REVIEWS

Time & Billing
Track Your Time Whether You Bill By It Or Not
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Technology Editor
Time and billing software is about more than just tracking time and expenses, ensuring appropriate billing rates and invoicing clients. Through reporting and analysis tools, these programs let key staff monitor the billing process, which ensures that work doesn't “slip through the cracks.” The systems also provide insight into key productivity indicators, allowing senior staff to make adjustments as necessary. The programs reviewed here approach time and billing in a variety of ways, from basic programs geared toward very small organizations, to larger systems that border on being practice management applications. Some of these provide calendaring and scheduling tools, automated processing, integration with outside accounting and communications programs, and enhanced analysis capabilities. All, however, provide the essential ability to manage time and expenses and invoice clients.

Tax Planning
The ‘What Ifs' Of Tax Planning
By Mark Weinstein, CPA
A strong round of applause goes out to the vendors of the tax planning programs reviewed here. The programming of tax planning programs has always been a daunting task. Living in a time when tax laws are constantly developing and changing has significantly reduced the number of tax program vendors, let alone those who provide tax planning programs to professionals. As the tax law grows ever more complicated, the need for practitioners to adopt and integrate a tax planning program grows ever more crucial to the ability to effectively serve tax clients … and retain their own sanity.

Point of Sale
POS Products Process More Than Sales Transactions
By Mary Girsch-Bock
The products reviewed here fall into one of two different categories: a complete financial solution (either built into the software or available at an additional cost) or one that offers POS and Inventory Control modules without GL capability within the product. Excellent products are available in both flavors. These products offer solid solutions to the busy retailer who is focused on selling products rather than on the software needed to maintain the store's operation. Some are better suited to specific retail environments, but all are capable of providing a POS solution that will make life just a little easier.

Lost in Translation:
Helping Clients Make Sense of Their Financial Statements
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Technology Editor
With increased scrutiny of financial documents for even closely held companies, financial statement analysis and forecasting programs are an excellent resource for accountants. Use of such tools will help clients gain a better understanding of their present and potential financial condition and can ease the process of acquiring additional funding, whether through loans or private investors. Here are a few options that can help.

Productivity In Practice
Accounting for Missionaries: 101
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Technology Editor
This feature highlights a different firm in each issue that has taken the Productivity Survey. The firm shares its stories and the practices that work, and those that don't. We hope you'll see your firm in these pages … or at least a firm very much like yours.

VAR Programs for Accounting Professionals
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Technology Editor
Clients often ask their accountant or other financial advisors which software programs or other technologies they should implement to make their business more productive, efficient and profitable. While accountants may not be technology professionals, clients view them as one of their most trusted advisors. Software vendors have long recognized this close relationship and have developed consultant and reseller programs that help accountants learn more about their software and act as advisors for the software: from educating about program features and training users to installing the systems.

COLUMN HIGHLIGHTS
Accountant Tech-Talk Choosing a Document Management Software Solution By Brent Goodfellow, CPA.CITP, MCSE, MST, MCT Choosing and implementing a document management application solution is a key step in moving to a less-paper environment. Mr. Goodfellow takes a look at some of the fundamentals.	Final Thoughts After Katrina & Rita: Vendors Respond to Storm Ravaged Practitioners By Gregory L. LaFollette, CPA.CITP, Executive Editor Mr. LaFollette shares some stories on how the profession and those who serve it have responded to this massive backdrop of human tragedy by activating plans to assist our stricken colleagues.
Tricks & Tips Back to Basics — Hang Up That Phone By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Technology Editor Mr. O’Bannon offers some advice to those who may still be using a dial-up connection.	The Bleeding Edge Tech Support Issues By Dave McClure Is there a solution to the issue that is technical support? Mr. McClure weighs in and offers some ways that vendors and customers can make the issue less volatile than it is today.
From The Trenches: Real-life solutions for real-life accountants Prepare for the Next Technology Wave Now By Randy Johnston Mr. Johnston highlights some key technology changes that are coming in the near future and gives seven simple steps to help you prepare today for what is coming tomorrow.
The QuickBooks Advisor QuickBooks And Your Sales Tax Return By Doug Sleeter Mr. Sleeter offers a few tips on how to track sales tax in QuickBooks and how to validate the data when it's time to prepare the sales tax returns.		Marketing Hot Spot A Different Way To Market Estate Planning By Bob Lewis Mr. Lewis explores how accounting firms approach estate planning and what they can do better.
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN REVIEWING PRODUCTS FOR THIS MAGAZINE? If so, please contact Managing Editor Melody Wrinkle 800-456-0864

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