The latest in an ongoing series of articles about innovation transformation in the Schneider Downs Audit Practice
The accounting profession is at a pivotal crossroads. Over the past few years, our industry has faced challenges—talent shortages, perceptions of mundane work, and a reduced pipeline of students entering the profession.
At Schneider Downs, we see this as an opportunity to redefine what it means to be an audit professional and, more importantly, to deliver greater value to our clients through progressive technologies. One recent example, featured in an earlier article in this series, highlighted our firm’s implementation of the Dynamic Audit Solution (DAS). This is just one of numerous initiatives we have embraced as we continue to progress. If we are truly to transform our industry, we must first embrace innovation and technological advances in a manner that benefits our firm but, more importantly, benefits our clients.
Why Technology Matters for Our Clients
The adoption of advanced platforms like the Dynamic Audit Solution isn’t just about keeping up with trends—it’s about fundamentally transforming how we serve our clients. When we piloted DAS with a group of clients, the feedback was clear:
- We were asking better questions, sooner.
- We were more focused on understanding their businesses, not just their numbers.
- We were able to advise more deeply and meaningfully.
This shift is possible because technology is freeing our teams from repetitive, manual tasks and allowing us to focus on what matters most—delivering insights and value. The integration of technology and methodology, which once felt at odds, is now empowering us to be true partners to our clients and deliver more value.
Navigating Change—With Clients at the Center
Change can be daunting, especially when it comes to something as critical as an audit. Some clients were understandably hesitant when we introduced a new process. Their main concern? “Will you still meet our deadlines?” Our answer was unequivocal: Yes. We’re not changing for the sake of change—we’re committed to maintaining the high level of service our clients expect.
We are changing because our clients expect us to bring them new ideas, so we have to start by bringing new the ideas and concepts that the profession has to offer to ourselves through these tools. As we learn and grow with them, this tool and others yet to be implemented will allow us to be better auditors and advisors and to be more focused on the items that matter to our clients than ever before. While we are doing all of this, we are keeping our clients at the center and challenging ourselves on how this tool and others in the future can improve and enhance the client experience because we care deeply that this is seen as a win for our clients as well.
Continuous Learning and Collaboration with our Clients
Rolling out new technology isn’t a one-time event—it’s a journey. After our initial proof of concept, we gathered feedback from both clients and our internal teams. We held all-day debriefs and strategy sessions, including with our partners at the AICPA, to ensure we were learning and improving at every step.
We’ve built a culture of continuous learning, with weekly meetings where teams share what’s working and what isn’t. This knowledge-sharing benefits all our clients, ensuring that as we innovate, everyone gains from the collective experience.
We are rolling DAS out thoughtfully, starting with audits that best fit our process. Our goal is to ensure every client has a positive experience, and we anticipate that, within the next 24 months, most—if not all—of our audit clients will benefit from these advancements.
Innovation doesn’t stop with DAS. We’ve established an AI task force because we know artificial intelligence will reshape our profession. Imagine extracting insights from massive spreadsheets in seconds, or getting to the heart of analysis faster than ever before. That’s where we’re headed and we want to be ready as these changes happen.
We remain curious and vigilant, constantly evaluating new tools and technologies. But our guiding principle is simple: If it doesn’t drive value for our clients, it’s not for us. Our commitment is to deliver quality, value, and a client experience that sets us apart.
Looking Ahead
The future of accounting is bright—and full of possibilities. By embracing progressive technologies, we’re not just keeping pace with change; we’re leading it. For our clients, that means more insightful audits, more meaningful relationships, and a partner who’s invested in their success.
I’m excited to see where this journey takes us—and I’m confident that, together, we’ll achieve more than we ever thought possible.
About Schneider Downs Audit and Assurance Services
Schneider Downs’ engagement teams are hand-selected by our shareholders based on skill sets and experience and are available around the clock for consultation. Each attestation engagement is subject to our comprehensive quality control and risk management system, providing an independent review of audit opinions, related financial statements and significant underlying working papers, to ensure that the highest levels of professional standards are met.
To learn more, visit our Audit and Assurance page, or contact us at [email protected].
