By Amanda Wilkie.
Change is inevitable in any business, but managing change is crucial in an accounting firm where technology, regulatory compliance and processes are constantly changing.
One helpful tool for structured change management is the Change Advisory Board (CAB). It’s a concept long used in IT and now gaining traction in broader business and project management functions.
What is a Change Advisory Board?
A Change Advisory Board is a structured committee that evaluates, approves, and oversees organizational changes. Organizations with mature IT functions have long used advisory boards to minimize risk and help execute their technology updates—such as taking a server offline or upgrading a phone system—with minimal disruption.
However, we now see advisory boards play a larger role in overall project management within firms. By expanding their focus beyond IT, firms can leverage a Change Advisory Board to increase communication, improve risk assessment and coordinate projects across departments.
Why consider a CAB?
If a CAB seems like unnecessary red tape on the path to transforming your firm, here are a few benefits that may have you rethink that position.
1. Better risk management and impact assessment
One advantage of a CAB is its ability to identify potential risks before they become disruptions.
Every change—implementing new tax software, introducing workflow automation, upgrading your document management system, etc.—has ripple effects. A CAB provides a structured way to assess the risks and dependencies associated with these changes so you don’t encounter unforeseen issues once you get into the project.
2. Improved communication and buy-in across departments
Changes in one department often impact others, yet many firms struggle with cross-departmental communication. A CAB creates a platform for bidirectional communication so leaders across the firm are aware of upcoming projects and can voice concerns or provide input early in the process. This fosters buy-in, reduces pushback and increases awareness of firm-wide initiatives.
For example, say your IT team is planning a major cloud migration. Your tax and advisory teams likely need to understand how this will affect their workflows, deadlines and client commitments. A CAB provides a space for these conversations to happen in a structured way.
3. Scheduling and accountability for less disruption
A well-structured CAB helps schedule changes strategically to minimize disruption to operations. For example, you likely don’t want significant tax technology upgrades during March or changes to your client accounting software to occur just as you’re doing year-end advisory work. A CAB helps you plan these overhauls during off-peak periods to avoid interfering with deadlines. It also establishes accountability, so people responsible for implementing changes follow through on their commitments.
4. Facilitating continuous improvement and multi-phase projects
Many process improvements and technology rollouts aren’t one-time events—they happen in phases. A CAB helps you take an iterative approach, refining your change management strategies over time. Regularly reviewing change outcomes establishes a culture of continuous improvement. Each project phase builds upon the lessons learned from the previous one.
5. Enhancing strategic decision-making
A CAB gives firm leaders a broader view of why firm leaders prioritize specific projects and delay others. When partners and department heads who understand the firm’s strategic objectives participate in discussions about project timelines and resources, they can help align expectations and prevent frustration when a desired project isn’t moving forward as quickly as one might hope.
Implementing a CAB in your firm
If your firm is new to the concept of a Change Advisory Board, consider these steps to get started:
- Define scope and objectives. Determine whether the CAB will focus solely on IT changes or extend to broader operational and strategic initiatives.
- Select your advisory board members. Include representatives from IT, tax, audit, advisory, admin and firm leadership to bring diverse perspectives.
- Establish a meeting cadence. Regularly scheduled monthly or quarterly meetings keep the CAB proactive rather than reactive.
- Develop a standardized change request process. Implement a formal process for submitting, evaluating and approving changes.
- Communicate outcomes firm-wide. Make sureemployees understand what changes are coming and how those changes will impact them.
A Change Advisory Board can become a strategic asset that improves risk management, enhances communication, reduces operational disruptions and facilitates continuous improvement. As your firm navigates an increasingly complex business environment, implementing a CAB can help you increase efficiency, align strategic initiatives across departments and support an environment where growth and innovation happen smoothly rather than chaotically.
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Tags: Firm Management
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