Intuit Indian Products

Intuit will focus on developing products for the Web and mobile devices that solve problems for both consumers and small businesses for indian companies. These products will help consumers manage money, track expenses, and assist with their taxes. Other solutions will help small business owners find and retain customers and grow their businesses.“This is the right place and the right time for global expansion,” said Smith 'Intuit president and chief executive officer'. “Consumers in India will benefit from new products developed by people who live and work here. We expect the combination of Intuit and India to revolutionize personal and small business finance here as it has in the United States.”
It also announced that it will establish a presence in India for its Global Business Division. The division will lead efforts to introduce Intuit’s unique approach to customer-driven innovation in India, with plans to expand into major emerging markets in the Asia-Pacific region to pursue global growth opportunities.
I don't think it to be a bad idea to try to do more business on a global scale.
http://www.accountingsoftware411.com/Press/PressDocView.aspx?docid=10748

Intuit Online Payroll System

The move addresses customer need for an easy and affordable way to manage their payroll with confidence. New service offerings will be available as early as spring 2009.“Whether you are a small business owner or an accountant, using a Mac or a PC, Intuit Online Payroll will be at your service—anytime, anywhere,” said Cameron Schmidt, director of marketing for the Intuit Payroll Division. “With more than one million customers, Intuit Payroll has been a trusted partner to small businesses, helping them save time and money. We are excited to extend the benefits of Intuit Online Payroll to even more businesses and accountants through this expansion.”Customers soon to benefit from Intuit’s Online Payroll service include:
AccountingProfessionals: In spring 2009, Intuit Online Payroll for Accounting Professionals will bring accountant specific functionality designed to make it easier, faster and more profitable for accountants to manage payroll for their clients. The service will help accountants be more productive through Direct and Easy Export to QuickBooks,Consolidated Client Task List and Save and Make Money. Mac Users : Mac users can simply enter employees’ hours and with just a few clicks, Intuit Online Payroll automatically calculates earnings, payroll taxes and deductions.
Instantly Pay Payroll Taxes: Intuit Online Payroll instantly calculates federal and state payroll taxes for the user.
Confidently Handle Tax Forms: Intuit Online Payroll automatically fills in the latest federal and many state payroll tax forms a user need just print, sign and mail, or E-File select state forms at no additional cost.
Banks and Credit Unions: Intuit will also empower financial institutions to provide small business payroll services as a key component of their online banking offering.
In my opinion, this software is a huge success. it is convenient,easy, fast and affordable.
http://www.accountingsoftware411.com/Press/PressDocView.aspx?docid=10702

CISA

Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) is an audit professional certification sponsored by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA). Candidates for the certification must meet requirements set by ISACA.
Candidates for a CISA certification must pass the examination, agree to adhere to ISACA's Code of Professional Ethics, submit evidence of a minimum of five years of professional IS auditing, control, or security work, and abide by a program of continuing professional education.
It was established for the following reasons:
1)Develop and maintain a tool that could be used to evaluate an individuals' competency in conducting information system audits.
2)Provide a motivational tool for information systems auditors to maintain their skills, and monitor the success of the maintenance programs.
3)Provide criteria to help aid management in the selection of personnel and development.
The first CISA examination was administered in 1981, and registration numbers have grown each year. Over 60,000 candidates have earned the CISA designation.
I think CISA is definitely helpful especially for managers as it can help them choose the best resources.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Certified_Information_System_Auditor

Grunt Worx Technology

GruntWorx(TM), was presented with a 2008 Tax & Accounting Technology Innovation Award by The CPA Technology Advisor magazine. The company was spotlighted at the California Accounting and Business Show & Conference in Los Angeles. GruntWorx was recognized for its breakthrough technology that delivers the highest levels of accuracy in an affordable solution for scanning and organizing tax documents. GruntWorx automatically scans, identifies, organizes and bookmarks client documents so tax professionals can prepare returns faster and more accurately. The web-based application delivers the highest levels of accuracy and security in an affordable solution that makes it easy for firms of any size to increase productivity.
I think web-base applications are always beneficial to the firms.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1435204/copanion_wins_cpa_technology_advisors_2008_tax__accounting_technology/

ERP cost savings

WAYNE, PA – March 17, 2009 – Jay Deakins, president of Deacom, Inc., recently presented the webinar "Break Free from IT: How Fully Integrated ERP(Enterprise Resource Planning)Software Can Provide the Roadmap for IT Independence," in conjunction with Paint and Coatings Industry (PCI) Magazine. The free event discussed the software selection and implementation process of manufacturer American Inks and Coatings, and explained how using integrated ERP manufacturing software can help manufacturers of paint, coatings, adhesives, and sealants reduce their reliance on IT support and cut down its associated costs. Prior to selecting a new ERP software solution, American Inks and Coatings used three customized software systems and more than a dozen servers to manage its business. System communication breakdowns left the manufacturer of high-volume ink and coatings at the mercy of a remote IT manager - the only person who knew how to "un-stick transactions." After evaluating several best-of-breed replacement systems, American Inks and Coatings chose the DEACOM Integrated Accounting and ERP System. DEACOM was the only software solution that could combine all its business processes, including sales, purchasing, production, formulation, inventory control and lot tracking, regulatory reporting, and accounting, in a single system. In one year, American Inks and Coatings more than paid for its ERP system through savings on former business process and IT impediments. For example, the IT department previously required eight TI lines running in and eight TI lines running out. DEACOM replaced that "with point-to-point communication that reduced their communication costs by a factor of about eight," Deakins said. "It was a huge savings just in simplification." The hour-long webinar also included a detailed discussion of key functionality to look for in manufacturing ERP software, as well as a participant Q & A Session. An archived recording of the webinar is available at www.pcimag.com.To learn more about the DEACOM Integrated Accounting and ERP Software System or to schedule an online demonstration, call 610-971-2278 ext. 15 or visit www.deacom.net. About Deacom, Inc. Headquartered in Wayne, PA, Deacom, Inc. is the producer of DEACOM, a complete accounting and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system for building component and process manufacturers with difficult-to-handle requirements. The DEACOM System seamlessly links all departments within a manufacturing company, providing a comprehensive view of the entire operation. By making complex issues simple, Deacom helps streamline manufacturing business processes to maximize productivity and profitability.
I think ERP is a great idea and it saves businesses a lot of money that can be invested elsewhere. http://www.accountingsoftware411.com/Press/PressDocView.aspx?docid=10713

Colligo workgroup edition 4.0

Colligo networks developed Colligo workgroup edition 4.0, which enables mobile workgroups to collaborate through a simple process of discover, connect and interact. Colligo’s instant networking software allows WiFi-enabled notebooks, tablet PCs and PDAs to create “server free” direct connected adhoc networks with a single button click. Users can then share data and interact with each other using common or corporate applications in a secure and reliable environment, regardless of whether they have access to the internet or corporate servers.
In my opinion, this is going to improve the way business is perfomed because of the easy access to information.
http://www.cpatechnologyadvisor.com/web/online/NEWS/Top-Technologies-for-Accounting-and-Tax-Professionals-Recognized/1$1186

Outsourcing Professions

http://money.cnn.com/2003/12/30/pf/offshorejob/
New York (CNN/Money) - If a tax preparer gets you an unexpected refund this year, you may have an accountant in India to thank.
That's because accounting firms are joining the outsourcing trend established years ago by cost-conscious American manufacturers.
In fact, companies in a number of unexpected industries are now sending work overseas. From scientific lab analysis to medical billing, the service-sector workforce has gone global.
CPA firms are just one example. In the 2002 tax year, accounting firms sent some 25,000 tax returns to be completed by accountants in India. This year, that number is expected to quadruple.
The reason lies in the numbers; accountants in the United States typically earn $4,000 a month. In places like India it's closer to $400, says David Wyle, CEO and founder of SurePrep, a tax-outsourcing firm based in southern California that's employed more than 200 accountants in Bombay and Ahmedabad, India.
"We've estimated firms will save between $40,000 to $50,000 for every 100 returns that are outsourced," adds Wyle, whose firm expects to do 35,000 returns in the coming year. That's up from 7,000 last year.
Xiptax, of Braintree, Mass., is another tax firm that's moved much work overseas for "a whole number of reasons," besides money, says CEO Mark Albrecht.
"Most CPAs do between 45 to 50 percent of their work in two months out of the year. It makes for an extremely stressful time," says Albrecht, who adds that accounting firms must then "strain" to find qualified staffers to help fill in during the crunch.
By hiring full-time staff in India, CPA firms like SurePrep and Xiptax don't have to worry about finding staff here.
Instead, they simply send tax information to a permanent team of qualified accountants in India. American accountants then review the returns before signing off on them.
"The real important part of returns isn't taking a number off a W-2 form and putting it in Box No. 1," notes Albrecht. "The real value is what's retained within the CPA firm -- the tax planning and the review."
I think outsourcing jobs especially professions benefits corporations but hurts us people.