367 search results for payroll

new client opportunities with mobile apps

by

sandi smith leyva
sandi smith leyva

the top apps accountants need to know

by sandi smith leyva

mobile accounting has definitely arrived. a great first question to ask clients who are asking for mobile accounting is to just double-check to see if they have already downloaded their bank apps. if not, that may be something you can help them get set up.

but don’t just think about the core accounting system. get them hooked up with their bank, credit card accounts, paypal, payroll, and any other peripheral support that has an app, like timesheets, field services, and project management. when you do, they will be ecstatic at your resourcefulness and you will be their latest mobile genius.

there are some great new apps that extend core accounting systems’ functionality into our mobile devices. let’s take a look at a few of them for accountants, from quickbooks to adp and a host of new applications: read more →

tax trends in small business: what drives them to seek professional help

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screen shot 2013-04-26 at 11.00.22 am
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new data obtained by 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 shows that 84 percent of small-business owners are now paying an independent tax practitioner or accountant to handle their taxes.

in addition, an increasing number of small business taxpayers appear to be taking advantage of sec.179 expensing and bonus depreciation.

the new report available from 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 includes information on:

  • the number of small business owners who use an outside tax or accounting service
  • how many hours per week a small business spends on payroll tax administration
  • average cost for using a payroll agency
  • hours spent on federal tax
  • various tax burdens
  • how to download complete report (pdf, 13 pages)

read more →

business clients tell accountants: evolve or die

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is your accountant ahead of the curve on technology, or behind?

source: sleeter group
 clients find accountants’ tech skills lacking.

by rick telberg
卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间

as small and medium-sized businesses move increasingly online and adopt technologically integrated accounting systems, many tax and accounting firms will need to evolve or face extinction, according to a new survey obtained by 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间. read more →

the newest top ten tech trends in tax and accounting

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beyond paperless: cpa firms launch a new arms race for cloud and mobile technologies.

by rick telberg
卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 research

leading cpa firms have clearly broken the going-paperless barrier and are adopting cloud and mobile technologies at a record pace, according to new data obtained by 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 research.

indeed, the question for practitioners is no longer “have you gone paperless yet?” or even “how paperless have you gone?” it is now “how much of your workflows have you moved to the cloud and made mobile and accessible everywhere and any time?” and the rest of the firms are asking themselves, “can i catch up?”

the trend is, of course, a daily challenge for the profession, which 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 covers in depth: 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 analysis: 40% of firms going to the cloud  |  how apple is changing your business  | accounting firm leaders agree: the cloud is here  |  11 things you take for granted today that technology will kill within six years  |  top 10 tech predictions for your business clients  |  cloud & mobile technologies drive change in tax and accounting  |    five questions to ask before going to the cloud  |   “the cloud is real”  |  the powerful mega-trends behind the upheaval at sage software  |   cpas in top 100 accounting firms get an “a” for adoption of cloud, portable document scanners and workflow management technologies    |    top tech habits of high-performing firms  |  seven tech lessons for busy season   |

but the pace is astonishing. a new survey of 115 of some of the best-managed firms in the business shows:

  • smart phones for handling email, contacts and schedules are all but universal.
  • email now dominates client communications, not the phone call.
  • paper w2’s and 1099’s are practically extinct, having been scanned at first touch.
  • and if you’re using only two monitors on your desk, you’re getting left behind. most of the advanced firms are now using three per person. and that’s not counting the smartphones or ipads that are always nearby.

the survey shows, for instance: read more →

seven checklist secrets for turning tax season into opportunity season [pro member exclusive]

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use your time with the client to ask about more than just this year’s tax return.

by sandi smith, cpa
accountant’s accelerator

here are some fast tips to help you make the most out of busy season, which is when you have the highest amount of your clients’ attention all year long.

more for soloists and small firms:  how to stay energized, upbeat, and thinking bigger through busy season • seven ways to wow your prospect • rev up your revenue with these two daily rituals • 10 tips for creating more energy this tax season  • take a cue from venture capitalists: your firm needs a brain trust trinity    •   accountants, do you know your opportunity number?    •  five ideas to overcome client price-sensitivity   •    5 mistakes to avoid when seeking new clients  •  3 steps to start running on millionaire time   •  the missing ingredient in your marketing that will make all the difference   •  on the road to a stress-free life: identify your character strengths  •

1. make a checklist to go through with your prospects during the initial meeting (a/k/a “the sales call.”).

  • this is the time to find out what your prospects need and why they might be switching accounting service providers.  you can get your hands around the scope of a clients’ needs best when you use a checklist.

some example entries could be: read more →

seven world-tested strategies for coping with fee pressures

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global accountants’ association warns profit squeeze may “the new normal.”

in the face of profit problems for accounting practices worldwide, the international federation of accountants, which represents the world’s national accountancy institutes, is warning the global profession that fee pressures may be “the new normal.”

with many clients around the world “faced with subdued demand” for their products and services, “it’s not surprising to find small- and medium-sized practices facing demands to negotiate fees or cut prices.”

related: fee pressures emerge as worldwide problem

with that in mind, ifac suggests seven strategies: read more →

after an economic pause, the accounting industry restarts expansion engines

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the 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 busy season barometer
click to join the survey; see the results

but many cpa firms appear to be missing out on the recovery.

by rick telberg
卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 research

the nation’s tax and accounting industry appears to have re-started expansion with new hiring in january, after a two-month pause at the end of 2012 in november and december, according to 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 research. but the gains appear to be concentrated in non-cpa-owned offices.

analysts are attributing the 2012 year-end economic stall to two major storms which slowed economic activity: one, hurricane sandy, and, the other, congress, which has been gridlocked under a bubble of hot air.

卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 pro members:
get the instant download
full report (pdf, 20 pages), here.

in this new analysis, 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 finds:

  • the nation’s accounting and bookkeeping services employers are re-started hiring after a short pause.
  • the 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 busy season barometer survey is showing that 32.6% of respondents cite staffing issues as a “chief concern.” join the survey; get the updates.
  • employees are putting in more hours.
  • wages are trending upward again.
  • the industry is grappling with staff leverage ratios.
  • cpa firms, as a subsector, are showing signs of a stall in growth and are holding line on expansion.
  • cpa firms are paying top dollar for talent.
  • cpa firms are showing fewer hours worked.
  • tax prep offices have slammed the brakes on hiring, pending clarifications from washington.
  • pay and hours worked are trending upward at payroll agencies, even as their headcounts remain volatile. read more →

after an economic pause, the accounting industry restarts expansion engines

by

the 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 busy season barometer
click to join the survey; see the results

but many cpa firms appear to be missing out on the recovery.

by rick telberg
卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间  research

the nation’s tax and accounting industry appears to have re-started expansion with new hiring in january, after a two-month pause at the end of 2012 in november and december, according to 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 research. but the gains appear to be concentrated in non-cpa-owned offices.

analysts are attributing the 2012 year-end economic stall to two major storms which slowed economic activity: one, hurricane sandy, and, the other, congress, which has been gridlocked under a bubble of hot air.

卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 pro members:
get the instant download
full report (pdf, 20 pages), here.

read more →

practice doctor q&a: how to get started in family office services

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ed mendlowitz cpa the practice doctor q and aincluding a sample engagement letter.

question: some of my clients are getting older and are becoming unable to handle their own financial affairs and i have been asked if i could assist them.  what is involved and how do i charge for it?

ed mendlowitz, vpa, pfs, abv, responds: many large firms provide “family office” services.  this is a complete one stop financial service that helps clients manage their money, pay their bills, collect their dividends and interest, and make sure insurance isn’t cancelled, mortgage, car lease or condo fee payments aren’t skipped, and tax payments paid on time.

more from ed: seven ways to increase fees in 2013 | 10 best practices for tax season  | nine healthy things to do during tax season  |  12 reasons to love tax season | free instant download: sample fee schedule for 1040s | ask the geek: a couple great gadgets for saving money on all your other gadgets | three and a half ways to get your own cpa practice |  also: “implementing fee increases” and “the tax season opportunity guide.”

following is a sample engagement letter that i use with clients needing such services. also, this letter provides a detailed description of what the service involves. read more →

survey results: accountants’ new year’s resolutions — 2013 edition

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‘tis the season for new promises and plans. 

we’ve been asking finance and accounting accounting professionals about what 2013 may hold, and you’ve been answering. to get all the details, click here to join the survey and get the results.

meanwhile, here are a few sample new year’s resolutions from colleagues and peers. some may sound all too familiar from resolutions made in 2012. personally, i’m still working on the lose-15-pounds resolution from 2012, and, er, 2011, 2010, 2009… oh well.

— rick telberg
president / ceo 

new year’s resolutions from finance and accounting professionals:

  • new seo plan for getting higher ranking on google.
  • working with tax resolution professional and preparing returns for them at a split fee.
  • work more on marketing
  • downgrade expectations.
  • get more audits of private companies.
  • work, work and work, because of so much competition and unemployment, the best bet is to keep busy by working and get the maximum out of colleagues/sub ordinates. i will not be carried away with number 13, this is my lucky number so i will capitalize on this number. read more →

five ideas to overcome client price-sensitivity

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just in time for busy season.

by sandi smith
the accountant’s accelerator

no matter how small or large your practice is or how experienced you are, you’re probably going to meet some prospect or clients this busy season who are price-sensitive. many of you try to run from them as far away as possible, and others of you tell me you have to take these clients or you wouldn’t have a full practice.

sandi smith
sandi smith

more for soloists and small firms from at 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间: rise to the top with a fresh elevator speech  •  four ways to practice entrepreneurial perseverance • 5 mistakes to avoid when seeking new clients •  the success secrets women already know  • his and her brains at work in tax and accounting  • the power of deadlines in closing a deal • on the road to a stress-free life: identify your character strengths • the missing ingredient in your marketing that will make all the difference  •

so you might already have a solution to dealing with price-sensitive clients that you’re happy with. if you don’t, or are ready for more ideas, this article is for you. read more →

thinking merger? look before you leap

by

august aquila

the seven essential phases of a successful merger.

by august aquila
aquila global advisors

if you’re contemplating a merger, then stop and think for a moment. a successful deal requires careful thought and planning.

in this article, we examine the seven phases common to most mergers. and 卡塔尔世界杯常规比赛时间 pro members will find the free instant download: “the pre-merger data gathering checklist for an accounting practice.” read more →