Who doesn’t want to work more efficiently? However you define efficiency—whether it’s how you help your customers, staying compliant with regulations, or doing both at the same time—you know you can’t achieve business success without it. Unfortunately, some companies might be slowed down by inefficiencies and not even know it.

It’s important to know what areas your business is focusing on for improving efficiency. When it comes to accounting efficiency, most accountants focus on three areas to improve efficiency: time management, technology, and work-life balance.

According to Sage research, of all three efficiency challenges, the one that presents perhaps the biggest challenge for accountants is work-life balance. Keeping up with technology ranked second, and time management, third. Other factors including work flow management, staffing, and keeping up with changing standards all add to the complicated tangle of issues facing accountants today.

Big Picture Perspective

When it comes to finding the right technology, the trick is to focus on the big picture rather than the immediate needs, although that’s easier said than done. After all, you’ve got to solve today’s challenges before you can turn your attention to tomorrow’s opportunities.

The big picture includes both internal items—such as what’s going on within your company—as well as the broader horizon. That includes industrywide trends, competitive forces, and changes, updates, and advances in the accounting profession.

All this information assists you in gaining insight into the needs of the present and the future. These needs can then guide your technology choices. Consider both present needs and future challenges when choosing software; this will help ensure your company chooses software that can grow alongside your business.

Don’t Let Your Time Manage You

It’s easy to let meetings and tasks fill up the day. Consider blocking time out on the calendar for administrative tasks and for quiet-time tasks so that you aren’t interrupted. Set boundaries and limits around ad hoc meetings. Although some people prefer an open-door management policy in which subordinates can seek and obtain meetings on the fly, this can actually disrupt productivity.

Using software for time management may also be helpful. Shared electronic calendars, for example, enable you to share meeting time blocks in advance so that others can schedule around your preferences.

Find Technology that Improves Work-Life Balance

Everyone struggles to achieve work-life balance, accountants included. Depending on how it’s leveraged, technology can help or hurt your efforts to ensure better work-life balance.

Smartphones and tablets empower us to stay in close contact. We can manage email, access certain cloud-based software, and check social media accounts using these devices. But they can also keep us in too close contact with the office during holidays and family vacations, times when it’s best to unplug and unwind.

As with all technology, devices can either improve or detract from our work-life balance. It’s really up to you how much connection you want with work while you are out of the office. Consider turning off notifications while on vacation, or setting “do not disturb” hours during family dinners. If you must access information outside of the office, cloud systems can make it easier to keep track of information, connect with suppliers, and answer questions from your team while you are away.

Improve Accounting Efficiency and Balance with Sage and PositiveVision

Fortunately for your efficiency plans, Sage software offers great accounting and financial management tools that assist with operations and other functions. Transparency, easy access, and a user-friendly dashboard enables you to do more than you thought possible. Cloud-based access with Sage 300cloud also means you can access information on the go or offsite to keep your business moving forward even when you’re not there in person.

Sage technology can improve efficiency and enhance productivity. Make sure you get the right software for your efficiency needs by partnering with an experienced software solutions provider. PositiveVision is a full-service consulting firm committed to helping companies find the most innovative solutions to improve efficiencies and grow revenue. Find out more about how you can improve accounting efficiencies and other business processes with PositiveVision.