For credit unions, having a unified board of directors is critical for upholding their cooperative principles and fulfilling their commitment to members. But facilitating clear communication and document sharing between executives and the board is often easier said than done. Too many credit unions still rely on unsecured methods like email to distribute board materials […]
Resource Category: Blogs & Articles
6 Tips for Seamless and Secure Board Communication for Credit Unions
For credit unions, facilitating clear communication and document sharing between the executive team and board of directors is critical for staying aligned on the organization’s vision and fulfilling its commitment to members. But many still rely on emails – something that poses significant security risks. That’s why forward-thinking credit unions are turning to secure document […]
Top Cybersecurity Tips for Credit Unions in 2025
Cybersecurity threats are escalating rapidly. In 2025 and beyond, it’s critical to stay ahead of hackers, ransomware attacks, and data breaches that can cripple operations and erode member trust. SmartVault recently partnered with CUbroadcast for an informative webinar covering the latest cybersecurity best practices. The webinar featured Luke Kiely, SmartVault’s Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) […]
5 Reasons Accounting Firms Need a Cloud Document Management System
For modern accounting firms, providing exceptional client service while maintaining rigorous security and compliance standards is the key to success. Clients today are tech-savvy and expect 24/7 access to their documents and anytime communication with your team. At the same time, going paperless is becoming essential for increasing efficiency. The answer? Implementing a robust, cloud-based […]
3 Tips to Improve the Client Experience & Make This Year’s New Clients Recurring Ones
Increasing competition among accounting professionals is forcing many of them to shift focus from attracting new CPA clients to retaining existing ones. This is because a small increase in retention rates can greatly affect a company’s profitability. So, how do you retain your clients as a CPA? Well, the key to this is simple – […]
CISO Shares Tips for Keeping Your Community Bank’s Data Secure
Cybercrime is a growing concern for the business community as a whole, but the community banking industry in particular. The average bank encounters about 85 cyberattacks every year, and the consequences of a breach can be dire. Consider the following sobering statistics: Financial institutions are 300x more likely to be targeted for cyberattacks The average […]
What are the benefits financial institutions have when they go digital?
As financial institutions stand at the digital crossroads, the move toward digitization promises transformative benefits. This pivotal shift addresses the growing demand for more accessible, efficient, and secure banking services. By embracing the digital era, these institutions can not only streamline their operations but also enhance the customer experience, offering personalized and innovative solutions that […]
6 Tips for Managing Heavy Workloads and Preventing Burnout During Tax Season
There’s no doubt that tax season is one of the most stressful times for accountants. This is why it should come as no surprise that overwork is the main contributor to burnout. Accountants have the rest of the year to recover, right? The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) lists burnout as the number-one […]
Tips to Remove Document Organization from Your List of Remote Work Headaches
Working on a remote team comes with enough headaches, from connection issues during virtual meetings to unresponsive colleagues, but managing documents shouldn’t be one of those headaches. Keeping documents organized in your business is crucial for effective collaboration and success, especially when it comes to dispersed teams. Staying organized may sound easy, but difficulties are […]
How to Attract ‘Digital-First’ Customers at Your Financial Institution with Document Management
Attracting and retaining customers at financial institutions requires meeting their expectations for convenience and tech – and their expectations are high. They want anywhere, anytime access and the ability to open accounts and apply for loans without stepping foot in a branch. This is especially true for Gen Z (born in 1997-2012). They’re the first […]
Streamline Loan Origination with Digital Documents and Portals
The loan origination process is filled with friction for your employees and borrowers. From lengthy paper applications to tracking down documents, the process feels antiquated in our digital world and often leaves people frustrated. A document management system and client portal, however, can quickly transform the clunky time-consuming process into a streamlined digital one. Download […]
How Making the Move to the Cloud Will Streamline Your Tax Practice
Although the accounting profession continues to debate adopting new tech like AI, the cloud—previously a bone of contention among accounting and finance professionals itself—has finally been accepted by the industry. More CPAs than ever are benefiting from the cloud. Although the exact numbers vary depending on which source you read, estimates suggest that at least […]
Accounting Pros Share Tips for Tech Adoption and Client Collaboration
It’s 2024, and CPAs across the United States are looking for strategies to achieve their priorities for their accounting firms while balancing the stress of tax season. For many, improving client communication remains at the top of the list of first concerns. If you’ve been thinking about how to enhance communication with clients at your […]
How to Go Digital: The Ultimate Guide for Financial Institutions
How to Protect Your Firm From the “New Client Scam” Targeting Tax Pros
Each year, it seems like fraudsters find new, creative ways to try and scam accountants and their clients out of their refunds, financial information, and, well, whatever they can get their hands on. And this year is no different: Before the tax season even started, the IRS reported an increase in a worrisome new scam. […]
Four Tips to Build a Security Culture
We know that robust cybersecurity programs are crucial. What’s equally important – and often overlooked – though, is communicating your program to your staff and clients. You can have the strongest cybersecurity program, but the simple fact of the matter is: if no one knows their roles or follows your policies, your business will be […]
How to Develop Your Infrastructure to Scale Your Firm
It’s a new year, and while that means another tax season is upon us, it also means a renewed sense of energy and interest in the goals you envision achieving this year. For many accounting firm leaders, one objective that’s top of mind is growth—that is, more clients, a bigger team, more lines of service, […]
FAQ: SmartVault Academy
Whether you’re a new user or have been a SmartVault customer for years, SmartVault Academy has something for everyone. Going through the Academy tutorials and courses is the best way for you and your team to fully leverage SmartVault’s powerful document management and workflow capabilities. Here, we’ll answer some common questions about SmartVault Academy, including […]
Six Reasons Your Credit Union Needs a Cloud-Based Document Management System
This should not be a surprise: Today’s consumers expect seamless digital banking – an experience that balances convenience with a human touch. One that brings the fellowship of your local branch into the digital age and lets you meet your members anytime, anywhere while staying true to your roots. Equally important is providing your employees […]
3 Simple Tips for Navigating Accounting Technology Noise
Picture this (likely familiar) scenario: You open your email and see that a news source you subscribe to has a story about a phone or insurance company that’s announced a data breach. The company says they’re working on cleaning it up, and that while some people’s information may be compromised, don’t worry, it’s not that […]