Accounting Technology articles from November 2004

Accounting Technology archives from November 2004

The Outsourcing Revolution?(outsourcing of tax preparation services and accounting services )
November 1, 2004... On the surface, outsourcing sounds like a great way for CPA firms to provide service, cut expenses, and either raise profits on outsourced services, such as tax preparation, or at least maintain profits. But outsourcing has the potential to...

The CIO's View.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... What are issues facing the people who run technology operations at CPA firms today? You can probably guess some of the answers. But in "The CIO's' View," the people who are leading technology efforts in accounting firms tell you what is...

Need Insights?
November 1, 2004... Editor Robert Scott also writes "Consulting Insights," a free, twice-monthly electronic newsletter that addresses issues concerning the consulting and reselling market. It's insight with an attitude. If you want to subscribe, put the following...

What has been your experience with trying to go paperless in your business?(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2004... We have only started the planning process for a paperless or near paperless office and find that the culture of the firm is the biggest problem. Many of our team members just cannot pull themselves away from the paper copies; this creates...

Serenic Names Top VAR.(Serenic Software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... NonProfit Technologies, an arm of the CPA firm Massey, Porter, & DePalma, has been named Partner of the Year for 2004 by Serenic Software. NonProfit Technologies, based in West Palm Beach, Fla., was founded in 1990 and also has offices in...

Shaffer Named Principal.(David Shaffer, McLean, Koehler, Sparks & Hammond)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... David Shaffer, who heads the technology operations for McLean, Koehler, Sparks & Hammond, has been promoted to principal of the Baltimore-based CPA firm. Shaffer is also president and founder of Tier One Technology Partners, the reselling...

Solution Strategists, Eagle Merge.(Eagle Consulting Group)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Solution Strategists, a Cranford, N.J.-based Best Software reseller, has merged with Eagle Consulting Group, based in New York City. The new company will be owned by Art and Joan Nathan and Bob Herman of Solutions Strategists, and Debra...

Columbus IT Pares Loss.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Columbus IT, a Microsoft reseller with headquarters in Denmark, cut its losses for the first half ended June 30 to about $2.13 million, down more than 50 percent from $4.4 million in red ink in the first half of 2003. Meanwhile, worldwide...

McPeak Joins EDI Group.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Glenn McPeak, a former New Jersey reseller who joined Exact Software late last year, has become part of Data Masons, a company selling Vantage Point EDI. McPeak left Exact during the summer to invest in the EDI company, which has offices...

Sornson Dead.(Brief Article)(Obituary)
November 1, 2004... Dan Sornson, who headed two reselling organizations, has died. Sornson founded Sornson Associates, which later became part of First Edge/Sornson, which dissolved in 2001. He then formed another reselling firm named Accipter. Sornson...

NetSuite Trains QB Users.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... NetSuite is offering free training for users of Intuit's QuickBooks software that switch to its Internet-based NetSuite Small Business line. San Mateo, Calif.-based NetSuite says that it will offer two free seminars to QuickBooks users....

Exact Execs Quit.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... The CEO and CFO of Exact Software have resigned in an apparent dispute with founder Eduard Hagens over the direction of the software company, which markets the Macola Progression and eSynergy lines. Resigning were CEO Lucas Brentjens and...

Serenic Adds VP.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Serenic Software, which makes not-for-profit accounting software, has named Erik Kesteloot to the newly created position of vice president of client services. Although Serenic is headquartered in Lakewood, Colo., Kesteloot will be based in...

Cyma Offers Peachtree Conversion.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Cyma is offering a Peachtree Conversion Pilot Program through the end of the year for Peachtree customers who have outgrown their systems. Cyma will give Peachtree users a 50-percent discount on Cyma Software, 90 days of free technical...

Serenic Results Detailed.(Serenic Software)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Serenic Software, which was recently acquired by Vision HRM, a software company based in Edmonton, Alberta, lost $9,811 on revenue of $2.9 million for its year ended June 30. The numbers for Serenic, which was privately held, were released...

MBS Targets NFPs.(Microsoft Business Solutions)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Microsoft Business Solutions is going after the not-for-profit market with a $2 million campaign that is being funded by the company, independent software vendors, and 28 MBS software resellers. The campaign features a 34-stop road show and...

Intuit Writes Off Fundware.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Intuit, which has announced plans to sell its Fundware not-for-profit accounting line, has written off $18.7 million in impaired goodwill, relating to the purchase of the product via the acquisition of its former owner, the Flagship Group, in...

BizOne Offers ADP Payroll.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... SAP America has reached an agreement through which ADP Major Accounts Services will provide HR and payroll functions to users of SAP's Business One software. The services will be provided through an interface with ADP's payroll and HR...

Accounting Workers More Confident.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Accounting and finance workers continued to show improved job satisfaction, according to the Hudson Employment Index, while overall satisfaction declined in all areas surveyed. The number expressing positive satisfaction in September was up...

Thomson Buys Foreign Tax Law.(Thomson Tax & Accounting)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Thomson Tax & Accounting has acquired Foreign Tax Law, a company that provides information about international tax law. The publications acquired will become part of the RIA product line. Foreign Tax Law publishes Tax Laws of the World and...

Profiles Names Marketing Director.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Financial Profiles, a Carlsbad, Calif.-manufacturer of financial planning software, has named David Oates as its new marketing director. Oates previously served as strategy and planning head for the San Diego-based public relations firm...

PayCycle Offers Wholesale Package.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... PayCycle, which provides Internet-based payroll processing, has enhanced the features of its warehouse service. "We've always had the warehouse pricing," says CEO Rene Lacerte. But he adds that the company now has added MICR check writing...

Golisano Leaves Paychex.(Tom Golisano)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Paychex founder Tom Golisano has turned his jobs of CEO and president of the payroll processing firm over to Jonathan Judge, a long-time IBM executive. Golisano, a frequent political candidate, remains as chairman. He founded the company...

Petz Intros V-Tax.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Petz Enterprises has made its Internet-based V-Tax system available to tax preparers for the 2004 tax year. The company, based in Tracy, Calif, says a demo of V-Tax is available at www.petzent.com. President Leroy Petz says because V-Tax is...

CSI Adds Web Employee.
November 1, 2004... Creative Solutions has introduced Web Employee, a stand-alone product that enables the clients of accounting firms to have read-only access of electronic copies of their payroll information. The Dexter, Mich.-based company is providing...

Corrections.(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2004... A photograph that was used in the September issue of Accounting Technology was incorrectly labeled as being Richard Paul Thomas, CEO and president of TBC International. TBC, based in Salado, Texas, was named as reseller of the year for...

Web-based Tax Prep Expands Slowly.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Company Product First Tax Year Used RIA GoSystem RS 1998 CCH Global fx 2002 Petz Enterprise V-Tax 2004 With the introduction of Petz's V-Tax,...

Show Calendar.(Brief Article)(Calendar)
November 1, 2004... November 7-9 Information Technology Alliance Fall Collaborative Eden Roc Miami Beach, Fla. www.italliance.com/events/upcomingevents.htm November 7-10 RIA User Conference for Tax Professionals Sheraton San Diego ...

December's Coming Attractions.
November 1, 2004... OVERCOMING BARRIERS It's not easy to break into accounting and technology, two fields once dominated by men. Find out how women in accounting and reselling firms balance work and family. DOCUMENT MANAGEMENT GETS HOT What...

The CIO's View: CPA Technology leaders spell out the issues on their minds.(Chief information officers)(Certified public accountant)
November 1, 2004... Implementing a document management system really isn't about going paperless, and in many ways it isn't about technology, says Steve Noble, chief information officer of Larson, Allen, Weishair & Co. "We don't call it 'paperless,'" says...

Putting the W in Tax Organizers: CPAs and software vendors are encouraging clients to use Web organizers.(certified public accountant )
November 1, 2004... Rob Carmines is hoping for great things this tax season. The Newport News, Va.-based firm of Carmines, Robbins and Co. is making a big push to get clients to use Web organizers for the 2004 Tax Season. Encouraged by last year's...

Please Don't Send the Kitchen Sink.(Schaefer and Co. has trained its client Tax Notebook)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... During tax season, the Claremont, Calif.-based firm of Schaefer and Co. has trained its clients not to send them the kitchen sink. The firm believes the secret to success is CCH's Web organizer, Tax Notebook. Some firms may send the...

Lack of Demand.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Both Drake Software and Orrtax pride themselves on being customer- driven companies. And, that's why they don't offer Web-based organizers-their customers don't want them. "The majority of our customers are high-volume tax preparers, and...

Tax Software Vendors.(Directory)
November 1, 2004... ATX Caribou, Maine (800) 944-8883 www.atxinc.com CCH TAX COMPLIANCE Torrance, Calif. (800) 739-9998 www.prosystemfx.com CREATIVE SOLUTIONS Dexter, Mich. (800) 968-8900 www.creativesolutions.com DRAKE...

Fixed Assets: An Epic Story: These software tools make it easier for managers to complete their quest.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Simultaneous to the completion of this fixed asset review, the seventh and final volume of Stephen King's "The Dark Tower" book series became available in bookstores for purchase. This amazing accomplishment by the prolific horror author...

The Issue of Privacy: What you don't know can hurt you and your firm.
November 1, 2004... For accountants, the issue of privacy has grown from an internal matter of safeguarding client data to the more challenging issue of helping corporate and organizational clients maintain a firm ethical stance. "You can't practice...

A Privacy Law Scorecard.
November 1, 2004... It is not possible to quickly cover the entire legal landscape regarding privacy, particularly given that it changes almost daily as new laws are formulated and court decisions announced. Unlike the comprehensive privacy laws of other nations,...

The Privacy Framework: Spelling it Out.
November 1, 2004... The AICPA's Privacy Framework defines the role of the CPA in providing privacy services. The process is outlined this way: "If an organization collects, uses, retains, and discloses personal information, the challenge is to enhance the...

W-2s a la Carte?: There are a wide variety of products to meet accountants' needs.
November 1, 2004... It's hard to believe that there was a time not very long ago when most accountants filled out W-2 and 1099 forms by hand. Today, you would be hard pressed to find a tax preparer who has not considered using stand-alone W-2 and 1099 software or...

W-2, 1099 Vendors.(Directory)
November 1, 2004... ACCOUNTANTSWORLD Hauppauge, N.Y. (888) 999-1366 www.accountantsoffice.com ADVANCED MICRO SOLUTIONS Edmonds, Okla. (800) 536-1099 www.1099-etc.com ATX Caribou, Maine (800) 944-8883 www.atxinc.com CFS TAX...

New Products.(software industry)
November 1, 2004... MIP FUND ACCOUNTING 6.0 Version 6 of MIP Fund Accounting features a rewritten Budget module, more customization options, and enhancements to the report writer. The Budget module incorporates the ability to create an unlimited number...

Open Systems Casts a Wider Net.
November 1, 2004... Open Systems has its hands full when it comes to finding the right place for each of its partners. In the last few months, the Shakopee, Minn.-based company has announced six new elements to its reseller program. Although the company has...

Advertisers' Index - Nov. 2004.(Illustration)
November 1, 2004... Ad Appears Advertiser on page ADP Small Business Service 15 Best Software Inc 7 CCH Tax and Accounting C4 Creative Solutions C2 ...

Steven Ursillo Jr. - Watching Your Back.
November 1, 2004... Steven Ursillo Jr., principal and the director of Information Technology and Assurance Services at the West Warwick, R.I., firm of Sparrow, Johnson & Ursillo, has been protecting clients for the last ten years. Ursillo, chairman of the...

The Fast Track.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... As this Special Report is being put to bed, I have just shaken the cobwebs from my eyes having returned from a trip to England for a college reunion. I happened to meet an officer of Britain's leading insurance company, Prudential, who tells me...

Out of Options: Is Outsourcing the Answer?
November 1, 2004... Outsourcing has become a major player in the business game. And despite the anti-outsourcing rhetoric, businesses must remain profitable in today'shighly competitive global economic environment. So, why do companies outsource? 1....

Outsourced Payroll. Do it Your Way.
November 1, 2004... Outsourced payroll is undergoing a revolution. The slow, expensive, and error-prone payroll service is being replaced by an instant, automated online pricing. This service allows accountants to make money offering payroll to their small...

Costs Dramatically Reduced; Profits Increased.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... CCH's ProSystem fx Outsource service streamlines a firm's tax return processing operations by leveraging the lower cost of highly trained tax professionals offshore, thereby helping the firm cut costs by up to 60 percent. ProSystem fx...

24/7 HR Access.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Gevity Central, an online HR and payroll portal, affords the CPA access to Gevity's comprehensive business solutions, process payroll, and perform HR management functions online. The secure portal is available 24x7. Immediate access is assured...

Getting Comfy with the Web.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Web-based payroll is a growing trend that in the past had only been available to smaller companies. Recently, as larger companies have become more comfortable with, and confident in, the security of data transmission over the Internet, the...

Leading the Way.
November 1, 2004... In the last two years, tax outsourcing has become one of the fastest growing practices in the public accounting industry. As a pioneer in the field, SurePrep has experienced this first hand. Our business has grown from approximately 6,000...

Addressing the Key Needs of CPAs.
November 1, 2004... Xpitax is the creation of a U.S accounting firm seeking better ways to adapt technology to client service. The affiliated accounting firm, KAF Financial Group in Braintree, Massachusetts, has many years of experience in public accounting and...

Powerful and Simple to Use.(Time Plus Payroll Services)
November 1, 2004... Time Plus Payroll Services makes payroll simple and efficient for their clients. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, the company started in 1989 and has grown to a network of 200 offices throughout the U. S. and Canada, processing payroll for more than...

Foreign Outsourcing: What You Need to Know.
November 1, 2004... One of the hottest topics in CPA circles these days is the foreign outsourcing of tax preparation services. Many CPAs were caught off guard by the emergence and rapid adoption of foreign outsourcing over the past few years. Factor in a natural...