November 2008
In This Issue...
Online Tools & Resources
- Productivity Survey - Free benchmarking tool for you to get your firm's Productivity Score and helpful report
- Webcasts - Register for upcoming educational events and receive Free CPE, plus you can view archived programs
- Podcasts - Check out our monthly podcast programs:
- TheTechGap.com - Blog from Executive Editor Gregory L. LaFollette, CPA.CITP that 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
- Document Management Product Selector - free survey that offers suggestions for document management/storage products that are the best fit for your firm based on your responses
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By Isaac O'Bannon, Technology Editor
"It’s beginning to look a lot like…," well, you know. Isaac spotlights possible gifts for the business pro, whether it's a colleague, a client or yourself. If you still can't decide, he'll offer some last-minute options in part II next month.
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Asset Management Means Much More Than Just Depreciation
By Matt Altman & Isaac O'Bannon, Technology Editor
Since assets are often one of the largest line items on a financial statement, effective strategic management of depreciation can give a business and its creditors a more precise knowledge of its overall fiscal strength. Poor depreciation management can lead to missed tax benefits.
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Let Your Firm's Website Work For You
By Mary Girsch-Bock
Your firm's website is increasingly important in our 24/7 digital world, but general purpose web development systems can be too costly, too time consuming or may lack accountant-specific features. Mary explores some systems designed specifically for tax and accounting firms.
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Feature Article
It’s a Wild, Wild World
By Isaac M. O’Bannon, Technology Editor
Predicting where professional technology is heading can give professional firms an advantage and can also help a technology vendor attain success. Several key technology executives offer their assessments of the past year and what they think the near future has in store. Read more |
Productivity in Practice
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.
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Use our FREE DMS Product Selector to find the best Document Management product for your firm. |
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Tech2Go provides a fast-paced roundtable discussion with Executive Editor Greg LaFollette and regular columnists Brent Goodfellow, Randy Johnston and Dave McClure. These thought leaders tackle current technology issues that are impacting the tax and accounting profession.
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SBC2Go features nationally recognized accounting software expert Doug Sleeter. He and Greg discuss technology, QuickBooks and other small business consulting accounting software, integration, add-ons, online software, and the process of developing an accounting software consulting practice.
Sponsored by A/R Connection
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DMA2Go features Executive Editor Greg LaFollette and the country's foremost document management consultant, John Higgins. John is a CPA and a CITP and has been helping tax and accounting firms move to "the digital world" for over 20 years. He and Greg talk about product and system evaluation factors, scanning, workflow, portals, Adobe Acrobat -- all with a laser focus on the special needs of the practicing accountant.
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IBI2Go (Intelligent Business Ideas 2 Go) features Executive Editor Greg LaFollette interviewing various thought leaders in the profession to discuss "Intelligent Business Ideas" and best practices. Meet these movers and shakers and glean insight into the minds of today’s mavens as they discuss topics such as staff training, health in the workplace, effective staff communication, and “How to Grow Your Business.”
Sponsored by CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business
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We would love to hear from you. Call 800-456-0864, ext. 2106 to ask questions and leave comments. Or tune in to future episodes where you'll be able to ask questions LIVE during the podcasts via Talkshoe.com | |
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Columnist Corner
Accountant Tech Talk
'Oh, Lord, Please Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood'
By Brent Goodfellow, CPA.CITP, MCSE, MST, MCT
Even though there's a lot of misunderstanding regarding the Windows Vista operating system these days, Brent says you shouldn't believe everything you read or hear
Tricks & Tips
Perfect Presents for Any Professional
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Technology Editor
If you're still thinking about adding wireless capabilities to your office network, now's as good a time as any. And Isaac says not to fret too much, it's really not that difficult to do it yourself.
Technology IN Practice
IN FIRM: Optimizing 2009 Billing Processes
By Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA.CITP
As firms and clients brace for recession, Roman looks at improving billing and collection processes, including implementing daily billing processes that allow an invoice to go out with the completion of every client engagement.
The QuickBooks Advisor
What's New in QuickBooks 2009: Part I
By Doug Sleeter
In the first of a two-part column, Doug gives his annual appraisal of enhancements and new features in the latest release of QuickBooks.
From The Trenches
Help Your Clients By Participating In
Accountant Network Programs
By Randy Johnston
According to Randy, professionals can help their clients the most if they have the right people — with the right training, guided by the right partners, with the right attitude — and leveraged with the right alliances for our client base.
Better Technology For Better Clients
Teacher of the Year: Web Training Best Practices Get Top Vote
By Lisa Kianoff, CPA.CITP
Web training is a great tool, says Lisa, but people often underestimate the work it takes on both sides to make it meaningful and productive. Fortunately, she offers guidelines for getting the most out of viewing a webinar.
The eSecurity Advisor
Are Wireless Networks A Security Threat?
By John D. Anderson, CPA.CITP, CIA, MCP, MSA
All wireless devices and networks come with security concerns, so John examines wireless security and also looks at two emerging technologies, cellular data cards and WiMAX.
The Bleeding Edge
The Social Side of Tech
By Dave McClure
Dave argues that technologies aren't inherently bad or good, but neutral. Instead, the perception of a technology's value is based on how they've been used and by whom.
Final Thoughts
'The Future Belongs To Those Who Prepare For It Today" ~ Malcom X, 1962
By Gregory L. LaFollette, CPA.CITP, Executive Editor
Greg observes that many in the profession, and in society in general, often think of the future as far off and completely unrelated to the effects of today’s planning. And he stresses how wrong we are when we adopt that philosophy. |
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