bile applications. According to researcher
Gartner, some 17. 7 billion applications will
be downloaded to mobile devices worldwide
by the end of the year.
Lanz, a sole practitioner and CITP, noted
that use and control of mobile devices and
their surge to the top of this year’s list is indicative of how both CPAs and businesses are
operating, or want to operate.
“As opposed to prior technologies, you
have a game-changer [with mobile devices]
as far as service delivery goes. A salesperson
is able to place an order right there with the
customer, and the same is essentially true
with a CPA firm,” said Lanz. “The ability to sit
down with a client wherever they are, rather
than having to go back to the office or rely
on the office, is huge. This is a game-changer
in how we deliver service and clients deliver
their service.”
In addition to mobile devices, the survey
also signaled that future IT issues would re-
volve around implementation of touch-screen
technology, deployment of faster networks
and voice-recognition technology.
Top Tech
FROM PAGE
1
SPREADING THE WORD
Task force co-chairman, CPA and CITP Ron
Box, chief information officer at a multi-state
construction equipment company, found that
these technology initiatives applied to CPA
firms as well as the businesses they serve. Box
specifically felt that CPAs in business and industry were in a unique position to help their
companies take advantage of these trends.
“Businesses are seeking technology advice
or cloud-based solutions.
from CPAs, and one solution to a lot of these
issues revolves around the business and industry CPA being able to provide these services internally to their employer,” said Box.
“And if I’m a CIO, I want to make sure my
company is aligning itself with everything
TOP 10 TECH
The ranking of top business-related
technology challenges that CPAs
across the country are helping clients
and executives address are, in order:
1. Control and use of mobile
devices
2. Information security
3. Data retention policies
and structure
4. Remote access
5. Staff and management training
6. Process documentation and
improvements
7. Saving and making money with
technology
8. Technology cost controls
9. Budget processes
10. Project management and
deployment of new technology
Source: AICPA
that’s relevant here. These results give us all
guidance on at least how to begin considering
these technologies that can make us more
productive and produce revenue. That’s the
overarching message here.”
Lanz also noted that the underlying mes-
sage in the findings was that CPAs and all
businesses are looking to be more efficient
and not tied to an office, but they need to do
get to its current level, but the top partners at
the firm were always supportive. Dave Free,
partner-in-charge of the firm’s Los Angeles
region, recalled when he approached the
managing partners about having dedicated
IT training that it was a quick decision.
Page
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