Accounting technology news and resources

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February 1, 2020

The easy way to join text in Excel

If you have Excel 2019 or Excel 365, you can use the function TEXTJOIN to quickly join text in one cell and separate the text with any delimiter, even if you have many rows or columns of data to join.

February 1, 2020

Replace Excel errors using this function

IFERROR can be used to eliminate formula errors and replace those errors with something else.

January 21, 2020

How firms are delivering value with audit data analytics

Here’s how auditors can prepare themselves for this work, and what they need to explain to audit committees as they incorporate analytics into engagements.

January 20, 2020

A farewell chat with Tech Q&A author J. Carlton Collins

J. Carlton Collins, CPA, talks about how he came up with the hundreds of technology topics he covered, how he became a good writer, and how he feels about ending his run with our most popular column.

January 14, 2020

Use IFS function to calculate letter grades in Excel

Added by Microsoft in 2016, the IFS function replaces the need for multiple nested IF statements. You can put all your conditions (percentage grade cutoffs in this example) in one function, making it easier to follow.

January 1, 2020

2 simple ways to visualize data

Supplementing spreadsheet data with visual representation aids the user in identifying trends and patterns that may not be evident otherwise.

January 1, 2020

2020s vision: Tech transformation on tap

Data analytics, blockchain, artificial intelligence, and other technologies will drive big changes in the accounting profession over the next 10 years. Are you ready for what’s next?

January 1, 2020

Sick of emailing it in? Check out Slack and Teams

A treatment for our email affliction is emerging in the form of collaboration applications, most notably Slack and Microsoft Teams.

January 1, 2020

5 tips for effective remote meetings

Reliable communication is a key component in enabling remote working arrangements.

January 1, 2020

Practitioners need a written information security plan

The IRS places fresh emphasis on tax preparers’ responsibilities under the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act safeguards rule.

December 1, 2019

Zapier: From IFTTT ‘weird’ to ‘wonderful’ in a ZAP

A monthly look at applications, gadgets, and other technology that can improve a CPA’s job and life.

December 1, 2019

Ask the expert: Technology

Aaron Harris has more than 25 years of high-tech engineering experience in business applications and software development strategies. As Sage’s Global CTO, he is responsible for Sage’s technology and product vision.

December 1, 2019

The 4 best technologies for CPAs

J. Carlton Collins, CPA, outlines the four technologies he thinks CPAs should be using.

December 1, 2019

Should CPAs embrace 5G?

Fifth generation (5G) wireless communication technology beats 4G in at least three key areas — speed, bandwidth, and efficiency. Let’s take a brief look at each.

December 1, 2019

How to keep your laptop battery in good health

Most of today’s laptop computers and gadgets run on lithium-ion batteries, which last longer if you keep them cooler.

December 1, 2019

Independence and information systems services

A recently issued independence interpretation contains guidance for CPAs’ interactions with attest clients’ information systems.

December 1, 2019

What to expect in 2020

CPAs are likely to proceed with caution next year amid unpredictable external forces. But technological innovation seems certain to continue its forward march.

December 1, 2019

Robotic process automation for tax

See what “bots” can do for tax practices and departments.

November 26, 2019

California proposes guidance for privacy law

The California attorney general’s office is seeking feedback on proposed regulations on the California Consumer Privacy Act, which will become the nation’s toughest data privacy law when it goes into effect Jan. 1.

November 6, 2019

The tech trends we’ll see in 2020 and beyond

2020 is not far away, and that means major changes related to technology are coming at us fast. The tech-focused founder of a consulting firm provides a preview.