Click here to download a sample win-win agreement spreadsheet, applicable to managers. Also read, “Retaining Top Talent Still a Requirement for Firms,” by Heidi Brundage, CPA, and Mark Koziel, CPA.
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TOPICS
Information management and technology assurance
Shortcuts That Don’t Clutter the Desktop
Q: I love those handy icon shortcuts that launch applications and files. In fact, I’m so addicted to them I find it hard to resist adding just one more to my desktop. As a result, I end up with so much on the desktop that my shortcuts get lost in
Retaining Top Talent Still a Requirement for Firms
For years, finding and retaining staff were the top two concerns of management at public accounting firms. But when the economy soured, client retention quickly became the top issue for CPA firms of all sizes, according to the 2009 PCPS CPA Firm Top Issues Survey, a biennial survey of public
Employee Involvement: A New Blueprint for Success
When it comes to improving employee retention and increasing profitability, my firm, San Francisco-based Eichstaedt & Devereaux, believes that investing in and developing our future leaders builds the foundation for success. Instead of top-down firm management, we use a grass-roots employee involvement program to engage employees in the firm’s business.
Prevent Payroll Errors
Payroll mistakes can be costly. Laws taking effect this year, including the Paycheck Fairness Act and Working Families Flexibility Act, and initiatives such as the IRS’ National Research Program and OSHA’s recordkeeping National Emphasis Program, can result in fines and penalties for errors or noncompliance. The following tips can help
Just Ask, and Windows 7 Can Tell You What Day of the Week It Is
Q: It has always puzzled me that the little digital clock tucked into a corner in the extreme right side of the system tray only shows the time and the date. If I want to know what day of the week it is, which I would find very helpful, I’ve
A Quick Workaround to Create a Name and Address Format for Letters and Envelopes
Q: When I was using Office 2003, I could pull up the names and addresses of clients and business associates from Outlook’s Contacts, and then with just a few more clicks I could prepare the fully formatted data to address letters and envelopes. But I can’t find that feature in
Reader Correction
David Curbo, a CPA with Cannon & Co., Memphis, Tenn., corrected an error in the “Shortcuts” item in the January 2010 column (page 68), where I described a fast way to schedule future dates and times in Outlook’s calendar. I said that, while it would easily schedule future days and
Project Planning and IT Considerations During an IFRS Conversion Project
This free white paper, “Financial System Considerations in IFRS Conversion Projects,” is provided by the AICPA’s IT Section of the Specialized Communities/Firm Practice Management Group and includes: High level discussion of potential system impacts during an IFRS conversion Highlighting key differences between IFRS and US GAAP as well as
SBA Warns Small Businesses of Scams to Help Obtain Government Loans
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) warned that the agency has received several complaints from small businesses about abusive marketing practices, scams and exorbitant fees charged by companies offering to help businesses get a loan, grant or other federal funds from the SBA. Complaints received by the SBA’s Office of
How to Create a Super-Safe Password That’s Easy to Remember
Q I have to remember so many passwords that require all kinds of number and letter combinations. How can I create something that I can remember? A First, remember what not to do. Don’t use simple words or numbers someone might guess—your child’s name, your birthday or your anniversary date
IFRS for SMEs-U.S. GAAP Comparison Tool Available Online
While the SEC moves toward a 2011 vote on whether to require U.S. public companies to report using IFRS, a more compact version of the international standards is already an option, subject to state board approval, for U.S. private companies. Now there’s a free online tool to help preparers understand
Archive Outlook Safely, Effectively, Swiftly
Q I’ve been archiving my old Outlook files every few weeks since I loaded Outlook 2002, and now I can’t open the archive. Have I lost all those e-mails? Wasn’t I doing the right thing—keeping my old mails regularly archived—rather than leaving them in the Inbox? A Well, let’s put
How to Fix Corrupted Microsoft Office Files
Q I’m having problems with some Microsoft Office files. Some of them open very slowly, and others either don’t open or they open with terse error messages. Do you have any idea what’s going on? And what do you suggest I do about it? A There are many possibilities, but
Project Management for Accountants
Project management is a client-focused process that significantly increases the probability of providing the desired results to the client. It can help an accounting firm plan its resources more effectively and ensure that work is delivered to clients in a timely manner. The project management methodology enables an accounting firm
Technology Considerations for Converting to IFRS
Lewis A. Dulitz, vice president of accounting policies and research at Covidien—a $10.7 billion health care products company with 42,000 employees in more than 60 countries—was part of a team that implemented the necessary technology changes in Europe to help Covidien convert to IFRS and led a similar team in
Create Your Own Lookalike Office 2003 Toolbar and Add It to the Ribbon
Q I’ve just switched from Office 2003 to Office 2007, and although it’s clearly more powerful, I’m not enamored with the Ribbon. I waste loads of time in frustrating searches through its scattered maze of functions. Isn’t there some way I can keep the Office 2007 muscle but go back
Toward a (More) Paperless Tax Practice
Nearly all CPA firms prepare tax returns electronically. However, many still also use some old-fashioned methods, such as sending out tax organizers manually. Here are tips to more fully realize what it means to go paperless. First, understand and share the goal: A more efficient, digital tax process can help
Reader Input
Paul McClain, controller at the Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa, Okla., reminded me of this handy tip for those still using Office 2003: If you have files or folders you use fairly often but you do not want to clutter your desktop or your Start menu with shortcut icons, click
Small Business
Highlighting the experiences of successful entrepreneurs, the U.S. Small Business Administration, in partnership with Dell Inc., launched an online video series offering tools and strategies to help small business owners rebound from the recession and put themselves in a position to expand and create jobs. Strategies for Growth: Advice
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