Small Business Jobs Index Shows Improvement in Employment

April 29, 2014 

Small Business Jobs Index Shows Improvement in Employment

The latest Small Business Jobs Index grew 0.50 percent in the 12 months leading up to April, increasing to 101.26, a new peak level, reflecting improving employment conditions. Washington had the greatest gains among the states measured, with help from Seattle, which showed the highest increase in growth rate among metro areas.

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April 29, 2014 

Avalara Acquires Zytax Energy Tax Solutions

The online sales and use tax automation provider Avalara, Inc., has acquired the entire line of Zytax energy-related tax automation solutions for U.S. and international jurisdictions. Incorporating Zytax’s products now provides retail fuel and energy companies with a single source for all their transactional tax processing needs. Avalara acquired the Zytax offering from FuelQuest, a…

 Doctors in Maine Stung by Income Tax ID Theft

April 25, 2014 

Doctors in Maine Stung by Income Tax ID Theft

A fraud scheme that appears to target the federal tax returns of doctors and other health care professionals has affected several hundred people in several states, including at least 35 doctors in Maine.

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April 23, 2014 

Marcum Launches Health Insurance Marketplace

Businesses, groups and individuals looking for health insurance and information now have a new resource, courtesy of the accounting firm Marcum LLP. The firm's affiliate, Marcum Financial Services, which is also a member of the Marcum Group of companies, has launched the Marcum Benefits Marketplace, a one-stop resource for health insurance delivery for groups and…

 Oil & Gas Industry Creates Thousands of Jobs in California

April 22, 2014 

Oil & Gas Industry Creates Thousands of Jobs in California

The oil and gas industry creates about 49,000 jobs in Los Angeles County and billions in tax revenue in California. That's according to a new report conducted by the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corp. and commissioned by the trade group Western States Petroleum Assn., which takes a look at the role of oil and…

 Nominees Announced for 2014 CPA Practice Advisor Innovation Awards

April 21, 2014 

Nominees Announced for 2014 CPA Practice Advisor Innovation Awards

The nominees for the 2014 CPA Practice Advisor Tax & Accounting Technology Innovation Awards have been chosen. As the pinnacle of recognition for technology vendors serving the tax and accounting profession, the awards recognize exceptional product development, breakthrough technologies, state of the art design and implementation, and cutting edge concepts that help accounting professionals and…

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April 21, 2014 

Save It or Lose It – Don’t Let Your Firm’s Data be at Risk

It is impossible to think too much about protecting your data. If you are the business owner, responsible for Information Technology or an IT professional, protecting data has to always be top of mind. Backup and recovery is not an area you can leave to chance. The January installment of this column spoke about alternative…

Randy Johnston

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April 21, 2014 

5 Tips for Using Technology as a Strategic Asset

Is your firm leveraging technology as a strategic asset or is it viewed as simply a cost of doing business? Successful firms view it as an asset and build an IT leadership and governance model that helps harness the power of technology as an accelerator toward improved performance, profitability and growth. There are five aspects…

Jim Boomer