Ceridian expands offering for CPAs with launch of secure data transfer and communication solution
CPA Client Connection helps accounting firms mitigate risks and increase productivity by providing a secure Web portal for easily sharing information with clients
MINNEAPOLIS (November 13, 2006) – Ceridian (www.ceridian.com), a leader in managed human resource outsourcing solutions, today announced the launch of CPA Client Connection – a secure, hosted Web portal that enables accounting firms to easily share data and information with clients, helping them mitigate compliance risks and increase productivity.
“CPA Client Connection builds on Ceridian’s long history of working in partnership with the accounting community,” said Brian Regan, vice president of small business for Ceridian. “Ceridian provides HR/Payroll, benefits administration, compliance and time and attendance offerings for small businesses, often working with accountants for the benefit of our mutual clients.”
Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) has had a significant effect on the accounting community, creating additional business opportunities for firms of all sizes. However, the increased workload, coupled with more reliance from business owners on their accountants for business advice, has resulted in new pressures on firms to increase efficiencies and find and retain top talent.
By streamlining standard communications and information gathering and sharing for accounting firms, Ceridian’s CPA Client Connection allows accountants to focus more attention on the consultative services clients value most.
“While our clients still expect traditional number-crunching services, more and more of them value the consultative nature of our relationship and rely on us for business planning and investment strategy services,” said Ken Botwinick, CPA for Botwinick & Company, L.L.C., a family owned accounting firm and long-term Ceridian partner. “CPA Client Connection streamlines our communication with clients and gives our accountants the freedom to spend more time providing consultative services, while delivering a level of communications security and confidence email doesn’t provide.”
How CPA Client Connection Works
CPA Client Connection is branded for each accounting firm, reflecting their logo, services and biographies, and can be used to communicate a range of services available to their clients. Additionally, CPA Client Connection houses useful resources for business owners, such as calculators (e.g. loan repayment, lease vs. own, start-up funding), human resources management tools (e.g. gross-up calculators, record retention, compliance briefs) and links to agency resources (e.g. IRS, Small Business Administration, Patent Office, etc.).
Clients and accountants can post information in CPA Client Connection’s SecureSpace, a workspace where documents – such as tax returns, financial records or investment information – can be easily accessed and shared. Within a firm’s portal, user passwords are set up for each client/user, and members of the firm can quickly access each client/user’s data. CPA Client Connection also can be used by firms to distribute messages to clients, a method more convenient than traditional mail and email.
“With demands on accounting firms growing as a result of SOX, it’s critical for them to have a system in place for effectively handling data sharing and administration,” Ceridian’s Regan said. “CPA Client Connection provides a centralized, secure source for streamlining the day-to-day tasks accountants face. And, as a hosted solution, it eliminates the need for firms to invest in IT infrastructure or maintenance. This unique, new service is the only one of its kind for CPAs and further demonstrates Ceridian’s ongoing commitment to the accounting community.”
Pricing and Availability
CPA Connection is available now for CPAs. Pricing is between $2-$3.50 per user, per month, in addition to a one-time $500 implementation fee. A demo of CPA Client Connection can be viewed online at, www.ceridian.com/CPAdemo.
Source: Ceridian
