Postponed Webinar: The Hidden Cost of Disconnected Systems (and How Automation Fixes It)

Firm Management | November 18, 2025

Postponed Webinar: The Hidden Cost of Disconnected Systems (and How Automation Fixes It)

Disconnected workflows create a cascade of issues: wasted staff time, compliance gaps, client frustration, and burnout that compounds every busy season. The problem isn’t the people — it’s the systems. And unless those systems are simplified and automated, every stage of the tax prep cycle suffers. In this webinar, we’ll show you how to fix what’s really broken: the workflow.

This webinar will be held in the near future, announcement to come.
Sponsor: SmartVault
Duration: 1 Hour

You may still sign up, but we’re still working on a broadcast date

Firms that update their workflows with automation aren’t just saving time — they’re creating capacity, protecting client trust, and turning tax season into a growth engine instead of a burnout cycle.

Learning Objectives:

  • Identify the hidden costs of disconnected processes
  • Apply automation at each stage of the tax prep cycle – from engagement to archiving
  • Reclaim 60–90 minutes per return by simplifying handoffs and eliminating rework
Program LevelBasic
PrerequisitesNone
Field of StudyInformation Technology
Advance Preparation NeededNone
Delivery MethodGroup Internet-Based
Recommended CPE Credit1 Credit per 50-Minute Session
Registration InstructionsRegister Online
CostFree
Complaint Resolutioneditor@cpapracticeadvisor.com

Presented by:

Chad Helmlinger is Director of Product Marketing at SmartVault, a leading provider of cloud-based document management and secure client portals. Based in Texas, Chad is passionate about helping accounting firms streamline operations and unlock the full value of SmartVault. With deep expertise in the accounting industry, he understands the workflow challenges firms face and partners with them to implement solutions that save time, reduce costs, and boost efficiency. Chad is also a frequent contributor to industry webinars and panels, where he shares practical insights and strategies for modernizing firm operations.

Jonathan Young is Vice President of Marketing at SmartVault and has 15+ years of experience growing businesses through detailed and robust go-to-market strategies. Since joining SmartVault, he has submerged himself in the accounting industry, learning about current technology trends, analyzing the accounting landscape and understanding compliance regulations to ensure firms are safeguarding their customer information and scaling for growth through process efficiencies. Jonathan prides himself on leading high-performing teams, leveraging data-driven strategies, driving engagement and revenue growth, while fostering a collaborative and innovative work culture.

Moderated by:

Gail Perry is the editor-in-chief of CPA Practice Advisor. A veteran of accounting journalism, she also speaks at many accounting events, trade shows, and webinars. Gail is the author of over 30 books (including Mint.com For DummiesThe Idiot’s Guide to Introductory Accounting, and Surviving Financial Downsizing: A Practical Guide to Living Well on Less Income), and she maintains a small tax practice. Gail is a graduate of Indiana University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She returned to school to study accounting at Illinois State University, earned her CPA, and worked for Deloitte in Chicago for several years as a state and local tax accountant. She has taught introductory accounting and personal finance courses, and she is a former computer applications instructor at the Indiana CPA Society. Gail is a member of the AICPA’s PFS Credential Committee.

This FREE online webinar is a continuation of CPA Practice Advisor’s mission to provide unbiased, independent information on technologies available to practicing public accountants and tax professionals.

SmartVault is the leading provider of a secure, cloud-based document management and client portal platform purpose-built for accounting and tax professionals. Founded in 2008, SmartVault helps firms streamline workflows, enhance client collaboration, and maintain the highest levels of security and compliance.

Today, over 3 million users across 30,000+ businesses trust SmartVault to safely store, organize, and share more than 500 million documents worldwide. The platform integrates seamlessly with popular tax and accounting software — including Intuit Lacerte, ProSeries, ProConnect Tax, UltraTax CS, Drake, and CCH — allowing firms to automate client intake, document collection, review, delivery, and long-term storage all in one place.

SmartVault is SOC 2 Type 2 compliant, offering security features that help firms meet IRS 4557, FTC Safeguards Rule, and GLBA compliance requirements. SmartVault goes beyond document storage to automate the full tax prep workflow, reducing manual work and saving firms up to 60–90 minutes per return.

Designed specifically for accountants, bookkeepers, and financial professionals, SmartVault empowers firms to increase productivity, scale operations securely, and deliver an exceptional client experience — all while improving work-life balance for their teams.

CPA Practice Advisor is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: https://www.nasbaregistry.org/. For more information regarding administrative policies please contact Isaac O’Bannon at isaac.obannon@cpapracticeadvisor.com.

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