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
August 9, 2011
Even with all the talk about the productivity-boosting effects of going to the cloud … and SaaS this, and web-based that, technology hardware remains an essential component of any modern business. Yet, while the obvious core components of desktops, laptops, monitors, printers and even phones may immediately come to many people’s minds when they hear…
August 4, 2011
A Productivity in Practice Feature. A small business is most productive when its owners are doing what they love. Whether a mechanic, baker, landscaper, restaurateur, childcare provider or a merchant, small business owners usually like what they do.
August 4, 2011
800-237-8435 www.CertiflexDimension.com 2011 Overall Rating 4.75 Best Fit: Firms managing clients with high transaction volumes and multi-level company structures. Strengths: Good interface customization Strong reporting & financials options Broad set of core modules Broad reporting & financials generation Potential Limitations: Moderate reporting customization Module-based pricing Summary & Pricing CertiflexDimension Write-Up and the related modules...…
August 4, 2011
800-292-2962 www.cyma.com 2011 Overall Rating 4.75 Best Fit: Professional firms managing complex clients with multiple locations or subsidiaries, as well as nonprofit and grant-based organizations. Strengths: Exceptional customization options Comprehensive module options with strong integration Output to many formats Broad reporting & financials generation Potential Limitations: Module-based pricing No client portals Summary &...…
August 4, 2011
TaxWise:888-455-0182; www.taxwise.com ATX: 888-455-0183; www.atxinc.com 2011 Overall Rating 4.25 Best Fit: Firms using the ATX or TaxWise tax and workflow products who want an easy-to-use write-up package with after-the-fact payroll reporting, financials generation and optional live payroll are a match with Client Accounting Suite. CCH ProSystem fx Tax and Practice Management users are supported...…
August 3, 2011
Over the past several years, some accounting technologists have come close to announcing the demise of client write-up (or at least the significant decline in its necessity and profitability for professional accountants).
August 3, 2011
561-995-1477 www.axpert.com 2011 Overall Rating 4.25 Best Fit: Firms managing small to mid-sized enterprises, and those with multiple locations. Strengths: Doesn’t require monthly closings Run reports across multiple years, any time periods Broad reporting & financials customization Strong support for multi-location entities Potential Limitations: No bank statement import function (although import is available from...…
August 2, 2011
800-968-8900 www.CS.ThomsonReuters.com 2011 Overall Rating 5 Best Fit: Firms looking for a central write-up and trial balance system as part of a suite of integrated tax and practice management systems for managing workflow across all engagements. Strengths: Excellent integration Comprehensive reporting & financials Broad payroll compliance with state & some local support Client-side...…
August 2, 2011
888-999-1366 www.AccountantsWorld.com/AR 2011 Overall Rating 4.75 Best Fit: Firms who want to bring both their practice and their clients onto a web-based accounting system that gives the firm greater control over data and the ability to monitor and control what their clients can do with their collaborative bookkeeping system. Strengths: Simple navigation &...…
August 2, 2011
800-267-8379 www.accountant.intuit.com 2011 Overall Rating 4.5 Best Fit: Firms whose clients mostly use QuickBooks and who provide general write-up and reconciliation work. Strengths: Comfortable, intuitive navigation & interface Good reporting with PDF, Word, Excel output Email invoicing & electronic payment options Most commonly used program Mobile apps for client-focused work Potential Limitations: Financial statement...…
August 1, 2011
When we first started writing about web-based programs about 10 years ago, the focus frequently centered on how the concept could benefit modern practices. Key among the benefits was anywhere/anytime access to client and firm data and the enhanced security of data stored in online systems.
July 28, 2011
Yes, yes… I’m writing about sales taxes again. This time, however, it’s not about the Amazon vs. California battle or the general difficulties facing online sales taxation. I know it’s still July, but kids and parents are already getting ready for the coming school year, which means a lot of shopping for clothing, books, computers...…
