Every year, the AICPA IT section produces the top 10 technology issues facing CPAs. What I like about this list is that it covers all of the issues facing all CPAs — practice, business and industry, not-for-profits, education and government.
This year’s list is all about privacy, security and internal controls. Information security made the list for its seventh year straight. I cover these in my professional issues updates for CPAs as well.
“The survey showed conclusively that protecting the data an organization is entrusted to manage is of the uymost importance,” said David M. Cieslak, CPA, CITP, GSEC, co-chairman of the Top Technology Initiatives Task Force and principal of Arxis Technology, Inc. “Much of the data collected is personal information, so it is critical that organizations proactively prevent its loss or misuse.”
Here is this year’s list:
- Information security management
- Privacy management
- Secure data file storage, transmission and exchange
- Business process improvement, workflow and process exceptions alerts
- Mobile and remote computing
- Training and competency
- Identity and access management
- Improved application and data integration
- Document, forms and content knowledge management
- Electronic data retention strategy
Another highlight was “training and competency,” which rose from number 13 to 6, reflecting a focus by CPAs integrating new technologies into their organizations for maximum efficiency and to help boost employee confidence and retain staff. I think this is even more important during this recession as we all try to do more with less.
Check out this AICPA video, which does a great job of covering these issues. This list always makes me proud to be a CPA.CITP!
Where can you turn to to deal with issue No. 6, “Training and Competency?”
Check out our upcoming schedule, which covers many of these hot topics (CPE credits):
September
- Sept. 15: Internal Control Procedures for QuickBooks Users (6) Columbia, Md.
October
- Oct. 19: QuickBooks new Features from the Accounting Perspective (8) Columbia, Md.
- Oct. 13: Technology For CPAs: Don’t Get Left Behind (new 8-hour lecture course) Columbia, Md.
November
- Nov. 5: Security for Accountants: New Legal Requirements and Practical Solutions (new 8-hour lecture course) Columbia, Md.
- Nov. 6: Word 2007 Document Technology for CPAs: New Document Designs, Formatting Collaboration and Security Features (4) Columbia, Md.
- Nov. 6: PowerPoint 2007: Creating Dynamic Financial Presentations Incorporating Data, Graphs and Diagrams (4) Columbia, Md.
- Nov. 19-20: QuickBooks 2009 Comprehensive Training (16) Columbia, Md.
- Nov. 30: Outlook 2007 New Features Update for CPAs: Client Contact, Scheduling and Communication Management (4) Columbia, Md.
- Nov. 30: Excel 2007: New Charting Features, Graphs and Diagrams (4) Columbia, Md.
December
- Dec. 4: Internal Control Procedures for QuickBooks Users (6) Columbia, Md.
January
- Jan. 7: QuickBooks new Features from the Accounting Perspective (8) Columbia, Md.
- Jan. 19: PowerPoint 2007: Creating Dynamic Financial Presentations Incorporating Data, Graphs and Diagrams (4) Columbia, Md.
- Jan. 19: Excel 2007: New Charting Features, Graphs and Diagrams (4) Columbia, Md.
- Jan. 7: QuickBooks new Features from the Accounting Perspective (8) Columbia, Md.
Or just use the search feature in our catalog to find what, when and where you need training by CPAs for CPAs.
Are there any hot topics you want us to cover? Leave your comments below.