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Webinar: Effortless Tax Prep and Workflow: Say Goodbye to Client Frustrations

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This webinar will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2024
Sponsor: SafeSend
Duration: 1 Hour

With many technological and AI-powered advances coming to the tax and accounting profession, firms are looking to provide the best service for their clients, all while staying up to date, saving time, and cutting costs. Firms are looking for a solution that standardizes the tax workflow experience easily. A solution that offers automation tools that cater to all points of tax engagement for your clients.

The SafeSend Suite offers a straightforward, easy-to-use interface your clients will love for both individual and business returns. While offering multiple API integration options for a seamless, paperless, transition, clients and staff can gather source documents, collect digital organizers, assemble, and deliver completed tax returns, collect e-signatures, send reminders, accept tax prep fees, and more all within the SafeSend Suite.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand the current client frustrations. What is top of mind to the client? Learn how you can evolve and create a best-in-class client experience.
  2. Explore actionable strategies focusing on minimizing client frustration, accelerating form signing processes, and establishing easy interaction throughout the entire tax process.
  3. Discuss the trends happening in the industry, from AI, to collaboration, and the “Single Pane of Glass” concept.
  4. Understand the steps needed to evaluate the best solutions for your client out in the marketplace today.
Program Level Intermediate
Prerequisites None
Field of Study Business Management and Organization
Advance Preparation None
Delivery Method Group Internet-Based
Recommended CPE Credit 1 credit per 50-minute session
Registration Instructions Register Online
Cost Free
Complaint Resolution [email protected]

Presented by:

Joe Wroblewski is a Senior Product Enthusiast with more than eight years of experience working in tax and accounting technology. He leverages his expertise in areas such as client success, learning and development, and sales to help new and existing customers make an immediate impact in their firms using the SafeSend Suite. Since 2012, he has held many roles at SafeSend, but most enjoys helping firms design workflows that best complement their specific needs.

Gail Perry is the editor-in-chief of CPA Practice Advisor. A veteran of accounting journalism, she also speaks at many accounting events, trade shows, and webinars. Gail is the author of over 30 books (including Mint.com For DummiesThe Idiot’s Guide to Introductory Accounting, and Surviving Financial Downsizing: A Practical Guide to Living Well on Less Income), and she maintains a small tax practice. Gail is a graduate of Indiana University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She returned to school to study accounting at Illinois State University, earned her CPA, and worked for Deloitte in Chicago for several years as a state and local tax accountant. She has taught introductory accounting and personal finance courses, and she is a former computer applications instructor at the Indiana CPA Society. Gail is a member of the AICPA’s PFS Credential Committee.

This FREE online webinar is a continuation of CPA Practice Advisor’s mission to provide unbiased, independent information on technologies available to practicing public accountants and tax professionals.

Special thanks to our sponsor for supporting this educational session:

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SafeSend offers award-winning automation technology for tax and accounting firms to provide an unmatched client experience. The SafeSend Suite® is a single, secure platform for engagement letters, fillable organizers, source document gathering, file exchange, extensions, tax return assembly, delivery, e-sign, and electronic K-1 distribution. Thousands of firms save an average of $12K for every 1K returns delivered via SafeSend.

This end-to-end tax workflow equips firms to serve their clients with a guided and intuitive experience across all touchpoints, including automated reminders, online payment options, tax return summary—and more—all in one place. The SafeSend Suite currently supports CCH Axcess™ Tax and ProSystem fx® Tax, Thomson Reuters UltraTax CS® and GoSystem® Tax RS, and Intuit Lacerte®. Visit safesend.com to learn more about our technology solutions.

CPA Practice Advisor is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: https://www.nasbaregistry.org/. For more information regarding administrative policies please contact Isaac O’Bannon at [email protected].

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Leaders

Mark Cuban is The Maverick Entrepreneur Changing Business and Beyond

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Mark Cuban's journey embodies the American entrepreneurial spirit

From selling garbage bags door-to-door as a child to becoming a billionaire tech pioneer and beloved “Shark,” Mark Cuban’s journey embodies the American entrepreneurial spirit. His straight-talking approach and business acumen have made him one of the most recognizable business figures of our time.

Early Life and Education

Born in Pittsburgh on July 31, 1958, to working-class parents, Cuban learned the value of hustle early. His grandfather, a Russian immigrant, sold merchandise from the back of his car—perhaps planting the entrepreneurial seed that would define Cuban’s future.

After graduating from Indiana University in 1981 with a degree in business, Cuban didn’t follow a traditional career path. Instead, he moved to Dallas with just $60 in his pocket, sleeping on the floor of a friend’s apartment while working as a bartender.

Building His Fortune

Cuban’s first major success came in 1990 when he sold his computer consulting firm, MicroSolutions, for $6 million. However, his true financial breakthrough arrived during the internet boom of the 1990s. Cuban and his business partner Todd Wagner founded Broadcast.com, an internet radio company that streamed audio of sports events and other content.

In 1999, Yahoo acquired Broadcast.com for $5.7 billion in stock—a deal that instantly made Cuban a billionaire and cemented his place in tech history.

The Dallas Mavericks Era

In 2000, Cuban purchased a majority stake in the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks for $285 million. Under his passionate and sometimes controversial leadership, the team transformed from a struggling franchise into NBA champions in 2011.

Unlike traditional team owners, Cuban sits courtside at games, openly criticizes referees, and maintains close relationships with players. His hands-on approach revolutionized NBA ownership culture and turned the Mavericks into a billion-dollar franchise.

Beyond Business: Media and Philanthropy

Cuban’s charismatic personality made him a natural fit for television. Since 2011, he has been a main investor on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” where his no-nonsense approach and investment savvy have helped launch numerous successful startups.

Behind the public persona lies a dedicated philanthropist. The Mark Cuban Foundation supports various causes, including entrepreneurship programs for at-risk youth and research into treating rare diseases. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuban launched Cost Plus Drugs, aiming to dramatically reduce prescription medication prices for millions of Americans.

Looking Forward

Today, Cuban continues to disrupt industries through his forward-thinking investments in AI, cryptocurrency, and healthcare. Despite his billions, colleagues describe him as remarkably approachable and genuinely passionate about helping entrepreneurs succeed.

Cuban remains focused on making healthcare more affordable through Cost Plus Drugs and exploring new frontiers in digital technology. His commitment to transparency in business practices and creating opportunities for others forms the cornerstone of his ongoing legacy.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Cuban’s advice remains consistent: follow your passion, outwork the competition, and always be learning. As he often says, “Work like there is someone working 24 hours a day to take it all away from you.”

Mark Cuban’s journey from selling garbage bags to building a multi-billion-dollar empire proves that with determination, innovation, and a willingness to challenge the status quo, extraordinary success is possible.

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Technology

Quantum Computing is Transforming Industries, Security, and Future Technologies

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Quantum Computing is Transforming Industries, Security, and Future Technologies

Quantum computing is rapidly emerging as one of the most transformative technologies of the 21st century. Unlike classical computers, which use bits to process information as either 0s or 1s, quantum computers leverage qubits, allowing them to exist in multiple states simultaneously. This property, known as superposition, along with entanglement and quantum tunneling, enables quantum computers to solve complex problems exponentially faster than traditional systems. As this technology advances, industries across the board are exploring its potential to revolutionize computing, security, and data processing.

Real-World Applications of Quantum Computing in Industries

Several industries are already benefiting from quantum computing’s capabilities. In healthcare, quantum algorithms are accelerating drug discovery by simulating molecular structures at an unprecedented scale, significantly reducing the time required for pharmaceutical research. Financial institutions are leveraging quantum computing to optimize trading strategies, portfolio management, and risk assessment. In manufacturing, quantum simulations enhance material science, leading to the development of stronger and more efficient materials. The logistics sector is also utilizing quantum computing to optimize supply chain management, reducing operational costs and improving efficiency.

Key Developments from Tech Giants in Quantum Research

Leading technology companies such as Google, IBM, Microsoft, and Intel are at the forefront of quantum computing research. Google made headlines with its claim of achieving quantum supremacy in 2019 when its quantum processor completed a calculation in 200 seconds that would take a classical supercomputer thousands of years. IBM continues to advance its quantum computing roadmap with cloud-accessible quantum computers and the development of a 1,000-qubit processor. Microsoft is investing heavily in topological qubits, a novel approach aimed at creating more stable quantum processors. Meanwhile, Intel is working on silicon-based quantum chips, striving to make quantum computing more scalable and accessible.

Quantum Cryptography and Its Potential to Redefine Security

As quantum computers advance, they pose a significant threat to current encryption methods. Traditional cryptographic techniques, such as RSA and ECC encryption, rely on the difficulty of factoring large numbers, a challenge that quantum computers can overcome almost instantly. Quantum cryptography, particularly quantum key distribution (QKD), offers a solution by leveraging the principles of quantum mechanics to create theoretically unbreakable encryption. Governments and cybersecurity firms are actively researching post-quantum cryptographic solutions to safeguard sensitive data against potential quantum attacks.

Challenges in Scaling Quantum Technologies

Despite its immense potential, quantum computing faces several challenges before it can become widely adopted. One of the biggest hurdles is qubit stability, as qubits are highly sensitive to environmental disturbances, leading to errors in computations. Error correction mechanisms are still in their early stages, requiring significant advancements before quantum computers can handle large-scale, practical applications. Additionally, quantum hardware is expensive and requires extreme cooling conditions, making commercialization difficult. Researchers and tech companies are actively working on solutions to address these challenges, but widespread implementation remains years, if not decades, away.

Conclusion

Quantum computing is poised to revolutionize industries by solving complex problems beyond the reach of classical computers. From pharmaceutical research and financial modeling to secure communications and logistics optimization, its applications are vast and transformative. However, challenges related to scalability, stability, and cost must be addressed before quantum computers can become mainstream. With continued advancements from tech giants and research institutions, the future of quantum computing holds immense promise, paving the way for groundbreaking innovations in computing and security.

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Technology

Reddit CEO Steve Huffman Unveils Monetization Strategy for 2025

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Reddit CEO Steve Huffman Unveils Monetization Strategy

In a strategic move to diversify revenue streams and enhance user engagement, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman has unveiled plans to introduce paid subscriptions for select subreddit content by the end of 2025. This initiative aims to offer exclusive, subscriber-only content within certain communities while maintaining the platform’s foundational free access.

During a recent “Ask Me Anything” session, Huffman described the paid content model as a “work in progress,” emphasizing its significance as one of the “new, key features” slated for rollout this year. He reassured users that the introduction of paid subreddits would not compromise the availability and growth of free content on the platform. This approach seeks to balance monetization efforts with Reddit’s commitment to open access, ensuring that the core user experience remains intact.

In addition to paid subscriptions, Reddit is exploring the development of marketplace features within subreddits. This would enable users to conduct transactions directly on the platform, facilitating the buying and selling of goods and services without the need for third-party platforms. Such a marketplace could significantly enhance user interactions and create new monetization avenues for both Reddit and its users. However, Huffman noted that this aspect of monetization is still under development and may take time to fully implement.

These strategic initiatives come in the wake of Reddit’s financial performance in 2024, where the company reported a net loss, prompting a reevaluation of its monetization strategies. Despite the financial setback, Reddit experienced a 39% increase in daily active unique visitors, totaling 101.7 million users. This growth, although slightly below market estimates, underscores the platform’s expanding user base and the potential for monetization through diversified offerings.

Reddit’s foray into paid content and on-platform transactions reflects a broader trend among social media platforms seeking sustainable revenue models beyond traditional advertising. By introducing exclusive content and facilitating user-driven commerce, Reddit aims to enhance user engagement, attract new audiences, and provide content creators with opportunities to monetize their contributions. As these plans unfold, the platform will need to navigate potential challenges, including user reception and the integration of new features, to successfully balance monetization with its community-driven ethos.

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