Photograph: Digital Stirling

Background

Atholl Accountancy, founded by Paula McMonagle, recognised the need for a streamlined, reliable system to manage payment processes and client services. Introduced to Mimo’s offerings during the Digital Accountancy Show, Paula sought a tool that would help her tackle administrative challenges relating to payments and enhance client satisfaction.

Challenges

1. Increasing Client Workload: Atholl Accountancy’s rapid growth resulted in significant demand, with new clients seeking both compliance work and bespoke finance solutions. Managing this increasing workload while ensuring high-quality service was becoming difficult.

2. Manual Payment Processes: Clients had varied and complex payment needs, which often required manual oversight, increasing the risk of errors and delays. This included issues like:

   • Clients struggling with payments due to learning differences.

   • Inefficiencies caused by manual reconciliation and invoice processing.

   • Compliance complexities that required precise and secure payment processing.

3. Dependence on Bank Access: Some clients were hesitant to grant bank access, which was previously necessary for managing payment runs, adding complexity and potential risks in their service processes.

Solution

Paula implemented Mimo’s accounts payable solution, which offered seamless integration with her existing accounting tools, such as Xero, and provided several critical features that addressed Atholl’s challenges:

1. Streamlined Payment Process: With Mimo, Atholl Accountancy reduced payment run times significantly—previously taking hours, now completed within minutes. The solution enabled Paula and her team to:

   • Automate repetitive tasks, such as invoice checks and approvals.

   • Ensure real-time updates and smooth integration with existing platforms.

2. Enhanced Client Convenience: Clients could now quickly approve payments without navigating complex steps or delays. Mimo’s system also allowed for CIS adjustments directly on invoices, reducing manual calculations and increasing accuracy.

3. Error Reduction and Security: Mimo’s platform reduced human error by automating reconciliation and payment validations. The system's robust, fraud-checking mechanisms provided clients additional reassurance about the security of their funds.

We made a payment run the same day that we set up access. It's so smooth and quick to use.

Results

1. Increased Efficiency: With Mimo’s platform, payment processing times were drastically reduced. A large client that previously required hours for their payroll processing now required only 15 minutes, freeing Paula’s team to focus on value-added tasks rather than administrative follow-up.

2. Enhanced Client Satisfaction: The seamless, user-friendly payment experience fostered higher client satisfaction. Clients appreciated the automated payment reminders, easy link-based payment approvals, and decreased manual involvement, allowing them to feel confident and secure in Atholl’s services.

3. Strengthened Client Relationships: Paula built closer, more personable relationships with her clients. The tech-forward approach enabled Paula to focus on high-impact consultations rather than time-consuming administrative work, further cementing Atholl Accountancy's position as a reliable and proactive partner in clients' financial journeys.