In response to feedback from members, the partnership will see the introduction of IPA Books+, a white-labelled version of Reckon’s cloud accounting solution Reckon One.
The partnership will empower SMEs to deliver a better customer experience by leveraging the cloud to boost productivity and fuel growth, the IPA said in a statement.
More than 35,000 members, mostly either servicing SMEs or small businesses in their own right, will now have access to simple and affordable online accounting software to make running their business easier, the IPA said.
IPA chief executive officer Andrew Conway said moving to the cloud is a key focus for many of their members and their clients over the coming year as they look to tackle the next phase of business growth.
“The partnership with Reckon is an exciting one. It will enable a myriad of benefits including remote working and the ability to access real-time business-critical data such as cash flow at anytime, anywhere,” Mr Conway said.
“As recent reports from the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman has revealed, a staggering 45 per cent of small businesses are yet to adopt online accounting solutions. With the advent of Single Touch Payroll, the time has come for IPA Books+, a single, reliable, comprehensive solution.”
Reckon chief executive Sam Allert said the cloud accounting partnership is an exciting industry first as it aligns its strategic priorities and continue to better support SMEs across Australia.
Further, with IPA Books+ enabled for the ATO’s Single Touch Payroll reporting requirement, he said that with over 600,000 small businesses with 19 or less employees looking to become compliant by 1 July 2019, this presents a massive opportunity for both organisations.
“By taking the powerful technology of Reckon One and partnering with a leading member focused organisation, we are delivering a unique solution that goes beyond technology to include training, development, events and support,” Mr Allert said.
“The transition to the cloud will enable IPA members to automate a great deal of administrative work. This frees them up to focus on higher value tasks such as advisory services, which will no doubt open new revenue streams and growth opportunities.”
