all here, in the AVN Manifesto. Download the AVN Manifesto for Change.