Latest Articles

September 5, 2014 

888-420-1040 www.taxslayerpro.com 2011 Overall Rating 4   Best Firm Fit: Tax offices primarily focused on retail 1040 processing and bank products, with some need for simple business entity returns Strengths: –          Support for all entities at federal & state level –          Integrated bank products –          Unlimited e-filing –          Online return backup functions as limited portal...…

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...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

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...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

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...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

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...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

September 5, 2014 

Recently, one of my clients saved some very important picture files to the hard drive on their local computer. They thought they were saving these picture files to the corporate network drive. This computer was on the upgrade list and was upgraded a few weeks later with the requirement of having the hard drive formatted....…

John D. Anderson

September 5, 2014 

Is this the year of the Tablet? Has the mobile Internet finally arrived? What business purposes are served by using mobile Internet devices, and how can they help us serve clients better? Whether you are working with products from Apple, Motorola, BlackBerry, HTC, Samsung or a myriad of other providers, access to the Internet, and…

Randy Johnston

September 5, 2014 

Is the introduction of the Apple iPad and other tablet devices the dawning of a new revolution in information technology, or a more subtle evolution? They may not be as disruptive as all of the political revolutions going on around the world today, but tablets are poised to have a significant impact on the flow...…

September 5, 2014 

The larger an organization gets, the harder it is to separate the truly important information from the routine and mundane details that seem to consume our daily lives. Too often, the most important information is obscured by the volume of transactions flowing through our business management systems. Although tools like alerts and reports can show...…

Brian Tankersley

September 5, 2014 

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

September 5, 2014 

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

September 5, 2014 

Recently, I have been reminded of change and how hard it is to make happen. Whether it’s a personal change or a professional change, it isn’t easy. For example, this publication is going through some pretty cool changes, but I am sure it wasn’t easy to get action or at least universal action on all…

Rene Lacerte