Blog
07/04/2025
Remember the 1990s? It was the decade that brought us Super Nintendo, The Spice Girls, and classic TV shows like Friends and Seinfeld.
That era may seem like a long time ago, but for many accounting firms the 90s have never gone away – thanks to the technology they’re still using. With slow, clunky workflows defined by manual data entry and tedious task repetition, these desktop-based offerings are simply not equipped to handle the demands of today’s modern audits.
Many firms in this situation have been quite willing to adopt more advanced, data-driven technologies. They simply haven’t been able to, however, because the right tools haven’t been available. Fortunately, that’s changing, with the recent emergence of a range of intuitive, data-driven solutions on the market.
Let’s look at the key drivers causing firms to adopt these modern solutions and some of the top features that are making it easy for auditors to leave the 90s behind.
Many firms are seeing first-hand the dangers associated with their continued use of outdated platforms. A key one is loss of business, which is proving to be a significant motivation to adopt new solutions. Losing long-term clients to competitors with better technology can be a wake-up call for many organizations.
Another consequence is staff burnout – something public accounting is notorious for – which leads to talent shortages. Firms often tell themselves they can do the same amount of work with less people. They can only do that for so long, however, before their auditors leave.
Faced with smaller staff numbers and the inability to attract new talent, firms are adopting technology that can help manage workloads more efficiently.
Word-of-mouth recommendations from other firms have also been a catalyst for change. Audit leaders often hear about the benefits of new technology from their peers, which usually has a big influence on their decision to adopt similar solutions.
Many firms have already begun their journey to more advanced solutions thanks to the pandemic, which served as a significant catalyst for firms to adopt new technology. It forced many to adapt their policies and technology to continue operations remotely, leading to increased adoption of collaboration tools.
Whether they’re just starting to consider leaving the 90s behind or have already begun the move into the modern era of auditing, it’s tough for any firm to ignore the many benefits that today’s technology offers. These include:
By streamlining routine tasks through automation, digital audits unlock valuable time for auditors. This freed-up capacity can be redirected toward more complex, high-impact work, boosting job satisfaction and minimizing burnout. Enhanced efficiency also enables greater focus on critical tasks, while automation ensures consistency across audit documentation – both of which reduce errors and elevate audit quality.
Rather than just having an intern literally formatting an Excel spreadsheet for two hours, they’re now able to do more meaningful work, such as examining risky parts of the audit.
Traditional audits often provide only a surface-level view of available data. In contrast, digital audits leverage advanced data analytics to dive deeper into financials, uncovering insights that might otherwise go unnoticed.
This data-driven approach enables auditors to deliver more detailed and strategic guidance to clients, presenting findings in intuitive formats. As a result, auditors transition into trusted business advisors, providing clients with a clearer understanding of their financials to support informed decision-making.
The client sees the value of data analytics. You can show them insights that they can’t get on their own, which facilitates a much richer experience.
As firms expand and onboard more clients, digital audit tools seamlessly scale to accommodate growing demand without requiring a proportional increase in staff. This adaptability allows firms to enhance their service offerings while maintaining efficiency and quality as they grow.
By automating repetitive tasks, digital audits unlock valuable auditor time, allowing professionals to focus on higher-value, complex activities. This shift not only boosts job satisfaction but also helps mitigate burnout. Additionally, increased efficiency allows staff to pay more attention to critical tasks, while automation ensures consistency across audit documentation. This helps to minimize errors and strengthen overall audit quality.
Automation helps firms manage busy work by streamlining repetitive tasks. Staff can then focus on more meaningful and high-risk areas of the audit, improving overall efficiency.
Despite the undeniable advantages, transitioning to digital audits can feel overwhelming, especially for firms accustomed to traditional methods or those with past frustrations from underwhelming DAS investments. Concerns around system complexity, staff training, and potential operational disruptions can make the shift seem daunting.
Inflo addresses these challenges head-on, helping firms transition with confidence by offering:
Implementing digital audits introduces new workflows that may initially feel uncertain. Inflo mitigates these risks with robust security measures and backup solutions that safeguard data integrity and ensure compliance with industry standards. This helps reduce concerns around data breaches or compliance challenges.
Adopting new technology is a significant shift for audit teams. That’s why Inflo offers a structured onboarding experience through Inflo’s Proven Process, combined with continuous learning support via Inflo Academy. From tailored learning plans and tutorial videos to direct guidance from our audit experts, we ensure every user gains confidence and proficiency with the platform.
Change is never effortless, but it doesn’t have to be painful. Inflo is built for compatibility with existing business systems, ensuring a smooth implementation that minimizes disruption to daily operations. This allows firms to maintain service continuity while upgrading to a more advanced audit process. Additionally, Inflo’s Proven Process for onboarding, backed by a team of audit experts, provides hands-on support every step of the way.
The 1990s were fun – but time has moved on, and so has audit technology. Today’s digital solutions are built to handle the unique challenges of the modern era, providing the capabilities auditors need to carry out their work with confidence. Learn how your firm can benefit from a leap forward in time by booking a demo with one of our experts today.
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