Eric Chan's introduction to QuickBooks came in 1999, not by his own choice, but at a client’s request. His client, using the new software, encouraged him to learn it. So, Eric started with QuickBooks Desktop and was immediately impressed by its ease of use and features. This experience was a revelation, and he quickly began recommending it to other clients, seeing its potential far beyond simple bookkeeping. This discovery led Eric to a new vision: to move beyond pure accounting and into business consulting. By leveraging QuickBooks' powerful reporting functions, he could provide clients with crucial management insights, something many small business owners lacked the time or resources to do themselves.
Choose your...
ACCOUNTANT SPOTLIGHT
Introducing Eric Chan
Come along for a visionary's journey from spreadsheets to streamlined cloud accounting, championing digital finance and empowering clients for over 30 years with QuickBooks.
The practice and the vision
The strategic switch to QuickBooks
Before discovering QuickBooks, Eric relied on Excel for his accounting needs, but quickly realised the drawbacks of this approach. The biggest challenges were the inaccuracy and the risk of data corruption—one wrong keystroke could ruin an entire file. He was always exploring new technology to increase productivity and found Excel to be a painful and unreliable experience.
The shift to QuickBooks Desktop was a huge improvement. The built-in backup and restore functions gave him peace of mind, knowing his data was safe. When QuickBooks Online came out, the benefits became even clearer. The ability to log in from anywhere, without needing to remotely access a company server, was a game-changer. For Eric, the choice was simple, and he had no negative concerns about switching.
I love using QuickBooks because of its reporting function, it is easy to use, and you can access it anytime, anywhere.
Why Eric chose QuickBooks
Seamless client onboarding
Transitioning clients to QuickBooks Online, Eric faced initial hurdles. The biggest challenge often comes from the clients’ own staff. Eric notes that experienced accounting staff who are experts at using Excel can be resistant to change—they often are reluctant to switch, and the business owner, wanting to avoid discomfort, follows suit. Eric’s solution is to show his team and clients how the software can solve their most painful problems, such as late tax filings and penalties. He demonstrates that using the right software can save time and money, making the transition an easy decision.
I always try to convince clients that they can get rid of their old system and switch to QuickBooks, it will solve most of their problems.
The QuickBooks impact and tangible benefits
QuickBooks Online has profoundly transformed Eric Chan's daily operations, significantly boosting efficiency and adding substantial value. The software's capabilities allowed him to expand his services from pure accounting to business consulting, providing valuable management insights to clients who lack the resources to hire a full-time CFO. The cloud-based nature of QuickBooks Online provides him and his clients with the flexibility to access and manage their books anytime and anywhere, a significant improvement from the days of relying on remote desktop access to a physical server.
Future-proofing the practice
Eric believes the accounting profession is on the brink of significant change, driven by the rise of AI. He foresees a more automated future where the traditional role of a data entry clerk will be replaced by technology and advises other accounting professionals to upgrade their skills and embrace these new tools.
For him, the future of accounting is not about data entry but about adding value as a trusted advisor. By using powerful software like QuickBooks, accountants can analyse data, identify potential issues, and help clients solve their most pressing problems. He sees technology as an opportunity to expand his business from simple accounting to valuable business consulting, greatly increasing an accountant’s value in the eyes of their clients.
Eric Chan
Founder & CEO, Reachtop Consulting Limited
QuickBooks ProAdvisor
Eric Chan is a Hong Kong-based accountant with over 30 years of experience. As the Founder and CEO of Reachtop Consulting Limited, he provides a wide range of services including company secretarial, tax advice, and business consulting. As a QuickBooks ProAdvisor, he is a master trainer for QuickBooks in Hong Kong, helping countless businesses and fellow accountants adopt modern, cloud-based accounting solutions.
Hear from other accountants
Hear from other accountants
“I like QuickBooks because it's user friendly, it's accurate, and it's safe.”
Cecilia Tong – Singapore
Director (JJ Trusted Services)
QuickBooks Pro Advisor
Director (JJ Trusted Services)
QuickBooks Pro Advisor
Not an Accountant? Click here to see our Small Business offers
