The time is ripe for the spreadsheet exit
Qualified specialists have high expectations of the workplace and also of the work itself. If accounting wants to be successful in recruiting, it must therefore shed its old-fashioned image and entice people with modern working methods and interesting projects. But how can we succeed in giving accounting jobs so much appeal that young people are attracted to them?
Basically, it's quite simple: the reason why accounting has a dusty image is due to the repetitive tasks that an accounting employee has to do month after month.
Many therefore believe that an accountant only pores over lists, entries and accounts every day. But that can be changed! These routine and repetitive processes can be standardized and automated.
Companies that rely on automation actually kill two birds with one stone: First, they improve their workflows, reduce the error rate, ensure transparency and increase efficiency.
Secondly, they create free space for other, new, analytical and far more interesting tasks. This makes them more attractive and brings enormous added value for the company.
We have always done so
But why, despite these possibilities and an exponential increase in data, do many accountants still use traditional tools for their work? Why do they not manage to say goodbye to spreadsheets, the "comfort blanket of finance"?
This is probably because globalization has increased both the volume of transactions and the number of different systems from which information needs to be extracted, and these can still be matched well with legacy spreadsheets.
Solutions have long been available that can relieve the burden at this point and also ensure the accuracy of the data and compliance.
ERP as the backbone of modern finance
Modern ERP and accounting systems already ensure that a large number of recurring transactions are automated and that even large volumes of data can be processed in seconds - even beyond ERP systems.
These added values must be communicated to the outside world. Automation in accounting provides relief, reduces the error rate, increases transparency, ensures valid figures in real time, increases efficiency and creates completely new analysis options and freedom for more important tasks.
In the wake of an increasingly dynamic economy and a growing shortage of skilled workers, there is absolutely no alternative to this technology: companies that want to continue to be successful must automate their accounting processes.
Only then are they able to successfully run their bread-and-butter business and at the same time go a step further and dedicate themselves to more demanding tasks, such as risk analyses.
If the finance function follows this path, success will come all by itself: you can be sure that the results are correct, and the new time gained, for example by de-centering month-end closing tasks, can be used for business analysis and forecasting.
Motivated people who enjoy their jobs, work with modern tools, participate in digitization and have a positive work-life balance are the best advertising.
The digital transformation in accounting is therefore much more than it looks at first glance. The exit from the spreadsheet is a cultural change that turns the accountant into an accountant with charisma - an effect that should not be underestimated when recruiting new employees.
