In this issue
November 30, 2014
10 Website Mistakes that Accounting Firms Should Avoid
It’s a sign of the sad state of accounting firm web sites that in 18 years of competition, none have ever won a Webby award for site design. Some financial and banking sites have won, and even the Arizona Society of CPAs was an honoree in 2006.
October 10, 2014
What’s New in Payroll Law?
Keeping up-to-date on changes and proposed changes can be overwhelming, especially if you have a business to run that doesn’t involve payroll. That’s why, as a payroll practitioner, it’s important that you help your clients understand any new changes and what they mean for their business. In 2015, there will be several changes that can...…
October 10, 2014
2014 Review of Professional Tax Planning Systems
By Bill Kennedy, CPA, CA The Affordable Care Act changes had the biggest impact on tax software across the country this year, as developers scrambled to incorporate the new Net Investment regulations into their packages, particularly for high net worth individuals. All of the packages reviewed have been updated for the impact of this legislation....…
October 10, 2014
2014 Review of W-2 and 1099 Preparation Programs
By Steven Phelan, CPA.CITP As we approach the end of the year, many tasks are still ahead of accounting professionals. There are year-end tax planning situations to address, year-end accounting issues required to finalize financial statements and, of course, year-end reporting compliance for W-2s and 1099s. Although the rules have largely remained the same over...…
October 10, 2014
Timely, Accurate Data is Essential to Managing Payroll
It pays to collect the right information at the right time. For payroll practitioners, this payout comes in the form of being able to provide quality service to their clients.
October 10, 2014
How Does the Marketplace Fairness Act Affect Use Taxes?
While almost everyone has heard of sales tax, many business owners are unaware that most states have a “use tax.” State laws treat sales and use tax as two separate taxes, but in reality they act in concert to complement each other.
October 10, 2014
There is Most Definitely “An App for That”
I believe it was 2007 when I met Randy Johnston and Doug Sleeter, two of CPA Practice Advisor's thought leaders, both of whom are contributors to our magazine and also members of the magazine's Advisory Board.
October 10, 2014
9 Must-Have Apps for Today’s Accounting Professionals
Anymore, the typical workday is a combination of work at your desk, work on the phone, work on the run, work from remote locations, work at client offices, keeping up with the news - all while juggling your own personal life and staying connected with the
October 10, 2014
5 Networking Tips for State and Local Tax (SALT) Practitioners
You probably know the income, sales, and use tax rules in your own state and local jurisdictions without having to do much research. But what if a new client walks in the door and presents you with a tax situation in a state where you have not practiced b
October 9, 2014
Why I Wasn’t First in Line for the New iPhone
I used to consider myself an early adopter of all-things technology. Back when I was PC-based, I would upgrade to the newest operating system (OS) right away and buy the latest version of Microsoft Office. Almost 6 years ago when I moved to a Mac, wheneve
October 7, 2014
Success is the Word: A Look at QuickBooks Accountant Desktop 2015
Intuit’s Small Business vision remains at the core of its business, as it continues to connect small business owners and accountants through the QuickBooks Cloud.
October 7, 2014
5 Technologies to Develop More Business for Your Firm
Every day, new technology services are being launched that help professional services firms better engage with prospects and clients in cost effective ways. Filtering through all the possibilities and effectively leveraging the technologies is becoming key to firms’ success. While not all inclusive, here are a few focus areas to maximize the impact of your...…
October 1, 2014
By the Numbers: What We Do With Our Leisure Time
Have you taken a vacation this year? Will you end the year with unused vacation time? If you go on vacation, do you check your email or take business-related calls?