THE CHALLENGE

Disjointed Tools and Inefficient Workflows Operational Inefficiencies Amidst External Excellence 

With a stellar reputation for providing top-tier accounting services, Saranto P. Calamas CPA has established itself as a trusted partner for clients navigating the complexities of financial management. The firm's 24 employees skillfully handle around 5,000 returns annually, seamlessly blending individual and corporate filings.

However, the firm's internal technology stack told a different story. Alessando Coluccio, Managing Partner at Saranto P. Calamas CPA, candidly shares their journey:

"We had been through a bit of a roller coaster with our practice management software. In September, we switched from Office Tools to CCH Access Tax, but upon using it, we found it to be slow and problematic – not quite designed for a firm like ours."

The patchwork of software solutions created a fragmented environment where employees had to navigate six different tools, none of which were integrated. This lack of cohesion made reporting a daunting task and hindered the firm's ability to gain a holistic view of its operations.

Moreover, the disjointed nature of the tools led to cumbersome processes for essential tasks like accounts receivable management. Taking payments, posting transactions, and generating statements became a constant struggle, consuming valuable time and resources. On average, employees spent 25% of their time on non-billable administrative tasks, leading to reduced productivity and profitability.

It became evident that Saranto P. Calamas CPA needed a transformative solution – one that could seamlessly align their internal processes with the exceptional service they provided to clients.

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THE SOLUTION

Firm360's Comprehensive Practice Management Suite Empowering Efficiency and Employee Buy-In 

The partnership with Firm360 marked a pivotal turning point for Saranto P. Calamas CPA. By embracing Firm360's all-in-one practice management solution, the firm unlocked a new level of operational efficiency and employee satisfaction.

Alessando highlights a critical aspect often overlooked in software implementations: employee buy-in. He emphasizes, "One of the things that doesn't get discussed a lot is the buy-in from employees. Because of how great the software is and how easy it is to use, flowing exactly like you would think it should, I've had no complaints. When all your employees are 100% on board and want to use it correctly, that's huge."

Firm360's intuitive interface and streamlined workflows empowered Saranto P. Calamas CPA's team to embrace the new system wholeheartedly. The software's design, crafted by experienced accounting professionals, resonated with the firm's employees, making the transition seamless and hassle-free.

The implementation process was smooth, with Firm360's dedicated support team guiding Saranto P. Calamas CPA every step of the way. The firm was able to migrate its data and train its employees in less than a month, minimizing disruption to their operations.

Streamlining Project Management and Billing 

With Firm360's robust project management features, Saranto P. Calamas CPA gained a powerful tool to optimize their workflows. The user-friendly interface made it simple for employees to create, assign, and track projects, ensuring that nothing fell through the cracks. 

Key project management capabilities include:

• Centralized project dashboard for real-time visibility into project status and progress
• Automated task assignment and deadline tracking to keep projects on schedule
• Seamless integration with time tracking for accurate billing and profitability analysis

Alessando remarks, "The projects are great; they're easy to use, and people are using them. The billing is great too." By centralizing project management and billing within a single platform, Firm360 eliminated the need for manual data entry across multiple systems, drastically reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies.

The impact on the firm's bottom line was significant. Alessando notes, "Our effective billing rates have gone up, which is good because we're not spending so much time on non-billable admin work, trying to figure out what's wrong or what's not working."

Enhancing Document Management and Client Collaboration 

Firm360's document management system has been a game-changer for Saranto P. Calamas CPA. With all client files securely stored in the cloud, employees can access the information they need anytime, anywhere. 

Key features include:

• Secure client portal for easy document sharing and collaboration
• Automated document versioning and audit trails for compliance and quality control

The streamlined document management process has not only improved internal efficiency but also enhanced client service. Clients appreciate the convenience and security of the portal, which allows them to upload files and sign documents electronically. This has reduced turnaround times and strengthened client relationships.

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THE RESULTS

Elevated Performance and Enduring Partnership Measurable Impact and Transformative Outcomes 

For Saranto P. Calamas CPA, the transition to Firm360 has yielded impressive results, including 100% employee adoption and satisfaction with the new system.

Beyond the quantitative metrics, the firm has experienced a transformation in its operations and culture. Employees are more engaged and productive, with a renewed focus on client service. The firm's leadership has greater visibility into performance metrics, enabling data-driven decision-making and strategic planning.

When asked what he would say to a similar firm considering Firm360, Alessando's response is clear:

"You can tell this was written by someone with accounting experience because everything makes sense as you go through it. We've shopped them all, we've tried a bunch, and this has been the best decision we've made."

Saranto P. Calamas CPA's journey with Firm360 stands as a testament to the transformative power of aligning internal processes with industry best practices. By embracing a comprehensive, user-friendly practice management solution, the firm has unlocked unprecedented levels of efficiency, employee satisfaction, and overall performance.

Looking ahead, Alessando affirms their commitment to the partnership: "We're not going anywhere. We look forward to leveraging more of Firm360's features and capabilities as our firm continues to grow. This is a long-term partnership for us."

The Next Step: Unleash Your Firm's Potential 

Are you ready to transform your accounting practice and achieve new levels of efficiency and growth? Schedule a personalized demo with Firm360 today and discover how our comprehensive practice management solution can empower your firm to thrive.

Visit www.firm360.com/demo to book your demo and take the first step towards operational excellence.