COLUMN HIGHLIGHTS
Accountant Tech-Talk
OneNote is Now Truly One Note
By Brent Goodfellow, CPA.CITP, MCSE, MST, MCT
Learn how OneNote can help you be more productive.
From The Trenches: Real-life solutions for real-life accountants
Changes in Mid-Market Life
By Randy Johnston
Read about five technologies that will most likely be deployed and used by businesses of all sizes.
Tricks & Tips
The Internet & Your Staff
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Technology Editor
Read how you can address the personal use of the Internet by employees.
The Bleeding Edge
Internet Myths
By Dave McClure
See what Internet myths need to be shed.
Technology IN Practice
Best Practices in Client Service
By Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA.CITP
Find out how you can better understand and optimize the delivery of client services.
The QuickBooks Advisor
Tracking Workers' Compensation in QuickBooks
By Doug Sleeter
Learn how to handle workers' comp for 100 percent company-paid premiums by accruing and fully job costing the expenses.
Better Technology For Better Clients
Counting on You: Dealing with the Challenges Faced by Today's Distributors
Part 2 — The Customer Relationship
By Lisa Kianoff, CPA.CITP
Learn more about a distributor's challenges and opportunities in serving their customers.
The eSecurity Advisor
Authentication Technology For Protecting Your Electronic Identity
By David Cieslak, CPA.CITP
Find out how something you know, something you have and something you are can help protect your electronic identity.
Final Thoughts
Gizmos and Gadgets and Widgets, Oh My!
By Gregory L. LaFollette, CPA.CITP, Executive Editor
Find out what you need to know about gadgets and widgets and how they will affect your future.
What's Your Productivity Score?
Your Productivity Score is calculated using a proprietary algorithm that reveals a correlation between technology adaptation and overall productivity. The Productivity Survey is FREE and available to all tax and accounting firms nationwide. It includes a series of questions relating to professional practice standards, office processes, backup procedures, paperless office technologies, connectivity and general technology utilization. You can get your Productivity Score for free at www.CPATechAdvisor.com/productivity.
Can you improve your score?
You can, by improving your implementation and utilization of various technologies. Answers to the survey questions in four major categories are scored by awarding (or subtracting) points based on the relative importance of the specific question. Some answers are additive only, while others are subtractive. Some answers result in very small changes to a score while others change the overall score quite significantly. Certain questions are paired and their answers scored based on their combined answers. Each firm taking the Productivity Survey will receive an individualized report that includes suggestions for improving the productivity in your firm based on recognized "best practice" processes. Firms are encouraged to re-take the survey (up to three times per year) to see if their results have improved after implementing the suggested changes.
The Productivity Survey and Score are sponsored by Thomson Tax & Accounting.
Take the survey now.
REVIEWS
Boutique Work Style Payroll
Payroll As An Added Service
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Technology Editor
Boutique work-style systems are generally used by firms offering payroll to a smaller client base as an added service. It can still be a profitable service, but in addition to the added revenue stream, the accountant sees the service as strengthening the relationship he or she has with a client. From the client's perspective, the accountant is the most knowledgeable person when it comes to their company's financials, and if he or she can alleviate the headaches of managing payroll and prevent potential penalties and employee angst, then it's a no-brainer.
Client Write-Up
If the Only Tool You Have is a Hammer, Everything Starts to Look Like a Nail
By Mark Weinstein, CPA
The "right fit" write-up application can do wonders for the accounting practitioner's write-up practice. This especially rings true for the accounting practitioner who has "conformed" his write-up practice to a product, rather than seeking a product that has been designed after careful study to fit the way the practitioner works and to assist in delivering the varied services that the practitioner needs to deliver to clients. Practitioners who have not yet fully surveyed and reviewed the many fine state-of-the-age write-up offerings available in today's market will find that there is truly a "field of dreams" out there, and it's built by vendors who are waiting for them to come and sample their products.
Mid-Range Accounting
Products That Can Make Your Midsize Business Clients More Efficient
By Brent Dirks, CPA, EA, MCSE, MST
This year's group of mid-range accounting packages represents some of the very best, most widely used software in businesses today. An extensive selection of integrated modules combine ease of use with multi-user high-volume transaction processing power, which makes for some very competitive features and tough choices for the business looking for a new or replacement software package.
SPECIAL FEATURES
40 Under 40... and the Need to Rethink the Future
By G. Richard Ambrosius
We are embarking on a future that has never been experienced. There are no generally accepted guidelines, no standard operating procedures or generally accepted principles for a nation that is becoming more senior than junior for the first time in history. To meet the challenges ahead, we will need both the wisdom of age and vigor and vision of youth. The time to begin planning for a very different future and mentoring the young leaders who will be guiding business and industry is now.
40 Under 40: Just Who are the Movers, Shakers & Thought Leaders of Tomorrow?
By selecting 40 professionals under the age of 40 for recognition, The CPA Technology Advisor, The NSA Technology Advisor and The CSEA Technology Advisor are calling attention to the need to begin preparing for one of the most challenging knowledge and leadership transfers in history.
PIP
A True Partnership
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.
The Technology of Financial Services
By Brian F. Tankersley, CPA.CITP
CPAs and EAs have begun to take a more active role in offering financial services to tax clients from personal financial planning to retirement plans to insurance. These service offerings are a natural extension to the "trusted advisor" brand accorded to practitioners, and they can provide a year-round income stream during non-peak times. As with most opportunities, poorly implemented or managed financial services offerings can result in lost clients and, worse yet, malpractice claims. What technology tools can help you effectively manage the additional risk and provide clients with information on their assets?
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This is Your Industry - We invite you to make your voice heard |
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SEPTEMBER 2006 SURVEY:
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AUGUST 2006 SURVEY RESULTS
What are the biggest challenges your firm faces today?
9.5% — Talent Management/Succession Planning
9.5% — Keeping Up With Technology Changes
38% — Workload Management
29% — Driving New Growth & Profitability
14% — Keeping Current With Tax Law Changes |
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EDITORIAL CALENDAR |
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Practice Management |
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W-2/1099 Tax |
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Not-for-Profit |
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Planning & Analytical Tools |
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Time & Billing |
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Retail/POS |
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The Role of Technology on Employee Attraction & Retention |
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Special Section on Disaster Recovery |
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MEDIA INFORMATION |
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No matter what your current marketing plan, custom reprints enhance your efforts. Among other applications, reprints are excellent tools for marketing presentations, trade shows and media kits. To discuss details on how you may obtain reprint information contact:
Mary Mullen Cygnus Reprint Services
Phone:
800-456-0864 ext.2104
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Advertisers: Plan to include this magazine or our website in your media schedule. To request a copy of the The CPA Technology Advisor media kit, click here . |
To request online advertising information, contact: Susan Douglas by e-mail or at 800-456-0864 ext. 2103.
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Newsletter Archives
The CPA Technology Advisor, The NSA Technology Advisor
& The CSEA Technology Advisor
110 North Bell, Suite 300 , Shawnee, OK 74801
Phone: (800) 456-0864 or Fax: (405) 275-3101
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