Start with the process that comes back most often
The biggest gain is almost always in work that repeats every week or month. For most firms that is the document flow: invoices and receipts that come in, have to be processed and booked. Because it happens so often, every minute saved per item adds up fast.
Document intake is the logical starting point
Documents that are recognised and prepared automatically, instead of retyped by hand, save time and reduce the chance of errors. It is a well-defined process with a clear beginning and end, exactly what you want for a first step.
Then tackle chasing missing documents
A lot of time disappears in reminding clients about missing documents. A process that does this automatically and monitors the status removes a recurring annoyance and speeds up your month-end close.
What not to do
- Do not try to tackle everything at once. A firm-wide system in one go is a project of months that often stalls.
- Do not automate a messy process. First map out how the flow runs, then automate.
- Do not forget to measure. Without a baseline you do not know how much time you win.
What it delivers
By starting small and concrete you see within weeks whether it works, with less retyping and more time for the advisory work your client really pays for.