2013 Readers Choice Awards: The Votes are In

by Isaac M. O'Bannon, Editor
Created:

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Document Management & Document Storage

Insight: Once again, this category was the largest in this year’s Readers Choice Awards voting, with 47 products represented. They range from simple file folder programs, to systems designed for large enterprises with options for managing retention, client collaboration functions and automated workflow. The top vote-getter was the Drake Document Manager, which is included in Drake Software’s Tax system, and voters are always supportive of the program and the company. Following it were systems from Thomson Reuters, Intuit, eFileCabinet, TaxWorks, SmartVault, CCH and AccountantsWorld.

  1. Drake Document Manager 32%
  2. Thomson Reuters FileCabinet CS & GoFileRoom 23%
  3. Intuit ProSeries & Lacerte 10.5%
  4. eFileCabinet 9.5%
  5. TaxWorks ArkWorks 8%
  6. SmartVault 6%
  7. CCH ProSystem fx Document 5.5%
  8. AccountantsWorld 3%
  9. Others 2.5%

 

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Document Management Utilities

Insight: There’s more to paperless than just managing documents, and therefore there’s a market for additional tools and apps that help with other workflow processes. These often include hardware, specifically scanners. Once again this year, Fujitsu reigned over the voting in this category, followed by HP, Canon and the Tic-Tie-Calculate program.

  1. Fujitsu 45%
  2. HP 16%
  3. Canon 13%
  4. Tic Tie Calculate 11%
  5. Nuance 7%
  6. Kofax 6.5%
  7. Others 1.5%

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Tax Document Automation

Insight: For tax engagements, the biggest technological shift is in getting client source documents digitized as early as possible, where they can be organized into electronic workpapers and the data can be extracted and automatically put onto a client’s return. Time saved equals more clients, which equals more revenue… a no-brainer for tech-savvy practices. Of voters selecting a preference this year, Intuit’s Tax Import for Lacerte & ProSeries was once again the leader, followed by systems from SurePrep, Thomson Reuters, CCH and GruntWorx.

  1. Intuit Tax Import for Lacerte & ProSeries 33%
  2. SurePrep 1040Scan Pro, 1040Scan Organize 26%
  3. Thomson Reuters Source Document Processing 14.5%
  4. CCH ProSystem fx Scan 10%
  5. Copanion/Drake GruntWorx 7.5%
  6. CCH Small Firm Services ATX & TaxWise PaperlessPLUS 6%
  7. Others 3%

 

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Comprehensive Workflow Management Systems

Insight: What exactly is workflow? Well, every firm has a different definition and model, but there are best practices and workflow systems are designed to help ensure that they are followed, while still following specific firm standards, and streamlining all kinds of engagements. We’ve divided this into two groups: Comprehensive, End-to-End Workflow, which is designed for larger practices; and Other Workflow Tools, which are designed for aiding in specific tasks and engagements.

  1. OfficeTools Pro 31%
  2. XCM Solutions 26%
  3. Thomson Reuters FirmFlow 18%
  4. CCH ProSystem fx Workstream 17%
  5. Autonomy iManage 4.5%
  6. Others 3.5%

 

Other Workflow Tools:

  1. eFileCabinet 25%
  2. Thomson Reuters Practice CS & GoFileRoom 16.5%
  3. Drake Software Document Manager 16%
  4. Intuit Lacerte & ProSeries DMS 12%
  5. Bill.com 10%
  6. Treeno 8%
  7. CCH ProSystem fx Scan and fx Document 7.5%
  8. Others combined 5%

 

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Website Builders & Services for Accounting Firms

Insight: If you don’t build it, someone else will… and potential clients will see that firm instead of yours. Whether you are actively seeking new clients or not, a firm’s website is an essential and generally inexpensive tool for keeping your brand out there. Emochilla, recently acquired by Thomson Reuters, led this year’s voting, followed by the loyal Drake users and RootWorks, which offers website services along with business consulting to CPA practices.

  1. Emochila Websites for Accountants 23%
  2. Drake 1040.com Preparer Sites 19.5%
  3. RootWorks 16%
  4. Service2Client CPA Websites 8.5%
  5. CCH ProSystem fx SiteBuilder 6.5%
  6. Intuit Websites 6%
  7. GetNetSet 6%
  8. AccountantsWorld Website Relief 5%
  9. CPASite Solutions 4.5%
  10. Others 5%

 

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