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Over the last decade, automation has transformed bookkeeping and accounting. Bookkeeping tasks that historically took up a significant amount of time, including manually inputting and categorising expense data, can now be dramatically accelerated using automation. What’s more, AI-powered document processing makes it far easier to capture data in close to real time. On one level, this is only good news for accountants and bookkeepers.
Increased efficiency will allow you to take on more work and increase margins. However, automation may also impact how clients perceive the value of traditional bookkeeping and have already spurred conversations about bookkeeping pricing strategies. The thing that bookkeepers and accountants need to realise is that automation not only improves efficiency, but it also increases the value you are able to deliver to clients. The combination of increased access to real-time data and less time required to capture and categorise that data creates significant opportunities to offer new services.
Client advisory services (CAS) encompass a range of strategic, value-added offerings that extend beyond traditional bookkeeping and accounting. CAS emphasises using bookkeeping data to provide actionable insights and advice tailored to each client’s business, including cash flow management, tax planning, and budgeting. Recent regulatory changes have expanded these opportunities even further by increasing the number of businesses that need accounting support. As more clients seek expert guidance on their financial health, these additional services are becoming essential. Expanding into CAS not only meets this demand but also allows you to grow your business and stay competitive while strengthening client relationships at the same time. So, the question is how do you get started?
The first step is leveraging automation to free up time for advisory work.
Recommending and implementing automation technology for your clients is crucial. BookWell eliminates manual data entry, enhancing efficiency and accuracy for both you and your clients. This not only streamlines processes but also frees up your time to focus on CAS, allowing you to provide more strategic insights. Receipt processing replaces the tedious task of manually logging mounds of paper receipts and instantly captures them digitally. Automatic data extraction from invoices or bank feeds further reduces manual effort. AI-powered categorisation ensures consistency and accuracy by classifying transactions intelligently. In a recent survey, 81% of accountants said automation could save around two hours a day—520 hours a year—equivalent to 65 workdays. Without freeing up this capacity, it’s difficult to expand into advisory.
The second step is using real-time data to drive insights for clients.
Automation provides accurate, up-to-date data, enabling better decision-making and financial visibility. BookWell’s dashboards and reporting features allow instant insights into spending patterns, budgets, and forecasts. With cloud-based access, you and your clients can share a centralised view of financial health, while automated reports like profit and loss statements or cash flow summaries support strategic planning. Yet according to global research, only 23% of finance leaders feel they currently have the tools to generate real-time insights. By adopting automation, you gain the ability to elevate CAS and deliver data-driven advice backed by timely, reliable information.
The third step is improving client communication and collaboration.
Advisory work requires closer interaction than traditional bookkeeping. BookWell supports this through automated notifications, real-time collaboration, and cloud data sharing. Clients can stay updated without constant follow-ups, while accountants can provide more proactive service. Stronger collaboration fosters trust, which research shows directly improves client satisfaction. Without such tools, delivering advisory services at scale is almost impossible.
The fourth step is providing strategic forecasting and planning.
Clients are increasingly looking for guidance on long-term financial strategy, and BookWell makes this much easier by integrating and analysing real-time financial data. This ensures accurate records, enhances cash flow management, and supports proactive tax planning. Instead of scrambling at year-end, firms can provide rolling insights throughout the year, creating a more valuable advisory relationship. Industry reports confirm that clients now expect bookkeepers to help with forecasting, budgeting, and growth planning. With BookWell, you can confidently make the transition from compliance-focused bookkeeping to trusted strategic partner.
Research shows that over 70% of SMBs already have growth strategies in place, with financial health, cash flow, and efficiency at the top of the agenda. Bookkeepers who embrace this role can advise businesses on these priorities and become essential to their long-term stability and expansion. BookWell streamlines CAS by automating repetitive tasks, delivering accurate real-time data, and enabling collaboration. It also securely stores financial documents and provides instant access to records, ensuring a reliable basis for decision-making. By saving time, improving accuracy, and strengthening client communication, BookWell allows accountants and bookkeepers to provide higher-value services that truly make a difference.
It’s time to give yourself a competitive edge and offer your clients more. With BookWell, you can move beyond data entry and compliance, unlock new advisory opportunities, and deliver real strategic value that helps your clients grow.
