sage execs explain, defend re-branding

sage group plc, a leader worldwide but long struggling in the u.s., has embarked on a huge re-branding effort that will eliminate well-known names like peachtree.

the strategy has met with decidedly mixed reviews. “rebranding as proposed adds no value,” according to stephen blythe, ceo of blytheco llc, a sage partner of the year, “and adds significant rebranding costs and significant risk in future sales.”

at cpa practice advisor’s thought leader symposium, sage execs had the chance to explain the strategy.

dennis frahmann, executive vice president, corporate marketing:

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connie certusi, executive vice president/general manager, small business accounting solutions: read more →

hi tech contenders battle for the cloud with fresh venture funding

jamie sutherland, president, us operations, xero
jamie sutherland, president, us operations, xero

google exec backs cloud accounting start-up, while xero raises $16 million.

xero online accounting software for small businesses has secured $16.6 million in new funding from existing investors to accelerate growth in the united states. the company recently appointed former sage vice president and general manager  jamie sutherland, as president of u.s. operations and doubled its u.s. team.

meanwhile, reach process outsourcing ltd. of chennai, india, has raised a fresh round of angel funding for its portal reachaccountant.com from investors including google-india managing director rajan anandan, who takes a seat on the board.

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the cloud won’t make you into a superhero

edi osborne

and it won’t rescue the accounting business.

by edi osborne
mentor plus

“is it a bird? a plane?  no, it’s an accountant!”

we can all relate to the desire to be a superhero, to swoop down from the clouds in superman/woman-like fashion to rescue the damsel in distress. however, if the accounting profession is banking on mobile or cloud technology to make them a superhero in their client’s eyes, clients should not hold out much hope of being rescued.

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11 things you take for granted today that technology will kill within six years

and what it means for accountants and the client of the future.

david bergstein
david bergstein

by david bergstein
wolters kluwer 

the digital future is coming faster than you think.

blockbuster, a store featuring rental videos and dvds, once had over 4,000 locations in the united states. they filed for bankruptcy in 2010 and were eventually sold to the dish network, which kept about 500 stores open.

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cch rolls out free tax news phone app

cch tax news iphone app
cch tax news iphone app

iphone and ipad users can click here; androids here.

via cch

cch is launching a free tax news highlights app for iphones, ipads and android devices

the app was spearheaded by cch’s newly formed agile publishing solutions team, a rapid development prototype team.

for now, the cch tax news highlights app focuses solely on the most up-to-date federal and state tax news headlines – available at the touch of a screen icon. the app has the ability to grow into a much larger information content source designed for professionals, educators and students for all relevant tax and accounting news.

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six ways to cope with technological change

technology isn’t new. but the pace of change is.

and it’s adding new stresses to cpa firms every day, according to l. gary boomer of boomer consulting.

the impact can be seen — and felt — in how firms attract, retain, nurture and leverage talent, he tells the cpa leadership institute. staffing takes on a whole new meaning when it’s done within a firm-wide culture of continuous learning and improvement.

here’s how: read more →