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New York (May 14, 2002) -- Gary Boomer, one of the accounting industry's best-known technology consultants and a former chairman of the American Institute of CPAs' Information Technology Committee, is the latest to weigh in with criticism on the CPA2Biz Internet portal."A lot of people have lost confidence in CPA2Biz because it has changed directions," Boomer said during a Monday morning tele-conference of the Advisory Board consortium of industry practice management consultants. He cited CPA2Biz's recent acquisition of Rivio and plans to make that Internet company's online services available to CPAs as an example of a directional change.
"Many of these services (Rivio's) are already being delivered by competitors in a more efficient manner," said Boomer, who's also a member of the AICPA's governing Council.
"Our goal is to provide the best tools and solutions for the CPA and their clients. We feel that that the new Rivio payroll solution adds a new business solution to help CPAs better support their small business clients in a cost-effective manner on a easier to access service through our revamped CPA2Biz Web site," responded CPA2Biz senior director Wayne Harding.
A week ago at the AICPA's technology conference, Harding said the upcoming launch of the payroll program and additional services planned for the future should propel the portal's acceptance by accountants and businesses.
Boomer also criticized the portal's recent layoffs and other loss of personnel. "They lost a lot of people I have respect for, including Mike Harnish (former CPA2Biz chief information officer)," he said.
-- John M. Covaleski
