less paper, more digital. but email remains a problem.
accounting firm operations and technology survey
please indicate the percentage of returns you delivered to clients by each of the following methods:
the percentage of tax returns delivered electronically reached a plurality for the first time in 2018, with 50% of returns delivered electronically. the trend continues in 2019, with 55% of returns being delivered electronically.
we are encouraged by the increased use of tools like doc-it portal and citrix files (formerly sharefile) microsoft outlook add-in which helps users convert insecure e-mail attachments to secure portal deliveries from within an e-mail message.
but, we are also concerned that some of the less technologically sophisticated firms are actually using unencrypted e-mail to send unencrypted confidential files to clients, which is an unacceptable practice in 2019. we believe that it’s critical for all firms to review proper digital document handling procedures and information security awareness training at least annually with their team.