We get it – collecting client source documents feels like a never-ending game of phone tag. You have to remind clients for their bank statements and receipts month after month, and even once you get them, trying to locate a specific item often means digging through huge email threads and various desktop folders. Then there’s […]
Resource Category: Blogs & Articles
What is Secure File Sharing for Accounting Firms?
The average accountant’s office used to be buried under paper, killing thousands of trees every year to file returns and comply with document-retention regulations. Going “paperless” is understandably appealing, but in the age of multibillion-dollar cybercrime, security is a real issue. A lot of paper in an accountant’s filing cabinet has sensitive information on it. […]
The Great Accounting Exodus – Part 3: Solving the Accounting Hiring Crisis – Attract and Retain Top Talent
Part 1 and Part 2 of this blog series outlined the dire hiring and retention challenges facing the accounting profession. Hundreds of thousands of accountants have fled the profession, thanks to long hours, lagging compensation, career stigma, and more. Many firm leaders may resign themselves to simply weathering the great talent storm. But savvy firms […]
The Great Accounting Exodus – Part 2: Why Are Accountants Fleeing Public Practice?
In Part 1 of this blog series, we covered the staggering statistics behind the great accounting talent drain. Over 300,000 CPAs left the profession from 2019-2021, exacerbating an already-concerning shortage of new grads entering the field. But why exactly are so many experienced accountants choosing to pivot away from their careers in public practice? The […]
The Great Accounting Exodus – Part 1: Why Over 300,000 CPAs Left the Profession
The accounting world is facing a talent crisis of epic proportions. Over the last few years, a staggering 17% of the CPA workforce in the United States has left the profession, according to the Wall Street Journal. That’s over 300,000 qualified accountants that have resigned, retired early, or jumped ship to other careers between 2019-2021 […]
A Closer Look: Dawn Brolin’s Starting Lineup of Accounting Apps
Dawn Brolin, CPA knows a thing or two about managing a successful accounting firm. Not only is she the CEO of a successful practice, Powerful Accounting, but she’s also a well-respected educator in the industry. Known as the Designated Motivator, Dawn teaches accounting professionals how to better run their practices, including how to use accounting […]
The Key to Aligning Your Board: Secure Document Management
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 […]
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 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. […]