Spotlight Podcast Series

According to Wikipedia podcast is “a series of digital media files made available for download via Web syndication.” I say the term podcast stands for "Personal On Demand broadCAST."

But in either case, it’s a really quick and simple way to deliver high value information in a format that is easily consumed by our readers, er ….. listeners. Listening is simple --- just click the “Listen” button and the podcast will begin playing on your computer. Just like talk radio, except in this case YOU control what you listen to and when. And, unlike radio you can easily “subscribe” to a podcast series by simply clicking a button. This syndication aspect is what differentiates podcasts from other files accessible by direct download or streaming: it means that special software applications, such as Apple Inc.'s iTunes, can automatically identify and retrieve new podcasts as they are posted, and that they can files can be automatically downloaded for offline use.

We find that that many of our listeners subscribe via iTunes. From within iTunes just go to the iTunes store and search for the “Spotlight Series”, When you see us pop up click on subscribe and from then on anytime we post a new show it’ll automatically download for you. And, if you have a portable device like an iPod, you can take us with you to the gym, or listen while you mow the yard, or in the car --- anywhere you’d like to learn while being entertained.

Subscribe in itunes or your favorite Podcast player
To automatically subscribe in iTunes click the iTunes button below. If you use any other podcast player, the RSS feed is available by clicking on the RSS button.

Gadgets and Gizmos On Spotlight on Gadgets & Gizmos for Accountants with Brian Tankersley we discuss all things digital as they relate to the tax and accounting professional. Brian is a CPA, a CITP, and a GEEK! In his role as with K2 Enterprises, a well-known consulting firm, he travels the US speaking to and with accountants and from that experience brings a deep understanding as to what technologies make life better for the profession. Each episode is a “deep dive” into one particular piece of hardware, or perhaps a web service, or something else with a technological flavor --- but always from the perspective of public accounting. If you can use it in practice and its shiny or has flashing LEDs, we’ll be talking about it here!

Document Management Spotlight on Document Management for Accountants features John Higgins, one of the country’s leading experts on the technologies and best practices of document management. On the show we talk about tax and accounting professionals and their journey to paperless, including specific hardware and software which can be used, and oftentimes including the expertise of vendor product managers or of current users in firms just like yours. Each episode focuses on a specific facet --- sometimes from the audit side, other times from the tax side, but always with an eye toward learning together. Whether you’re completely paperless or just beginning to think about “going digital” Brian will help. Its tips, tricks, traps, and techniques galore!

High Tech in Accounting Firms Spotlight on High Tech in Accounting Firms with Brent Goodfellow is the show where the master discusses the bleeding edge of high tech for accounting firms. Each episode explores a single technology or component applicable to the profession. Our host, Brent Goodfellow, is widely recognized as a though-leader and he is highly credentialed and experienced in technology. “High Tech in Accounting Firms” features a single topic each month. If you want to know where the pprofession’s going, or where the uber-techie firms are today, this is what you’ve been looking for. For geeks, by geeks --- and always related to the tax and accounting profession.

Managing QuickBooks in an Accounting Practice This is Spotlight on Managing QuickBooks in an Accounting Practice features Amy Vetter, CPA.CITP and a partner in one of the country’s most respected QuickBooks consulting firms, Technology in a Box. This is a show about how successful firms manage all those clients using small business accounting software. There are LOTS of places to learn how to USE software --- but here Amy discusses how to MANAGE your staff, your clients, and your firm as they all use small business accounting software. We discuss every facet of QuickBooks – tips, tricks, and traps all with a laser focus on to increase the productivity of this very important part of your practice. It’s about accountability, productivity, and client satisfaction --- and profitability for all involved!