We’re in it, folks. The throes of tax season. So, we’ll make this intro quick.
For information about keeping your data safe, your bottom line singing and your firm’s future sunny, read on.
Verizon was Hacked (Allegedly)
SafetyDetectives.com | March 6, 2023: Verizon—the Verizon—has been hacked (allegedly).
Verizon—the Verizon—has been hacked (allegedly).
The telecommunications conglomerate has long since been on the forefront of internet safety. But even this giant cannot skirt the hackers. (Again, allegedly.)
According to a cybersecurity team called, “the Safety Detectives”:
- Millions of records were exposed.
- Between 7.5 million and 9 million Verizon home internet and cellular customers were impacted.
- The types of records that were exposed were those of owned devices, what service they had, first names, router specifications and more.
The good-ish news? It seems like no unencrypted personally identifiable information has leaked. But according to MSN.com: “the exposure…still presents a threat if the right key or keys are found.”
As a Verizon customer, I’ll be keeping a close eye on the situation.
In the meantime, check out some tips on preventing cyberattacks and keeping your business safe.
CPAPA Experts Identify Accounting Technology Trends
RightNetworks.com | March 6, 2023: It’s been a few years since Roman Kepczyk and the gang gathered in person at the CPA Practice Advisor’s thought leader discussion. And wow, did they have a lot to catch up on.
How are firms faring on the tax advisory front? Why does keeping data secure seem to get more and more difficult every day? Catch the thought leaders’ take on those topics and more, including:
- Succeeding at the tax advisory model.
- The recent popularity of ChatGPT AI.
- How DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) initiatives have stalled recently.
- Higher education and accounting.
- How it’s increasingly difficult to keep data secure.
- The suite vs. best-of-breed accounting technology solutions debate.
How to Manage Cybersecurity Risks of Working from Home
RightNetworks.com | March 8, 2023: As Lee Pender puts it, “Remote work is great…mostly.”
I, for one, am a big fan of working from home. Zero commute? Check. Fewer distractions? Check.
The downside? My home internet isn’t as secure as when I was in the office. And it’s not just me. As soon as we step outside with our work devices, we open ourselves up to all kinds of risks.
So, what can be done? Remote work certainly isn’t going anywhere; neither is working from home. Check out Lee’s article for a roundup of advice dedicated to keeping your work devices safe, no matter where your office happens to be.
Expect information on:
- Working from a central platform.
- What “digital standardization” means and why it’s important.
- Why having updates managed for you is the best route to getting—and staying—secure.
Read Lee’s article on staying secure wherever work takes you.
The 20 Biggest Problems for Firms in 2023
AccountingToday.com | March 14, 2023: What keeps firm leaders up at night? Staffing. Rising salaries. Burnout. Technology. And 16 other things.
According to a recent survey done by Accounting Today and published in the Top 100 Firms and Regional leaders report, firm leaders are feeling pretty bleak about the future. Among the positive—and yes, there is some positive—there’s a lot changing about the way a firm operates.
There’s a war for talent. There’s the challenge of keeping up with technology. And then—as if some sort of Uno reverse card played us all—there are the challenges around keeping that hard-sought-after talent and securing the technology that you’ve just finally grasped.
What are firms supposed to do? Get the rest of Accounting Today’s list here (and discover a few recommendations from us related to these challenges by subscribing to our blog.)
How to Manage the Top Cybersecurity Threats to Your Firm
RightNetworks.com | March 14, 2023: Cybersecurity threats aren’t going anywhere. And if you think your cybersecurity strategy is up to snuff—think again.
The list of cybersecurity threats continues to grow. Zero-day vulnerability attacks are on the increase. Smishing (phishing, but via cell phones) isn’t a small problem. In fact, Americans receive more than 40 spam texts per person per month.
What can be done? Well, there is one thing in particular that will help.
Read Lee’s post to find out the No. 1 thing firms can do to protect themselves.
Moving Toward Client Accounting and Advisory Services
RightNetworks.com | March 21, 2023: Not embracing the expansion to client accounting and advisory services? You’re missing out on beaucoup bucks.
It doesn’t matter that it’s the middle of another busy season. It doesn’t matter that you have more work than you know what to do with. Author Roman Kepczyk, Director of Firm Technology Strategy, lays it all out by asking one simple question:
“Are grinding busy seasons the way you want to spend the rest of your career?”
Read what Roman suggests all firms interested in creating a more balanced practice and growing steadily should do.
Top 7 Productivity Tools for Accountants
RightNetworks.com | March 21: 2023: With each passing day, it seems like there’s more to focus on, more to achieve, more to figure out, more to teach. If only there was a way to make more time in the day.
Well, this post tackles that very notion. With productivity tools, it’s almost like you are getting more time back in your day. Because what was once time sucked away can now be achieved automatically (or by you, but faster).
Find out how to get better, faster, stronger in Kristin’s new post.
Accounting News: Coming in April
Be on the lookout for upcoming webinars, new eBooks and more by visiting our resource library. And keep a lookout for next month’s accounting news recap. Expect all the noteworthy news from the accounting and finance profession right here on rightnetworks.com/blog—don’t forget to subscribe today!
