Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

How a Career in Cloud Accounting Can Change Your Life

roi cloud accounting technology

Getting your first accounting job out of school – whether at a Big 4 firm or elsewhere – is exciting. As with any career path, however, there often comes a point when it’s time to explore other options, perhaps to advance your career, or to expand your skill set, or simply for the sake of change.

Advancements in technology have enabled exciting career opportunities for individuals with an accounting background. As such, a natural course for CPAs who have spent their early years in a traditional firm is to explore the world of cloud accounting.

For accountants like Cecilia Gordillo, a career in cloud accounting has been life-changing. Cecilia began her career as an accountant at a traditional firm in Argentina. Fast forward to today: Cecilia is one of the founding partners of Flow CPA, a full-service CPA firm that operates entirely on the cloud. Cecilia and her founding partner, Natasha McLaren-Doerr, were honored as one of Hubdoc’s Top 50 Cloud Accountants of 2017, and Flow CPA recently received the Emerging Partner of the Year at the Xero Awards Americas.

With all of these accolades, it’s hard to believe that Cecilia and Natasha launched Flow CPA in January 2017. Since entering the exciting world of cloud accounting, Cecilia has been able to spend more time with her family, travel, and pursue her hobbies – all while operating her own firm and being her own boss.

Cecilia provided three key ways that a career in cloud accounting can change your life.

Cloud accounting enables greater flexibility

With the ability to connect with clients using tools like Slack and Zoom (not to mention the elimination of paper-based processes), cloud technology is enabling a greater degree of flexibility for accountants. Many accountants now have the ability to work remotely – some firms are even moving out of their office space.

“Last year, I was able to go to Argentina,” says Cecilia. “I work from home everyday because there’s no need to see my clients in person – there’s flexibility with video chats.”

If you’re looking for a career in which you can also pursue a passion project, travel, and start a family, joining a cloud accounting firm is one path to consider. “It’s not like you work less, but you can enjoy your lifestyle more,” says Cecilia.

A career in cloud accounting is an incredible learning experience

“Working at a Big 4 firm is a good learning opportunity, but each role there exists for a very specific task. You’re not exposed to the whole business cycle,” says Cecilia. At a cloud accounting firm that works with small business clients, you’ll have more insight into how businesses operate and how accountants provide value with advisory services.

Joining a cloud accounting firm also provides some degree of flexibility in your career trajectory. For example, as you learn how to use more cloud accounting apps, you’ll be able to gain experience managing technology as well as advising clients. In addition to offering more robust advisory services, many firms are also opening up opportunities for roles in technology operations to ensure their tech stack is functioning optimally. Cloud accounting can open up your career options from advisory to operations and everything in between.

Cloud accounting tech skills will future-proof your career

Accounting jobs are often listed as being the most at risk for being replaced by robots. While it’s true that automation is taking over a lot of administrative tasks, Cecilia argues that the role of an accountant isn’t going to disappear – it’s merely going to shift.

“In a few years, bookkeeping and record-keeping will all be done by technology and the role of firms will be to advise,” she says. “Working with cloud technology now will provide more job security and help to future-proof your career.”

So, how do you get hired at a cloud accounting firm and experience all these benefits? What if you’ve never worked with cloud accounting tools like QuickBooks Online, Xero, and Hubdoc before?

According to Cecilia, she (and many other cloud accounting firm owners) are less concerned about your prior experience working with certain tools, and more interested in your soft skills (i.e., your ability to talk to clients) and your willingness to learn.

“This industry is booming – everyone is hiring! If you’re interested in getting cloud accounting experience, just reach out and email your resume,” says Cecilia.

An exciting career in cloud accounting awaits you – what are you waiting for? Start your job search here.

Victoria is the Content Marketing Manager at Hubdoc. She is a graduate of the University of Toronto’s Semiotics and Communication Theory program and has 5+ years of experience in digital marketing. Follow her on Twitter – @victoriahoffman.