REVIEWS FOR YOUR FIRM
Review of Tax Research Systems
Comprehensive Content Only A Click Away
By Isaac O’Bannon, Technology Editor
While there are exceptions, with age and experience usually comes knowledge, and the more often you perform the same task, the less thought goes into the processes involved. And so it is tax season. For many seasoned professionals, most tax compliance issues are utterly routine. But you don’t know everything, and that’s okay. Just so long as you know where to look for the answers when you get stumped on a return. Thanks to the Internet, all of the top tax research systems are now online, making it easy to access libraries of information in seconds.
Document Management Product Selector
The number of document management products aimed specifically at the public accounting profession abounds. And perhaps it's that expansive array of choices that's paralyzed nearly two-thirds of the public accounting firms in America to the point of inaction, leaving them without the one tool absolutely required as the centerpiece of their journey toward the digital future.
The CPA Technology Advisor's document management solution product selector presents a series of comprehensive questions for you to answer. Your responses will trigger a report upon completion of the survey that suggests three appropriate DMS products for your firm. We believe that this tool will help your firm narrow the available products to those that best fit your stated criteria as you begin your journey into the era of digital documents.
REVIEWS FOR YOUR CLIENTS
Review of Property Management Solutions — Online Exclusive!
Cost-Effective Systems Offer Benefit To Small Property Managers
By Mary Girsch-Bock
Large-scale property management firms have long had the economic and technological resources to maintain high occupancy, manage and screen prospects and keep up with maintenance. Unfortunately, for many smaller rental property owners, cost-effective options haven’t always been available. But today there are affordable systems that give even those with one or two residential or commercial properties tools that can help their properties be more profitable through more efficient management.
FEATURES
2007 Readers’ Choice Awards
It’s time to announce the results of the 2007 Readers’ Choice Awards, an annual insight into the minds of tax and accounting professionals. The Awards, featuring more than 25 categories of professional applications, hardware, services and other technologies, give those in the tax and accounting profession a way to express appreciation for the systems that help them in their practice. As with last year’s results, some of the findings were somewhat expected, while others were surprising.
Tax Season Survival Guide
The rush will soon be on, so take these last few comparatively calm weeks to prepare for impending tax season. From advice on business communication tools, security and adding multiple monitors to your display, several experts offer advice to help you be more productive this tax season.
- The Season Offers Challenges, But Also Big Rewards
By Isaac M. O’Bannon, Technology Editor
Tax Season: It will get busy, and it will probably get hectic. You will probably work late and may see less of your family for the next few months. But you’re working for a successful practice that helps individuals and business owners, and that helps you enjoy your life away from work with your family and friends. The technology you use during the year, both to directly provide service to clients and to manage your practice, are essential to your productivity. Several of our recently profiled Productivity in Practice professionals offer a few tips and suggestions you might want to consider. - Best Practices: Encryption Keys and Tools
By Catherine Bruder, CPA.CITP, CISA, CISM, MSPA
Now that we are in an era where private information is routinely transmitted via e-mail and Internet across public networks, how can we be confident in the security of that information while it is in transit and when it is stored digitally? Catherine explores and explains how to keep critical data safe. - Best Practices: Implementing Dual Monitors
By Catherine Bruder, CPA.CITP, CISA, CISM, MSPA
Now that we are in an era where private information is routinely transmitted via e-mail and Internet across public networks, how can we be confident in the security of that information while it is in transit and when it is stored digitally? Catherine explores and explains how to keep critical data safe. - Branding, Marketing & Business Development For Your Firm
By Bob Lewis, Visionary Marketing
Today’s contemporary firms manage their practice with a different focus and vision than the accounting profession deployed in the past. Traditionally, firms used to rely on quality service and referrals as almost their exclusive method of winning new business. Now, a large number of firms use “old school” marketing and sales techniques, and nurture business development strategies, as well as advertising to attract new clients.
VAR Programs: Helping Clients Find the Right Technologies
By Isaac M. O’Bannon, Technology Editor
Practicing public accountants service their clients in many ways, from providing traditional services such as tax compliance, payroll, business consulting, financial planning and generational wealth transfer. Perhaps as a reflection of the changing profession and society, technology consulting has also grown to as a significant activity for these professionals.
Productivity In Practice
Papa, CPA
By Isaac M. O’Bannon, Technology Editor
See how one firm has scored on The CPA Technology Advisor’s Productivity Survey and learn more about what practices have worked and not worked for this firm. We hope you’ll see your firm in these pages … or at least a firm very much like yours.
Tech2Go Episode 11
Don't miss the latest episode of our fast-paced roundtable discussion of Tech2Go.
 Gregory L. LaFollette |
 Brent Goodfellow |
 Dave McClure |
 Randy Johnston |
Sponsored by:
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This month's topics:
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SmallBusinessConsulting2Go Episode 3
Don't miss the latest episode of SmallBusinessConsulting2Go.
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Gregory L. LaFollette |
 Doug Sleeter |
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Sponsored by:
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This month's topics:
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AFS2Go Episode 2
Don't miss the latest episode of our newest podcast series – AFS2Go.
Gregory L. LaFollette, |
David Cieslak, |
This month's topics:
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Online Exclusives
- Productivity Survey - Free benchmarking tool for you to get your firm's Productivity Score and helpful report
- Accountants Video Network - The cable channel of the Internet just for accountants in public practice
- Webcasts - Register for upcoming educational events and receive Free CPE, plus you can view archived programs
- Podcasts - Check out our monthly podcast programs:
- Blog from Executive Editor Gregory L. LaFollette, CPA.CITP - Covers the random musings of this thought leader
- Online Buyer's Guide - Relevant search tool for the accounting community where you can search by company name, product name or product category
December 2007
In This Issue...
Columnist Corner
Up Front
Survival of the Fittest
By Shari Dodgen, Publisher
Shari challenges tax and accounting practitioners to not only survive tax season, but to also thrive by being prepared physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually each day.
Accountant Tech Talk
Windows Server 2008 — Codename Longhorn
By Brent Goodfellow, CPA.CITP, MCSE, MST, MCT
The long-awaited new server from Microsoft is expected to be released in January, but Brent has already had some access to it and is eager to share his perspectives on the features it will offer and technologies it will support. Fortunately, for those who are not fans of the University of Texas, Microsoft dropped the Longhorn codename early last year when it announced the actual name: Windows Server 2008.
Tricks & Tips
What Would You Do If …
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Technology Editor
Now that you’ve finished the leftovers and eggnog, its time to focus on the coming tax season. In addition to preparing for the expected rush of clients that most tax-heavy practices will start to feel in February, perhaps you should also think about the unexpected. What if a major business disruption happened to your firm during busy season?
Technology IN Practice
IN FIRM: 12 FutureTech Musings
By Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA.CITP
Roman rings in the new year with some thoughts on a dozen technologies that will be here in the not-so-distant future, providing more security, standardization, mobile computing, security and productivity for all professionals.
The QuickBooks Advisor
What’s New in QuickBooks 2008: Part II
By Doug Sleeter
The QuickBooks guru looks at the some of the new features and program changes coming up in the new version of QuickBooks. Some of the new options have the promise of significantly helping clients and their professional accountant.
From The Trenches
QuickBooks Done Right
By Randy Johnston
To supplement Doug’s column, Randy looks at some of the options for speeding up server installations of QuickBooks 2008, as well as alternatives such as using a virtual machine approach. He also points out some of his favorite features in the newest version.
Better Technology For Better Clients
Put Your Business on a Balanced Diet
By Lisa Kianoff, CPA.CITP
For cash-intensive small businesses, mistakes and theft can add up to a dire situation. Lisa identifies many common problems such businesses frequently encounter and offers real-life examples and suggestions for strengthening cash management processes.
The eSecurity Advisor
Tax Season e-Security Update
By John D. Anderson, CPA.CITP, CIA, MCP, MSA
Tax season is coming, but while even security-conscious professionals turn toward tax compliance, the hackers and other bad guys are still trying to get to your data. John explains the latest security standards that can help a practice start on safer ground, and then offers additional advice for keeping your networks and client information secure.
The Bleeding Edge
Tech Predictions for 2008
By Dave McClure
Dave’s annual prognostication of the year to come is full of insight. What great developments are on the horizon? Which technologies will we all say hello or goodbye to? He also assesses his predictions from last year.
Final Thoughts
Tax Automation Comes of Age
By Gregory L. LaFollette, CPA.CITP, Executive Editor
From scanning and PDFs, to multiple monitor displays, several technologies have arisen over the past few years that have made tax preparation processes more efficient. Greg looks at some of these “scan and organize” systems, and also explores the latest innovations in this area: “scan and fill” programs that automatically populate returns.
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