How Does Kolbrenner & Alexander LLC Use CCH Axcess™ to Improve Efficiency by 25% and Differentiate on Service?

Accounting isn’t the first industry to migrate to the cloud, but it’s also not the last. In fact, many CPA firms are making the move to cloud-based computing to gain a competitive advantage. When Michael Alexander, partner at Kolbrenner & Alexander LLC in Greenwich, Conn., started searching for a new technology platform for his firm, he knew that to successfully grow their business, they needed to invest in technology. They sought a platform that would help them complete client work more efficiently, build relationships and streamline processes — all while maintaining bank-level security. They chose CCH Axcess, the industry’s first cloud-based tax preparation, compliance and firm management solution.

CCH Axcess is the only cloud-based, expandable CPA solution built around a core database that unifies an accounting firm’s practice for more efficient growth, management and protection of the business. From return preparation to compliance and file storage, CCH Axcess provides a complete solution that saves time while providing cost savings and increased security.

According to Alexander, the firm’s decision to implement CCH Axcess came down to a desire to be on the leading edge of technology, coupled with practical economics.

One of the reasons we moved to the cloud is that we realized that if we wanted to continue to run our own servers we would need to replace them every three to five years, not to mention the additional IT and security costs. At some point, it just didn’t make sense anymore. We knew that we had to move to the cloud eventually and CCH Axcess provided the easiest, most cost-effective way for our firm to make the transition.

CCH Axcess enables Kolbrenner & Alexander greater flexibility as to where and how work gets done. In 2013, for example, Alexander spent most of the year overseas and CCH Axcess enabled him to access everything he needed, exchange documents with clients and use all of his tools seamlessly. “Even from overseas my productivity was close to 100% thanks to CCH Axcess,” said Alexander.

The Industry’s Only Fully-Integrated Cloud-Based CPA SolutionToday, Kolbrenner & Alexander uses CCH Axcess™ Tax for tax preparation; CCH Axcess™ Document for document management; CCH Axcess™ Portal for secure data storage and exchange; and CCH Axcess™ Workstream for full digital project management. They were particularly attracted to the seamless updates of a cloud-based solution and the fact that all CCH Axcess modules work together.

In the past, I’d have to get up on the weekend and update our servers so that our people could access our solutions, but now Wolters Kluwer takes care of everything on their end and I don’t have to worry about that at all. Plus, the user interface is the same as the products we’ve used for years, so there was no learning curve for our staff, which simplified implementation.

Moving to CCH Axcess has been instrumental in leading the firm away from paper and providing a secure way to exchange information with clients. Today, a typical Kolbrenner & Alexander client will send all of their documents to the firm through the portal, avoiding physical mail, scanning and email. Once their information is in the portal, Alexander can pull up last year’s return, this year’s return and the client’s documents, easily reviewing to see if anything is missing. After he completes the return, he places it in their folder on the portal so that the client has access to it 24/7.

Kolbrenner & Alexander LLC Key Data

ll Founded in 1990

ll Headquartered in Greenwich, Conn.

ll 5 full-time staff members

ll Conducts approximately 800 individual returns per year

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Differentiating on ServiceThe ability to complete work more efficiently and provide higher levels of client service has enabled Kolbrenner & Alexander to differentiate itself on service in a competitive market. In fact, clients are recommending the firm to others based on the portal capability — if they need a W2 for a mortgage application; for example, it’s available to them in the portal 24/7.

Our younger clients love it, and we’ve found that the majority of our older clients appreciate it as well, once they get used to the new way of doing things. It’s also helped us attract new accounting talent, which is important in a growing, successful firm. CCH Axcess helps us distinguish ourselves in a very competitive market.

Reducing Time by 25%Alexander admits that in cost-sensitive times, it’s difficult to raise client fees — especially when clients view tax returns as a commodity. He estimates that his firm has been able to save about 25% in the time it takes to complete a return and perform maintenance updates. It’s also taken a lot of pressure off staff and saves paper, since the firm is now practically paperless.

Wolters Kluwer’s technology helps us keep up and collaborate more effectively with our clients. To me, if the cost of the program saves me the hard cost of maintaining my own servers and I’m able to charge the client the same amount, the decision to buy makes good economic sense.

Having used CCH Axcess for more than a year, Alexander had this to say to others considering the move to the cloud:

Whether we’re ready for it or not, the industry is headed to the cloud, so it’s really a question of when your firm will get on board. Those that adopt earlier will be able to differentiate themselves. We’ve found CCH Axcess to be efficient, secure and cost effective, and it’s given us greater mobility. As accountants, we don’t tend to change quickly, but this is definitely one area we need to embrace because it’s good for our industry and good for business.

With CCH Axcess, Kolbrenner & Alexander was able to:

ll Save time by eliminating server updates

ll Improve efficiency by 25%

ll Nearly eliminate paper from their processes

ll Maintain current rates by differentiating on service