theautomatedfirm

The AI-Ready Firm Roadmap

Every stage of your firm, mapped end to end.

Onboarding to cash in the bank — scored for where it stands today, and where AI already does the work. No theory. This is what a modern accounting firm actually runs on.

Start here
How to read this
Green — optimised, performing perfectly.
Amber — needs reviewing or updating.
Red — no system, urgent attention.
Full AIThis task can be fully handled by AI today.
AssistAI significantly speeds this task up.
No badge — this still needs a human's judgement.
01
Client Onboarding

An exceptional first impression

The client's whole relationship with your firm is set in the first few weeks. Get this right once, systemise it, and every new client gets the same standard.

Exceptional onboarding experience
  • Tipu Onboarding Questionnaire™Assist
  • Right Fit™ product analysisFull AI
  • Agreed Fee™ templateAssist
  • Proposal, engagement and job set-upAssist
02
Set-up

The foundation everything else stands on

People, data, systems, process. You can't automate a firm that isn't structured — automation just makes the chaos faster.

People
  • NAH™ — right people, right roles
  • Role Profiles™ — performance and supportAssist
  • Clearly defined processesAssist
Data
  • Measurable states / statuses™
  • Custom fields to support automations
  • Annual workflow™ and capacity plansAssist
  • Clean chargeable WIP and client dataAssist
Systems
  • Tipu Software Tech Stack™
  • Tipu Automations™ for peak performanceAssist
  • Annual accounts and reviewer SOP integrationsAssist
Process
  • Defined Annual Accounts SOPAssist
  • Defined Reviewer SOPAssist
03
Job Preparation

Ready before anyone touches the file

Scheduling, checklists, allocation and reporting — the work that happens before the work happens.

Workflow scheduling — automated / manual
  • Automated workflow schedule loaded into the PM systemFull AI
  • Manual work in process, clearly defined
  • Automated engagement process + client checklistFull AI
  • Defined role: Workflow Manager Role Profile
Job preparation
  • Customised checklistsAssist
  • Job Briefing Sheet™Full AI
  • Two-week maximum SLA
  • Job hold / start clarityAssist
Job scheduling / allocation
  • Management of automated workflowFull AI
  • Collation of source documentsAssist
  • Skills + capacity based job allocationAssist
Reporting
  • Key metric managementAssist
  • Report generationFull AI
  • Manage job-start SLAsAssist
04
Production

Where WIP becomes cash

The engine room. This is where hours turn into billable, defensible work — and where the Whakapai loop keeps every file better than the last.

Draft file to reviewer
Role: Reviewer / Trainer
← Production = WIP = $ generation →
Compilation drafting
  • Analytical compilation with narrationsFull AI
  • Updating the Client Permanent Notes fileFull AI
  • Compiling next year's checklist questionsFull AI
  • Draft tax returns and tax planning notesAssist
  • Job Briefing SheetFull AI
The engine's core

Whakapai™ — Circle of Continuous Improvement

Every file that goes through review makes the next one better. This loop is what stops the same mistake happening twice.

Enhancement
Register™
Reviewer SOP™ doc & checklist
  • SOP™ in action
  • Consistent review standard
Whakapai™
Circle of Continuous Improvement
  • Reviewer SOP™ in action
  • Rules & Policies™
  • Enhancement Register™
  • Work-paper guide
Rules and Policies™
  • Materiality and policies
  • Consistent application
Work-paper guide & checklist
Compilation begins — pre-production review
  • Review source docsAssist
  • Review work-papersAssist
  • Review client permanent notes fileFull AI
  • Review Job Briefing Sheet™Full AI
  • Review Enhancement Register™Full AI
Compilation begins — automation & roles
  • Client query automationFull AI
  • Technical query automationFull AI
  • Defined role: Accountant Role Profile™
  • Automated reporting (performance KPIs)Full AI
05
File Review — $ protection

Catch it before the client does

First and final review, working together to protect quality — and margin.

First review
  • Whakapai™ Formula (Circle of Improvement)
  • Consistent review style (Reviewer SOP™)
  • Feedback on analytical reviewAssist
  • New learnings feed the Enhancement Register™Full AI
  • Reviewer/Trainer KPI: reduce write-downs, review time & reworkAssist
Final review
  • Prepare client meeting / report notes for partnerFull AI
  • Any learnings for the Whakapai process?Assist
  • Review / verify chargeable WIP to this pointAssist
06
Partners Review — $ growth

Where the relationship grows

This is human territory — advice, risk, fee, scope. AI can prep it. Only a partner can own it.

Meet with client
  • Advisory review of file for opportunitiesAssist
  • Risk management reviewAssist
  • Updates to file, post client meetingAssist
  • Confirm fee with client to firm invoice value
  • Manage scope, and approve WIP for invoicing
  • Provide feedback to reviewer if requiredAssist
07
Finalisation — $ realisation

From approved to invoiced

The finish line. Everything here is mechanical — which is exactly why it should be automatic.

Job finalisation stage
  • Collate documents and send for e-signingFull AI
  • Create invoice as per approved WIP and sendFull AI
  • Lodge returnsFull AI
  • Archive jobs and finalise as requiredFull AI
Job startRole: Workflow Manager → Accountant
End here
The bottom line
~70%

of the tasks in this workflow are AI-able today.

Full AI

Analytical compilation, query automation, report generation, document collation, lodgement, archiving, job briefing, permanent notes.

Assist

Proposals, SOPs, WIP review, workflow scheduling, advisory prep, risk review.

Humanly irreplaceable

Hiring decisions, client meetings, fee negotiation, partner judgement.