April/May 2011

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September 5, 2014 

Lacerte Tax, an Intuit ProLine Solution

2011 OVERALL RATING 4.50   800-765-7777 www.proline.lacertesoftware.com   Product delivery methods: __x___ On-Premises __x___ SaaS _____ Hosted by Vendor   BEST FIRM FIT: Competitive solution for small and mid-sized firms with some advanced workflow needs beyond the capabilities of the Traditional Workflow products without the most complex requirements of the Advanced Workflow products like multi-tiered...…

Steven M. Phelan

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September 5, 2014 

New Name, New Content, New Faces — Same Great Resource

It’s been a fast paced year. Like you, I’ve been busy with tax season activity and ensuring that my clients’ needs were met. In tandem, my team and I here at the magazine have been hustling to put together a knock-it-out-of-the-park first issue. We’ve changed the name and size of the publication, added columns, and...…

Darren Root, CPA, CITP, CGMA

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September 5, 2014 

Are Your Clients Getting Enough FaceTime?

Those of you who are “chronologically challenged,” as am I, will remember the bad old days of pink “While U Were Out” slips, Franklin Planners and multiple phone calls through secretary-controlled switchboards. Fortunately, we now have Outlook, smartphones and direct inward dial telephone systems … and that’s just the beginning! Today’s modern practitioner is making...…

Gregory L. LaFollette

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September 5, 2014 

How to Improve Client Communications by Channeling Your Messages

Column: Successful Small Business Consulting From the April/May 2011 issue One of the most important skills consultants must perfect is the way in which we communicate with others. When someone cannot communicate clearly or efficiently, that person loses the respect and trust of clients, coworkers, bosses, and really everyone around them. So since your success...…

Doug Sleeter

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September 5, 2014 

CES 2011 Gadget Round Up for Accountants

At the beginning of each year, we make our annual trek to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas to look specifically at computer hardware, peripherals and trends that could impact the accounting profession in the year ahead.

Roman Kepczyk

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September 5, 2014 

Three Buzzwords That Really Changed the Profession

Column: Tricks & Tips From the April/May 2011 Issue As the technology editor for this publication for nearly nine years, I’ve witnessed many significant, and even a few monumental changes in the technologies and workflow practices of tax and accounting firms. From the transition to the paperless office, to automated tax documents, the ongoing SaaS...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

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September 5, 2014 

Beyond Just Business: A Strategy That Works

?9222 In economic climates such as this, when jobs are somewhat scarce, markets are in flux and retirement can seem so far away, it’s natural for some to cling to what levels of stability they have, whether it’s Linus and his “security blanket,” or a comfortably permanent job as an in-house accountant for a large...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

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June 6, 2011 

6 Steps to Developing an Effective Client Portal Strategy

I think it’s fair to say that just about every accounting and tax practice in the country has given consideration to deploying a client portal in recent years. In fact, current estimates are that the number of firms that have a client portal in place is somewhere in the range of 20% to 40%.

John Higgins

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April 26, 2011 

Symposium Draws Profession’s Thought Leaders

Where does innovation come from? While this may be a rhetorical question for some, it was precisely the intent of the inaugural CPA Practice Advisor Thought Leader Symposium, which brought together 25 of the most influential tax and accounting professionals, technophiles and consultants for three days of collaboration and dialogue. As the host of the...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon