April 2008
In This Issue...
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FEATURES
The technology companies who produce the software, hardware and services you use to provide client service and manage your practice are invested in your firm, just as you have invested in them. Since there are literally hundreds or more such vendors and it’s impossible to meet them all, this special section serves as an introduction to the ones you may not know, but who may have just what you need to work smarter and more productively.
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By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Technology Editor
How you get things done is becoming almost as important as the work, since productivity and efficiency are becoming more and more crucial to business profitability. This feature looks at several items, from monitors and scanners, to printers and keyboards, that can help make your day-to-day tasks easier, faster and more convenient
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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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The AICPA has debuted its 19th annual Top Technology Initiatives, with Information Security Management leading the list as the most crucial technological area in which the professional community must focus. Find out more about this and the organization’s other initiatives.
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REVIEWS
FOR YOUR FIRM
By Isaac O’Bannon, Technology Editor
For many practices, tax services are their largest revenue source, especially individual tax compliance, so finding a tax preparation system that meets your client and workflow needs is imperative. Fortunately, the many systems on the market provide multiple approaches and enable firms to find the package that meets their needs.
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Gain additional insight into these tax compliance products by listening to the bonus podcast interviews available here.
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REVIEWS FOR YOUR CLIENTS
By Mary Girsch-Bock
While new home starts and construction may be feeling the effects of the tough economy, many segments of the construction and contracting industry are thriving, especially in the remodeling and utility sectors. In order to maximize their productivity and keep on top of their financial health, contractors and other construction businesses need specialized accounting systems that can handle their unique workflow and offer strong job costing functions.
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 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. |
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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.
Sponsored by ADP
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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 and accounting software consulting practice.
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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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DMA2Go is our newest monthly podcast series
that 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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Columnist Corner
Up Front
Do You Have Any Change?
By Shari Dodgen, Publisher
Shari lines out how this issue can help you embrace change and technology to enhance your client services.
Accountant Tech Talk
Surface Computing — Imagine the Possibilities
By Brent Goodfellow, CPA.CITP, MCSE, MST, MCT
While “surface computing” is obviously not a device for your pocket, the new technology features similar tactile, touch-screen computing functions that may revolutionize the way business is done.
Tricks & Tips
A Technology Curmudgeon’s Perspective on Innovation
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Technology Editor
Isaac explains his own curmudgeon tendencies, particularly with regard to the over-hyping of technologies.
Technology IN Practice
IN FIRM: Innovations at CES 2008
By Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA.CITP
Roman shares some of his findings from this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, the premier showcase for new technologies.
The QuickBooks Advisor
QuickBooks Job Costing When Using a Payroll Service
By Doug Sleeter
Doug takes readers step-by-step through the process of using zero-dollar checks to help record payroll costs by job and class.
From The Trenches
Tax Technologies — Win, Lose or Draw?
By Randy Johnston
Just in time for the after-tax-season break, Randy explores several new or recently introduced technologies that professionals should consider adding before next tax season.
Better Technology For Better Clients
"If It Ain’t Broken, Don’t Fix It"
By Lisa Kianoff, CPA.CITP
Being complacent with technology can cause your clients to fall behind their competition and possibly fail. Lisa tells the story of a couple of businesses who continued to rely on turn-of-the-century business processes and systems.
The eSecurity Advisor
Preventing Theft by Understanding Firewalls: Part 1
By John D. Anderson, CPA.CITP, CIA, MCP, MSA
Does the firewall that comes with your computer’s operating system, router or Internet service provide enough protection against online intruders?
The Bleeding Edge
Choosing a Printer
By Dave McClure
Dave waxes nostalgic for his 1992 LaserJet, then provides helpful tips for selecting a new device from the hundreds of choices on the market.
Final Thoughts
Is it Back to Green-bar for the Profession?
By Gregory L. LaFollette, CPA.CITP, Executive Editor
A new green bar will soon become important to you and your clients. Greg looks at the latest addition to Internet security. |
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