Janell Harlow
Senior Accountant, CPA, Speaker
Grand Forks, North Dakota, United States
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Janell Harlow is a Certified Public Accountant and the Director of Operations at Step By Step Accounting, a fully cloud based, teaching-oriented accounting and advisory firm.
Step By Step Accounting has been named a Top 50 Woodard Accounting Firm since 2023.
Janell is an Advanced Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor, and, as a part of Step By Step Accounting, provides outstanding accounting and Fractional CFO services to clients in the Midwest.
She lives in North Dakota, values family, living a balanced lifestyle, and lots of creamer in her coffee.
Area of Expertise
Topics
Navigating a Strange New World: Scaling Smarter, Not Harder in an AI-driven World
In today’s strange new world shaped by AI, technology alone won’t determine your firm’s success. While AI promises to streamline workflows, deliver deeper insights, and expand services, true scalability requires more than just tools—it demands a solid structure, a strong foundation, and the ability to adapt across people, processes, and systems. Firms that are not prepared for risk inefficiencies, inconsistent client experiences, and missed opportunities for growth, regardless of the technology they adopt.
This session focuses on preparing and supporting your team to thrive alongside AI while ensuring the firm is structured for scalable, sustainable growth. Participants will explore practical strategies to standardize processes, clarify roles and responsibilities, and leverage AI effectively to save time, reduce effort, and optimize resources. The session emphasizes designing systems and workflows that are both adaptable and repeatable, allowing the firm to expand capacity without sacrificing quality, consistency, or client-focused service.
Attendees will gain actionable steps to evaluate their current firm structure, identify gaps that may hinder scalability, and implement solutions that strengthen both people and processes. The session will provide guidance on aligning team readiness, the firm’s structure, processes, and foundation’s framework, creating a human-centered environment where teams feel empowered and confident in adopting AI.
By the end of the session, participants will have a roadmap for building a firm where technology amplifies human potential, enabling sustainable growth, operational resilience, and consistently exceptional client experiences. Leaders will leave equipped to create a scalable, AI-enabled firm that balances efficiency with a people-first culture, ready to succeed in an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving AI-driven landscape.
Making it so your Workflows - Flow
In this dynamic session, you will gain practical insights on how to improve workflows within your organizations by focusing on when, how, and who should handle tasks. We will step back to look at the big picture, exploring ways to break large tasks into smaller, more manageable pieces. We will dive into strategies for organizing tasks in a clear and efficient order to avoid delays, reduce mistakes, and meet deadlines.
The session will begin with assessing current workflows to identify bottlenecks and redundancies that can slow down operations or cause errors. Key areas such as task prioritization, workload management, timing, and proper documentation will be covered.
We will also discuss delegation of tasks, exploring how to assign tasks effectively within teams by playing to each person’s strengths, which leads to a more organized and productive group. Clear communication and strong documentation practices will be emphasized to prevent misunderstandings and ensure deadlines are met.
Throughout the session, real-world examples will be used to explain the process and highlight key points. By the end, participants will understand how to set up workflow systems that not only boost efficiency but also promote innovation and continuous improvement in their accounting practices. Attendees will leave with practical strategies and tools to optimize workflows, reduce stress, and deliver better results for their clients and organizations.
How to Map it: Transforming Your Accounting Firm for Optimal Efficiency and Client Satisfaction
In this dynamic session, you'll gain practical insights and hands-on experience to streamline your operations, enhance client satisfaction, and boost your firm's success. We'll kick off as a cohesive group, diving deep into the art of creating and documenting effective processes, using data architecture to map out each level from customer touchpoints to the "e-suite". Learn how to map out workflows systematically, identify pain points, and ensure a seamless journey for your clients.
After the initial discussion, we'll split into three small groups, each focusing on a critical aspect of your firm's processes (Lead Conversion, Client Onboarding and Monthly Accounting). Each group will engage in interactive process mapping using colorful post-it notes on the wall to visualize the customer journey. We will consider customer happiness as they progress through the process and be prepared to address pain points and brainstorm solutions.
Throughout the session, our experienced facilitators will traverse the room, encouraging participants to share insights, identify bottlenecks, and collaborate on innovative solutions utilizing technology and human resources. Benefit from their expertise as they guide you towards crafting efficient, client-centric processes.
Concluding the breakout sessions, we'll reconvene as a larger group to share the discoveries and improvements made in each mapped process. Be prepared to be inspired by the collective wisdom and innovative ideas generated by your peers.
In the final section of the workshop, you'll have dedicated time to reflect and start mapping a process tailored to your own accounting firm. Apply the lessons learned during the session to create a customized plan for your firm's success.
Join us at the Scaling New Heights conference and empower your accounting firm to excel by optimizing internal processes and delivering unmatched client experiences. Take home actionable insights and a roadmap for success in an ever-evolving industry. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your firm's future!
Scaling New Heights®️ 2024 Sessionize Event
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