Preparation for Silverfin training

[Preparers - email 1]

Following on from previous announcements and office update calls, we are currently introducing the new accounts production platform - Silverfin.

As part of this roll out, we will be assigning you to training sessions based on your role and involvement in accounts production. These are:

Silverfin Preparer Training: Consisting of 3 sessions working through the full functionality and a case study example.
Silverfin Reviewer Training: 1 training session working through the functionality and Manager review process.
Silverfin Partner Training: 1 training session understanding the functionality and Partner review process.
Silverfin Admin Training: 1 training session to cover admin functions

Some managers, dependent on their roles, will be assigned to complete multiple training sessions, any queries with this please speak to Adrian Logan, Mark Greaves or your supervising partner.

The training will take place at desks in the office and attendees will be asked to join an MS teams call to work through the training together. The details will soon be sent to you from mylearning where you will be requested to book onto the training sessions, choosing a date that works best for you. If you cannot make scheduled dates then additional sessions will be planned once all office training is complete. You will also need to book desks and parking as applicable via Condeco, please do this as soon as possible.

We are introducing this software to streamline, standardise and automate our processes where possible, whilst also allowing for better access to and analysis of client's data. It will also ensure the final accounts are drawn from the same data as the working papers, so should eliminate the differences we occasionally see between the two in final reviews. For the majority of clients, it will ultimately replace DAPA/DAP which are not universally popular and are slowly being dropped from support by Digita.

1) Access to Silverfin - You have already been set up with access to Silverfin and can log into Silverfin here https://francisclark.getsilverfin.com/ and there is also a Link on the menu in Frank (just under myFC). Please access using Google Chrome (or the latest Internet Edge if you have this installed). You should be able to access this site using your name@pkf-franciclark.co.uk email address and your normal FC password if required. Please ensure you can login and feel free to explore Silverfin if you want to, but do not go into any actual clients yet and make changes. You might like to start exploring the Help function here where there are tailored FC articles and the general (and very extensive) Silverfin help. The FC help pages (use the below symbol at the top right and select ‘PKF FC Help site’) are particularly important as they contain guides to the new ways of processing accounts, as well the firm's new standards and policies on these procedures.

2) Access to Silverfin team - You will also shortly be added to the Silverfin team in Teams. We will be using Teams to provide further support on Silverfin here, please ensure you can access both Silverfin and Teams (both within and outside Citrix) as soon as you can.

We will be sending further details on pre training preparation shortly.

Finally there is a short FC introduction video located here. We will be starting the day with this video, but you may want to watch this beforehand to prepare for this transition and training.

[Preparers - email 2]

Ahead of your Silverfin training sessions, we have worked with Silverfin for them to provide an overview of the actual platform and its functionality, from import of client data though to accounts production, in the below four short videos below. Please can you view these videos (outside Citrix may be easier here) before the formal training day. This will ensure you arrive at the training with a level of initial familiarity with Silverfin.

Please do not worry about trying to absorb everything as the training will go through a detailed case study, but please note any areas where you do not understand the key areas covered and we can cover this in the training sessions.

Part 1 - Home screen navigation (5 mins) here

Part 2 - Client File navigation (23 mins) here

Part 3 - Working papers (11 mins) here

Part 4 - Introduction to accounts (14 mins) here

We are aware that this move will be a change to the way you prepare and produce accounts. We are providing significant support for this change which will hopefully minimise any pain and the new software will remove much of the duplicated effort of the DAPA/DAP and Excel based process.

The Silverfin training will be held over 3 sessions and throughout there will be plenty of time for practical use of Silverfin. As the training will be held in the office then the trainer will be available during the hands on exercises to provide support and answer any queries.

Session 1 – Introduction, overview, client creation and planning

Session 2 – Working papers / preparation

Session 3 – Accounts and completion, queries

Following Session 2, which is mainly hands on use of Silverfin, it may be useful to spend additional time to continue working through the case study following the session and I would recommend allocating a couple of hours in the afternoon for this. The trainer will be available in the office all afternoon following ‘Session 2’ to run through any of the case study examples in further detail or to answer any queries.

[Reviewers]

Following on from previous announcements and office update calls, we are currently introducing the new accounts production platform - Silverfin.

As part of this roll out, we will be assigning you to training sessions based on your role and involvement in accounts production. These are:

Silverfin Preparer Training: Consisting of 3 sessions working through the full functionality and a case study example.
Silverfin Reviewer Training: 1 training session working through the functionality and Manager review process.
Silverfin Partner Training: 1 training session understanding the functionality and Partner review process.
Silverfin Admin Training: 1 training session to cover admin functions

Some managers, dependent on their roles, will be assigned to complete multiple training sessions, any queries with this please speak to Adrian Logan, Mark Greaves or your supervising partner.

The details of the training sessions will soon be sent to you from mylearning where you will be requested to book onto the training sessions, choosing a date that works best for you. If you cannot make scheduled dates then additional sessions will be planned once all office training is complete.

We are introducing this software to streamline, standardise and automate our processes where possible, whilst also allowing for better access to and analysis of client's data. It will also ensure the final accounts are drawn from the same data as the working papers, so should eliminate the differences we occasionally see between the two in final reviews. It will ultimately replace DAPA/DAP which are not universally popular and are slowly being dropped from support by Digita.

1) Access to Silverfin - You have already been set up with access to Silverfin and can log into Silverfin here https://francisclark.getsilverfin.com/ and there is also a Link on the menu in Frank (just under myFC). Please only access this site via Google Chrome (or the latest Internet Edge if you have this installed). You should be able to access this site using your name@pkf-franciclark.co.uk email address and your normal FC password if required. Please ensure you can login and feel free to explore Silverfin if you want to, but do not go into any actual clients yet and make changes. You might like to start exploring the Help function here where there are tailored FC Help Articles and the general (and very extensive) Silverfin help. The FC help Articles (use the below symbol at the top right) are particularly important as they contain guides to the new ways of processing accounts, training guides as well the firm's new standards and policies on these procedures.

2) Access to Silverfin team - You should also be able to access the Silverfin Teams in Microsoft Teams - here.

Please can you ensure you can access both of the above (both within and outside Citrix) as soon as you can.

Finally, we have worked with Silverfin for them to provide an overview of the actual platform and its functionality, from import of client data though to accounts production, in the below four short videos below. It would be very helpful if you could you view these videos (outside Citrix may be easier here) before the formal training day. This will ensure you arrive at the training with a level of initial familiarity with Silverfin.

Please do not worry about trying to absorb everything as the training will go through a detailed cash study, but please note any areas where you do not understand the key areas covered and we can cover this in the training sessions.

Part 1 - Home screen navigation (5 mins) here

Part 2 - Client File navigation (23 mins) here

Part 3 - Working papers (11 mins) here

Part 4 - Introduction to accounts (14 mins) here

[Partners]

You are due to start training on the new accounts production platform Silverfin shortly. We are introducing this software to streamline, standardise and automate our processes where possible, whilst also allowing for better access to and analysis of client's data. It will also ensure the final accounts are drawn from the same data as the working papers, so should eliminate the differences we occasionally see between the two in final reviews. It will ultimately replace DAPA/DAP which are not universally popular and are slowly being dropped from support by Digita.

You already should have access to Silverfin via https://francisclark.getsilverfin.com/. Please only access this site via Google Chrome. You should be able to access this site using your name@pkf-franciclark.co.uk email address and your normal FC password if required. Please ensure you can login and feel free to explore Silverfin if you want to, but do not go into any actual clients yet and make changes. You might like to start exploring the Help function (using below symbol top right of screen) where there are tailored FC Help Articles and the general Silverfin help (the various FC training courses are included here).

The FC help Articles are particularly important as they contain guides to the new ways of processing accounts, training guides as well the firm's new standards and policies on these procedures.

You should also be able to access the Silverfin Teams in Microsoft Teams - here.

Please can you ensure you can access both of the above (both within and outside Citrix) as soon as you can.

We are aware that this move will be a change to the way you review accounts. We are providing significant support for this change which will hopefully minimise any pain and the new software will remove much of the current often duplicated effort for preparers. However, all Partners should be aware that there is likely to be resistance to this change process by some who have become very familiar with the current process (despite its flaws) and the adoption of another new software platform. There will also be technical issues with the platform as it gets tested by 350+ staff over circa 6,000 clients, despite the extensive testing done to date.

We do take comfort from JC's experience that their staff have adapted to the new process after five to ten assignments and that significant process efficiencies have been realised, albeit mainly in year two.

It will be critical to the success of the roll out for Partners to lead from the front and be supportive of the platform. This means ensuring all relevant clients are processed through the platform and that includes the partner review process.

Finally, note that there is the facility within Silverfin for the Partner review pack to be exported/printed for those partners that prefer reading longer document in hard copy, but the actual review process will still require actions within Silverfin for the Partner.

[Tax staff]

You are due to undertake a short training on accessing the new accounts production platform Silverfin shortly. We are introducing this software to streamline, standardise and automate our processes where possible, whilst also allowing for better access to and analysis of client's data. It will also ensure the final accounts are drawn from the same data as the working papers, so should eliminate the differences we occasionally see between the two in final reviews. It will ultimately replace DAPA/DAP which are not universally popular and are slowly being dropped from support by Digita.

The FC help Articles are particularly important as they contain guides to the new ways of processing accounts, training guides as well the firm's new standards and policies on these procedures.

You should also be able to access the Silverfin Teams in Microsoft Teams - here.

Please can you ensure you can access both of the above (both within and outside Citrix) as soon as you can.

We are aware that this move will be a change to the way you access client information that may be relevant for tax. We are providing significant support for this change which will hopefully minimise any pain and the new software will remove much of the duplicated effort for preparers.

Finally, note that there is the facility within Silverfin for the tax information to be exported/printed for those that prefer reading longer document in hard copy, and there are direct export/import processes for Alphatax using iXBRL tagged info.

[Admin staff]

The FC help Articles are particularly important as they contain guides to the new ways of processing accounts, training guides as well the firm's new standards and policies on these procedures.

You should also be able to access the Silverfin Teams in Microsoft Teams - here.

Please can you ensure you can access both of the above (both within and outside Citrix) as soon as you can.

We are aware that this move will be a change to the way you perform specific functions. We are providing significant support for this change which will hopefully minimise any pain and the new software will remove much of the duplicated effort for preparers.

[email on day of go live]

Today marks the day when we start using Silverfin for the accounts preparation for many of our clients. You all have received training over the last few weeks and the courses are still available here for reference as are your test clients in Silverfin in case you want to test out functions.

Remember we are introducing Silverfin for the benefits that it will bring in terms of improved efficiencies, less time transferring data between systems, increased standardisation and access to client data – we do know that it will take time for everyone to get used to this new way of working for these benefits to emerge. Our friends in the North (Johnston Carmichael) suggest that it can take 5 to 10 assignments before their staff become properly comfortable with the new way of doing things. However, all their staff gave very positive feedback about how much better it was in comparison to their old system as they got used to it and especially in Year 2.

In terms of immediate support as you learn to use the software, we are focused on trying to resolve the queries rapidly. If it is an IT focused issue about access to the internet, then use the usual IT support mechanism.

If it relate to Silverfin please refer to this guide as to which support mechanisms to use and in which order. The first place to look is the FC help site here where you find numerous help articles in the various sections (including a FAQ). If you cannot find the answer yourself or locally, then in the short term you can then always email Mark or Adrian and they will either be able to help you or we can refer it onwards to Silverfin. After this initial phase, the Silverfin Team’s channel will be used for queries which will be supported by champion in all offices.

In terms of client types, Silverfin can currently handle non-audit companies, sole traders and partnerships. LLPs should be ready in August and the first sector specific schedules are being readied for farming clients, again due in August. We estimate that this will cover circa 80% to 90% of our clients. We will then progress onto other sector specialisms.

We hope that you will find Silverfin a good replacement for our current arrangements and it will, over time, become as second nature as Excel is to you now.

Regards

The Silverfin team