What is a risk assessment for accounting firms? Simply put, it’s an appraisal of your practice’s ability to keep itself from falling prey to cybercrime. The risk assessment will help you identify, evaluate, and prioritize areas where your cybersecurity measures are leaving you vulnerable to an attack. Know What Data You Have The first step […]
Resource Category: Blogs & Articles
What is the FTC Safeguards Rule for Accountants?
There is a myriad of good reasons to ensure your accounting firm’s cybersecurity measures are as sophisticated as possible. By protecting your clients’ data, you maintain your reputation, protect their privacy, assuage their concerns about safety, and, of course, uphold the law. While cybersecurity might have been left to individual accountants to deal with at […]
eSignature for Accounting Firms Saves Time, Letting You Focus on Other Tasks
eSignatures for accounting firms have a host of benefits. They’re extremely convenient and can be used across industries and countries; they ensure you get paid faster; they’re safer than their pen-and-paper counterparts—and the list goes on. So, what can you do with all the time and money using e-signature technology saves you? We’ve come up […]
What is a Document Management System for Accountants?
It’s well known that most accounting and finance practice owners have a major goal: to grow their businesses. These owners have also realized that their client’s needs have changed, and they want new services like financial reporting. On top of all this, the ever-present issue of recruiting and retaining top talent seems to come down […]
Introducing SmartRouting: Automated Document Filing and Management for Accountants
Tax season is a real test for any accounting practice, and you likely noticed more than a few things about your accounting firm’s document and filing management processes that need improving. This summer, many professionals are looking for accountant file management automation. Why? One of the most common frustrations accounting professionals and their teams deal […]
Three Ways Consistency Eliminates Frustrating Document Management Tasks for Accountants
Do you find yourself drowning in an ever-growing volume of documents? If you’re like most accounting professionals, the answer is yes. From emails and reports to invoices and W2s, managing all these documents can be a daunting task. And if you don’t have consistent processes, document management often leads to wasted time and frustration for […]
5 Ways to Create Consistency in Your Accounting Workflows
Consistency throughout your workflow helps ensure accuracy, builds a solid foundation for success, improves staff and client experiences, and increases productivity. Here are some steps you can follow to establish consistent workflows in your practice: Standardize Your Processes: Document and standardize your core accounting processes by identifying key tasks and decision points and creating clear, […]
Worst-Case Scenario: Companies That Shut Down After Cyberattacks
Cyberattacks have the power to close companies that don’t have the resources to recover. The frequency and costs of cyberattacks continue to grow, so cybersecurity experts urge business owners to shift their mindsets: It’s not a matter of if your company will be attacked, but when. A cyberattack costs around $200,000 to recover on average, […]
Accounting Firms Fall Victim to Cyberattacks: Lessons Learned
It’s a story we’ve heard too many times: an accounting firm falls victim to a cyberattack, costing the firm its reputation, clients, and of course, money. Unfortunately, experts warn cyberattacks are not slowing down. In fact, criminals continue to get more sophisticated with time. Below we share two examples of accounting firms that experienced cyberattacks. Their […]
5 Easy Ways for Accounting Professionals to Effectively Collaborate with Clients
Running a successful accounting firm isn’t just about having the right tech stack or a streamlined workflow. It also requires great client collaboration. After all, accounting is no longer just about “customer service.” Collaborating with your clients will lead to improved outcomes not only for your clients but for yourself as well. Read on to […]
A Step-by-Step Guide to Switching Your Accounting Practice to a Digital Firm
So, now that we’ve discussed what an online-only practice is, reviewed what modern clients want from their modern accountants, and discussed the benefits of making the switch, it’s time to go through how to change your current accounting practice to a digital-only firm. The change won’t happen overnight, Meagan Ledden of AutoEntry warned on a […]
4 Ways You’re Making Your Accounting Firm Vulnerable to a Cyberattack
One of the most effective ways to safeguard data is to recognize how you and your staff are putting it at risk. Cybersecurity is ultimately about the people and the decisions they make. How often have you opened an attachment without looking at the email first or postponed a system update because it’s not the […]
The Benefits and Cost Savings of Switching to an Online-Only Accounting Practice
In the first part of our content series on digital-only accounting practices, we covered what an online practice is, what modern clients expect from modern accountants, and how to decide which clients to take with you as you transition to a digital-only practice. You can read the first part of this content series here if […]
How to Become an Adaptable Accounting Practice, According to Experts
“Adaptable.” That’s a new buzzword accountants have been hearing for the last six to eight months. But what exactly does it mean? According to experts like Meagan Ledden at AutoEntry, Daniel Fritz of SmartVault, and Paul Donno of 1Account Online, being adaptable means bringing 100% of your practice into the Digital Age–in other words, creating […]
Why Accounting Firms are at Higher Risk for Cyberattacks Than Other Businesses
All businesses are susceptible to attacks, but accountants are at higher risk simply because of what they do and the clients they serve. Cyberattacks, tax fraud, and scams are rampant; each year, criminals only get bolder and cleverer. Unfortunately, accounting and tax professionals fall into the high-risk category – simply because of the information they […]
Technology & Client Collaboration Are the Keys to Accounting Firm Growth
For the majority of accountants, business is flourishing: According to a recent Intuit survey, 82% of accounting professionals are seeing firm growth, and this trend is expected to continue. Unsurprisingly, a lot of this is due to technology. The same Intuit report thanks the increased efficiency the right tech stack provides as a key […]
SmartVault Launches New Brand Identity and Website Reflecting Commitment to Advancing Cloud-Based Document Management
SmartVault, a subsidiary of GetBusy, PLC, announced today its new brand identity and logo. This rebranding reflects the company’s continuous commitment to making document workflows easier and more secure with its cloud-based document management and client portal solutions. The company’s updated brand aligns with the advancements in SmartVault’s core document management system. The new logo […]
3 Expert Tips to Create a Modern & Efficient Accounting Firm
Each year, respected experts and reputable organizations in the accounting and finance professions take note of trends they expect to see going forward. While in some cases, their predictions might differ slightly, this year, there’s one major focus they’ve almost unanimously agreed upon: Most accountants are thinking about growth. This includes attracting and retaining new […]
Recent Tax Fraud and Scams, Plus Warning Signs Your Firm’s a Victim
Tax season is the perfect time for cybercriminals to attack. They know accounting and tax professionals receive, send, and store a ton of personal information about their clients during the busy months. This information – names, addresses, wages, Social Security numbers, and more – give criminals exactly what they need to file fraudulent tax returns […]
Cybersecurity Expert Shares 3 Ways to Protect Taxpayer Data Against Cyberthieves
In a recent SmartVault webinar, Randy Johnston, one of accounting’s Top 25 Thought Leaders, and Luke Kiely, a law enforcement veteran and SmartVault’s Chief Information Security Officer, discussed a group of people that plague CPA firms at tax time: cyberthieves. Read a summary of their conversation below. You can watch the full webinar on-demand here. […]