You need a smooth and repeatable process that transitions prospects into paying clients in a swift and consistent way, with their needs at the forefront.

To do this, you need to standardize your client onboarding process.

What does it mean to standardize your client onboarding process?

Standardizing all your accounting firm’s processes is a huge task. It involves understanding every single step of every single process, including who does what, when, why and how. You then take that information and optimize it, document it, test it and refine it.

The end goal is a well-oiled machine—a firm that operates smoothly and consistently. Each process is refined and documented, so that it’s performed the best way, every single time.

But if you standardize everything all at once, it will quickly become one of the most overwhelming projects you can undertake.

Although that shouldn’t deter you from standardizing your firm’s processes—the benefits far-outweigh the time and effort it takes.

So, instead, begin by tackling one process. Think of it like a practice or prototype. And why not begin with one of your most common and important processes—client onboarding?

Why you should standardize your client onboarding process

Your client onboarding process is the difference between locking in a satisfied, long-term client, and providing a bad experience at the time when it’s easiest for them to churn.

You need to set a good first impression with a solid onboarding process for your clients that:

• Is consistent

• Makes sense and is relevant to them

• Is timely

• Is organized

• Is a human experience

• Meets (or exceeds) their expectations

The only way to make this happen is by taking the time to standardize and document the process, and completely rethink how your firm does it. So that each time you onboard a new client, you are delivering on that criteria.

By standardizing your client onboarding onboarding process you can:

1. Turn prospects into paying clients quicker