SaaS in accounting didn’t start with the cloud. On Episode 2 of Let’s Sync with John McGowan, John sits down with Kevin Robert, former CEO of Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting, to trace the real origin story. As Kevin puts it, “that service bureau model… is the lead-in to software as a service.” Before “the cloud” had a name, firms were already renting capability from a shared system. Here’s what that looked like in practice:
1) The Forgotten Origins of SaaS
Long before browsers, firms sent input forms to a processing center and received calculated, laser-printed returns, managed centrally. In other words, access over ownership was already the model. It was conceptually ahead of its time. Today, those same outcomes show up as centralized client exchanges in tools like Client Portal & Delivery and Data Collection / PBC where requests, files, and status live in one place.
2) Technology Changes; the Drivers Don’t
Building on those early days, the motivations haven’t really changed. From then to now, the reasons firms modernize have remained the same: work from anywhere, a single system of record, and do more with less. Those drivers “still exist in accounting firms today,” Kevin says, and they’re exactly what current platforms aim to deliver, just with better infrastructure… think Workflow Tracking to reduce chasing, and Planning & Analytics so everyone sees the same status without meetings.
3) Every “New” Platform Has Old DNA
From service bureaus to RJ terminals, in-house systems, Citrix, and the cloud, the story is evolution, not replacement. As Kevin notes, “While things are new, they all have their roots in things that have been done before.” Winners carry forward what worked and strip out friction so work moves faster.
4) The Real Lesson for Firms (and Vendors)
Be skeptical of “brand-new” promises. Great systems respect how work really gets done and streamline it. HubSync’s unique edge lies in combining its respect for existing workflows with advanced AI and automation that simplify tasks without disrupting familiar processes. Our platform focuses on making work easier, faster, and smarter with AI as an assistant.
Why This Matters Now
Firms still want one place to work, fewer handoffs, and clear visibility for teams and clients. That’s where HubSync fits: a connected workspace for requests, documents, status, and delivery plus automation and AI that keep engagements moving.
Listen to the full conversation with John and Kevin to hear the service-bureau-to-SaaS arc, and why “new” ideas often start with something that worked before.
