The Tech Gap

A Little Birdie Told Me ....

The rumor mill was in full swing last week at the 2006 New Jersey Accounting, Business & Technology Show Here are some observations and "chirpings" that I've been hearing:

INUIT LACERTE is set to roll out a "premium" version of their DMS. The premium versionwill add ONLINE backup automatically for the entire DMS database. If a practitioner were to fully utilize the DMS system they could effectively backup nearly all their client files --- overnight and automaticallyI I wonder if Thomson Creative Solutions' FileCabinet CS (the grand daddy product in this space) will follow suit ... ? Note: [I can personally guarantee you that it HAS been discussed out in Dexter!!]

MORE INTUIT: I keep hearing rumors that several (three, four, five?) vendors have been selected as authorized third-party ASP hosters for QuickBooks and that Intuit will soon announce some sort of endorsement and/or special support for "the chosen". I wonder what the QB OnLine team thinks of THAT idea ..... ?

GO FILE ROOM was at the show but pretty much without any Thomson markings. If I didn't know for sure they'd been acquired, I sure wouldn't have guessed it by their presence at this show. I wonder how soon the "transformation" will begin ....?

WIZSOFT --- the most poorly named software since BOCDIP was acquired and immediately rechristened ProSystem Scan, made their U.S. debut (to our profession anyway) at the Meadowlands. Very interesting product set, especially in the Sox 404 world in which we seem to have found ourselves. They claim an 80% market share in their native Israel. Nice people ... I wonder if we'll see them at more shows?

CCH PROSYSTEM FX --- I took an attendee to their booth to facilitate him looking at ProFX Tax and was amazed to find that no one at the show was familiar with the product and that they didn't even have it loaded on their demo computers! Oh, BTW --- we asked a half dozen booth workers and watched (it was pretty amusing) as they scurried around askind EACH OTHER if anyone was familiar the product. They were all interested in showing us the other CCH products --- of which there are many --- but none knew the core application. I wonder what sort of planning goes into selecting booth staff up in Riverwoods?

On to Orlando next week, then LA the following week, and finally on to Austin for TECH2006 the week following that. Look for a lot more "chirpings" coming up!

gll

Live from the NJ Accounting, Business & Technology Show

Russell Flagg is the show manager of the currently running NJ and upcoming CA CPA Technology shows. I visited with Russell about a very successful opening day here at the Meadowlands in New Jersey. Click below to listen in to our short conversation (~7 minutes) regarding what seems different about this years' attendees and what's coming up in Los Angeles on June 5th and 6th.

gll




MP3 File

Double Your Productivity

Last week I visited DoubleSight Displays Director of Marketing, Steve Rhee about the ways dual screen solutions can enhance the efficiency in your practice as you move to a less-paper environment. Dual-screen monitors are a surefire way to increase the overall productivity in your firm by 20 to 50%.

Make sure to listen for a special code given at the end of this blogcast where you can save money on a 17″ (Regular Price: $1,099; Special Podcast Price: $899) or 19″(Regular Price: $1399; Special Podcast Price: $1,174) dual screen solution and receive free shipping and a free video card by ordering online at www.doublesight.com before June 30, 2006.




MP3 File

Thomson Tax & Accounting Partners With The CPA Technology Advisor To Offer Productivity Survey

It seems odd to blog a press release in which you're quoted --- but that's exactly what's happening here. But, this is interesting news and important to practitioners of public accounting so ... read on

NEW YORK – May 2006 – Thomson Tax & Accounting, a business of The Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC; TSX: TOC), has announced it will sponsor The CPA Technology Advisor’s Productivity Survey—the accounting industry’s premiere productivity assessment tool—through 2008. The ongoing project evaluates firms’ productivity by measuring the types of technology that accounting firms are adopting and the extent to which they are using it effectively.

In an effort to specifically explore the relationship between technology and productivity for practicing accountants, The CPA Technology Advisor developed the survey and launched it in 2005. Comparative data helps firms evaluate their productivity levels, compare their productivity with other accounting firms and improve productivity based on best practice technology processes.

“Thomson Tax & Accounting is excited to partner with The CPA Technology Advisor in presenting the productivity survey,” said Roy M. Martin, Jr., president and CEO of Thomson Tax &  Accounting. “TTA has long encouraged accounting, tax and financial professionals to implement technology that will enhance productivity and profitability. This survey helps them identify technology practices to improve their bottom-line. We are pleased to sponsor this effort.”

“Practicing accountants know the value of measuring and tracking important metrics for their clients. We encourage those same professionals to measure and track the technology adaptations that can enhance their own practice's productivity and profitability,” said Gregory L. LaFollette, CPA.CITP, executive editor of The CPA Technology Advisor.

The survey is free and consists of approximately 50 questions related to professional practice standards, office processes, backup procedures, paperless office technologies, connectivity and general technology utilization. After completing the survey, firms receive a Productivity Score along with recommendations for additional technology adoptions to enhance productivity. With objective comparative data, the survey reveals a strong positive correlation between technology implementation and accounting firms' productivity and profitability. Approximately 1,000 firms have submitted data to receive their productivity score since the project’s launch. Thomson Creative Solutions—a leading provider of integrated software and services systems to practicing accountants—led the initiative for Thomson Tax & Accounting’s sponsorship of the project. To take the survey, please visit www.CreativeSolutions.Thomson.com/productivity.

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective VARs?

Sage Software's Insights 2006 has drawn over 3,100 attendees to the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Conference Center in Nashville, Tennessee. True to the spirit of "Music City" Sage choose to warm the audience with a 45 minute set of driving rock music -- mostly reminiscent of the 60s and 70s --- and highlighted by the "Briefcase Blues Brothers" whose parody and obvious talent were loudly appreciated by the crowd. Their act ended with a sun glass-clad Ron Verni joining them in a not particularly well choreographed dance number that quickly brought the cheering crowd to their feet. Never one to waste time Verni soon quieted the group as he outlined the upcoming conference schedule, making special note of keynoter Steven Covey. Verni's message, "Our Seven Commitments", was particularly well-organized this year --- a tribute perhaps to Covey's best-seller "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People". The "commitments" Verni spoke of were:

Commitment 1 - to Small Medium Business
Commitment 2 - to Speed of the Customer
Commitment 3 - to Services
Commitment 4 - to Complete Solutions
Commitment 5 - to Presenting One Face to Our Customers
Commitment 6 - to Being Customer Connected
Commitment 7 - to YOU

The delivery was freshly energized, the numbers updated, the announced acquisitions different, but the message was consistent with prior years: Verni reiterated his company's pledge to continue serving the SMB market. He also announced the acquisition of MasterBuilder from Intuit and the rollout of Peachtree Quantum, designed to hold more upper-end users in the Sage “family” as they approach readiness for MAS 90 or 200.

More to come later …..

gll

40 Under 40 Awards to Recognize Professional Leaders of Tomorrow

The CPA Technology Advisor, The NSA Technology Advisor and The CSEA Technology Advisor have introduced the “40 Under 40” program designed to recognize the future leaders in the professions of public accounting and professional tax preparation. Anyone may make nominations by visiting www.cpata.com/40under40 and filling out the online submission form. Deadline for submission is June 20, 2006.

A nearly generation-wide gap in professionals in both fields has made identification of these new leaders crucial, as the “old guard” that helped to usher technology into the accounting profession prepare to close out their careers. The new leaders will help guide the profession through the coming decades and the technological changes that develop. They also will serve as the mentors for future generations of practitioners.

To be eligible for recognition in the “40 Under 40” program, an individual must be actively working in the public accounting or professional tax preparation fields, or be in a position such as academia or software development that is helping to serve and shape the future of these professions. These individuals must not have reached their 40th birthday as of Aug. 31, 2006. We will be recognizing the recipients of this honor in the September 2006 issue.

gll

Is RIDING a bull different from SHOOTING the bull?

AN OPEN LETTER TO MY FELLOW CITP CREDENTIAL HOLDERS:

TECH 2006 - the AICPA's Information Technology Conference - is like no other conference you'll attend.

Why?

TECH 2006 has content designed just for YOU - the CITP. No where else will you find our brand of educational sessions, beneficial networking, and yes, even a mechanical bull - but more about the bull later.

Held June 11-14 in Austin, this year's conference promises to the best ever. Known worldwide as "The Live Music Capital of the World," you'll want to experience everything Austin has to offer, but let's start by telling you about what's in store.

CITP Bonus Session: "Deploying COBIT 4.0" with Daniel Casciano/Ernst & Young
Held at 3:45 p.m. on Sunday, June 11, this free pre-conference session is only available to CITPers - and no one else. We designed this topic to present the latest information about COBIT from one of the foremost authorities, Daniel Casciano of Ernst & Young. Again, this is content just for credential holders!

IT Town Hall: Sunday, June 11
Directly following the COBIT Session, the IT Town Hall is your opportunity to find out what's new with the CITP credential, as well as have an open dialog about future enhancements. This open forum also is an ideal time to meet your fellow CITPs to develop relationships and share information.

You're Surrounded by CITPs
Have you ever been in a room where most everyone around you had the same background and experience - in other words, a gold mine of networking? That's TECH 2006, where you'll find more CITPs congregating than at any other conference you'll attend. This goes way beyond just exchanging business cards. We're talking about the best networking you will find in this three-day timeframe. Not only will you walk away with more friends than before; you'll go home with a new set of expert resources you can call on at any time in the future. How often can you say that?

Presenters are Also CITPers
We truly have strength in numbers. At last count, 13 presenters, including me, hold the CITP credential. Even though we were asked to speak at TECH 2006 based on our enhanced knowledge of accounting and technology, the presence of this many CITPers as speakers is a clear sign that those who hold the credential know what they are talking about. Speakers include:

David Cieslak
Bob Gaby
Mike Harnish
Mike Johnston
Roman Kepczyk
Lisa Kianoff
Kevin Martin
Rick Richardson
Tim Shortsleeve
Diana Spurgus
Val Steed
Chaim Yudkowsky

Tuesday Night "CITP Sponsored" Reception: June 13
Prepare yourself for a night in Austin where you'll get away from the hotel to kick back, eat some great barbeque, and enjoy the open-air venue of Maggie Mae. The CITP credential is the exclusive sponsor of this reception and we expect all CITPs to show up for a rollicking good time. Cowboy hats optional.

Reach out to Attendees to Promote the CITP
As the last two years have shown, TECH 2006 has proven to be the place that CPAs come to learn about and apply for the CITP Credential. I want to remind you that YOU are the best ambassadors for the CITP credential, and without you, we would not have the strength and momentum that is keeping the CITP as a very important part of our profession.
* You'll have a special ribbon on your name tag that identifies you as a CITP. Wear it proudly, and when you meet non-credential holders, tell them about the CITP and its benefits.
* The AICPA IT Section and CITP Credential will have a 20 X 20 booth this year, with half of it dedicated to a CITP Networking Lounge. Feel free to have your CITP-interested colleagues meet you at Booth #100 to learn more about the credential and apply.
* "Why Become a CITP?" will be held Tuesday morning, June 13. One of the early morning sessions, this one focuses solely on the credential's benefits. As a CITP, we want you to tell other CPAs about the session and encourage them to attend.

Now to the mechanical bull ... I promise you that if we are able to sign up 100 new CITPs during TECH 2006, you'll see me ride a mechanical bull. Is this a dream or reality? You decide and make it happen!

See you at TECH 2006.

Sincerely (and in training for the bull),

Gregory L. LaFollette, CPA.CITP
Chair, CITP Credential Committee