Q I prefer to use keyboard shortcuts rather than break my workflow and lift my fingers from the keyboard to maneuver the mouse. Now that I’ve switched to Windows 7, what are some of the keyboard shortcuts I can use there? A I agree, the mouse should be used only
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Information management and technology assurance
Retain Clients and Help Them Recover
The economy may be on the road to recovery, but typical clients still face uncertainty. Recently, I asked a friend how business was going, and he dryly responded that even the customers who have no intention of paying are not buying. Not all of your clients may be struggling this
Most Companies Actively Preparing for XBRL, Survey Shows
A majority of U.S. public companies that plan to file their financial statements in XBRL are actively preparing to do so and have at least a basic knowledge of the extensible business reporting language, according to a survey by the AICPA and XBRL US. The “XBRL Preparedness Survey,” conducted online
Get Results: Specific Steps to Process Improvement
Editor’s note: This is a Web-exclusive sidebar for “Get Results: Improve Your Accounting Firm Processes Using Lean Six Sigma,” Jan. 10. Previous attempts by Rea & Associates to develop consistent procedures didn’t always result in the most successful, efficient or effective processes. Instead, 11 offices did things 11 ways
Got a Mouse? Then Disable Your Touchpad
Q: My main computer is a laptop, and it has a built-in touchpad. However, I prefer my wireless mouse, and the touchpad has become a major nuisance. Every time my hand accidentally brushes over the pad, my cursor moves abruptly. Can I disable the pad, and, if so, how?
Speed Up the Display of Large Complex Documents on Your Screen With Draft Fonts
Q: I work on very large, complex documents—100 or more pages—and they seem to take forever to open on the screen. Is there some way to speed up the display process? A: If you’re willing to occasionally and temporarily forgo their display of graphics and some typographic dingbats (bullets and
Community Service in Down Economic Times
The stress of economic hardship can cloud corporate priorities. As a result, corporate citizenship activities may suffer at a time when the help is most sorely needed. Accounting firms and other businesses may lose sight of the fact that these volunteer activities make a positive difference in the community at
CPAs in an Aging Society: When Alzheimer’s Disease Affects a Client
Jack is agitated. He has been a client for 10 years, and is now 80 years old. He lost his wife of 40 years a year ago. At your last meeting six months ago, Jack was engaged and paid close attention. Today, he is easily distracted. While he has
Get Results: Improve Your Accounting Firm Processes Using Lean Six Sigma
Poor processes directly affect client service and client satisfaction. You see it in delays in completing jobs, responding to client requests, or when a partner fails to communicate a piece of client-related information, causing an unnecessary mistake down the line. Inefficient processes can result in your firm’s inability to bill
Use the Spike to Remove, Store and Move Parts of a Document to Different Locations
Q: One of the old-timers in my firm told me about a Word function called the Spike. He says it works like Clipboard, but even better. How does it work? A: Years ago most business offices had an old-fashioned paper holder on some desks. It consisted of a long nail-like
Return the Run Menu to Its Start Position
Q: What happened to the Run menu? I recently upgraded from my beloved XP to Windows 7, and when I went to access one of my favorite tools, Run, I discovered it was gone, busted, missing. What’s going on? I want my Run back. A: Worry not. It’s there.
To Create Macros in Word 2007, Initiate the Developer Tab in the Ribbon
Q: I just loaded Word 2007, and now I want to create macros. But I can’t find a way to access the macro tools. Please help. A: They are there. But to access them, you first have to load a tab that, by default, is missing in the Ribbon—the Developer
It’s Time to Split
Q: I have a large Excel worksheet, and I find it difficult to compare data in different parts of the worksheet. Is there a good option for achieving this goal? A: Excel 2007 and 2010 contain two Split tools, which allow you to quickly split the Excel worksheet horizontally, vertically,
How to Prevent Selected Paragraphs From Getting Separated in a Document
Q: Certain paragraphs in documents I prepare need to be next to each other. But when I edit the document, sometimes it repaginates, and those sections slip apart. How do I guarantee that they will remain together? A: In Word 2007, be sure you’re in the document and in the
Shortcuts
Outlook: For a fast way to enter future dates and times in Outlook forms, tab to the New Appointment date and time fields, and, if the date is three weeks in the future, go to Start time and type 3 w (with or without a space between 3 and w)
Technology Is a Cornerstone of Successful CPA Firms
High-performing firms include technology in their strategic plans and leverage those tools to help them succeed in areas such as client service, practice management and staffing, according to a survey by Opinion Research Center commissioned by CCH. The survey included quantitative interviews with 100 partners at firms ranging in size
Guidelines Aimed at Thwarting ID Theft, Security Breaches Unveiled
Responding to concerns about identity theft and security breaches linked to portable devices, the AICPA and the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants have expanded Generally Accepted Privacy Principles to include protocols for securing personal information. The AICPA/CICA Generally Accepted Privacy Principles are recognized by the IRS and other organizations. The
Format Excel to Color Negative Percentages in Red
Q How do you format negative numbers, including percentages, to show as red in Excel? A There are a couple of possibilities, but your best option is to use Conditional Formatting. In Excel 2003, begin by selecting the cells you want to format. Then select Conditional Formatting from the Format
2009 Tax Software Survey
The JofA and The Tax Adviser conducted a survey of their readers to determine what aspects of their tax preparation software they like and what they dislike. The survey, which received 9,776 responses, was carried out in late June and early July 2009. Of the 13 products identified for the
Don’t Skimp on Scanners
Another tax season is coming and with it come renewed vows of “going paperless”—or at least going in that direction. The CPAs who have gone completely paperless—scanning in the beginning of the process, using triple monitors so the third screen replaces the physical source docs and essentially never touching a
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Are you ready for the AI revolution in accounting? This JofA Technology Q&A article explores the top risks CPAs face—from hallucinations to deepfakes—and ways to mitigate them.
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