Institute’s New Web Site to Include Easier Search and Navigation

The AICPA will launch a new Web site at www.aicpa.org, following the traditional busy season in April 2010, to meet the goal outlined in its fiscal years 2009–2011 strategic plan calling for “a leading-edge technology solution for communicating with members.”

The new site has been rebuilt as a result of extensive member research, which showed members wanted a better search function, easier navigation, more timely news and a seamless experience across all AICPA Web sites. They wanted, among other things, RSS feeds, videos, member-exclusive content, comprehensive help support, account management and customization.

For example, the search engine will provide quick and accurate results and dynamic navigation, helping visitors browse by advanced criteria to yield specific results, such as “article,” “video” or “practice guide.”

A single sign-on, set up through member profiles, will allow members to access AICPA-related sites and pages for which they may need a username and password AICPA.org, CPA2Biz.com, enrollment and account management. Once the username and password are entered upon visiting the site, a member will be able to access all pages requiring a username and password that he or she is eligible to view.

AICPA News will pull together important information from various other pages on the site to give users a quick view of current accounting and professional issues. It also will feature the “Chair’s Column” (formerly in The CPA Letter), videos and selected resources for CPAs.

The technology will provide members with a broad range of methods for interacting with the Institute and for seeking and receiving crucial information, including RSS feeds. Social media networking will provide easy access to the AICPA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Visitors will have access to live, chat-based, online help during business hours. Online support will be provided 24/7 through a Web-based bank of written answers to users’ common questions.