Is It Beneficial to Use a Virtual Business Address?

Written by Officense on . Posted in Blog.

A virtual business address is a smart decision if you don’t have a physical office space to meet with clients, but still need a business address to have your mail and packages sent. Choosing to get a virtual business address will both increase your productivity and efficiency for your business. The virtual business address services Officense offers includes our receptionists sorting what is junk mail from what is important. Not to mention, giving a professional business address will increase your credibility with your clientele. Sure, you could get a PO Box if you don’t have a physical office, but a PO Box doesn’t sound reassuring or make you sound legitimate either. In addition, a PO Box isn’t considered a physical location according to Google My Business, which just adds to the reasons of why you should resort to a virtual business address instead.

A professional business address instantly improves your image, as well as your business. The way someone views your company or business is everything, that alone can influence how successful your business can be.

Deciding to have a professional business address allows you to keep your personal life and professional life separate. Also, a virtual business address can lead to other opportunities and other resources. One being, having a central location with easy access; and two, it creates more of a sense of stability for your business. If you don’t have a physical office location, your business address will never change even if you’re moving around and expanding your business.

Officense has the tools and resources you need to make your business grow and reach new levels! If you’d like to read more on having a professional address service, click the link: https://www.officense.com/professional-address-service/

Challenges that CPA’s are Facing Today

Written by Joya Tamrakar on . Posted in Blog.

The Impact of Technology on CPA’s

Development in technology is changing our everyday lives. It is transforming the economy and the way we do business. In respect to that, there have been extensive changes in client demands, and employment practices. CPA’s are among the group of professions which have been impacted extensively by the innovation of new technologies. With the advanced technology, online tax services, online payment options, and increased competition, CPA’s are pressured to lower their service cost and fees.

Working as a CPA is not easy at all, especially if you’re a solo practitioner or a small firm. Attracting new clients, staying up-to-date software and mobile devices, fighting deadlines, managing staff issues and managing cash flows and late payments, dealing with the incoming client calls, and scheduling appointments can become overwhelming for a CPA.

Major Challenges:https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2015/02/02/11/09/office-620822_960_720.jpg

As per the 2016 IFAC Global SMP Survey, one of the significant challenges that small and middle-sized accounting practices consider the most important (high or very high impact) is:

  • Experiencing pressure to lower fees (41 percent)
  • Rising costs (39 percent)
  • Differentiating from the competition (39 percent)
  • Technology developments (35 percent)
  • Personnel and staffing issues (33 percent)

According to Deloitte CEO Cathy Engelbart “As new tools augment our profession and streamline certain tasks, accountants will not only have to embrace new ways of working but take on expanded roles — as data analysts and other specialists,” Being a solo CPA or the owner, you need to accomplish several tasks from marketing your service to time management to hiring the right people to maintain a good relationship with your clients.

“Artificial intelligence, cognitive computing, blockchain, and even more mainstream technologies like cloud computing and social media are transforming what accounting and finance professionals do — and what they need to know. Our very existence depends on our ability to learn the skills that will let us work side-by-side with the machines and do the things they cannot yet do.” CPA’s need to have a clear vision about how they want to run their business concerning the newer technology and what they need to accomplish to keep their clients happy.

CPA’s need to come up with alternatives that add value to their service. So, they need to come up with features associated with technology that helps in reducing costs and increasing productivity. Overall, they should focus on how to enhance their service without having to lower their fees and at the same time build a strong relationship with their clients. “By automating parts of the business processes, AI grants accountants more time to serve as a strategic partner to clients and provide data-driven insights to inform business decisions,” said Jennifer Warawa, executive vice president of partners, accountants, and alliances at Sage.

To make the CPA’s life easier various solutions can be followed:

Hiring a team of virtual assistants will help with the handling of incoming calls, scheduling appointments, preparing your documents, and other daily functions. With the help of an Officense virtual assistant, you will be able to focus on your clients, provide them with a better service, and build a stronger relationship with them.

Officense will assist both small and large CPA firms in reducing their workload, costs, and offer value-added services to meet clients changing demand and expectations. While no online tax services or big firms can promise a receptionist will answer their calls 24 hours a day, Officense allows you to do just that.  At Officense, we help YOU give your company the consistent, professional image you and your clients deserve. Our on-site receptionists will greet your clients in a friendly manner and project a professional image for your company 24/7. For further information, give us a call at (410)814-7500.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Co-working space

Co-working Space: An Ideal Work Space

Written by Joya Tamrakar on . Posted in Blog.

With the advancement in the business industry, the number of startups and entrepreneurs have been growing rapidly. Many startups and entrepreneurs chose to work from a home office or coffee shop. But the problem is, do they have enough space, and does it provide a suitable environment to work? Co-working space is considered to be ideal for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses without having to pay high upfronts costs. According to an article from the Workloft, current research backs up the idea that co-working spaces are beneficial to companies of various sizes.

Co-working space unites diverse start-ups, free lancers, and remote workers in a shared working space on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Co-working space offers various kinds of working space with different layouts such as open office, open office with cubicles, conference rooms or even private offices. There are several benefits of using co-working space such as:

Flexiblity and Cost Efficiency

Co-working space is flexible, and you have full control on what kind of environment you want to work. You can use the space when you need to, whether on a daily basis or monthly basis. You can choose to work collaboratively with other startups or chose to work individually on your own. If you like working in an open space with other startups and entrepreneurs, then a co-working space would be the best option for you and your growing business. With the emerging virtual assistants and office workspace, startup businesses and entrepreneurs do not have to bear expenses like office rent, travel cost, internet bandwidth, office equipment, hiring and training staff, etc. These spaces can be used at a very low cost for collaboration with the access to Wi-Fi, snacks, coffee and a desk. If you rented a traditional office space, you would be bound by a traditional lease, paying rent on monthly basis, even when they don’t use your office. However, in the case of co-working space, you pay for the space only when they use it.

Better Working Environment with Improved Facilities

Through working either collaboratively or individually, co-working spaces can inspire start-ups to be more productive and focused on their work. They can rent out private office space if they need to work in a quite environment, or conference rooms for business meetings with all the required amenities. Co-working space comes with everything you need like high speed Wi-Fi connections, enough desk space, and office furniture. In addition to that they also get to enjoy free tea/coffee and snacks at a co-working space.

Networking and Advice

Co-working space gives an opportunity to connect and communicate with other startups and entrepreneurs. Co-working space gives exposure to new entrepreneurs and startups by providing them a platform to get to know new people, build a network and learn about another entrepreneur’s journey. They can share their experiences and skills with one another and can learn about starting and running a successful business.

 

If you are considering co-working space, Officense is here to help. Officense has been well known in the Baltimore area business community since 2006. We provide businesses all the advantages of a large support system, without the usual expenses. For about 10% of the cost of traditional office, our members are provided with access to fully furnished Class A office space. You can avoid paying expensive monthly rent by instead paying hourly, daily or monthly your only what you need. We provide a range of office solutions for not only space, but also administrative support. Give us a call at (410)814-7500 to rent a co-working space, today!

 

Maryland Mediators Convention 2018

Written by Officense on . Posted in Blog.

Maryland Mediators Convention
Plenary Session in Race Beyond Bias

Come to join us today at the Maryland Mediators Convention in the Doubletree Hotel in Annapolis, MD! Our team is a proud supporter of today’s Meditation Convention and partner with the Maryland Council for Dispute Resolution, a co-organizer of the convention. We are available during the entire event to discuss anything office space, phone services, or administrative support your firm may need in the coming new year. We had a rousing turn out for today’s Plenary Discussion on Race Beyond Bias, given by author & speaker Milagros Phillips. We hope to see you or your colleagues stop by our table in the exhibition hall, today. Enjoy the time at the Maryland Mediators Convention.

The Instant Virtual Office for the Busy Lawyer

Written by Officense on . Posted in Blog.

Introduction

 Whether you’re a small firm or a large firm, lawyers are busy people and they are always on the move meeting with clients and handling cases. That being said, using a virtual office space can make running your practice both more convenient and cost effective. The convenience of using a virtual office space allows a lawyer to meet up with their clients to discuss the case at hand and also prepare for trial. Trial preparation can be quite extensive and can take weeks. Therefore, utilizing as-needed office space is beneficial to meeting with clients and having instant administrative support.

What are the Benefits to Having a Virtual Office?

The benefits of using office space include, but are not limited to, administrative support, receptionist services, and conference room availability. Even better, you have the freedom to either pay for office space on a day-to-day basis or month-to-month basis. There are major cost savings when using a virtual office space. Most attorneys don’t need to be in an office every day, so it’s both more cost efficient and smarter to only pay for only what you use.

You can come in to use the office space when you need to prepare for a deposition and the entire team can be in one professional setting. There are audio and video conferencing opportunities that allow for participation from everyone in the firm. Through our administrative staff, we can assist with setting up the equipment needed for these services. We can also assist by making copies of any important documents or simply providing catering and beverage service. When your clients come to meet with you, they will be welcomed by our smiling staff at the front desk.

The Takeaway of Using a Virtual Office

Essentially there are three takeaways from using a virtual office space:

  1.  You will save time and money only meeting in an office when you need it, and paying for only the time that you use it.
  2.  Your clients will be greeted and assisted creating a better client experience.
  3.  An onsite staff means you will have instant support available, without the cost of a full-time assistant.