User talk:NewYorkEA

From TaxAlmanac

FYI

Here's a response (from Kevin) that I received earlier this year when I was considering Drake. I chose to stay with Lacerte.....Belle 23:51, 21 September 2009 (CDT)

Yes, I do use Drake. In my prior practice (I sold it 5 or 6 years ago) I used Lacerte. I couldn't justify the price of Lacerte for a brand new practice (the first year I only did 49 returns) so I had plenty of time to learn how to use a cheaper software.

1) Lacerte does more things than Drake: more forms, jump to input from form. I don't remember the additional forms but I've only had one or two returns that I've had to do something manually with this year. One was a state of Ohio return that Drake didn't allow multiple credit forms with. But they told me how to override the calculation with my number once I came up with it. In my practice in Georgia I probably only had one or two clients requiring the extra forms that Lacerte had, but my staff always convinced me that the extra price of the software would be cheaper than learning (during tax season) a different software. If you started doing extensions on Drake now, you'd be well up to speed by January though.

2) Drake gives great software support - you can either email your question (and attach the file if you want) or call them and they get back with you within 12-24 hours. If you phone them you rarely wait more than 4 or 5 minutes to talk with them. They speak English, they are based in North Carolina (about an hour from me, actually). 3) I did not convert any files, but all software companies have conversion software. I would prefer to do the conversion in - house rather than shipping my data off.

hope this helps - let me know if you have other questions'

ProSeries vs. Drake

Hello, I am trying to decide between tax software programs, and am down to either Intuit ProSeries or Drake. I saw your post that you recently switched to Drake from ProSeries and was wondering if you could please let me know why you switched and what the benefits are of one over the other. Thank you.

Not sure who left the message, but here are my thoughts:

1- First of all, download the demo from Drake or ask for a CD and test it out. The interface and input is VERY different from ProSeries, so make sure you are okay with it 2- Drake, in my opinion, allows for faster input than ProSeries by far once you get used to it. Drake recommends preparing 15-20 returns with different scenarios to become very familiar with the software 3- Drake support is wonderful...you dial the number and someone picks up within seconds, in real English, with no options to dial through. They will go out of their way to make sure you're issue is resolved. 4- It comes with a Client Write-Up program that includes payroll. This one also takes some use to become accustomed to it, but overall it works fine. If for nothing else, I will at least be using it for payroll since there are no additional fees to pay. 5- It comes with networking capabilities that work very well 6- If you're interested in being Paperless, it has a built in document manager and PDF printer 7- You get everything for one low price 8- There are tons of letters, etc you can customize, including referral coupons to give out 9- Pricing is very customizeable as well, such as setting per form and/or per line charges 10- You can design print sets so that exactly the forms you want to print for the client are printed and in the order you specify 11- I'm not sure which version of ProSeries you were using. I was using Basic for 1040s and Professional for business returns, and found Drake to be a huge upgrade 12- If you offer bank products, Drake has 4 options. If not, they too came out with a feature similar to ProSeries that allows you to deduct your fee from the client's refund. 13- I switched because of Intuit's price increases, ridiculous wait times for phone calls during tax season, and I disagree with their Turbotax competing with preparers.

If you want to know anything else, let me know.

History

FT - I noticed your response to a post on your discussion page..... If you click on the history tab (directly above your user name and slightly to the right of center), you'll see who posted the question. You can then click on that user name (mtoenjes) and go to their discussion page. Belle 17:54, 19 October 2009 (CDT)

TaxWise

The main reason I switched from TaxWise to ProSeries is that I am doing some contract work for another CPA who uses ProSeries. This was the only way for me to do work for him outside of his office. Other than that, I didn't have any major complaints about TaxWise. They are reasonably priced and the software works well. The only complaint I have is that it's hard to find a form unless you know exactly what you are looking for. There is no "where do I enter" like in ProSeries. I'm just now starting to explore the ProSeries software, so I'm not sure what all it does that TaxWise doesn't. I hope that helps. VanjaCPA 22:17, 14 December 2009 (CST)

As I already mentioned, I haven't used ProSeries yet. I just bought the program and am playing around with it right now. I can see how TaxWise users may report that it's hard to use because as I mentioned before it is hard to find the forms unless you know the exact form name/number. For example, if you need to enter depreciation - you can't expect to enter "depreciation" in the search box and expect to find the correct form. Instead you need to know to search for Form 4562. I would probably ask for an evaluation disk and play around with the software before purchasing. VanjaCPA 13:53, 15 December 2009 (CST)

Home

Hi This is DublinTax Can you tell me any problems that you faced while running it from home. Also, can tell me how you managed full time job and the business. As I am also working full time and starting this as part time. DublinTax

Bheem

Home2

Thanks for sharing the info. My schedule is similar to yours.I am also planning of picking up from or doing at the clients place.

Thanks Bheem

DMS

Yes, you can save MS Office documents directly to DMS. DMS has a toolbar for Office that you can enable & add directly to the Office toolbars.

Davidcpa 11:48, 18 December 2009 (CST)

You should give me a call. I work with Thomson and I can give you a great deal on UltraTax CS.

Thanks, David Nest 800-968-8900 ext. 4355

UltraTax

Where in Florida are you located? I'm in Ft. Lauderdale. We're almost in the same boat... just finally got my office this year while currently working part-time. I think it was definitely necessary to move my office from my home in order to pick up the clients I wanted... besides, you don't want everyone showing up at your house, do you?

I'm going to give UltraTax a try. Anything would be better than ATX I think.

DublinTax

Thanks for your message about Ultra Tax-sorry I didn't see it sooner. I'll definitely check that out. Thanks!

Hi Florida,

you mentioned that you are getting clients because of your ebsite also. Can you share your web address and anything special you did like adwords etc

this is my website bheemtax.com simple one. Thanks Bheem DublinTax

Client Portals

Thanks, yeah, I have heard about the UltraTax Portals, but I use ProSeries and I believe they have one too, but I am also a full fledged accounting firm and I want something for my bookkeeping clients as well.

Fsteincpa 10:10, 22 February 2010 (CST)

Drake Software

Hi Florida, Were you using ProSeries Basic or ProSeries Professional? Did you switch to Drake for Tax year 2009? If so, how do you like it? I am trying Drake off season and find it annoying to have to go back to the General screen to switch forms. I'd appreciate hearing about your experience. thanks

Just wondering...

where are you located in FL?

Software message

Thank you for sharing your insights regarding the use of ProSeries and Drake. The information you gave me on the potential difficulties in state vs. federal calculations using Drake was helpful. I've decided to go with ProSeries Basic Unlimited for this year. Thank you again! DJCCPA 02:35, 3 January 2011 (UTC)

Name change

There are two ways to change your user name:

1. Start over with a new name and use that from now on (you can do that on your own), or
2. Request that we convert this user ID to a new name, which will carry your user page info, history, and preferences over to the new name. Prior discussion posts will still contain the old user name, but new ones will show the new name. The old name will still exist, so you need to be sure not to log in under the old name in the future, or it'll be resurrected without the user info and preferences!

Since you have a long user history, the second option is probably the better bet for you. Let me know what name you want, or a couple of names in order of preference (names should be shorter than ~10 (max 12) characters, using lower case whereever possible).

Here's the process from there:

• I'll confirm that your selected name is available, and let you know
• Since it's best that you're logged out completely (log out and quit your browser) when the name change is done, I'll wait until late that night (or earlier if you let me know when you're logging out for the day) to do the change
• When it's done, I will let you know by posting a note on your talk page (it's same page for old name as new name, so bookmark it in your browser before you log out, to get back to it easily...it should automatically redirect you to the renamed talk page, but if it doesn't, please click on the link where it names the new page).
• To log back in, use the new name and your current password.

Let me know if you want to move forward with the official name change (option 2).

Trillium 17:20, 6 January 2011 (UTC)

Your name change is complete

Next time you log in, use the new name/old password.

Try to avoid ever logging in with the old name (it's harder than you think to remember that, when you're used to using a name!) as it does some strange things behind the scenes.

Let me know if you have any questions about the name change.

Thanks,

Trillium 18:18, 6 January 2011 (UTC)

My Practice

NewYorkEA (formerly FloridaTaxes),

My business is still in its infancy so I'm probably not the best one to get advice from. In the past I have mainly done family and friends tax returns, this is my first year expanding to the general community.

I'm imagining my first-year clients will all meet me in person for a meeting to go over their paperwork and for them to give me the tax organizer. Like you, I'll probably meet them somewhere in the local community (library or coffee shop) because I don't want people in and out of my home with my wife and 13-month old daughter around. I'll then complete their return and mail it or have them pick it up. Next year I'll encourage mail-in's with the tax organizer by offering a slight discount to those customers.

Once again, this is a new business strategy for me so I have no idea how it will work out. Sorry I couldn't be of more help. Let me know if you have any other questions.

CPA Site Solutions

Hey,

Was wondering if you still use CPA Site Solutions for your website.

I just signed up with them and they had a referral deal going where if you are a client and refer, they give you $100 and I get an extra month free.

Both you and Taxalmanacer both recommended them, but you were first. If you aren't using them, then I will contact TA and see if he wishes the referral credit.

Let me know, and thanks again for the referral.

Fsteincpa 18:20, 24 January 2011 (UTC)

Hey NewYorkEA

I just got your message. As for the books, the EA-specific one is probably the one you want. The other book (the one with the white cover and the mouse) is geared towards independent bookkeepers and small timers. I'm having the books formatted for the Kindle and Nook this month, so if you have an e-reader, you might want to wait. The e-book editions will be less than 1/3 of the current price. Thanks!Tax Writer 20:55, 30 January 2011 (UTC)

CPA Site Solutions

Hi NewYorkEA,

I'm delighted that you're planning to return as a client! I think having a website is one of those things you need to bite the bullet and pay for because it's just so important in your marketing. Keep in mind that we have a $50/month option, too.

Yes, you can transfer over your domain to us (though you'll continue to own the domain). Any of our webmasters can walk you through it, but I recommend Chris, who's the Client Fulfillment Manager. You can reach him at chris@cpasitesolutions.com, or by phone at 1-800-896-4500 x118.

Please let me know if you have questions - you can post something here on the forum or email me at kathy.oconnell@cpasitesolutions.com.

Take care,

Kathy

To email in MediaWiki/TaxAlmanac

to email to other users in MW/TA, you can use this syntax: http://www.taxalmanac.org/index.php/Special:EmailUser/USER_NAME_HERE Hieu101 03:11, 23 February 2011 (UTC)

Cover Letter

My email address is btcpa@ymail.com, thank you very much!

From xz

Do you mind talking privately with me? My personal email is xingliz@hotmail.com. Thanks.

Care to elaborate on your rebranding??

NewYorkEA,

Thanks for the input on my thread. Actually I remember you mentioning that you had re-branded yourself in another thread and that's actually what got the ball rolling in my mind. Would you care to elaborate on exactly what you did? I am pretty sure I am going to be looking for a small office space for next year. I will still be offering strictly tax prep as I described in my thread but I think having a decent location will help me out quite a bit.

My Email Address

brian dot marshall at nettaxnow dot com

BTax2010 03:12, 28 April 2011 (UTC)

Curious & Ultrtax

Sorry, I've been really busy the last few months and have stayed away from the forum for lack of time, but just curious if you actually moved to NY (name change) or have been there for a while?

I ask because I'm also thinking of moving to NY (from South Florida) and wanted to pick your brain a bit.

Also, not sure if you remember, but you recommended Ultratax to me a while back, and I tried it, and so far so good. I'm wondering if you're using any of their practice management software, and whether or not you do the hosted version or the full virtual office CS (with everything included).

You may have heard by now that the Tax Almanac ( www.taxalmanac.org ) web site forum is permanently closing its doors effective June 1. Perhaps you have seen the pink bombshell “Important Service Announcement” when logging in.

Long-time TA user ChrisV2 has volunteered to set up a new website where TA users may continue the discussion. The site is up and running now and has an active base of contributors.

We invite you to take a look www.taxprotalk.com and join your fellow TA refugees.

Frankly (TA member and new member of TaxProTalk)