The ProAdvisor Sub-Economy
This is a continuation of Alicia’s article about QB Live Expert Assisted Bookkeeping
The ProAdvisor Sub-Economy
But how do I truly feel? Although I don't personally have any problems with the new QB Live Expert Assisted services, even though it's related to my company's focus on QuickBooks Training, I believe Intuit is misguided as they shape their future strategy. The feedback they are using to guide their strategic initiatives is derived from asking the wrong questions to the wrong audience.
I don't believe their needs assessments took into account the fact that there is a whole accounting sub-economy centered around the ProAdvisor Community.
Intuit themselves created this economy through their initial approach of onboarding as many ProAdvisors as possible, recognizing that each Bookkeeper had 2 to 200 clients. A knowledgeable and enthusiastic QBO-centric bookkeeper could generate thousands of dollars per year.
Fifteen years ago, QBO was a novelty. It was cloud-based, liberating us from offices, office hours, and desktop computers. It utilized new technology to create automations that shifted the bookkeeping role from data entry to data management, from transactional to advisory.
With this transformation, passionate ProAdvisors established a community focused on support and education, fostering a collaborative environment that encouraged growth and learning. The ProAdvisor Sub-Economy flourished as these professionals shared knowledge and helped each other navigate the evolving landscape of accounting and QuickBooks.
Now, as Intuit considers their future strategy, it is crucial that they recognize the impact and significance of the ProAdvisor Sub-Economy. The needs and perspectives of this community should be taken into account when making decisions that will shape the future of QuickBooks. Their insights and expertise are invaluable in understanding the challenges and opportunities faced by accountants and bookkeepers, and ensuring that Intuit's products and services meet the needs of these professionals effectively.
Intuit believes the reason why they are the market leader is because their software is so great. But the truth is that they’re top of market because they have fostered a thriving collaborative community and with thousands of small businesses built around using and supporting their accounting tools. It’s the people using the software who are responsible for the software’s greatness. If Intuit does not include us in their strategic planning and implementation, there will be no reason for bookkeepers to recommend QuickBooks over other alternatives. The house of cards will fall.
In conclusion, while I have no personal qualms with the new QB Live Expert Assisted services, I believe Intuit should reassess their approach and consider the input from the ProAdvisor Community. By engaging with this vibrant sub-economy, they can gain valuable insights that will inform their strategic initiatives and ultimately benefit all users of QuickBooks.
On May 15, 2024, Alicia will have two special guests on QB Talks, Intuit’s Accountant Leader, Ted Callahan, and a representative from QuickBooks Live. In this special event, we’ll discuss how Intuit sees QB Live Expert Assist as a benefit to ProAdvisors, instead of competition.
Between now and then, please listen to The Unofficial QuickBooks Accountants Podcast when Hector Garcia and Alicia break down their opinions about the Intuit’s new bookkeeping service.
Love Alicia’s thought leadership? Take advantage of her vast library of QBO training resources including CPE-based webinars, on-demand courses, and her books on Amazon. See why she’s not afraid of Intuit offering training - her resources are unmatched in the industry!
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