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
January 28, 2013
Few professionals know state and local taxes (SALT) as well as Andrew Johnson. Not the 17th President of the United States, of course, but the Texas CPA who specializes in helping business clients stay compliant with state and local taxes throughout the country.
January 28, 2013
Whatever you call internet-based programs (cloud, web-based, online systems), the technology is significantly changing many aspects of the modern practice and how firms offer services to clients. With tax prep, the changes are noticeable in the move to paperless engagements, online tax organizers, portals and tax research. Perhaps the next most noticeable change the technology...…
January 28, 2013
CYMA Systems, Inc. – CYMA 13: Financial Management System800-292-2962www.cyma.com Best Fit: Accounting firms that offer write-up, payroll compliance and reconciliation services to mid-sized and larger business clients, particularly consolidated entities and those with multiple locations or subsidiaries. Businesses can also use the system in-house. Strengths Good customization options Support for consolidations of multi-division/location entities Good...…
January 28, 2013
Micronetics, Int’l. – Accounting Xpert Enterprise Edition Client Write-Up561-995-1477www.axpert.com Best Fit: Accounting Xpert is designed for accounting professionals serving multiple clients of any size, including mid-sized and larger enterprises with consolidation needs and multiple locations. Strengths Supports consolidated and multi-division, multi-location entities Offers reporting for any desired time period/years Strong reporting and financials customization Newly-added...…
January 28, 2013
Intuit, Inc. – QuickBooks Accountant 2013800-267-8379www.accountant.intuit.com Best Fit: Accounting practices providing write-up features for clients that use QuickBooks. Strengths Accountant version includes all industry-specific versions of QuickBooks Streamlined navigation and interface Batch and pasting of thousands of transactions at once Output to PDF, Excel and other formats Built-in client invoicing and electronic payment options Mobile...…
January 28, 2013
AccountantsWorld – Accounting Relief888-999-1366 ext 517www.AccountantsWorld.com Best Fit: Public accountants providing write-up services for multiple clients, who also want to take their firm and clients to a web-based solution that gives the professional anytime access to their clients’ live data, eliminating data transfer. Strengths Integrated web-based professional and client-side bookkeeping Anytime access to live client...…
January 28, 2013
PC Software Accounting, Inc. – Client Write-Up800-237-9234www.pcsai.com Best Fit: Professionals who want an installed or web-hosted write-up utility and who prefer a fast, heads-down data entry approach. Also for firms using older systems looking for conversions into a new program. Strengths: Fast data entry Includes full GL, AP, AR and journals management capabilities Streamlined reconciliation...…
January 28, 2013
Intuit, Inc. – QuickBooks Online Accountant800-267-8379http://accountants.intuit.com/accounting/quickbooks/online-accountant/ Best Fit: Professionals seeking a web-based professional write-up solution that integrates directly with their clients’ versions of QuickBooks Online. Strengths Multiple client management in single online program Accountant Center with tools for books review and clean up Simple connection to clients’ QuickBooks Online Reporting options include PDF, Excel output...…
January 28, 2013
Xero Partner Program – Accountant Version800-411-9376 www.Xero.com Best Fit: Technologically progressive firms wanting a completely web-based professional accounting solution for use in performing periodic client write-up services, including account reconciliations, payroll reporting, ledger and journal management, and financial reporting. Strengths Online bank integration supports many deposit and credit card accounts Reconciliation tools simplify classification of...…
January 28, 2013
Thomson Reuters – Accounting CS800-968-8900CS.ThomsonReuters.com Best Fit: Full-service accounting practices that provide periodic client services that include account reconciliations, journal and ledger management, financial reporting and other functions associated with write-up, and want a system that integrates with a larger suite of professional programs. Strengths Built-in trial balance utility Direct integration with tax, payroll, portals...…
January 28, 2013
The good news is that Congress finally passed tax and budget legislation on the first day of the year. While the deal seems to have left people on both sides of the political aisle less than satisfied, at least tax professionals and taxpayers now know what they rules will be for TY 2013. That may...…
January 28, 2013
O.J. Simpson may be in prison, but the IRS still has him in it's sights. The tax agency has filed a lien against his earnings claiming he has a debt of $17,015.99 for taxes owed in 2011. Without comment on the 99 cent part of the debt- how was O.J. liable for that tax debt…
