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Interactive Report Viewing

Because StyleBI is an entirely Web-based application, sharing reports is even easier than creating them. Through this application, users can share reports to any device with a browser, including iDevices.

Reports created through StyleBI are fully dynamic. They can be drilled into, parameterized, summarized, exported, and emailed. Drop down lists, text fields, and other control elements make navigation a pleasureable experience.

High Performance and Scalability

Database information can be accessed in many ways. StyleBI features data access connection pools, data streaming and page streaming, clustered reporting service, concurrent threading control, and resource management on the filesystem.

Enterprise Environment

For your IT team and your peace of mind, StyleBI offers security control on data cells, reports, and folders. This can be set via individual, role, group, and functional module criteria. Reports can be archived and multiple versions can be saved. HTTPs support and encryption can be applied to all PDF outputs, and user activity can be limited with access to disk quota control.

With StyleBI you have full control of your data from how it is displayed to who can modify it.

How a CPA Firm Uses InetSoft's Database Report Designer

A mid-sized CPA firm, serving a diverse client base across multiple industries, recently transformed its operations by deploying InetSoft's database report designer, StyleBI. This article explores how this firm uses StyleBI to deliver client reports, track critical KPIs, and visualize complex financial data—boosting productivity and client satisfaction.

Challenges of Traditional Reporting

Prior to adopting StyleBI, the firm relied on a patchwork of spreadsheets, standalone desktop reporting tools, and manual data entry processes. Report preparation consumed significant staff hours, prone to errors and delays. Financial analysts and accountants spent more time compiling and reconciling data than analyzing it. Moreover, clients increasingly expected interactive, up-to-date dashboards instead of static PDF reports. To stay competitive, the firm needed a modern reporting solution that could easily pull data from multiple databases, support self-service design, and present information in clear, customizable dashboards.

Why StyleBI?

InetSoft’s StyleBI was selected for its flexibility, database connectivity, and powerful report designer interface. The firm’s IT department particularly appreciated StyleBI’s ability to integrate with their on-premises SQL Server, cloud-based QuickBooks data, and client-specific ERP systems. StyleBI’s drag-and-drop report designer allowed accountants to create and update dashboards without relying heavily on developers.

Designing Financial Dashboards with StyleBI

The firm uses StyleBI to build multiple dashboards, each tailored to different client needs. For example, for small business clients, accountants design dashboards highlighting key financial KPIs, cash flow trends, and expense breakdowns. For larger corporate clients, StyleBI handles consolidated financial statements, departmental profit and loss charts, and variance analyses.

One of the most popular dashboard templates includes:

• Revenue Trends Line Chart – Displays revenue over time, with drill-down capability to view by month, week, or day.
• Expense Pie Chart – Illustrates expense categories such as payroll, rent, utilities, and miscellaneous costs.
• Profitability KPI Tiles – Prominently shows Net Profit Margin, Gross Margin, and Operating Margin as large numeric tiles with conditional formatting for thresholds.
• Accounts Receivable Aging Bar Chart – Visualizes overdue invoices segmented by client and aging bucket (0–30, 31–60, 61–90, 90+ days).
• Cash Flow Forecast – Combines a table with a bullet chart to compare actual vs. projected cash flow for the upcoming quarter.

Connecting to Multiple Data Sources

The firm’s IT team configured StyleBI’s data connectors to pull real-time data from multiple sources. Client bookkeeping data in QuickBooks Online is synced through APIs, while transactional records and bank feeds from their SQL databases are refreshed hourly. StyleBI’s data mashup feature allows the firm to blend different sources into a unified view without moving the data physically to another database.

KPIs that Matter

For any CPA firm, tracking the right KPIs is critical for delivering value to clients and running internal operations efficiently. The firm established a core set of KPIs using StyleBI’s built-in formula editor:

• Client Revenue Growth Rate – Measures month-over-month revenue changes.
• Operating Expense Ratio – Compares operating expenses to total revenue to ensure cost efficiency.
• AR Turnover – Tracks how quickly accounts receivable is collected, a key indicator of cash flow health.
• Billable Hours Utilization – Monitors staff productivity by comparing billable vs. non-billable hours.
• Client Profitability – Highlights which client accounts contribute most to overall firm revenue.

Interactive Analytics for Clients

One of StyleBI’s standout features for the firm is its self-service interactivity. Clients can log into a secure portal to view customized dashboards. They can filter results by time periods, drill down to specific transactions, and export visualizations directly to Excel or PDF.

For instance, a retail client uses the dashboard to monitor weekly sales and inventory turnover, instantly spotting any anomalies. A professional services client checks utilization rates and project profitability. By empowering clients with real-time analytics, the CPA firm elevates its advisory role beyond traditional tax and audit services.

Automation and Scheduling

StyleBI’s scheduling capabilities automate report delivery. Financial statements, tax projection reports, and compliance checklists are scheduled to run at month-end and are emailed to designated client contacts. This automation reduces the administrative burden on accountants and ensures clients receive timely, accurate information.

Security and Compliance

Given the sensitive nature of financial data, security is paramount. The firm leverages StyleBI’s user authentication, role-based access controls, and data encryption features. Only authorized team members and clients can view specific reports. Audit logs help the IT team track user activity and ensure compliance with data privacy regulations.

Agile Reporting for Internal Use

Internally, partners and managers use dashboards to track key business metrics such as staff productivity, realization rates, and work-in-progress (WIP). Dashboards include:

• Staff Utilization Heatmap – Visualizes workloads by department and employee, helping managers balance capacity.
• Engagement Profitability Scatter Plot – Plots all client engagements based on hours billed vs. hours budgeted to identify outliers.
• Time-to-Invoice KPI – Monitors average time from work completion to invoice issuance, critical for cash flow.

Customization and Branding

To strengthen its professional image, the firm white-labels the StyleBI dashboards with its branding. Client dashboards include the firm’s logo, colors, and custom domain. This consistent look-and-feel reinforces the firm’s commitment to providing premium, modern financial services.

Technical Assistance and Training

The StyleBI implementation included training for both IT staff and accountants. InetSoft’s support team provided onboarding webinars, extensive documentation, and sample templates. With this knowledge, the firm’s analysts can now create new dashboards in days instead of weeks. The IT team benefits from InetSoft’s online technical assistance and knowledge base when tackling advanced customizations.

Benefits Realized

Since deploying StyleBI, the CPA firm has cut manual report preparation time by over 40%. Clients appreciate the interactive dashboards, faster turnaround, and deeper insights into their finances. Internally, partners gain better visibility into performance metrics, enabling data-driven decisions about resource allocation and client engagements.

Furthermore, the firm has gained a competitive edge in attracting and retaining clients who value up-to-date, on-demand financial reporting. What was once a tedious process of reconciling spreadsheets and emailing static files is now a seamless, automated, and interactive experience.

Next Steps and Future Plans

Looking ahead, the firm plans to expand its use of StyleBI by embedding predictive analytics into client dashboards. By combining historical financial data with AI forecasting, accountants will help clients plan for scenarios such as revenue dips, cash shortages, or tax implications—turning accountants into proactive business advisors.

The firm is also exploring integration with third-party CRM systems to correlate financial metrics with customer data. This integration will further enhance cross-functional insights and strategic planning.