440,000 Small Businesses Set to Adopt Vista

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So, What Are YOUR Plans?

New York (AMI-Partners) – AMI’s 2006-07 survey of the United States SMB market reveals that 7% of Small Businesses and 17% of Medium Businesses expressed an interest in using Vista by years end.

This portends to a sizeable addressable market opportunity of 447,000 SMBs.

The AMI study concludes that the following factors will drive Vista adoption the most across SMBs:
– Natural PC Lifecycle – Currently SMBs replace their PCs every 3-4 years.
– Drive to Standardize OS’ for Security Purposes – Approximately 40% of SMBs cite standardizing their OS’ as a top IT priority in 2007.
– Rising Demand for Enhanced Mobility Applications/Support – Mobile workforce penetration is currently 53%, up 37% from last year.
– Leverage Enhanced Networking Functionality – Networking SW investment expected to grow with a 5 year CAGR of 7%. Read more

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Posted on January 31, 2007
Filed Under BSG MARKETPLACE - Products, Services and Vendors | Leave a Comment

Strategic Marketing: 5 Essential Steps for CPA Firms

What it takes to be competitive

Our friend and colleague Bruce W. Marcus takes note of a study performed by Suzanne Lowe and Sally Glick, and reported in Accounting Today.

Surprise! Surprise! Few firms had any formal performance measurement system for marketing leaders. No surprise, really, when you consider the state of management systems at CPA firms in general.

So how do measure a marketer? It begins by measuring the firm’s focus on five critical processes.

Read more

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Posted on January 30, 2007
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

CPAs Tackle Tough Issues With New Ideas

Innovation emerges as strong driver in professional success.

What are the toughest problems? Join the poll. See the results.

by Rick Telberg
At Large

Accounting has been an exceptionally busy profession in recent years, but contrary to that old cliché, CPAs are never too busy to think.

Indeed, as we tread deeper into this new century, CPAs are cranking their gray matter into gear, brainstorming with colleagues and reaching out to consultants to find new and better ways of doing business. More than likely they are trying to find innovative ideas for managing staff, balancing work and life, dealing with clients and making more valuable use of technology, according to the responses we’re receiving to “The Big Lesson: Get Creative.” Read more

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Posted on January 28, 2007
Filed Under BSG [CPA TRENDLINES] | 2 Comments

PR for CPA Firms: People Who Don’t Understand Today’s Journalism

When the 5W’s don’t work anymore

by Bruce W. Marcus
The Marcus Perspective
It seems that every time Marcus asserts that the world of journalism has changed, he gets berated by some old time journalist turned public relations professional… More… Read more

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Posted on January 28, 2007
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Intuit Study: Face of Small Business

10-year Forecast by Intuit and Institute for the Future Redefines the Face of Entrepreneurs

MOUNTAIN VIEW – [Intuit News Release]- The face of small business will dramatically change as seasoned baby boomers, kids fresh out of high school, mid-career women, “mompreneurs” and new immigrants come together to create the most diverse pool of entrepreneurs ever. Read more

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Posted on January 26, 2007
Filed Under BSG [CPA TRENDLINES] | Leave a Comment

9 Profit Drivers for Your CPA Firm

Do You Have the Character Traits to Succeed?

Gerald Riskin of Edge International recalls the handful of DNA markers that can predict success or failure. Read more

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Posted on January 26, 2007
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Genworth Hangs out ‘CPA Wanted’ Sign

The shy and retiring need not apply.

Genworth Financial Investment Services Inc. plans to hire 325 registered representatives this year, a 14% increase, according to Investment News. The Schaumburg, Ill.-based company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Richmond, Va.-based Genworth Financial Inc., is targeting certified public accountants for its hiring spree. About 80% percent of Genworth’s reps are accountants. Read more

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Posted on January 24, 2007
Filed Under BSG FINANCE PROFESSIONAL | Leave a Comment

So, Who Said Tax Season Was Supposed To Be Easy?

Tax pro Robert D. Flach doesn’t make it easy to do business with him.

There’s a note on the Flach website that says he won’t answer the phone, but you can leave a message on his machine. “I never answer the telephone without first screening the call via my answering machine – so don’t hang up because I may be listening (except on Wednesdays)!” On Wednesdays, he doesn’t answer at all.

He must be doing something right. He’s been at it 35 years and says he goes on vacation from April 16 to January 14, when he also turns off his phone. So don’t try to call him then, either.

But he does seem to find time to keep blogging as “The Wandering Tax Pro,” and on his “New Jersey Tax Practice Blog,” must-read for New Jersey practitioners. Read more

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Posted on January 24, 2007
Filed Under BSG [CPA TRENDLINES] | Leave a Comment

National MAP: Mergers Down. Partner Pay Up

Partner comp averages $186,000, up 16%

New York (from the AICPA) – CPA firms are experiencing strong growth with 76 percent reporting an increase in firm size in the last year, according to the just-released National Management of an Accounting Practice Survey conducted by the Private Companies Practice Section of the AICPA and the Texas Society of CPAs. Read more

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Posted on January 22, 2007
Filed Under BSG [CPA TRENDLINES] | Leave a Comment

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