CAS Tech Stack - Real-World Use Cases

Read Time: 3:53 minutes

✋Welcome to The CAS Cache, a newsletter designed to help accounting firms grow their CAS offerings. Each issue will feature my insights on a topic.

In addition, perspectives from gurus on the topic that I am listening to 👂, reading 📚, or watching 👀 and one thing I am talking 🗣 to my clients about in my firm newsletter. Please feel free to R&D (rip off and duplicate) the Client Cache.

Disclaimer: Some of the links below support me in writing this newsletter, and some give you a deal too.

In the last two issues, I walked you through my CAS tech stack selection process and my actual CAS tech stack. I will walk you through the following real-world examples of my process in this issue: 

• Not switching apps in my CAS tech stack

• Considering an app in my CAS tech stack

• Switching apps in my CAS tech stack

By following my method, you will save hours of your time, be slow to switch apps, and stop banging your head against a wall over the endless app options.

Not Switching Apps in my CAS Tech Stack

A colleague of mine reached out because he saw I was using an app he wanted to implement. So we jumped on a call, walked through his current process, and discussed his needs and wants in less than an hour.

Based on our conversation, we both concluded moving to the app did not solve his pain points. This is an app I love. Leaving the app would take a lot for me, but it did not fit his needs and wants.

By leveraging his network, this person saved a ton of time and potential future feelings of regret—more on leveraging your network later.

Issue Sponsor 😎

Relay is a no-fee, online business banking and money management platform that helps small businesses take control of their cash flow and get crystal clear on what they’re earning, spending and saving.

Considering an App in my CAS Tech Stack

I am constantly looking at new apps. To effectively do this, I leverage four resources:

1. Podcasts - my go-to is the 🐐 of accounting podcasts, the Cloud Accounting Podcast

2. Conferences - talking to other accountants about their tech stacks breaks Chad Davis's #1 rule. Do not talk about accounting at accounting conferences, but I cannot help myself. It is also an excellent place to check out product demos and have drinks with founders & key people in the accounting tech space. Pretty sure 😜 I owe Kenny Song of Keeper a few beverages at the next accounting conference for buying me drinks in Vegas. Thanks, Kenny 🍻!

3. Communities - this is my go-to now. Once I have a problem to address or need to upgrade an app, I turn to my communities to see what people are saying about apps and find people using the app that are willing to show me their setup. I am a part of the following four communities: Jason Staats' Realize, Ryan Lazanis's Future Firm Accelerate ("FFA"), Kellie Parks' The Workflow WateringHole, and Mike Michalowicz and Ron Saharyan's Profit First Professionals.

4. Newsletters - are a quick way to see product updates and stay informed with the latest and greatest apps. Here are my current three favorites:

Ryan Lazanis's Future Firm Weekly Top 5 - the newsletter keeps me updated on tech, news, tips/tricks, and the FFA community.

Based on an accounting conference last year, I have my eye on an app that solves a major want in an app I currently use. I know a couple of people using the app, but neither is using the app how I would. So, I am patiently waiting until I find someone using the app how I would intend to use it before even considering using the software.

Switching an App in my CAS Tech Stack

When the pain has gotten large enough, or in this case, the app had two significant breaches in a short period. Then, it is time to move on. So, here is a recent example of me switching apps.

I did a quick search in my four communities. Found the top four apps people were talking about in the category. I posted a poll in the CASTwitter community 👇. 

Then, Jeremy Wells showed me his setup of the most popular app. Now, I plan to implement it in the next 30 days. 

This process has saved me countless hours and brain 🧠 burn. I hope it will do the same for you.

Choose Your Own Adventure 🚶‍♂️🗺

🙏 Thanks again, Mel Comer, Steve Novak, Ryan Embree, Matt Chiappetta, Brett Frevert, Alex Ostrov, Marcus Mire, and John Sanchez, for your feedback and support last issue.

Guru Cache 👂📚👀

📚 Before you add another app to your tech stack. Check out HBR's study that found switching apps takes up roughly 9% of an employee's work time. You read that right. Your employees could spend up to 4 hours per week switching between apps. 🤯 Click here to read about the study.

📚 Check out Zapier's take on switching apps by clicking here. 

Client Cache 🗣

📈🧠💪🧘👂 Tim Ferris's mash-up of podcasts came recommended by one of my coaches. This is probably one of the best podcast episodes that I have heard.

It includes a bit of everything: dopamine with Dr. Andrew Huberman, prioritizing with Greg McKeown, never quitting with Jocko Willink, self-esteem with Brene Brown, and a bit of everything with Naval Ravikant. Click here to listen.

Thanks for reading, Luke Templin!

P.S. There are 3 ways I can help you grow your CAS offerings when you are ready:

1. Automate your CAS offering with daily financial digest on autopilot

2. Mini courses on CAS

3. Book a 1-hour CAS consulting call