7 productivity tools CPAs can use

CPAs are busy people. They face massive workloads. The working hours are long and thanks to the availability of the internet, their day never seems to finish. Of course – managing multiple client meetings, meeting deadlines and fulfilling other professional commitments become difficult if CPAs don’t keep a track of their tasks.

In this digital age where almost everyone relies on mobile apps and online tools to organize their work, we wonder why CPAs get left behind. To give a boost to their productivity, here are 7 nifty tools that they can use to spend less time organizing and more time working:

1. Evernote

This note-taking app is a boon to those who can’t remember half of the things or can’t decipher their notes because their short-hand is so bad. With Evernote, client meetings will become a breeze because the CPAs can make notes on it or put reminders for consistent follow-ups. The app can be used on desktop, smartphone and tablet.

2. Skype

Speaking on the phone or exchanging emails with clients is OK but Skyping with them is a major productivity booster. Imagine how much CPAs can cover if they have regular face-to-face meetings with their clients? Plus, a face-to-face conversation (online or otherwise) always helps to establish a bond faster. What do you think?

3. Slack

This is a team chat or collaboration tool which lets multiple users chat on the same group. Consider it as a more professional version of WhatsApp. CPAs can create multiple groups and categorize all the clients project-wise. Slack archives all communication threads and it can be used on desktop and on smartphone.

4. Trello

CPAs can create different boards for different clients and then add cards to each board, denoting tasks. The best feature about Trello is that it sends multiple reminders – often bombarding the inbox, if left unattended. This is helpful when a CPA is closing in various projects at the same time.

5. Wunderlist

As the name suggests, this is a list-making tool – which can be accessed on multiple devices. CPAs can add anything from the web to the tool. It can send out notifications via various mediums such as email, push (sending a message to your phone at a given time) and within the app. Moreover, the lists can be shared with colleagues and clients quite easily. The CPAs can group all related lists in one easily accessible folder.

6. Google Calendar

For most senior CPAs, meetings form an integral part of their job profile. Hopping from one place of meeting to another invariably makes way to their daily schedule. Therefore, for senior professionals like them, Google Calendar is an excellent tool for scheduling meetings. The tool sends multiple alarm reminders, so there is no way a CPA can forget where they are supposed to be.

7. Hand-written diary

If using technology is not a CPA’s cup of tea, then maintaining a proper diary is also not a bad option for take notes and fixing meetings. Colour coding the diary, if need be, is also a great idea as colours enhance memory. The only thing CPAs must make sure is they maintain it in a proper handwriting.

Are you using any of these tools currently? What has been your experience like? Please let us know!

Originally published Sep 28, 2017 12:09:13, updated Jul 05 2021

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