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Isaac M. O'Bannon

Managing Editor

isaac.obannon@cpapracticeadvisor.com

Isaac M. O'Bannon is the managing editor and digital content manager for CPA Practice Advisor (www.CPAPracticeAdvisor.com), drawing on two decades of experience covering the areas of professional accounting, taxation, business productivity and consumer technologies. Prior to CPA Practice Advisor, O'Bannon was a consultant at firms in San Francisco, Denver and Tulsa, serving clients that included Logitech, Polycom, Hilti, Microsoft, the Stanford Research Institute, the University of Oklahoma's College of Engineering and other technology leaders. He is a U.S. Navy veteran. Email: isaac.obannon - @ - cpapracticeadvisor.com

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Small Business

Private Companies Had Slowest Sales Growth Rate in 5 Years

According to financial statements analyzed by Sageworks, a financial information company and the leader in the financial analysis of privately held companies, U.S. businesses grew sales at a rate of 5.4 percent in 2013.

Accounting

New Online Accounting System Launches for Small Businesses

FINSYNC combines financial management and accounting software services with built-in business intelligence to create a virtual CFO for small business owners.

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Accounting

Frederiksen Inducted into Accounting Hall of Fame

Chris Frederiksen, CPA.CITP, the CEO and Chairman of 2020 Group USA, has been inducted into CPA Practice Advisor’s Accounting Hall of Fame.

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Firm Management

Accounting Thought Leaders Gather in Tampa

The most notable thought leaders in the accounting profession have gathered in Tampa, Florida, this week at this year’s CPA Practice Advisor Thought Leader Symposium. The annual event brings these professionals together with the leading technology developers serving practicing public accountants to discuss the evolution of technology, practice methods and firm management.

Advisory

Accounting Firm Makes List Honoring Companies for Training, Development

Accounting consultancy BKD, LLP has debuted on Training magazine’s annual Training Top 125, which ranks companies based on the excellence of their training and development programs. BKD, the only CPA and advisory firm to appear on this year’s list, was among thousands of applicants vying for a spot on the prestigious list, placing as No. 89 and being one of only 27 organizations to make their initial appearance on the list this year.

Accounting

Sage Introduces New Apps for Sales, Service & Billing and Payments

A suite of new apps from Sage North America is now available to business users, the company announced on Tuesday. The mobile solutions, designed to "empower businesses to innovate in the field," are delivered through the new Sage Data Cloud. Sage Mobile Sales and Sage Mobile Service are currently available for download in Apple iTunes. Sage Billing and Payment is a web application that works with popular web browsers.

Income Tax

IRS Expects Hold Times To Increase At Call Center

The Internal Revenue Service is reminding taxpayers that phone calls to the agency's support center usually start to dramatically increase following the President's Day holiday, which is this weekend. There are other options for taxpayers who have questions, of course, starting with using a tax professional such as a CPA or Enrolled Agent.

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Accounting

Business Execs List Top Wastes Of Time At Work

A new study by executive staffing firm Robert Half International shows that web surfing and water cooler chatter top the list when it comes to non-productive employee time at work.

Firm Management

New Xero Executives Hail from PayPal, HP, Microsoft, and GM

Some of the most successful technology executives in the country are joining small business cloud accounting developer Xero Limited (XRO), the company announced on Tuesday. The include a new chairman of the board, adding a further U.S.-based director, and establishing a new role of CEO, North America, following its $150 million capital raise in October 2013.

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Advisory

System Puts Gathering Client Tax Documents on Auto Pilot

It’s the just the beginning of tax season, but most tax professionals likely already have a digital pile of client returns that are “in progress,” and will likely remain that way for weeks or months. Not because the firm hasn’t gotten to them yet, but probably because they are still waiting on clients to send them additional documents.

Accounting

NASBA Accepting Proposals for Accounting Education Research Grants

The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) has announced the 2014 Call for Proposals for its Accounting Education Research Grants Program.

Accounting

Online Accounting System Adds Bank Reconciliation

Wave (waveapps.com) has released a new bank reconciliation feature to its entire user base. The bank reconciliation feature had already been available to select users who participate in the Wave Labs beta program, as well as to accounting professionals in the Wave Pro Network. Both groups provided invaluable feedback in the feature’s development.