CSI: Accounting!At most, the forensics guys on CSI have to handle a couple of bullet fragments, a piece of bloodstained carpet, and the victim's pancreas - nothing that wouldn't fit in a test tube or, at worst, an Igloo cooler. They should try forensic accounting and litigation support, where a single case can involve tens of millions of documents. The professionals at Deloitte & Touche's forensic and dispute services practice have handled just that kind of case many times, and have launched a new service to let everyone benefit from their experience.
AFTnet Services is a single seamless process for digital evidence collection, electronic discovery, online storage and investigation capabilities. It collects electronic data from hard drives, servers, surveillance sources and more, then sifts through it to eliminate the irrelevant and organize the relevant, then makes it all available in a secure, online environment.
Rumor has it that Brian Dennehy is considered the role of the crusty-but-wise partner-in-charge. ...
Price: Contact firm.
Deloitte & Touche LLP
SecureCPA
Who would know the information technology security needs of CPAs better than a CPA? That sort of insider knowledge is one of the main selling points of SecureCPA, a new suite of managed IT security services developed by California CPA Terrence H. Bell.
It combines perimeter-based and in-house security techniques in three centrally managed services: SecureGateway, for protection from Internet-based attacks such as viruses and spam, and for controlling employee access to e-mail, instant messaging and the Web; SecureData, for backing up important financial data to a safe offsite location; and SecureDesktop, for automating administrative security tasks such as monitoring for malware and viruses, installing updates, defragging hard disks and setting alerts.
Price: Contact vendor. 30-day trial available.
Bellsolutions.net
CPA Exam tools
It's not just for the SATs anymore - test prepper Kaplan Inc. also does CPA Exam review, and they've recently introduced two new free resources to help students prepare for the new version of the test that separates the sheep from the goats (accounting-wise, that is).
First, there's the 40-Question Testlet, a sample platter of 10 multiple-choice questions from each of the four new sections of the redesigned exam, with immediate scoring and video explanations. Then there's Navigate the CPA Exam, a resource of information on the logistics of taking the test that can walk prospective CPAs through the paperwork and educate them on specific location requirements, application processes and required forms.
Price: Free.
Kaplan Inc.
Projectors and scanners for SMBs
There's nothing a presentation audience likes better than a good projection: It provides visual stimulation to those who are interested and, for the rest of us, a good chance to snooze unobserved while the lights are out. HP has two new lines of digital projectors designed specifically for small and midsized businesses.
For the larger SMB, there's the mp3135 series, with wireless connectivity, flash memory storage capability and fast processing of PowerPoint files. For those who need to put fewer - or less-important - people to sleep, there's the more affordable vp6300 series, with a lamp that lasts twice as long as those of most other projectors, and an extensive warranty.
HP has also introduced the Scanjet 7650, a small-business-appropriate scanner with a 50-sheet automatic document feeder, 12-page-per-minute scanning capability, and a complement of software for simple document management and easy image scanning.
Price: HP mp3135 Digital Projector series - starts at $2,499; HP vp6300 series - starts at $799; HP Scanjet 7650 - starts at $699.
HP
