Showcasing innovation at CCH Connections: User Conference 2024

From a tax preparation perspective, attendees were especially impressed with Firm Intelligence’s potential to simplify complex tax research and client communication. One user, who had been struggling to find a specific state compliance answer for weeks, was ecstatic to receive an accurate response in seconds. Another attendee was impressed by the tool’s capability to draft penalty abatement letters, a task that typically takes considerable time.

At the partner level, attendees were particularly excited about the reporting capabilities of Firm Intelligence. They discussed the challenges of current reporting processes, which often require complex queries. The ability of Firm Intelligence to simplify these tasks was seen as a massive timesaver. For example, roles responsible for providing reports saw significant value in being able to quickly generate insights such as “How many returns are in not started status?” or “How many returns are over budget hours?” This functionality was viewed as a powerful tool to enhance transparency and efficiency within their firms.

Several users recognized how Firm Intelligence could elevate the profession by increasing transparency and providing a trusted source of answers for junior staff. Managers appreciated the potential for junior staff to use Firm Intelligence as a first point of reference, reducing the number of routine questions directed to them. Additionally, the ability to ask the tool how it arrived at a particular answer provided visibility and transparency that could also serve as an educational resource.

The feedback from these sessions was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees appreciated the potential of the AI technology to revolutionize their workflows, with many expressing a desire to stay ahead of the curve by adopting these solutions.

Innovation Station

The Innovation Station, located in the Product Showcase area, was another highlight of the conference. Here, attendees could request demos of 12 different concepts, with over 80 demonstrations conducted throughout the event. The most popular demos included the No Touch Tax Return, Scan/Autoflow Evolution, and Firm Intelligence.

The No Touch Tax Return and Scan/Autoflow Evolution demos received particularly enthusiastic responses. Attendees were eager to see how these innovations could enhance efficiency and collaboration in tax preparation and review. The feedback underscored a clear demand for enhanced flexibility, better integration, and improved OCR capabilities.

Firm Intelligence continued to impress, with attendees keen to see how it could fit into their future workflows. Whether they had participated in the AI Tech Showcase or not, the vision of integrating AI into their processes was well received.

One attendee summed up the sentiment perfectly: “I saw the concept yesterday (zero-touch) and I’ve been thinking about it ever since. I think there’s a huge potential here to work with preparers and reviewers alike to make this a powerful tool.”

Innovative spirit and commitment to providing advanced solutions

CCH Connections 2024 showcased Wolters Kluwer’s innovative spirit and commitment to providing advanced solutions for accounting professionals. The AI Tech Showcase and Innovation Station sessions not only demonstrated the potential of upcoming products but also highlighted the enthusiasm and excitement of users as Wolters Kluwer continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible.