CCH has introduced a portal that accountants can use to exchange and share files securely with clients.
CCHs ProSystem fx Portal provides bidirectional file exchange capabilities for documents such as tax returns and financial statements. The service supports PDF files, Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, QuickBooks files, and Web pages.
CCH product manager John Springfield noted that some states have already passed laws prohibiting firms from sending confidential documents via unencrypted e-mail, and more states are expected to follow. The portal allows accountants and clients to exchange files while complying with such laws.
With ProSystem fx Portal, firms can organize documents electronically in cabinets and folders that mirror the way they store paper documents. Files can be designated as read-only or read/write for easier access and greater security, and can be checked out to prevent other users from editing them while they are being updated. Previous file versions can be maintained in the document history. Users can search, filter and display documents by file type, title, creator, key word and more.
ProSystem fx Portal integrates with other members of the ProSystem fx Suite of products, including ProSystem fx Tax, ProSystem fx Engagement and ProSystem fx Document. Firms using ProSystem fx Document have the ability to track file versions, create custom folders, publish and un-publish files to the portal from ProSystem fx Document, and to download files from the portal to ProSystem fx Document.
ProSystem fx Portal comes in both basic and premier versions. Basic portals are designed for clients who just need access to copies of their 1040 returns or other core documents, and who will occasionally need to exchange small files and documents with the firm.
Premier portals offer more storage space (up to the storage limit licensed by the firm), the ability to add multiple client users and the option to provide secure client areas. Client areas give clients a secure portal area for their external business or investment activities and are accessible only by client users.
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