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 The 10-Step Tech Checklist

January 10, 2012 

The 10-Step Tech Checklist

don’t want to grinch on your holiday spirit, but the sad fact is that Tax Season kicks up in less than three weeks. And chances are very good that you are not prepared. So as you are bouncing around trying to figure out what to do with yourself this week (assuming you are not on...…

Dave McClure

 “Please Change Your Password…”

January 10, 2012 

“Please Change Your Password…”

There are few messages from the IT department that I dislike more than the monthly reminder to change my network password. Frankly, I would rather slam my hand in a car door ten or twelve times. It’s not that I don’t understand network security, or don’t want to keep my data secure. It’s just that...…

Dave McClure

 Franchisee Trends for 2012

January 10, 2012 

Franchisee Trends for 2012

Here’s an idea for a franchise-based business I came up with, initially as a bit of a joke, but then I thought it had some real potential: Retirement community call centers. Not to be confused with nursing homes, retirement communities are often filled with younger and more active seniors, many of whom have uprooted from...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

 A Note For The Holidays

January 10, 2012 

A Note For The Holidays

You have to take a break. Even those of us who labor each day, reviewing software, hardware and industry news to help keep you informed, must at some point pay homage to the impending holidays. Regardless of your religious belief, it will be a time of reflection, of gathering with family and friends, and of...…

Dave McClure

 Ghost In The Machine

January 10, 2012 

Ghost In The Machine

We’ve already chronicled on these pages how the proliferation of printers is a bad idea for accounting firms from both the standpoints of effective management and cost. To these we can now add a third problem — the ability of hackers to use printers to successfully invade your network. It is especially a problem for...…

Dave McClure

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January 10, 2012 

Thomson Reuters – Engagement CS

800-968-8900 cs.thomsonreuters.com/engagement    5.0 overall BEST FIT Small to medium sized accounting firms with a focus on audit engagements, especially those currently relying on PPC Practice Aids for guidance. STRENGTHS Strong integration with PPC Practice Aids and other Thomson Reuters products Ability to manage engagement without network connectivity Available as a fully hosted solution POTENTIAL...…

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January 10, 2012 

CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business – ProSystem fx Trial Balance

800-PFX-9998 www.cchgroup.com ProSystem fx Trial Balance is the stand-alone trial balance offering within the ProSystem fx product lineup. ProSystem fx Trial Balance is geared toward smaller accounting firms and sole-practitioners with a focus on tax return compliance and small bookkeeping and audit engagements. With strong import capabilities and reporting options as well as tight integration...…

 CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business – ProSystem fx Engagement

January 9, 2012 

CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business – ProSystem fx Engagement

800-PFX-9998 www.cchgroup.com   4.75 overall   BEST FIT Any accounting firm that is currently in or converting to a paperless workflow environment STRENGTHS Strong integration with ProSystem fx product lineup Intuitive interface based on Microsoft Windows and Office functionality High level of security from both user and data standpoints POTENTIAL LIMITATIONS Limited integration with PPC...…

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January 5, 2012 

Technology Predictions for 2012: BQE Software

Executive Editor Darren Root discusses the technology trends that BQE Software CEO and Founder Shafat Qazi sees for 2012 and beyond. BQE is the developer of BillQuick, one of the most popular time and billing systems for professional services.