technology

who’s minding your client contact information?

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synchronizing data from a tabletleading firms are centralizing client contact updates for consistency, efficiency, security.

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 on tech spending: standardize quickbooks support for clients | how to choose the right client portal solution | streamlining bill-paying at cpa firms | digital tools streamline audit production | accounting firms run on more than checklists alone | going paperless means convincing clients first | making digital tax process easier is all about the workflow | why firms need document retention standards | new tech tools for the 24/7 accounting firm | the single best defense against computer viruses | how to choose the right backup system | how to know it’s time to scrap your old server

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. read more →

walking the walk with a radical cpa

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broken chainget real. get up from your desk. go for a ‘gemba’ walk.

by tom hood
the radical cpa

i remember sending a video intro to jody padar’s first meeting of ic opportunities where i read a quote from the february 2012 edition of fast company magazine in which the editor, robert safian, intro­duced the concept of “generation flux” and it reminded me of jody and her tribe:

tom hood
hood

“in our hyper-networked, mobile, social, global world, the rules and plans of yesterday are increasingly under pressure; the enterprises and individuals that will thrive will be those willing to adapt and iterate, in a disciplined, unsen­timental way… generation flux is a term that describes all of this — the chaotic business era that we have moved into — as well as the people who are poised to thrive in this environment.”

so what is a “gemba walk,” you might be thinking? read more →

standardize quickbooks support for clients

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word "license" on word cloudlicensing can get expensive.

by roman h. kepczyk
quantum of paperless

in the united states, quickbooks is 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 with supporting quickbooks.

more on tech spending: how to choose the right client portal solution | streamlining bill-paying at cpa firms | digital tools streamline audit production | making digital tax process easier is all about the workflow | when to adopt microsoft’s new office apps | what windows 8 means for how accountants will work in the future | how to choose the right backup system | how to know it’s time to scrap your old server

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.
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social business: how new communication tools are revolutionizing the accounting profession

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william r. pirolli, cpa/cff/pfs, cgma email vcard bill is a partner with over 30 years of experience in public accounting. bill was formerly managing principal for the accounting firm of pirolli, deller & conaty.
pirolli

and yet, the heart of the cpa business remains a constant.

by william r. pirolli, cpa, cff, pfs, cgma
the radical cpa: new rules for the future-ready firm

at the heart of our profession are people… connecting with people. the human connection to the information we deal with is what makes our profession so personal and rewarding. it should always be at the heart of what we do.

the ways we connect have changed dramatically over time. while we all still use the telephone, fax, face-to-face meetings and the occasional written note, the invasion of facebook, linkedin, twitter, skype, youtube, instagram, cloud-based services and that smartphone or tablet you might be reading this on all serve to make our communications and services immediate, exponential and virtually limitless. read more →

how to choose the right client portal solution

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computer security concept shot, with binary code and password textmost firms already have. what’s holding the rest back?

by roman h. kepczyk
quantum of paperless

many firms have emailed clients copies of tax returns and financial statements over the years. unfortunately, this is not 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.

more on tech spending: automating bank deposits offers instant roi | how to ‘go digital’ when partners demand monthly p&ls on paper | digital tools streamline audit production | tech tools for today’s properly equipped field audit teams | going paperless means convincing clients first | intranet is the best place for firm knowledge | new tech tools for the 24/7 accounting firm | how to choose the right backup system | how to know it’s time to scrap your old server | where laptops rule at cpa firms today | step 1 in building the paperless firm: scanners

when dealing with digital files, the most effective way to transfer them is electronically over the internet either with email or through a portal.

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