Technology

September 5, 2014 

It’s no secret that the retail industry has struggled in this difficult economy. Yet Advance Monthly Sales for Retail and Food Services, as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, show an increase in total sales in May 2011, up 7.7% from May 2010. While numbers were down from the previous month (April 2011), indicating that...…

Mary Girsch-Bock

September 5, 2014 

Audits are not the realm of only the Big 4 and other very large practices. Many small and mid-sized firms also offer A&A services to their clients. But audits can certainly be complex and labor intensive, not to mention the considerable regulatory obligations that accompany them. With the right tools and services, such as those…

September 5, 2014 

Practice management software has evolved over the years from programs that did little more than time and billing to completely integrated technologies providing firm partners and managers with real-time data related to productivity and financial performance. As comprehensive systems, they give firm owners tools to perform a detailed analysis in their practices in terms of...…

Dustin Wheeler

September 5, 2014 

Accountants have long had a reputation as being somewhat reclusive, perhaps even seen as professional hermits, because of the nature of many of the traditional services they provided.

September 5, 2014 

Email has been around a long time and has evolved into a mission-critical resource to deliver documents and communicate with clients. It’s the default for most businesses — convenient, easy and mature — and has all but replaced time-consuming faxing and manual delivery of documents. However, while email has been a trusted delivery tool for...…

Eric Pulaski

September 5, 2014 

There are ample articles trying to convince you of the value of Cloud Computing. There are three primary application approaches for the cloud: 1) Backup, which we have reviewed in prior columns covering products like NetRescue, Gillware and eFolder, 2) Hosting, including companies like CPAASP InsynQ, Awensa, Cloud 9 and Real Time Data Services, Thomson...…

Randy Johnston

September 5, 2014 

Freed Maxick & Battaglia (FMB) didn’t become a Top 100 firm by avoiding change. In fact, the firm can best be described as the most rapid of rapid adopters — just all in good time. This is not meant to confuse anyone, but is testament to FMB’s stance on staying ahead of change by first…

Kristy Short, Ed.D.

September 5, 2014 

800-291-2136 www.copanion.com    2011 Overall Rating 4.5 Best Fit While the GruntWorx Gather, GruntWorx Organize, and GruntWorx Trades services create files that are compatible with almost any tax application or document management tool, the GruntWorx Populate tool integrates fully with GoSystem Tax RS, ProSystem fx Tax or UltraTax CS. Strengths Firms can process as few...…

Brian Tankersley

September 5, 2014 

661-951-9200 www.officetoolspro.com   2011 Overall Rating 4.75 Best Firm Fit Practice Management 2011 is best suited for firms with five to 10 users. Office Tools Professional also serves more than 100 offices with 15 to 60 users. Strengths Integrated suite of office productivity tools (document storage, contact management, time & billing, project management, scheduling) Reporting...…

John Higgins

September 5, 2014 

  eTEK International Inc. — eTEK for Microsoft Office 2010 800-888-6894 www.etek.net From the July 2011 Review Construction and Contractor Accounting Systems Best Fit: eTEK is scalable and an excellent choice for smaller construction companies in need of good job cost functionality that need to upgrade from entry-level products. eTEK for Microsoft Office is a...…

Mary Girsch-Bock

September 5, 2014 

One of the challenges in writing these reviews is to explain the delineation between document management and document storage solutions. I don’t think it is worth dwelling on this too much because the distinction will become apparent as you dig deeper into the different solutions in both categories. At the end of the day, it…

John Higgins

September 5, 2014 

888-999-1366 www.accountantsworld.com    2011 Overall Rating 4.5   Best Firm Fit: CyberCabinet is best suited for sole practitioners and small firms who provide accounting, payroll and tax services. If your practice can use the Accountants Relief and Payroll Relief applications, you can have a solid online platform for running your practice without the hassle of...…

John Higgins