survey: top firewalls for accounting firms
the battle among cisco, sonicwall, watchguard, fortigate, and checkpoint.
accounting firm operations and technology survey
technology
becoming the innovative firm of the future
how standardized tech stacks can help.
by jody grunden
a large percentage of cpa firms in the u.s. employ fewer than 10 people. leading cpa firms are becoming more consultative, helping companies with more than just financial reporting.
more: creative perks for remote employees | traditional benefits for remote employees | the hidden cost of running a distributed company | how to develop your leadership team | 4 ways to bill clients | automation and the future of accounting | the only three metrics you need to measure staffers
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they are also helping companies improve their margins and advising on industry trends and pending regulations that may have an effect on business. accounting is no longer just financial statements and tax returns, folks!
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survey: ranking the top tax software
thomson reuters’ ultratax takes #2.
accounting firm operations and technology survey
it deserves a strategic plan and budget
consider cloud hosting.
by roman h. kepczyk
quantum of paperless
we have all heard the saying that if you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up going nowhere (or… you won’t ever get there). unfortunately, many accounting firms do not do a good job of integrating their information technology requirements into the firm’s overall strategic vision.
more: why you need an independent security review | ‘learning culture’ requires standardized processes | how to transfer files securely | going digital with a/p processing | avoid over-auditing with ‘document containers’ | beyond email: new digital tools | who deletes documents and when?
information technology impacts virtually every aspect of accounting firm production and is usually the biggest expense after your personnel costs. accordingly, it should be managed as the critically important asset that it is.
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survey: xcm tops workflow choices
11.6% not considering any options at all.
accounting firm operations and technology survey
develop monthly it ‘flash’ reports
it should be a quick read, similar to a financial statement.
by roman h. kepczyk
quantum of paperless
most firms have a line partner or firm administrator overseeing the firm’s information technology department.
more: why you need an independent security review | ‘learning culture’ requires standardized processes | how to transfer files securely | going digital with a/p processing | avoid over-auditing with ‘document containers’
these personnel may have an interest in information technology, but their primary responsibility often lies in other production areas. they need a way to efficiently oversee the firm’s it initiatives and report to management.
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why you need an independent security review
then follow up every few years.
by roman h. kepczyk
quantum of paperless
going “paperless” means that all firm files and client data will be digitally stored on the firm’s network, which is almost always accessible to firm personnel via internal workstations and remotely via the internet.
more: ‘learning culture’ requires standardized processes | centralize contact administration | how digital a/p processing boosts productivity | how an ‘owner’s drawer’ boosts security | the top portable monitors for auditors | why scanning procedures matter
the firm has a fiduciary responsibility to protect this data from anyone not specifically authorized to view it.
‘learning culture’ requires standardized processes
make training a priority.
by roman h. kepczyk
quantum of paperless
for many firms, the ability to identify, standardize and implement best practices is the last remaining competitive advantage in business today as communications tools and access to technology have become available to everyone.
more: centralize contact administration | cutting your quickbooks costs | reclaim time with remote deposit | why daily t/e entry should be required | why your firm needs procedure manuals | digital tax workflow requires a system, not projects | survey: 60% of firms employ remote access tools
to take advantage of the continuous stream of innovation and opportunities, firms must adopt a “learning culture.” this requires a formal process to capture and standardize best practices in every department within the firm so that every person can take advantage of them.
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centralize contact administration
your practice management application will be home base.
by roman h. kepczyk
quantum of paperless
many firms today maintain contact information within multiple applications such as practice management, outlook, tax systems, and other marketing and crm (customer relationship management) programs.
more: cutting your quickbooks costs | how to transfer files securely | going digital with a/p processing | avoid over-auditing with ‘document containers’ | beyond email: new digital tools | who deletes documents and when?
too often, a significant amount of time is wasted in firms pulling contact information together, reconciling and verifying lists for mailings, invitations, and even organizers. it is critical that firms centralize the updating of contact information for consistency.
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survey: outsourcing it
cutting your quickbooks costs
are licenses getting too pricey? there’s a workaround.
by roman h. kepczyk
quantum of paperless
in the united states, quickbooks is by far the most dominant small business accounting product on the market and will be the application that the majority of the firm’s clients use. therefore, it is obvious that the firm must become proficient in supporting quickbooks.
more: how to transfer files securely | how digital a/p processing boosts productivity | how an ‘owner’s drawer’ boosts security | the top portable monitors for auditors | why scanning procedures matter
unfortunately, one of the biggest wastes of time is when firms support too many older versions of the software, which often leads to incompatibilities that can corrupt the database and make it unusable for clients. fixing these errors creates lost time that is seldom charged to clients and instead impacts the profitability of these jobs.
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survey: workflow, security the biggest tech challenges
how to transfer files securely
portals should integrate with your workflow software.
by roman h. kepczyk
quantum of paperless
when dealing with digital files, the most effective way to transfer them is electronically over the internet either with secured email or through a portal.
more: how digital a/p processing boosts productivity | reclaim time with remote deposit | why daily t/e entry should be required | digital tax workflow requires a system, not projects | survey: 60% of firms employ remote access tools | collaboration should tie in messaging | the best defense against malware
many firms have emailed clients copies of tax returns and financial statements over the years. unfortunately, this is not always the most secure method as the firm does not have control of the various internet service providers and the relay servers between the firm’s email server and the client’s email account.
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