Isaac M. O'Bannon is the managing editor and digital content manager for CPA Practice Advisor (www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com), drawing on two decades of experience covering the areas of professional accounting, taxation, business productivity and consumer technologies. Prior to CPA Practice Advisor, O'Bannon was a consultant at firms in San Francisco, Denver and Tulsa, serving clients that included Logitech, Polycom, Hilti, Microsoft, the Stanford Research Institute, the University of Oklahoma's College of Engineering and other technology leaders. He is a U.S. Navy veteran. Email: isaac.obannon - @ - cpapracticeadvisor.com
September 5, 2014
Biz Automation 888-249-1670 www.bizautomation.com From the June 2011 Review of SaaS Accounting Systems for Small Business BizAutomation is a comprehensive business management suite comprised of fully featured multi-business accounting, sales, distribution and inventory modules. It was designed and built to be an online system and offers strong ecommerce and partner management portals. Multi-layer project...…
September 5, 2014
888-228-8300 www.acumatica.com ERP & CRM for Growing Businesses Some businesses have greater needs than most off-the-shelf software can solve, regardless of their exact size or classification as a small or mid-sized business. The cloud-based solutions from Acumatica offer these enterprises sophisticated core financial, distribution and customer management capabilities. The product features a combined ERP and...…
September 5, 2014
Intacct Corporation — Intacct Online 877-968-0600 www.intacct.com Best Fit: Entities that have outgrown off-the-shelf programs, require greater integration, subscription-revenue accounting. Ideal for service-based businesses, hospitality industry and technology providers. Also ideal for accounting practices that want to run the system in-house and offer access to clients through portals as a solution provider. Strengths: Exceptional...…
September 5, 2014
Public accountants wear many hats, ranging from tax professional for individuals and business or nonprofit entities, to bookkeeper, payroll service provider, strategic business consultant and financial advisor, virtual CFO, and even the sleuth role of an auditor. At the same time, you’re a small business owner and employer, too, which means you face many of...…
September 5, 2014
We live in a mobile and always-on world, and where the smartphone by itself was once lauded (or blamed) for our incredible connectivity, that honor now belongs to the app. An abbreviation for the word application that was used almost only by developers and computer techs just a couple of years ago, the term is...…
September 5, 2014
2011 Overall Rating 3.75 650-952-1773 www.orangedoorinc.com Product Delivery Methods: _____ On-Premises __x__ SaaS _____ Hosted by Vendor Best Firm Fit: Small practice with less complex clients, primarily 1040-focused, who need mobility or remote access, and ability to quickly ramp up/down the number of users Strengths: Fully web-based Client portals/collaboration tools Instant ramp-up/down...…
September 5, 2014
2011 Overall Rating 4.5 800-890-9500 www.DrakeSoftware.com Best Firm Fit: 1040-focused practices looking to broaden their services with integrated write-up and tax planning options, as well as retail environments with multiple locations. Strengths: – Exceptional live support – Affordable all-inclusive pricing includes all entities, states, e-filing, plus tax planning, document management & write-up with ATF...…
September 5, 2014
2011 Overall Rating 3.5 888-236-9501 accountant.intuit.com Product Delivery Methods: _____ On-Premises __x__ SaaS _____ Hosted by Vendor Best Fit: Small practices with generally less complex clients, primarily 1040-focused who need mobility Strengths: Web-based No IT headaches Inexpensive Instant ramp-up/down Any number of users On-demand use PC & Mac friendly Potential Limitations: Lack...…
September 5, 2014
800-755-9473 www.taxwise.com 2011 Overall Rating 4.5 Best Firm Fit: High-volume, time-sensitive focused practices employing non-professional data-entry staff. Also a fit for those looking to grow their business through office expansion and additional customer offerings such as full-year accounting services like write-up and payroll. Strengths – Support for all entities at federal & state level...…
September 5, 2014
800-681-1752 www.atxinc.com 4.5 – 2011 Overall Rating Best Firm Fit: Small and mid-sized full-service accounting firms with generally less complex clients, yet with broader entity needs, including payroll and wage compliance. Strengths: – Support for all entities at federal & state level – W-2/1099 & wage reporting – Form & interview-style input – Excellent training...…
September 5, 2014
800-230-2322 www.taxworks.com 2011 Overall Rating 4.25 Product Delivery Methods: __x__ On-Premises _____ SaaS _____ Hosted by Vendor Best Firm Fit: Small 1040-focused tax offices with limited to moderate need for additional entities. Strengths: – All federal and state entities – Integrated bank products – Good client communication templates & e-mail integration – Data...…
September 5, 2014
800-934-1040 www.proseries.com 2011 Overall Rating 4.75 Best Firm Fit: Small to mid-sized firms with mostly 1040s, but also diverse business taxation needs with some moderately complex clients. Strengths: – Supports all entities, states & most local taxes – Options for research, fixed assets, document management & W-2/1099 reporting – Integrated billing system – Optional innovative...…
