Lee Pender

Before we dive into technology’s role in accounting, let’s take a stroll down memory lane to the early days of tech. In 1981, a local television news report in San Francisco revealed how the 3,000 or so owners of personal computers in the Bay Area…

There have been few stories from the financial realm in recent years as captivating as the soap opera surrounding cryptocurrency. But behind the crypto roller-coaster ride is a technology that’s both solidifying and emerging: blockchain technology.…

Many (probably most) consumers associate artificial intelligence (AI) with ChatGPT—and rightly so. ChatGPT and other such generative engines are, in fact, examples of AI at work. But there is a lot more to AI adoption than just ChatGPT. Right now,…

Unlocking success: The intelligent cloud platform revolution in tax and accounting Like it has been for most of you, the tax and accounting profession has been an integral part of my existence for as long as I can remember. That’s why one of the most…

Accounting is moving to the cloud—and clients know it. In fact, they expect firms to embrace cloud accounting. And if their firm doesn’t, they’ll find a firm that does. Do you find that hard to believe? Well, in a recent BILL survey, 64% of small and…

It’s one of those things you think about doing, but don’t always get around to: updating the applications you use at work every day. If you manage your own server, you’re definitely on the hook for making sure the software you run on it is up to…

Forward-thinking firms have learned that accounting works better in the cloud. But what about those firms that haven’t fully embraced running applications and storing data in the cloud? What are they waiting for? It turns out that some of the reasons…

Ignorance is not bliss when it comes to technology. In fact, it’s dangerous. If accounting firm leaders and employees don’t keep up with technology trends, they risk falling behind the rest of the profession—missing out on opportunities and opening…

Your clients want a closer relationship with you, and your firm can benefit from establishing itself as a trusted advisor. So, what’s holding you back from mastering client collaboration? It might be the methods you’re using to communicate.…

If you’re running QuickBooks® Desktop on an in-office server or on individual computers in your firm or business, you’re putting your organization’s data at risk. You’re also missing out on the many benefits of working with QuickBooks in the cloud.…

What if you could add Microsoft Excel to QuickBooks Desktop to create a super tool? In the cloud, you can. Microsoft Excel isn’t just a spreadsheet application; it’s a way of life. It has launched countless memes and enabled many thousands of…

By now, most consumers are familiar with the gig economy. You’ve almost assuredly used services such as Uber, Lyft or DoorDash, perhaps even very recently. But while the gig economy is convenient and can be lucrative, it can create some complex…

The now infamous Littlejohn data breach should serve as a warning for accounting firms regarding cybersecurity. In April 2024, the IRS sent notification letters to victims of the breach, thrusting the story back into the news. Here’s a little…

We are at a fascinating milestone in the evolution of accounting technology and its impact on business. Many working professionals can still remember the infancy of accounting technology. Paper ledgers gave way to spreadsheet applications. Accounting…

If you’re considering bringing QuickBooks Desktop and its supporting applications into the cloud, you’re likely already aware of the benefits of cloud hosting. Still, you need to know how to choose a QuickBooks hosting provider. Storing data and…

Some accountants fear AI could take their jobs, but AI in accounting can actually help them do their jobs better. Find out how.️ Someone in your firm is probably scared of artificial intelligence (AI). It might be one of your employees. It might even…

There was once skepticism about the staying power of the internet, and not just from obscure luddite journals or doomsday prophets. No less a light than Newsweek—a big publication back then—ran an article in 1995 that expressed doubt that people…

All firms that have PTINs must have written information security plans (WISPs) that meet legal requirements. Find out how to create one for your firm. It’s very simple: If your firm wants to renew its Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), you…

Hosting applications in the cloud offers a lot of benefits, but some firms might overlook this one: How moving to the cloud promotes growth. Accounting services are likely to be increasingly in demand in the years to come, with the market for…

Small businesses are not immune to cyberattacks. In fact, they’re prime targets for data thieves. What can owners and employees do to protect their critical data? One good place to start is to follow these cybersecurity tips for businesses like…