August 2012

Firm Management

Technology

How Glenn Hanner Became Top Dog in the Veterinary Accounting Niche

Niche marketing isn’t a new concept. It’s a sound and proven business model that’s been around for years, yet has only recently started to bubble up in the accounting profession.

2012 Review of Build Your Firm

Build Your Firm – Website Development & Internet MarketingWebsites.BuildYourFirm.com Best Fit: Build Your Firm is a good fit for firms that want to outsource both the design and written content in the process of building a completely customized website, especially those highlighting a particular specialization or industry niche. Strengths Recently increased number of e-mail […]

Technology

2012 Review of AFSB Accounting and Financial Site Builder

AFSB Accounting and Financial Site Builderwww.afsb.net Best Fit:Firms adding their own content to a template-based solution at a low cost. Strengths With a basic monthly subscription fee of $29.99 and a 20% discount if paid annually ($288/year, effectively $24/month), AFSB is the least expensive web builder among the products reviewed after the discount. Over 120 […]

Small Business

How to Find the Right Point-of-Sale System for Any Small Business

Like all technology, POS/Retail Systems change faster than many business owners are prepared for.

2012 Review of CPAsites.com

CPAsites, LLC — CPAsites.comwww.cpasites.com Best Fit:CPA firms that want a unique design or features that other template-based providers do not offer. CPAsites.com takes pride in being 100% CPA-owned and managed, which gives them the ability to relate to the online needs of CPA firms. Strengths CPAsites does not use pre-designed templates, so all websites are […]

2012 Review of AccountantsWorld Website Relief

AccountantsWorld — Website Reliefwww.AccountantsWorld.com Best Fit:Small accounting practices, particularly those using the AccountantsWorld Power Practice suite, who will benefit from integration with professional programs and client portals. Strengths There are hundreds of templates with an unlimited number of combinations to choose from. Free unlimited support and web-based seminars. Seamless integration with the AccountantsWorld online applications. […]

Technology Versus Dirty Power

Digital devices have always had a love-hate relationship with the power needed to operate them. In addition to low battery life and power failures, there is the insidious “power spike” that seemingly can be caused by anything from a passing storm to a cat rubbing up against your leg.

Technology

2012 Review of Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale 2013

With the revamped point of sale product from QuickBooks, they have succeeded in expanding their market considerably.

It’s a Niche World

The niche business model is a hot topic these days, and for good reason. Firms that have adopted this model are enjoying standardized processes, higher revenues, and operating at peak efficiency.

Technology

The Dumbing Down of Search Engines

Google has long been the undisputed default search engine, far exceeding competitors like Yahoo!, Bing and an assortment of lesser known websites. But just as Google’s search functionality is mimicked or outright plagiarized (imitation being flattery, of sorts), the company faces challenges similar to those faced by Microsoft and giant corporations in other industries. That […]

Technology

2012 Review of Wasp Barcode – QuickStore POS Standard Edition

Wasp Barcode Technologies — QuickStore POS Standard Edition866-547-9277www.waspbrcode.com Best Fit: QuickStore is a scalable product that will work well with retailers of any size. Currently, QuickStore is not recommended for grocery stores or restaurant businesses. Strengths Product is extremely scalable and suitable, with 3 versions available Slight learning curve means quicker system setup and […]

Establishing Standards for the Paperless Office

A paperless accounting practice is in many regards very similar to one based on paper, although it will be much more efficient if good practices and standards are implemented during the transition to paperless. Many firms start the move to paperless by scanning documents and storing them on a hard drive in some sort of […]

Your Team Is An Idea Generation Machine

Tips on how to motivate your team to provide new ideas.

Software

What Tax Outsourcing Looks Like Today

Note: Author Dave Wyle, CPA is the Foudner and CEO of SurePrep, LLC. Over the last decade, accounting firms ranging in size from small local firms to large international ones have embraced tax outsourcing as a way to improve efficiency, client service, and staff retention. This article will provide an overview of those benefits as […]

Technology

2012 Review of CAM Commerce Retail STAR Lite

CAM Commerce — Retail STAR Lite800-726-3282www.camcommerce.com Best Fit: Retail Star is best suited for larger retailers that have very specific needs. Retail Star contains excellent customization capability and retail-industry specific applications. For single location retailers, they may wish to try Retail Ice, a comparable version of the software available for use in one location. Strengths […]

Technology

2012 Technology Update – Technologies to Watch

Randy Johnston offers his annual Technology Update, pointing out the key trends and technologies that professionals should be aware of and prepared for.

Technology

Mobile Strategies: App, Mobile Website, or Both?

One of the major changes taking place in the mobile publishing arena is a move away from having true dedicated “apps” to accomplish tasks on the go.

Technology

2012 Review of Celerant Command Retail – Version 6.4

Celerant Technology Corp. — Celerant Command Retail – Version 6.4718-605-7733www.celerant.com Best Fit: Small, large, or somewhere in between, retailers will surely appreciate Command Center’s long list of product features, all designed to make running a retail establishment a lot easier. That long list of features makes Command Retail particularly well-suited for larger retailers, or […]

Technology

2012 Review of ECR Software Corp. Catapult 5.1.1

ECR Software Corp. — Catapult 5.1.1800-211-1172www.ecrs.com Best Fit: Catapult is truly designed for a specific part of the retail industry, and with touch screen technology standard on all of its systems, it truly works with high-volume specialty retailers of any size. Strengths Touch screen monitor is standard Product contains unlimited customization capability Little training necessary […]

2012 Review of CPASiteSolutions CompleteWebSuite

CPASiteSolutions — CompleteWebSuitewww.CPASiteSolutions.com Best Fit Firms that want a site from one the best template-based web builders along with comprehensive web marketing services, and firms that want to build a website quickly. CPASiteSolutions boasts that it only needs 15 minutes of a CPA’s time and that the dedicated webmaster often completes the site within 2 […]

Firm Management

CPA Practice Advisor Goes Around the World

Readers submitted photo of themselves holding either the print or digital issue of the magazine from wherever they might travel.

Firm Management

The Next Generation of Leadership

Column: Bridging the Gap

In this issue

Building Your Firm’s Website is Easy with the Right Tools

UTC RETAIL Offers All-Inclusive Solution

2012 Review of Thomson Reuters’ Web Builder CS, Powered by Emochila

2012 Review of CCH Site Builder

2012 Review of GetNetSet Accounting Website Solutions

New Sage Exchange Features Offer More POS Options

How Glenn Hanner Became Top Dog in the Veterinary Accounting Niche

2012 Review of Build Your Firm

2012 Review of AFSB Accounting and Financial Site Builder

How to Find the Right Point-of-Sale System for Any Small Business

2012 Review of CPAsites.com

2012 Review of AccountantsWorld Website Relief

Technology Versus Dirty Power

2012 Review of Intuit QuickBooks Point of Sale 2013

It’s a Niche World

The Dumbing Down of Search Engines

2012 Review of Wasp Barcode – QuickStore POS Standard Edition

Establishing Standards for the Paperless Office

Your Team Is An Idea Generation Machine

What Tax Outsourcing Looks Like Today

2012 Review of CAM Commerce Retail STAR Lite

2012 Technology Update – Technologies to Watch

Mobile Strategies: App, Mobile Website, or Both?

2012 Review of Celerant Command Retail – Version 6.4

2012 Review of ECR Software Corp. Catapult 5.1.1

2012 Review of CPASiteSolutions CompleteWebSuite

CPA Practice Advisor Goes Around the World

The Next Generation of Leadership