The Future of Financial Reporting: How AI will Change the Way we Engage Clients
Regular reporting to clients in the SME and SMSF space comes with several challenges to accountants. We are pressed for time with people resource shortages and an ever-increasing workload placed upon the industry from the regulatory bodies (ATO/ ASIC/ TPB etc) meaning some of the “niceties” go by the wayside while we keep our noses above water doing the “mandatories”.
Even when we do make the effort to provide the extra reporting, there are some limitations. Traditional financial reporting methods have remained stagnant, offering clients little more than static, often incomprehensible documents filled with dense data and complex financial jargon. These reports, while accurate, fail to engage the client, leading to a significant disconnect between accountants and their clients. Simply put, a profit and loss and balance sheet is useful for trained accountants. They don’t offer a lot of guidance for a business owner seeking to understand trends, leading indicators or whether the profit they made is good or bad.
Additionally, given our time constraints AND reporting that dis-engages more than it engages leads us to negatively pre-judge clients who may be interested in understanding their affairs better. This represents a missed opportunity to build stronger relationships between accountant and client.
However, the good news is that technology has brought us to the point where we can invest in dynamic, easy to consume reporting for our clients that wont cost accountants precious time or resources. Those clients who are interested, are given the opportunity to consume and be educated. Now we can have better quality conversations, leading to better quality work and stronger client relationships.
Artificial intelligence is the buzz word. Generative AI promises to deliver enhancements to our systems and services that we can’t even imagine right now. For once a technology has come along that shouldn’t be faced with fear (remember the blockchain conversation?). This is truly the most exciting opportunity to lead the pack and revolutionise the way we communicate to clients and start to solve some of those problems in reporting.
The Digital Rapport Solution: AI-Driven Video Reports
Enter Digital Rapport. By harnessing the power of AI and video technology, Digital Rapport has developed a revolutionary approach to financial reporting. This innovative solution transforms static data into dynamic, engaging video content that clients can easily understand and act upon. Utilising data automation and AI, Digital Rapport’s video reports provide real-time insights into financial health and performance trends, tailored specifically for SMSF Trustees and business services clients. Best of all, videos are created by the accountant in mere moments.
Why Video?
Video has emerged as a powerful tool for communication and information dissemination. It’s no secret that video content is how we consume information in the modern age. Studies show that video can increase information retention rates by up to 95% compared to just 10% with text. For financial reporting, this means that clients are more likely to understand and engage with their financial data when it’s presented in a video format.
Transforming Client Engagement
Digital Rapport’s AI-driven video solutions do more than just present data; they tell a story. By combining data, automation, and AI, these videos provide a narrative that helps clients understand their financial position, make informed decisions, and feel more connected to their financial advisors. This enhanced engagement leads to stronger client relationships and better financial outcomes.
Seamless Integration and Personalisation
One of the standout features of Digital Rapport’s solution is its seamless integration with leading SMSF administration platform BGL Simple Fund 360, as well as business accounting software Xero. This ensures that data is automatically pulled and updated, providing clients with the most current insights without any additional effort on their part. Additionally, the use of Microsoft’s neural text-to-speech technology allows these videos to be personalised with the advisor’s voice, adding a personal touch that traditional reports simply cannot match.
The Future is Here
As the financial services industry continues to evolve, the adoption of AI-driven reporting solutions will become not just an advantage but a necessity. Digital Rapport is at the forefront of this revolution, setting new standards for client engagement and satisfaction. By embracing these innovative technologies, accountants can provide a more meaningful, engaging, and educational experience for their clients.
In conclusion, the future of financial reporting lies in harnessing the promise of technology to educate our clients and improve our conversations. Digital Rapport’s leading solutions are proving that traditional methods of reporting are no longer sufficient in today’s fast-paced, information-rich world. By transforming how financial data is presented and consumed, Digital Rapport is not just keeping pace with the future; it is shaping it.
For more information on how Digital Rapport can revolutionise your financial reporting, visit our website or contact us for a demo today. www.digitalrapport.io