August 2008
In This Issue...
Online Tools & Resources
- 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:
- 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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Scan, Organize... and Now Auto Population:The Workflow Revolution Continues
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Technology EditorWith the paperless movement in full swing, the next step in optimizing professional workflow turns to workpaper management systems that can automatically identify client documents and organize them into the proper order for preparation and review of 1040 returns. The next logical step is pulling client data out of these documents and transferring them to the r
eturn, saving preparation time... and these systems have finally arrived for large and small practices. Read more |
By John H. Higgins, CPA.CITP
The scanner is becoming one of the most important pieces of hardware in the modern practice, enabling paperless management and enhanced workflow processes. But with hundreds on the market, what should you look for? John explores the key features you'll need and offers his advice.
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REVIEWS FOR YOUR FIRM
Payroll Gets Less Complicated, More Profitable
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Technology Editor
Managing all of the processes involved with employment is challenging. From new hire reporting, handling withheld funds, filing returns and, oh yeah, paying employees, there are many pitfalls that await employers. Fortunately, there are many programs on the market for professionals who offer payroll services to clients, and the good news is that they are affordable and can greatly streamline and automate many of the tasks.
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REVIEWS FOR YOUR CLIENTS
More Customization & Flexibility than Ever Before
By Mary Girsch-Bock
Accounting programs have continued to evolve to meet the ever-changing needs of businesses, which means new modules, additional features and more powerful tools to help these entities better manage their finances.
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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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 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.
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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 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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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.coma> | |
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Columnist Corner
Accountant Tech Talk
A New Mousetrap
By Brent Goodfellow, CPA.CITP, MCSE, MST, MCT
Revisiting the concept of surface computing, Brent discusses the potential future for input devices like mice and keyboards.
Tricks & Tips
Web 2.0 Continues Internet's Revolution: Part II
By Isaac M. O'Bannon, Technology Editor
In the second part of his column on Web 2.0, Isaac explores the impact on technologies for the tax and accounting profession.
Technology IN Practice
IN FIRM: Planning to Optimize Today's Technology
By Roman H. Kepczyk, CPA.CITP
Keeping a professional practice on top of technologies that can improve workflow and efficiency takes work and dedication. In this column, Roman explores the process of prioritizing a firm's tech issues and developing a plan.
The QuickBooks Advisor
The Hartford Innovates with XactPAY Web
By Doug Sleeter
As our resident QuickBooks Guru, Doug looks at how a new SaaS utility streamlines the process of workers' compensation premium payments.
From The Trenches
Good Products Make Sales Tax Easier
By Randy Johnston
It may be time to rethink the workflow processes in your practice, so Randy points out some of the key features in specialized workpaper management applications.
Better Technology For Better Clients
Are You Living in the 'Lap' of Luxury?
By Lisa Kianoff, CPA.CITP
For laptop users, ensuring security is essential, but so is making sure you have a Plan B in case the device crashes when on the road. Lisa explains how one client overcame this challenge.
The eSecurity Advisor
Identity Theft and the Public Accounting Firm
By John D. Anderson, CPA.CITP, CIA, MCP, MSA
Identity theft is a continuing concern, especially for tax and accounting practices. John offers a Q&A with a leading accounting technology security expert on the issue.
The Bleeding Edge
The Accounting Software (R)evolution
By Dave McClure
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Are you being served" by your accounting software? Dave suggests taking a close look at the technologies you have in place, then discusses some of the more signifant advancements of the past decade.
Final Thoughts
How Citrix Gets in the Way of Web 2.0
By Gregory L. LaFollette, CPA.CITP, Executive Editor
Citrix used to be synonymous with remote computing, and Greg salutes the technology for its contributions. But, he says, it's now time for Citrix to make way for real Web 2.0. |
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