Hazlitt Steeves Harris, LLP has worked hard to implement changes that will decrease its ecological footprint. The main focus has been on the reduction of paper usage.
Traditionally, accounting offices use a significant amount of paper. Accountants are required to have extensive documentation for their working papers on corporate engagements (audits, reviews, compilation engagements) and also to backup personal tax returns filed. Client packages for their personal and corporate tax return also consume a lot of paper.
Over the last few years, the firm has transitioned to a system where most working papers are maintained electronically. This has significantly reduced the size of working paper files, and as an added bonus, has made it easier to locate key information when clients call with questions.
The firm has also changed the end products that clients receive. Personal and corporate tax clients now receive a CD which has a portable document format (PDF) of any key documents such as their tax return, financial statements, or key letters. Generally paper documents are now limited to ones that must be manually signed.
Encrypted e-mails are also employed so that other documents which have traditionally been paper such as invoices and draft financial statements, can be sent to the client electronically instead.
Building on the above changes, the firm hopes to continue to reduce its ecological footprint, while maximizing the quality of service it offers for its clients.
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