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
Advertisement
TOPICS
Information management and technology assurance
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?
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,
Features
SPONSORED REPORT
Get your clients ready for tax season
Help clients avoid surprises with year-end planning strategies for managing taxable income, maximizing deductions, and adjusting to OBBBA changes affecting individuals and businesses.
From The Tax Adviser
September 30, 2026
Navigating the QSBS rules in pass-through structures
September 30, 2026
Sec. 338(h)(10) elections in business acquisitions
August 31, 2026
