Welcome to our exclusive Q&A series, where we delve into the experiences and insights of Samera professionals who drive the success of our dynamic accountancy firm.
Today, we’re shining the spotlight on Pooja Bhutyani, one of our talented client accountants. Pooja plays a vital role in helping dental practices manage their financial accounts with precision and care. In this conversation, Pooja will share her thoughts on the unique challenges faced by dental clients, the evolving role of bookkeeping, and how she navigates the complexities of her profession with confidence and expertise.
Let’s dive into what Pooja brings to Samera and the clients she serves!
What are some unique challenges that dental practices face in terms of bookkeeping and management accounts? Also, how do you stay updated with the latest regulations and financial trends specific to the dental industry?
Dental practices often struggle with a lack of knowledge about industry-specific software, leading to inefficient bookkeeping and disorganized data, making analysis more difficult. Inconsistency in their bookkeeping and management accounts processes is another common challenge.
To stay updated, we regularly attend webinars and seminars on bookkeeping and business intelligence. We also hold internal meetings to share knowledge and ensure our team stays aligned with the latest trends and regulations.
How do you ensure that your work complies with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) while maintaining accuracy and consistency in the financial records of your dental clients?
To ensure compliance with the SOPs, it is crucial to comprehend the SOP well and see if the SOPs is in align with the requirement of the business and complying with the updated regulations etc. Furthermore, we are keen to incorporate the use of new software that are relevant to the business to ensure the accuracy and efficiency after following up the same with the client keeping in mind the cost-effective factor and not steering off the fundamental reason to alter the SOP which is to make it more systematic and comprehensive to make it easier for everyone to decipher the SOPs.
For accountants, client engagement is becoming as important as number crunching, right? So, how do you communicate complex financial information to clients who may not have a strong accounting background? And how far does that go in building strong relationships with your clients?
We assign a dedicated CRM to each client, ensuring there’s always a personal point of contact for seamless communication. As part of our process, we set clear cut-off dates for deliverables and arrange a meeting to walk clients through their reports. This gives us a chance to explain the numbers in simple terms, ensuring they fully understand the financials and any discrepancies we’ve flagged.
Client takes a leap of faith by entrusting their classified financial data with us and we take that responsibility seriously. We make it a priority to stay in regular contact, not just to deliver information, but to get their feedback and improve our service. It’s this ongoing, transparent communication that builds strong, lasting relationships.
You are a seasoned professional who comes with years of rich experience. What changes have you observed in your role and how do you see the role of bookkeeping and management accounts evolving over the next few years?
Along my career, I’ve witnessed the evolution of technology firsthand. I began as a tele-caller to get a foothold in the corporate world, and since then, my journey to becoming a client accountant at Samera has been a continuous learning experience. This growth has shaped me into the person I am today, building my confidence to communicate assertively with clients and establish the trust that is crucial for any accountant.
India presents a wealth of opportunities both domestically and globally. Many corporations, large and small, are looking to expand internationally. For them, accurate bookkeeping and timely management accounts are essential to understand their business position. Additionally, cost efficiency drives many companies to offshore and outsource their bookkeeping, allowing them to redirect the savings into more strategic areas of their business.
Talk to us a little about life at Samera. What do you enjoy doing outside of work and how does Samera help achieve an active work-life balance for accounting professionals like you?
After joining Samera, I truly felt a sense of belonging. In my previous roles, even when working onsite with various companies, there was little to no direct interaction with leadership, and I often felt like just another worker, not a part of the organization.
However, at Samera, despite working remotely, I feel more connected with the entire team. There are no strict hierarchies here—everyone is approachable, creating a comfortable environment where employees feel safe to be themselves.
This is because the focus is on understanding each person’s strengths by engaging in open conversations, acknowledging and appreciating what individuals bring to the table. On the fun side, they also organize regular team outings and excursions to help us bond and grow together as a team.
Outside of work, I enjoy reading, cooking occasionally, shopping with my mother, and spending time with family and friends.
