co tech

Computer & Technology Surveys

When acounting gather, they often swap anecdots about how technology affects their proffesional lives-from stories about a computer network gone awry to tales of a software product that save them from disaster. In fact, such personal exchanges are among the pricipal ways accountants discover which technological tools to avoid and which might server them well.

This special report presents the result of three surveys that detail information about accountants’ computer technology use. Two of the surveys, “how CPAs use Computers,” and “How CPAs Use software,” were conducted with the cooperaion of the journal of Accountancy.

While surveys can be usefulk to CPAs looking fopr guidence on computer equipment and software purchase, the sould not be used as the final arbiters on what to buy. There is no onecomputer or software product that is the best choice for all accountants. What is matchless in one application may be calamatous in another. The key consideration are how and where a product is used – an by whom.

Therefore, readers should use this information only as a guide that describes the popularity of sertain products among specific groups of accounts, keeping in mind that popularity by itself does not necessarily gauge effectiveness. Only each professional, working with the product, can do that. Wise try out a product before committing to it.