Unique solution provides one-stop-shop for financial stimulus information

May 21, 2020 — RSM Australia, the country’s leading mid-tier accounting firm, has launched RAMI, a unique, industry-first solution to help clients access information related to COVID-19 financial stimulus packages, including checking their eligibility, understanding what assistance is available, and connecting with an advisor if required.

RAMI (robotic automated machine interface) is an online chatbot powered by artificial intelligence and underpinned by an extensive knowledge bank developed by RSM Australia experts. Clients access RAMI via the RSM Australia website and can either follow a guided set of questions designed to answer the most common queries, or they can enter an open-text question to get the answers they need.

Paul Joseph, CIO and director of operations, RSM Australia, said, “Once the government began announcing its financial stimulus packages such as artificial_intelligenceJobKeeper, tax incentives, and more, business owners began asking questions. The packages are complex and they’re changing all the time, making it difficult for business owners to stay on top of what they’re eligible for. RAMI was designed to provide an always-on, wide-reaching resource that clients can access at any time of the day or night to get the information they need. It aggregates all the data that would normally be found in myriad different sources into one place, providing general information to users".

“RAMI also provides the option for clients to contact an RSM Australia advisor directly to get advice that’s specific to their unique situation.”

Jamie O’Rourke, Chief Executive Partner, RSM Australia, said, “COVID-19 has seen the acceleration of digital transformation due to an increase in appetite for digital engagement and always-on responsiveness. Clients increasingly expect online solutions and self-service options to fit in with their schedules and needs. RAMI provides a key example of this; in developing RAMI, RSM Australia considered that many clients would be busy running their business during business hours and beyond, so they would need a way to get information that suits their availability. The 24/7 availability of RAMI was ideal for these clients who couldn’t easily contact their local RSM Australia office during business hours.”

RAMI also improves and learns based on the way users interact with it, as well as the feedback users provide.

Paul Joseph said, “The government programs are constantly changing, so it was essential to deliver a solution that could stay up to date with these changes. Furthermore, it was important to develop a solution that would tailor itself to users’ needs by providing answers to the most commonly-asked questions upfront. By identifying what clients are looking for, RSM Australia can provide a far more enriched customer experience by delivering according to those requirements.”

RAMI offers an exceptional first port of call for information because it encompasses the wide range of expertise and deep knowledge of RSM Australia’s advisory professionals. It also lets users contact an advisor directly to gain specific advice. This is available to users throughout Australia.

Jamie O’Rourke said, “The RSM Australia COVID-19 RAMI saves people time that would have been spent checking various websites and sources of information. By providing a single, central source of information that’s constantly updated, users can be confident that the information they’re receiving via RAMI is accurate. RAMI can be used with any device, regardless of theai_arificial_intelligence_machine_technology_innovation_simple_blue-12.png user’s location; all it requires is access to the internet.

“RAMI can be an attractive option for users who are just starting to research their options or who may not feel comfortable divulging personal information to an advisor just yet. RSM Australia is proud to be the first firm in the country to provide this type of functionality to users regardless of whether they are existing clients of the firm.”

In the future, RSM Australia will build on the COVID-19 RAMI to build other chatbots to provide information on tricky topics, making it easier for users to get the information they need that can help them determine whether they need to seek further advice or can apply for government packages.

To access the RAMI visit: www.rsm.com.au/coronavirus 

ABOUT RSM AUSTRALIA:

RSM Australia is an independent member firm of RSM, the sixth-largest professional services accounting and consulting organisation in the world. RSM Australia is a full-service national accounting and advisory firm delivering expert corporate financial and advisory accounting services to clients across diverse industry sectors. Its one-firm structure means clients can more readily connect to its extensive national and international networks, expertise and industry experience. RSM has 31 offices across Australia, combined with over 95 years’ experience. Its network spans 116 countries and comprises 750 offices.