With the rise of remote and hybrid work, Reddit accounting communities, Facebook and LinkedIn groups brought more opportunities for successful practice management.
Accounting and finance professionals join the accountant forums for many purposes, but mostly to seek peer feedback and ways to network. They also want to learn how to grow their client base and keep up with the changes in legislation.
Tax professionals, CPAs, accounting technicians and bookkeepers become a part of a sizable accounting community to bring innovative practice management tools and knowledge into their practice. In this post, we will:
- Analyze the benefits of joining online accountant forums
- See the top 3 global accounting communities every accounting professional should join
- Discuss the top accounting forums in Australia, the UK and the USA
Let’s dive in!
Reasons to join accountants forums
Reason 1: It’s a networking opportunity
First of all, online accounting forums create an open global network of opportunities for the accounting profession. Formal accounting forums (think the International Accounting Standards Board forum) limit membership to a few individuals. It’s a lot easier to join online communities of accounting pros—to do that, you usually need to confirm your legitimate professional status.
Such accounting discussion groups and online forums have become virtual conference rooms where you can solicit advice, gain knowledge, and share it with accounting professionals from anywhere in the world.
Reason 2: Peer collaboration
Another important detail is that accountants’ forums foster a culture of peer support and collaboration. They provide a safe space to connect with like-minded individuals. You can exchange tips, or ask ‘dumb’ technical questions or recommendations about the best accounting software.
If you’re starting out a career in accounting, make sure to join accountant online communities and AAT discussion forums. Experienced accountants and even big names in the accounting industry can contribute to the discussions with their valuable advice.
If you are an expert in a specific area of accounting (e.g., cryptocurrency taxation), you can learn how to deliver customer experience to such clients with lower risks and better value.
Reason 3: Follow legislation changes
Accounting and finance communities prevent risks of falling behind important changes in legislation. Staying compliant is vital for daily operations for every accounting professional. That’s why timely learning about developments in laws and regulations can be a game-changer.
In addition, changes in legislation can impact the quality of services and accuracy of advice you provide to your customers. Accounting forums and communities are the go-to places where you can discuss the implications of these changes with your peers and learn how to navigate the complicated rules.
Reason 4: Attract new clients
Online forums also provide opportunities to attract new customers for your accounting practice. Business owners often join Facebook and LinkedIn groups to seek advice from professional accountants. Here, you can convert the attention of prospects into buyer intent.
Giving useful advice to their query on the internet or a free initial consultation will entice them into collaborating with you. You can contact prospects directly, showcase your expertise, and showcase the level of services you provide. Being a happy client will turn them into your advocates and bring even more prospects through word-of-mouth.
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Top 4 discussion forums every accounting and finance professional should join
Different markets are known for different accounting forums, but there are places that you simply can’t avoid. We are talking about these four communities in particular:
Accounting is one of the largest Reddit communities (around 350k members) for experienced and aspiring accountants and accounting technicians. You can join it to discuss professional or technical questions, learn more about the accounting industry, and share tips and memes to work through daily demands.
Proformative
Proformative is a very active community that lists over 200 million members. Many financial professionals recognize it as one of the most important corporate finance discussion platforms.
Proformative moderators check the quality of every post before publishing it on the forum. Competent specialists respond to queries relating to accounting and tax topics and help you make smarter business decisions.
Intuit ProConnect
Intuit ProConnect is a single space for users of all Intuit products to get training and access free education tools and professional webinars. They can also take part in community discussions.
Realize
Realize is more than a professional online community, forum or discussion group. It is a whole collaboration platform for accountants to skyrocket their business results. Jason Staats runs the group in which you get access to shared industry-first content, growing resource libraries, seasonal workshops, automation training and more other tools every pro wants to have in their growth stack.
The best accounting forums and online communities in Australia
1. AFAANZ
Accounting & Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand (AFAANZ) is an education forum that focuses on the latest trends and changes in the industry. It gathers accounting professionals and academics who share their experiences and insights, so you can learn about the business from different points of view.
2. CPA Australia: Discussion groups
The CPA Australia internet page does not provide an online forum per se. But it does help to find a live discussion group, course or event near you and advance your career (Australian Capital Territory, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania and more).
By participating in the accounting discussion groups by CPA Australia, you gain CPD hours.
3. Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand
CA ANZ consists of 130 000 members and offers learning opportunities and resources for your firm's growth. With the help of the platform tools, you can increase productivity and improve risk management skills.
The best accounting and finance forums in the UK
1. AccountingWEB: Community Voice
AccountingWEB has a dedicated section to submit blog posts by UK accounting professionals. Usually, such blogs touch upon the hottest accounting discussion topics. You are welcome to partake in the conversation, learn from your peers and share your expertise.
2. UK Business Forum: Accounts and Finance
The Accounts and Finance section of the UK Business Forum is a place for discussions about the trends in the world of business finances. The topics include (but are not limited to) bookkeeping, VAT and corporate tax return.
Another benefit of joining the forum is the latest legal and financial guides posted by your fellow colleagues.
3. AAT discussion forums for peer support of AAT members
The Association of Accounting Technicians is a recognized union of professionals in bookkeeping, accounting and finance niches. You can join a forum discussion based on your interests and qualification: For Accounting, For Tax, Qualification and membership, Job postings, For everyone etc.
The best accountant forums in the US
1. Tax Professionals of America
Many of the tax law changes last tax season were temporary due to the pandemic and have already expired. This year’s developments bring more adjustments you need to make to help your clients this tax season.
The Tax Professionals of America community allows tax preparers to be aware of significant law updates and industry news. Here they can engage in discussions about professional education and best practices, taking the opportunity to ask how to resolve a difficult IRS case.
2. Conquering Workflows & Systems for Bookkeepers and Accountants
One of our favourite US-based communities comes from Alyssa Lang, aka Workflow Queen. Alyssa administers a Facebook group called Conquering Workflows & Systems for Bookkeepers and Accountants. It’s dedicated to accountants and bookkeepers who want to streamline workflows and scale their practices.
3. The Successful Bookkeeper
The Successful Bookkeeper community surrounds bookkeepers with like-minded professionals and grants access to its free resources. Your teammates will provide professional advice and emotional support when you feel like giving up.
Final Thoughts
Being a member of any community is a two-way street. After all, contributing and adding value to the forum discussions is as important as getting help from your peers. Think of the communities and forums above as the next step in your search for a group of kindred spirits.
Care to share how online discussion forums helped in your practice management? Post the comment below!
