Latest Articles

abcs_10442651

October 6, 2011 

The ABCs of Capturing Best Practices

We’ve all seen the statistics that point to the incredible brain drain that will occur in the accounting profession over the next decade, and most firms have experienced the loss of a key person that left the firm, taking with them key knowledge or experience that the firm wishes they would have captured. Without a...…

Roman Kepczyk

blumer_jason_column_teaching_2_10415833

October 6, 2011 

How Creative Service Begets Proper Pricing

Last month, we dove into Daniel Pink’s book, “A Whole New Mind: Why Right-Brainers Will Rule the Future.” We learned how six new senses he identified in his book are changing how the Western world does their work. As a refresher, these six new senses are Design, Story, Symphony, Empathy, Play and Meaning. Employing our...…

Jason Blumer

randyjohnston2010_10415737

October 6, 2011 

Accountant Programs That Can Help You Plan

Now that extensions are behind us, and we are helping clients with tax planning, some of you are beginning to look ahead to the coming year and your own personal and business plans. Although a single article won’t necessarily help you build an entire business plan, a few ideas that are incorporated and well executed…

Randy Johnston

intuit_10442581

October 6, 2011 

Intuit Lacerte Tax Planner

800-765-7777 www.lacertesoftware.com    2011 Overall Rating 4.5 Best Fit  Lacerte Tax Planner can be used as a stand-alone program, but it’s best suited for firms using the Lacerte tax preparation system, providing simple data transfer and a familiar interface. Strengths Familiar tabbed interface & navigation Full integration with Lacerte 1040 Integration with Document Management System...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

thomsonreuters_10442587

October 6, 2011 

Thomson Reuters – Planner CS

800-968-8900 www.cs.thomsonreuters.com    2011 Overall Rating 4.75 Best Fit With tight integration among the tax preparation, research, document management, portals and other solutions from Thomson Reuters, Planner CS is best suited to users of the vendor’s CS Professional Suite, but can also be valuable as a stand-alone system. Strengths Includes tax code for federal &...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

bna_10442586

October 6, 2011 

BNA Software – BNA Income Tax Planner

800-424-2938 www.bnasoftware.com    2011 Overall Rating 5 Best Fit Practices offering individual income tax planning services to clients with varying needs, up to and including high net worth individuals with significantly complex income channels and assets. Strengths Intuitive interface & navigation Comprehensive tax calculations & analyses Up to 20 side-by-side comparisons Excellent reporting & graphical...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

cch_10442578

October 6, 2011 

CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business — ProSystem fx Planning

800-739-9998 www.cchgroup.com    2011 Overall Rating 4.25   Best Fit  Full-service accounting professionals using the integrated ProSystem fx Suite to serve broad client bases.   Strengths Excellent integration with ProSystem fx Tax & Engagement Up to 30 side-by-side cases Ease-of-use   Potential Limitations Plans limited to four years of projections Aside from exporting into other...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

 Gadget Season is Near!

October 5, 2011 

Gadget Season is Near!

Every year around this time I receive a variety of demo gadgets and information on technologies that span the spectrum of being useful for business, as well as those geared toward  personal entertainment, hobbies and sometimes just peculiar things. I include them in our annual Holiday Gift Guide, which runs in our December issue and...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

RedGear

October 5, 2011 

RedGear Technologies — TaxWorks Tax Planner

800-230-2322 www.taxworks.com   2011 Overall Rating 4   Best Fit Firms using TaxWorks who want to expand into tax planning as a client service offering, or want a simple add-on tool for performing quick projections. Strengths Easy to use Adjustable inflation projection Inexpensive Integration with TaxWorks Potential Limitations Generally basic planning capabilities Limited report customization...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

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October 5, 2011 

Tax Planner Included with All-Inclusive Drake Tax Suite

800-230-2322 www.DrakeSoftware.com While most other tax software developers offer tax planning for an additional annual fee, Drake Software has gone with an all-inclusive approach to its entire professional tax compliance suite. The suite provides 1040, 1040NR, 1041, 1065, 1120, 1120S, 706, 709, 990 and 990PF preparation, support for all states with income taxes, and unlimited...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

 How the Texas State Fair is Like Accounting Practice Management

October 5, 2011 

How the Texas State Fair is Like Accounting Practice Management

There is a tradition in Dallas that goes back 125 years … the GREAT State Fair of Texas. Yes, it’s larger than any other state fair in the country – and I’ve been going every year since I was very young. During this year’s annual trip – while I was knee-deep in some kind of...…

Scott Cytron