Q Although I upgraded to Office 2007 soon after Windows 7 came out, many of my clients and colleagues are still using Office 2003. As a result, they often can’t open my Word or Excel files. So I try to remember to save all the files I share with them
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Information management and technology assurance
The F8 Key Adds a Sophisticated Assist When You Need to Highlight Text in Word
Q I once read that the F8 key provides a better way to custom-select text you want to copy, delete or just format. But I can’t figure out how to do it. Can you help? A Sure, in fact it’s one of my favorite shortcuts. As you know, the basic
Windows Explorer Renames Multiple Files in One Fell Swoop
Q I have a large group of files, all with different names, that relate to one subject. I’d like to rename all of them with the same name, but I also want to give them individual identifiers—such as Money Smith (1), Money Smith (2), etc. I really don’t want to
Adjust the Size of Desktop Icons With a Spin of the Mouse Wheel
Q I sure would like to be able to customize the size of my Windows 7 Desktop icons. Do you know how I can do that? A The icons in the Desktop’s toolbar can be adjusted to either large or small—but nothing in between (see screenshot below). The default
Shortcuts
+ E: Opens the Explorer Window. + D: Toggles between the Desktop and returns you to the last open screen. + L: Locks your computer. + F1: Displays the Windows Help menu. + Pause: Displays the System Properties dialog box. + U: Displays the Utility Manager with accessibility options:
Grow and Thrive
What are you doing to grow your practice? How can you help your clients become more profitable? Use the following tips to redefine the services you provide clients, and look for additional opportunities to develop new revenue sources: —By Alexandra DeFelice (adefelice@aicpa.org), a JofA senior editor, based on a presentation
Financial Accounting Foundation to Maintain XBRL Taxonomy for U.S. GAAP
The Financial Accounting Foundation announced it will take on responsibility for the ongoing maintenance of the XBRL U.S. GAAP Financial Reporting Taxonomy. Its activities will focus on updating the taxonomy for changes in U.S. GAAP, best practices in taxonomy extensions, and technical enhancements. The taxonomy is a list of computer-readable
How to Get Those Vanished Tabs at the Bottom of an Excel Workbook to Reappear
Q Every now and then the tabs at the bottom of an Excel workbook disappear. I don’t know what I did to cause that to happen, and I can’t figure out how to get the tabs to reappear. Please help. A Any number of things can trigger that disappearing act—
Avoiding Common Errors of XBRL Implementation
Following three years of voluntary XBRL submissions, the SEC’s mandatory requirements for XBRL financial report submissions began phasing in June 15, 2009. As with any new process, companies can easily underestimate the challenges posed by this complex reporting technology and make mistakes along the way. This article describes common errors
Improve Tax Tracking With Automated Workflow
“Why should we change the way we track tax work through the office? Isn’t the manual system better?” I have heard these types of questions many times over the years, and it never surprises me because accountants, like many of us, don’t like change. Firms that use a manual system
Client Portals: A Secure Alternative to E-Mail
Federal and state laws continue to get stricter about maintaining the security of clients’ Social Security numbers. Accountants in Massachusetts and Nevada are required to encrypt e-mails that contain clients’ personally identifiable information, and several states have similar legislation pending. Client portals—secure online storage areas—offer an alternative to e-mail for
What’s New for CPAs in Office 2010
Microsoft has updated one of the most important tools in the accountant’s tool kit, Microsoft Office. This article describes the features in the new versions of Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook that are likely to be most important to CPAs when Office 2010 is released in June. Each module
Program Word to Identify the Last Person Who Reviewed a Memo
Q In our firm, various partners frequently review client memos, and it would be very useful if we could identify the last person on the network who worked on the document. Is there a way to do that? A Yes, both Word 2003 and 2007 can do it. In Word
Add the File and Path to a Document or Worksheet So You Can Find It Easier Later
Q When I review a paper copy of a worksheet or a document that I prepared some time ago, I’m forever searching around my computer for where I saved it on my hard drive. Is there a way to automatically insert the name and path of the document so it
The Power of the New Multifunction Calculator in Windows 7
Q I’ve always been a critic of Windows Calculator. Is the calculator in Windows 7 any better? A Yes, it’s much more functional than the earlier version. For example, no longer will you need to turn to Excel to calculate the number of days, weeks, months or years between two
Shortcuts for Windows 7
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
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?
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