The Insight Research Group, which annually conducts the Accounting Firm Operations and Technology (AFOT) survey, has announced this year’s survey awards. Survey respondents identify the software used in their accounting firm that has the greatest impact on profitability, risk mitigation and productivity.The winners were selected from 87 different accounting software products, with an award given for each category of the size of firm it best serves.
The AFOT survey is led by Randy Johnston, CEO of Network Management Group, and Leslie Garrett, Ph.D., CEO of Insight Research Group.
“Every year of the AFOT survey provides a new insight on shifts in the profession,” Johnston said in a statement. “If a CPA firm is trying to understand what peers are using in their practices and wants to spot action items for improving their practices, the AFOT survey is a great place to look and learn. This year’s survey showed the most significant change of all survey years. Firms are questioning the status quo and want to buy new technology in all practice areas while actively looking for solutions. The award winners name the best of the best tools for CPAs in public practice.”
The AFOT Survey is produced independently and firms of all sizes across the United States participate.
The winners are as follows:
| Size of firm | ||
| Profitability awards | Winner | Honorable mention |
| Solo practitioner | QuickBooks Online Accountant | QuickBooks Accountant Desktop |
| AuditFile | ||
| Drake Tax | ||
| Xero | ||
| 1-10 full time employees (FTE) | UltraTax CS (Thomson Reuters) | QuickBooks Accountant Desktop |
| 11-50 FTE | CCH ProSystem fx Tax | CCH ProSystem fxEngagement |
| Doc.It | ||
| XCM | ||
| 51-100 FTE | CCH ProSystem fx Tax | CCH ProSystem fxEngagement |
| Doc.It | ||
| 101 or more FTE | CCH ProSystem fx Tax | CCH Suite |
| CCH ProSystem fxEngagement | XCM | |
| Risk Mitigation Awards | ||
| Solo practitioner | AccountantsWorld Payroll Relief | QuickBooks Accountant Desktop |
| QuickBooks Online Accountant | ||
| 1-10 FTE | UltraTax CS (Thomson Reuters) | Doc.It |
| 11-50 FTE | CCH ProSystem fxEngagement | Doc.It |
| 51-100 FTE | Doc.It | CCH ProSystem fxEngagement |
| CCH ProSystem fx Tax | ||
| GoFileRoom (Thomson Reuters) | ||
| Practice CS (Thomson Reuters) | ||
| XCM | ||
| 101 or more FTE | CCH ProSystem fxEngagement | XCM |
| Productivity Awards | ||
| Solo Practitioner | QuickBooks Online Accountant | AccountantsWorld Payroll Relief |
| ATX/CCH Small Business | ||
| Drake Tax | ||
| 1-10 FTE | Doc.It | QuickBooks Accountant Desktop |
| UltraTax CS (Thomson Reuters) | ||
| 11-50 FTE | XCM | CCH ProSystem fx Tax |
| 51-100 FTE | XCM | Doc.It |
| 101 or more FTE | CCH ProSystem fxEngagement | XCM |
