A Keyboard Even a CPA Could Love?
Ever wonder why the number pad on your keyboard is on the right — but the tab key is at the opposite end of the keyboard on the left?
Plucking Talent from Overseas
Steve Roth (left), managing editor at AccountingWeb.co.uk (the older sibling to the Indiana-based AccountingWeb.com) writes that “the shortage of home grown talent has led many firms to look overseas for new recruits.” He posts a piece that looks at how “continental” recruiting might help the profession’s staff shortage.
It kind of makes me wonder when U.S. firms will start hiring from overseas. And it adds a whole new dimension to issues such as outsourcing, immigration and global competition — not to mention internationalization of the CPA credential.
Top 10 Brain-Healthy Tips for Busy Season
How are you coping? Check the Stress-O-Meter.
Ahhh, busy season. For tax and audit professionals, it’s a demanding time of year, composed of late nights, early mornings, anxious clients, and, of course, deadlines, deadlines, deadlines. It’s a wonder with all the distractions and frustrations that any accountants survive.
Over the years, however, some of the most successful practitioners have learned a few things about maintaining concentration and improving motivation through the marathon. Here are a few of their tips….
Just when you get used to blogging…
… along comes “microblogging.”
Check this out: JK Harris, the founder and CEO of the nationwide chain of tax-resolution shops, is Twittering tax advice. Hat tip to Dennis Howlett (at AccManPro) for bringing it to our attention.
“Tax Season is sort of like…
“…giving birth, it’s a bitch when you’re going through it, but the horror seems to take on a rosy glow a few months later, and you forget all the blood and guts. And then you do it again, and think, ‘I remember now why I swore I would never do this again!’ But it’s too late. And there’s no epidural.”
Continue reading at Mrs CPA…
CashView renamed Bill.com, offers free service for accountants
Rene Lacerte’s new company unveils pricing — with a special deal for accountants
After helping to build QuickBooks and launching PayCycle, Lacerte (yes, that Lacerte family) is ramping up this new venture to handle payables and receivables, online, for small and mid-sized business. The application is a joy to work and the enterprise’s pedigree is as impeccable as it gets in Silicon Valley. Keep an eye on this company.
Meanwhile, here’s the special deal for accountants: Bill.com offers everyone the first month free. Then they charge $15 per user monthly, with unlimited transactions. But, for accounting professionals only, Bill.com will waive the $15/user fee, giving free usage of the Bill.com service for the accounting firm’s own financials. Clearly, they know something about cracking the accountant channel. (Hint: it’s about that favorite word, “free!”)
For the full news release: READ MORE →
Consulting for Pigeons
Rita Keller reports on the closing day of the Winning is Everything conference in Las Vegas this week with a story from consultant David Maister. He talks about the difficulty of coaching people and the critical importance of bringing them along step by step.
Read Keller’s post at David Maister — The Person…
And then visit Maister’s blog here.
Sage Names Elite Resellers
Sage Software has announced its Chairman’s Club members, representing the elite of the Sage Software Business Partner community.
Chairman’s Club membership is earned by Sage Software Business Partners that develop an exceptional level of new business with Sage Software through defined sales and marketing programs, making these the top-selling Sage Software Business Partners in North America. Chairman’s Club members receive a variety of marketing benefits and attend an annual business retreat with Sage Software executives to discuss industry issues and business strategy. Members were determined based on their performance during the company’s 2007 fiscal year, which ran from October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007.
“Chairman’s Club members represent some of our most successful business partners in North America, helping small and mid-sized businesses achieve great results with Sage Software solutions,” said Nina Smith, Sage Software president, Business Management Division. “Their hard work and dedication over the past year to achieving our mutual success has earned them this prestigious honor.” Added Doug Meyer, Sage Software president, Industry & Specialized Solutions Division, “Like Sage Software, these partners are very customer-focused, and strive to always keep their customers and their continued satisfaction in mind by implementing and maintaining exceptional business management programs for them.”
Sage Software Chairman’s Club members are:
- Accordant Company LLC
- ADSS Global
- Alliance Solutions Group
- Blytheco LLC
- CA Plus
- C I S Consulting Group
- CompuData, Inc.
- Delphia Consulting LLC
- Dresser & Associates Inc.
- ERP Visions, Inc.
- Infinity Info Systems Corporation
- JMT Consulting Group, Inc.
- MIS Group
- NFP Consultants, Inc.
- Technology Advisors, Inc.
- The Strategies Group
- United Solutions
FREE DOWNLOAD: Getting Ready for Busy Season 2008
INSTANT DOWNLOAD (PDF)
GETTING READY FOR BUSY SEASON
Outlook 2008
(7 pages)
.
The latest readings show that most accountants are well prepared for busy season, with about 30% ahead of schedule and 48% on schedule.
Meanwhile 54% are expecting better business and operations this year, compared to last year. And overwhelming majorities are looking forward to better financial results.
Still, nagging problems loom ahead, especially late or unprepared clients and late or erroneous K1s, 1099s and the like.
Some 10% of accountants are headed into busy season with new tax software, which can always cause unanticipated difficulties. Nevertheless, 24% of accountants are more than happy with their software.
Get the free 7-page report. Click here:
Is “independence” really essential?
“Independence may not be the cornerstone of audit. AICPA is looking into reliability as being the standard, particularly for small and private businesses.”
Click here to read the rest of Roman Kepczyk’s dispatch from Day 1 of the Management Summit.
