The term "paperless workflow" has been buzzword in the profession for some time; yet firms that have adopted a true paperless system are still the minority. The percentage implementing basic workflow enhancements, such as scanning and on-screen review (via dual monitors), is progressing steadily. However, adoption rates of advanced paperless technologies, such as client portals, tax document automation solutions, and document management systems, are still relatively low.

The best protection for data at your firm might be a door, a lock and a process for keeping unauthorized people away from the server room. Because with the potential stricter requirements regarding personal data looming across the country, physical security stills remains the No. 1 issue, not viruses and spyware.

The standard wisdom has been that professional accountants are crucial in influencing clients to investigate and buy many technology products. And while vendor programs that enlist accountants are not new, there is a renewed interest in the genre and a lot of updating to existing programs.

Paperless doesn't happen overnight, especially considering tax workflow,  a paper-intensive process that involves people throughout the firm. A successful transition takes planning, dedicated effort and an educated firm. To show the importance of planning and preparation during rollout, we compared the experiences of two real-life firms, providing an excellent comparative case study that highlights disparities in approach and two very different outcomes.