Article

March 29, 2012 

Intacct – Intacct Corporationwww.intacct.com877-437-7765 Strengths: Has a strong ecosystem of third party solutions to meet most industry requirements. Customizable dashboards are very impressive, and provide an alternative to standard reports. Full integration between customer relationship management and payroll Supports any number of users, with strong user access control tools Relationship with AICPA/CPA2Biz has yielded integrations...…

March 29, 2012 

Join our executive editor, Darren Root, CPA.CITP, as he hosts an exciting webinar on document management with CCH’s John Springfield, product manager, and Ben Koker, technical software consultant. These three experts will share with attendees some of the profession’s best practices for effective document management. The one-hour webcast is scheduled for Tuesday, April 3 at...…

Taija Sparkman

March 29, 2012 

Online accounting products are a small but rapidly growing segment of business management tools. Real-time collaboration between client and accountant, as well as better importing tools have made these solutions a compelling alternative to traditional, locally-installed applications. We have noticed a large number of new offerings in this space over the last couple of years,...…

Brian Tankersley

March 28, 2012 

BizAutomation – BizAutomation.comwww.BizAutomation.com 408-786-5116 Best Fit: Small organizations who need a process-oriented business management tool with strong CRM and fundamental accounting processes in a single, integrated platform. Strengths: Integration with Google Apps allows users to access familiar tools from within the application. Solid Customer Relationship Management (CRM) functionality, tightly integrated into the product. Built on...…

March 28, 2012 

Intuit — Intuit Tax Onlineproadvisor.intuit.com/product/intuit-tax-online866-676-9674 Strengths Web-based, anytime access No IT management or updating required Pay-Per-Return pricing, no startup costs Instant ramp-up/down with any number of users PC and Mac friendly Mobile app for checking status, client information, securely emailing returns From the makers of Lacerte and ProSeries Potential Limitations Lacks integration with accounting programs...…

March 28, 2012 

Intuit — ProSerieswww.proseries.com800-934-1040 From the May 2012 review of professional tax compliance systems (traditional workflow). Best Fit: Small to mid-sized firms focused on large 1040 client bases, but also with the need for varied business compliance. Firms who require workflow solutions and integration with QuickBooks. Strengths Optional scan and organize system, plus direct download of...…

March 28, 2012 

CCH Small Firm Services – ATXwww.atxinc.comPhone: 866-345-4172 Strengths: Compliance for all entities including federal and state plus local forms W-2/1099 and wage reporting options Form and interview-style input Available bundles for Workflow, Research and Accounting functions Integrated AR management and credit card acceptance Potential Limitations: Does not offer client portals or online tax organizers Limited...…

March 28, 2012 

CCH Small Firm Services — TaxWisewww.taxwise.com866-345-4171 Strengths Compliance for all entities at federal and all states Form-based interface, friendly navigation Scan and populate feature for W-2s, 1099s and K-1s Integrated suite of products including fixed asset management, client write-up (AP and AR) and document storage Multiple client refund options, such as debit card and refund...…

March 27, 2012 

Drake Software — Drake Taxwww.DrakeSoftware.com800-890-9500 Strengths: Top-rated live support All-inclusive pricing includes all entities, states, e-filing, tax planning, document management, and write-up system with live & ATF Payroll New online client collaboration system Integration with GruntWorx for paperless and automated tax prep Optional debit card and bank product dispersal of proceeds Multi-office manager sync system;...…

Isaac M. O'Bannon

March 27, 2012 

The evolution of DMS over the past ten years has been slow but steady, which is just fine because it takes time for a firm to implement all of the extended functionality.

John Higgins

March 27, 2012 

RedGear Technologies — TaxWorks www.taxworks.com 800-230-2322 Best Fit: 1040-focused tax offices with occasional need for additional entities, particularly those wishing to offer integrated bank products, with bilingual options and remote data entry capabilities. Strengths Integrated support for bank products Client communication templates and e-mail integration Digital client tax organizers Data import from multiple accounting systems...…

March 27, 2012 

TaxSlayer Pro — TaxSlayer Pro Premium www.taxslayerpro.com 888-420-1040   Strengths All entities at federal and state level, with unlimited e-filing Built-in support for bank products, with text-messaging to clients Online return backup can act as limited portal Smart phone and remote access to firm reporting Supports the W-2 barcode scanning to automatically populate inside a...…