The Responsible Workflow Manager – Transform your practice with 21st Century Workflow

Course Outline

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU LOOKED CRITICALLY AT YOUR WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES?

An accounting or advisory firm can always benefit from improved workflows and processes. But to improve workflow management, it’s imperative to examine the base processes that make up the workflow.

Usually, these processes have been randomly and unevenly applied throughout the years, meeting needs as they happen. In most cases, a business practice may have come about due to convenience in the moment rather than a formal attempt to improve the accuracy and efficiency of work over time.

This course challenges the way your firm currently manages its workflow. It looks at clients, people, systems, processes and technology to provide a framework for workflow management in the 21^st Century.

We’ll encourage you to step outside your comfort zone and put in places actions to make workflow production in your firm more efficient, accurate and reliable.

WHO SHOULD ENROL IN THIS COURSE?

Both new and experienced workflow and practice managers will benefit from the opportunity to critically review their firm’s approach to workflow management.

This course is also suitable for principals, directors, partners and managers involved in the management of workflow in your firm.

TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD THE COURSE BROCHURE, CLICK ‘BROCHURE – DOWNLOAD’ UNDER NAVIGATION OPTIONS TO THE RIGHT. YOU CAN ALSO VIEW THE COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES.

Course Content

This course consists of 8 modules:

A 21st Century Introduction to Workflow – How Accounting and advisory firms have evolved

Module 1 – 21st Century Workflow

• Explore key workflow processes in accounting and advisory firms
• Understand the role and responsibilities of Workflow Manager

Module 2 – Your firm’s Health Check

• Explore common workflow management issues and challenges
• Complete your firm’s Workflow Management Audit

 Core Principles of Workflow Management – How to establish strong systems and processes

Module 3 – Workflow Responsibilities

• Who’s responsible for what – Assigning work and spheres of influence
• Develop work-in, Job budgeting, review and work-out procedures

Module 4 – Explore the Flow of Work          

• Manage the scheduling and through-put of work
• Implement workflow tracking, KPI reports and production meetings

The Psychology of Workflow Management – How to work with humans to get things done

Module 5 – Take Control of Clients

• Focus on client engagement, on-boarding and communication
• Understand the difference between compliance and advice

Module 6 – Manage Workflow Issues

• Deal effectively with resource and capacity issues
• Use Agile to overcome workflow bottlenecks and roadblocks

Workflow Technology and Automation – How to effectively implement technology in your firm

Module 7 – Explore Software Options

• Identify all software tools for workflow management
• Implement digitisation of workpapers and processes

Module 8 – Manage People Effectively

• Hierarchy vs Holacracy and Collaboration for effective workflow
• Deal with resistance to change with workflow processes

Course Structure

• Learners can complete courses at a place that suits them, within and outside work hours
• Each learner will have a dedicated login to give them personal access to their course
• Module material includes online presentations, workbooks, PowerPoint Slides, templates, scripts and articles
• All modules also incorporate formal qualitative assessment tasks that encourage learners to develop practical actions demonstrating understanding of the concepts
• All assessment tasks are scored, with directed feedback to learners on their response
• As the learner progresses, they develop their personal SMART action list to drive change
• Managers are able to see at a glance how their staff are progressing
• All learners have access to course content for 12 months following their enrolment

Learning Process

Our self-paced eLearning courses follow a 4-step process in relation to learning objectives:

All modules are structured with specific learning objectives and assessment tasks. Learners are expected to demonstrate that they understand learning objectives and can apply concepts through completion of the assessment tasks. A SMART action planning template is used to consolidate specific actions and to ensure that a timeframe for completion is established and followed. Regular review of progress is ensured through commitment to completing the course.