Monday 16 September 2019

Five Cloud Accountancy Statistics to Make You Sit Up and Take Notice

Like it or not cloud accounting is here to stay. It’s universally-agreed that cloud accounting has completely revolutionised traditional accountancy practices, transforming the sector and, alongside receipt OCR (optical character recognition) technology, propelling us towards a new frontier in digital accounting.

Blue-chip and SME’s alike can benefit from cloud accounting. Streamlining processes, providing easy access to vital information whilst bolstering existing security for sensitive information, the benefits to cloud accounting are extensive and penetrating.

There really isn’t much more to it than that. However, before you accept this statement as gospel, or if you’re someone that needs cold hard data to back up claims, why not read these five cloud accountancy statistics. They’ll surely make even the most cynical cloud computing and associated technologies, such as a receipt scanner, retractor a believer in the power and potential of cloud computing.

67% of Accountants Prefer Cloud Accounting

If you’re under the impression that accountants are stubbornly remained loyal to traditional practices, refused to employ cloud computing and receipt OCR tech, you’d be incorrect. In fact, 67% of accounts prefer cloud accounting.

Advocates of the technology believe that cloud accounting makes their role easier. Simplifying and speeding up client collaboration whilst improve the quality of service that accountants can provide their clients with, cloud accounting is increasingly becoming the norm in the accounting profession.

58% of Blue-Chip Companies Employ Cloud Accounting

According to Accounting Today’s ‘Year Ahead’ survey, as many as 58% of blue-chip companies have adopted cloud accounting. The percentage tends to fall in accordance with the larger the company, but generally-speaking, it’s apparent that cloud accounting is outstripping traditional desktop accountancy.

This isn’t hard to understand when you consider the benefits of cloud accounting. Receipt OCR technology and cloud accounting can be easily integrated – and given the ease and convenience of cloud accounting it’s not too much of a stretch to say that in the very near future 90%-plus of blue-chip companies will adopt cloud accounting.

53% of SMEs in the US Believe Cloud Accounting to Be Essential to Integrating Accounting, Invoices and Payments


SMEs in the US believe that it makes sense to integrate cloud accounting, invoicing and payments. This is a notable increase on statistics in years past and heralds the dawn of a new era is accountancy.

The concern most often voiced by managing directors, CEOs and CFOs was the issue of security – and the reason why many companies are yet to integrate cloud computing to an all-in-one solution.

Ease-of-use and accessibility were also mentioned as potential drawbacks, however with the increasing prominence and understanding of cloud computing and receipt data extraction technology, those less educated in the process are increasingly seeing the benefits of adopting the solution.

66% of Businesses May Not Be Handling Paperwork Properly

As hard as it may be to believe, as many as 66% of businesses may be putting their financial future in jeopardy just by mishandling paperwork.

Filing cabinets, cupboards and drawers and not an effective means of safely storing vital commercial information. By automating processes and storing client information, invoices and purchase orders to the cloud, businesses don’t ever have to worry about losing paperwork every again. Documents can also be safeguarded, permitting access only to relevant parties.

Moreover, its estimated that it takes companies a minimum, on average, of 5-6 days to retrieve lost documents. 44% of companies said that it can take as long as a week to retrieve their documentation and some even said that it took a month. Documents stored on the cloud take seconds to retrieve.


83% Of Clients are Demanding More from Their Accountants Today Compared to Five Years Ago

Leading accountancy software, Sage has reported that 83% of clients are demanding more from their accountants than they did five years ago. This is a clear indication that accountants need to evolve to provide a competitive level of service to their clients – and thus grow their business.

It also means that its paramount accountants reduce the administrative burden by automating time-consuming tasks, like data entry. Cloud technology and other technological solutions such as employing an accurate receipt scanner are great ways that accountants can free up value time and improve brand authority and client retention rates.

These are just five statistics that should convince any business owner to employ cloud computing. If you’re not already, what’s stopping you?

Wednesday 10 July 2019

CSR in the UAE: Why the UAE Is an Amazing Place to Live

The UAE is home to over 8.4 million expats, who make 80% of the total population. They have many reasons to relocate here because it is one of the best places to live in the world.

Nonetheless, in this article, we are going to go beyond the most commonly cited reasons like high-paying jobs and excellent business opportunities. We are going to see how CSR initiatives and sustainability projects make the UAE an amazing place to live. I run a chair rentals Dubai service, the wood used for some of my chairs is what got me interested in social responsibility. Ethical materials and ethical business practices became my interest. 

How CSR Makes the UAE an Ideal Place to Live 


Thanks to Corporate Social Responsibility, companies have the opportunity to help society with different projects that target specific problems. To cite a few examples:
  • Help the environment with eco-friendly initiatives 
  • Support vulnerable populations (ex: children with special needs) 
  • Boost scientific research and technological development 
  • Improve the quality of life of society as a whole 

Therefore, thanks to such initiatives and projects, the society of the UAE improves constantly because CSR increases the quality of education, technology and infrastructure. In addition, it improves the security and health of people.

Furthermore, nowadays, thanks to companies like Companies for Good, businesses in the UAE can implement CSR initiatives easily because they can take part in team building activities focused on the most important needs of society.


Sustainability for Better Quality of Life and a Bright Future 


It is smart and wise to invest into the sustainability of society because future generations depend on it. That is why the UAE government believes and invests into sustainable cities and communities, to protect nature and the environment, as well as to improve the quality of life.

A perfect example is The Sustainable City, which is a 46-hectare property development in Dubai. With over $354 million USD in funding, it aims to create an eco-friendly and modern metropolis. One of the unique projects of this kind in the world, similar to Japan’s Fujisawa Sustainable Smart Town.




The Sustainable City is the first net-zero energy development in Dubai. It includes:
  • 500 villas 
  • 89 apartment 
  • Plenty of offices 
  • Healthcare facilities 
  • Multiple outlets 
In summary, it offers all the services and solutions that any citizen could need because the objective of this project is to bring an authentic solution to how normal cities function. Innovation at its best. 

The houses include environment-friendly features like reflective paint to combat the thermal heat gain. Furthermore, they utilize construction waste to build furniture for public spaces. Nothing goes to waste in The Sustainable City.

Therefore, the UAE is leading innovation in sustainable development for the future. In consequence, it makes it an even better place to live because they care about the future generations, which is a crucial aspect when you consider a country to expatriate.

Conclusion 


The UAE is doing great efforts to secure the future of its new generations, thanks to CSR initiatives and sustainability projects. They are making it an amazing place to leave, and in consequence, more people look forwarding to calling the Emirates their new home.

Friday 11 January 2019

The Best Games to Play at a Family Reunion

As children grow into adults, they’re encourage to spread their wings. In some cases, this ‘taking flight’ sees them soar away from their family – often to different parts of the country, even internationally.

On those occasions when families do reunite, enjoying one another’s company, sharing experiences, reminiscing, playing games and laughing are essential to keeping the affection and security of a family nucleus together. Why? Well, it’s paramount that families know wherever life takes them, however far the geographical distance may be, they’re always a family.

Now family gatherings do vary in style. Some are raucous events, filled with unreserved emotions. Others are more subdued affairs. But, what cannot be argued is that playing family games online, or offline helps bond families together – and should be a part of any reunion. We recently had a wedding in Portugal and it rained one day, so we decided to give a few modern games a try. Here are some games that you can suggest playing to your nearest and dearest the next time you all are together.

Hot Potato Camera


Who doesn’t like a selfie with the family? Who doesn’t take more than a handful of pictures at a family reunion before posting happy, smiling faces to Instagram?

It’s safe to assume that whipping out your Smartphone to capture that picture of a long-lost uncle, second cousin or even a sibling you haven’t seen in years brings nothing but joy to a family reunion.
 But, why not try something a little different?

Have everyone sit in a circle, set the self-timer and pass the camera around, pointing the viewfinder at everyone’s faces in turn for just a few moments. Let everyone take a picture in-turn and see how long they can hold their smile. The slowest person to take the photograph is the loser.

You could make it even more fun by determining that the person left holding the camera when it flashes must wear a silly hat, do an impression or sing a song – just make sure no-one drops your Smartphone. Like fun online party games, like The Name Game, Hot Potato Camera rewards speed with side-splitting laughter.

Family History Photo Swap


With a little preparation, a family history photo swap game can really pay off. Before your family gathers together for the first time in ages, ask them to bring with them old and new pictures that mean something to them.

When game time comes, spread the pictures across a large table and ask everyone to name when and where the picture was taken. This is a great way to reminisce and reconnect with times in your life that have long since been forgotten.

Have everyone sit around the table and in-turn choose a picture that they believe speaks to them. Share stories and discuss what you all were feeling at the time. Unlike some family games online, the family history photo swap doesn’t encourage competitiveness, but it does bond everyone together – and after all, isn’t that what a reunion is all about!
We recently had a family reunion on Boxing Day, which is the day after Christmas Day for those unaware. I was surprised to get an ultra slim wallet from an aunt I haven't seen in years. Otherwise we had agreed not to buy presents for each other. Instead we were focused on having fun, which was very successful, so I thought I would share some options for games to play. 

Water Balloon Toss


This is a great game to play in the soaring heat, especially for playful families with young children. Certain to put anxious smiles on everyone’s faces, water balloon toss is not for anyone who hates getting wet!

Separate the family into teams of two: brothers and sisters, husbands and wives, aunties and uncles are fine – whoever you feel will work the best as a team. Form two parallel lines with teams facing one another.

One person starts by tossing the water balloon to his or her partner. Once it has been successfully caught, each person moves a step back. Then again. And again. And again. The team who manages to catch the water balloon from the greatest distance is the winner – but be careful! Catch the water balloon too softly and it’s likely to slip from your fingertips. Catch the balloon too firmly and you’re likely to get wet!

Tug of War


A good-natured tug of war is a great way for families to bond. Unlike online party games that need an internet connection, mobile devices and a reliable family member to organise and mediate the game, you only need a rope (and maybe a set of gloves) to have some rip-roaring fun with everyone in the family!

Separate your family so into two, making sure that each team has members of equal physical prowess, grab a strong rope and after a 3-2-1 count get everyone pulling. Now, this isn’t the best game for elderly family members, nor is it for young children, but if your family are dedicated to physical fitness, it’s a great game to test everyone’s strength and resolve.

Why not make the contest a little more interesting by having a battle of the sexes, or battle of the mum’s or dad’s! You may discover that your cousin Joe is far stronger than you thought!

These are but a few of the different types of games that you can play with your family when you all come together for the first time in what seems like forever. If you’re considering which of the family games online is sure to get everyone excited, ecstatic and energised, you really need only consider The Name Game. [update: The Name Game seems to have stopped].